Chapter 61 – The Worst Reality

Аs Аsutо stared at thе mаn, Instant Mеmory асtivаtеd.

Infоrmаtion abоut the man with а similаr aрреаrаncе surfaсed in his mind.

(This guу… Uzuki Каin!)

Uzuki Кain was а toр Exeсutivе of the Shisei Guild, onе оf the Four Great Guilds.

Hе wаs one of the high-Levеl Нunters, but manу asресts оf his activities remаined unclеаr.

Nеither his prеfеrrеd Weaрon nor his сombat recоrd hаd been disсlоsed.

Yеt, the oрpressive аura thаt рierced his skin made Аsuto undеrstаnd оne thing: this mаn was unnaturаllу strоng.

As Asutо braсеd himsеlf, unаblе to рrеdiсt his oррonent’s move, Uzuki spoke with a laugh.

“Daydreaming, are we?”

“…Huh?”

“Ah, you haven’t even noticed. Look at his arm—”

“What?”

Following the instruction, Asuto rolled up Ginzan’s sleeve.

Immediately, a small tree growing on his right arm caught his eye.

Seeing the roots deeply embedded in the arm, Asuto’s face stiffened.

“Parasitic Tree…”

A Parasitic Tree is a type of Mistletoe that takes root in living organisms.

Once parasitized, it grows until the host’s life is exhausted.

Originally non-existent on Earth, it was brought from the Otherworld through Gates.

It is a dangerous plant, so much so that mere possession of its seeds is a crime.

Panicked, Asuto gripped the tree, trying to pull it out of Ginzan.

“That’s a bad move. It’s been quite some time since that staff member was parasitized. Tiny roots should have already spread throughout his body. If the tree is pulled out, it senses danger and sprouts from every root. If that happens, the human turns into flesh and blood in an instant. If you want to see the Parasitic Tree bloom crimson—”

“Shut up.”

Asuto forcefully suppressed his rage, which threatened to erupt.

Lashing out here wouldn’t remove the Parasitic Tree from Ginzan.

Desperately, he searched his memories for any solution.

That’s when it happened.

Ginzan’s eyes opened slightly.

“Makoto!?”

“…Ah, Asuto, isn’t it? What’s… wrong? You look… so sad. Did someone… bully you again?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll save you now.”

“Ah, thank you. I’m feeling… really good right now.”

“…Huh?”

“Because… I thought I’d die… all alone.”

A wheezing sound came from deep in his throat.

His lips had turned purple, and breathing seemed painful.

A tear spilled from his eyes.

“I’m glad… you came, Asuto. To die… with you watching over me… feels… so wonderful…”

“…Don’t be stupid. I’ll save you right now.”

“Th…ank you… Asuto. Become… strong… Don’t end up… like me…”

—So you won’t be trampled.

With those final words, the strength drained from Ginzan’s body.

Simultaneously, a small red flower bloomed from the tip of the Parasitic Tree’s leaves.

Trembling with rage, Asuto slowly laid Ginzan down and closed his eyelids with his palm.

“…Why did you do this to Makoto!?”

“He was in the way. That staff member was snooping around for information within the Hunter Association.

He made espionage activities inside difficult, so I decided to eliminate him. Ah, but if you had just accepted the Scout offer, he might have been spared.”

“Hah? What nonsense are you—”

“Your appearance has greatly shaken the Hunter World. If you had joined our Guild, there would have been no problem. But you refused. Even then, if you had joined another Major Guild, it might have been fine.”

“What do you mean?”

“If you joined a different Guild, the status of the current Three Major Guilds would be greatly destabilized. The existing Guilds’ authority might weaken. That would be troublesome.

Privilege only holds value when few possess it. To avoid losing that privilege, we decided you should exit the Hunter stage early.”

“What does that have to do with Makoto?”

“Don’t you understand? Ginzan Makoto was the bait to lure you in.”

“—!”

“If you had been obedient, you might have been spared and left to swim freely. How pitiful.”

“You’re fucking with me!!”

Unable to bear it, Asuto drew the Kusanagi Sword from his Inventory and swung at Uzuki.

Just before impact, someone intervened from the side.

—Kiiiiin!!

A sharp metallic sound rang out, scattering sparks.

The one who intervened was Tatekawa.

“Move, Tatekawa!!”

Hunter Law Article 2 Section 3—Hunters must not direct their armed force against ordinary citizens.”

Tatekawa’s body glowed faintly.

A sign of his Skill activation.

—Damn.

Realizing this, Asuto used Backstep.

But having attacked him, he couldn’t escape the Skill’s Effect.

However, the use of armed force against Hunters is permitted only in self-defense—

“—!”

“〈

Perfect Reflection

(

Reflect Blast

)

〉”

The next moment, Asuto’s body was sent flying.

Spinning head over heels, he fell.

Then, sliding across the ground, he crashed into a steel beam before finally stopping.