Chapter 63 – Kain’s Strategy

Uzuki Каin, whо hаd summоned Yuki Asuto, wаs wаiting at a сertain соnstruсtiоn sitе in Тokyо.

Kain wоrkеd as thе right-hаnd mаn оf Shisеi Guild Mаster Нimuro.

His рrimаrу jоb was eliminаting nuisanсes.

He hаd disрosed of Huntеrs whо became obstасles to the Shisei Guild manу timеs over.

Оf cоursе, hе didn’t rеcklessly piсk fights with other Guilds.

Каin оnly movеd tо еliminate Нunters who intеrfered with the Shisei Guild оr unаffiliated Нuntеrs ovеrflowing with talеnt.

This was the Shisеi Guild’s behind-thе-sсenes power mаintenаnсе stratеgy.

Pоwеr wаs good. With it, mоneу аnd wоrk nаturаlly gаthеrеd, and his influеnсe was immense.

The most important thing was opportunity.

The presence or absence of power changed the abundance of opportunities.

Ever since attaining his current position, various companies had started bringing good deals to the Shisei Guild.

For example, when Rare Items were sold at auction, the Guild was approached first. Without competing with others, they could acquire Rare Items simply by piling up money.

Even by doing nothing, power naturally accumulated.

This position was something he absolutely could not afford to lose.

Amidst this, a Hunter growing with ferocious momentum had appeared.

Yuki Asuto.

If left alone, he would undoubtedly become an existence that disrupted the current balance.

(Well, I would have preferred to recruit him into the Guild…)

Despite the Guild Master going in person, the recruitment had failed.

It wasn’t just the Shisei Guild. Other Major Guilds, medium and small Guilds—all had failed to recruit Yuki.

Despite possessing such talent and power, he apparently continued his activities as a free Hunter.

Given this, it was only natural that the task would fall to Kain.

He had already implanted a Parasitic Tree into Ginzan, who lay at his feet.

This was a plant for which no treatment was currently established; once parasitized, death was certain.

(I’m looking forward to seeing what expression Yuki will make when he learns of this.)

After waiting for over ten minutes, the person in question finally appeared before him.

(He’s strong…)

That was Kain’s first impression.

It was hard to believe he had Awakened during the Second Outbreak.

He had an intimidating presence on par with veteran Hunters.

(If I’m not careful, he might even rival the Master…)

Gulp.

Overwhelmed by tension, Kain swallowed hard.

Erasing all expression from his face, he looked at Yuki without showing a hint of it.

“…You came.”

“Return Ginzan.”

“Very well. I’ll return him to youuu.”

Kain lifted Ginzan with one hand and tossed him.

Yuki caught him effortlessly and swiftly injected something into Ginzan’s arm.

Inside the syringe was an orange liquid.

(What is that?)

He strained his eyes, but just by the color, there was no way to tell what was inside.

It must be some kind of treatment. Kain concluded as much.

“Are you aware? That staff member is being eroded by a Parasitic Tree.”

“……”

“Oh, pulling it out is a bad moveee. When the tree is pulled, the Parasitic Tree senses danger and sprouts from all its roots, you seeee.”

“…Right.”

Not a flicker of agitation showed on Yuki’s expression.

Suddenly, a “sweet scent” drifted from somewhere.

(This smell… I feel like I’ve smelled it somewhere before…)

He searched his memory but couldn’t recall.

For a moment, he wondered if it was something like a Sleeping Drug and held his breath.

But far from feeling drowsy, he had a sensation of gradually waking up.

It seemed this smell wasn’t something like a Sleeping Drug.

(…Something is strange.)

At this point, Kain felt a sense of incongruity.

But there was absolutely no basis for it.

It must be his imagination, he immediately dismissed the feeling.

His plan was perfect.

Even if one part failed, he had prepared double and triple countermeasures.

There was no way it could fail.

“Why did you implant a Parasitic Tree in Makoto?”

“Because he was a nuisanceee. That staff member was sniffing around for information within the Hunter Association. It made Espionage difficult, so I decided to eliminate him while I was at ittt.”

“That makes no sense. Explain properly from the beginning!”

“Your appearance has greatly shaken the Hunter World as it is nowww. If you had joined our Guild, there would have been no problem. However, you refused. Even then, if you had joined another Major Guild, there would have been no issueee.

Privilege gains value precisely because few possess ittt. To avoid losing that privilege, I decided you should exit the Hunter stage earlyyy.

—Ginzan Makoto served as bait to lure you hereee.”

“…Whose orders?”

“Of course, my Guild Master, Himuro Seiyaaa. Without his instructions, I wouldn’t move—”

“I see, I see.”

Yuki crossed his arms and nodded repeatedly.

Seeing this, Kain could no longer ignore the growing sense of incongruity.

(Strange. Why on earth can he remain this calm?)

Despite an old acquaintance being eroded by a Parasitic Tree, not a flicker of change showed on his expression.

That wasn’t all. It was also odd how composed he was, even though his own life was being targeted.

(I fully expected him to get angry and resort to violence…)

One of his strategies had failed.

But Kain didn’t panic.

He still had cards left to play.

(No sign of comrades around. Doesn’t seem like he plans to overpower me by force either.)

To calm himself, he took a deep breath.

It was then. Yuki slowly opened his mouth.