Chapter 205 An Unreliable Man

Part 2

“What’s…… This place……” (Term)

“Kekeke……” (Kechakchakka)

　A dry voice echoed through the mysterious mansion.
　Term Apokris has a long experience as a Hunter.
Ever since he learned to be a Magi, he had been learning to be a Treasure Hunter.
However, this was the first time he had experienced something so bizarre.

　Indeed, Term was supposed to have jumped out of the ship.  He intended to regroup and get ready for him as soon as he escaped.
　But when he stepped out of the ship, what he saw was an unexpected sight.
He turned around, but the exit was gone.
And he was left with the presence of a Mana Material with a level of intensity he had never sensed before.

　Term understood immediately.
This dense atmosphere was a Treasure Shrine.
It was an ultra-high level Treasure Shrine that surpassed Level 8 Treasure Shrines that Term had experienced so far.
　It was an incredibly hard to believe story.
But there was no other way to think about this.
　It wasn’t an illusion.
Even if it is 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 and his unknown technique, it is impossible to deceive Term without warning.
If he doubts that, he will have no choice but to doubt everything.

　Even Kechakchakka, who always keeps her composure, seemed somewhat anxious.
The fact that the Dragon hadn’t arrived must have added to her anxiety.

　He examined the mansion without letting his guard down.
　The mansion was spacious and the ceiling was high.
Above all, his feet was so stable that he couldn’t believe it was flying in the sky.

　Could it have been a teleportation spell? No――It’s impossible.
　Teleportation is an ultra-high level Magic.
But more than that, in a Treasure Shrine of this level, the Mana Material filling it would become resistance against the Magic.
There’s no way he can ever use it.

　It was too creepy.
The mansion was clearly intended for humanoid creatures.
However, there was no sign of life at all.
　He couldn’t even see the Phantoms that should have been present with this concentration of Mana Material.

“Don’t let your guard down…… There must be an exit.” (Term)

“Hihihi……” (Kechakchakka)

　He checked his Magic power.
The Magic that Term used to annihilate the crew was very fuel-efficient.
He still has enough magic power left to fight.
　He still couldn’t use his Magic, but he could use body-enhancement ones.
A good Hunter has a certain amount of control over things that are not his specialty.
Kechakchakka should be in the same state.

’

　With their magic suppressed, there was only so much they could do, but they could only push through it.

　The corridor went on forever.
It was clearly wider than the airship they had been on.
　The space was probably distorted.
This was something common in High-Level Treasure Shrines.

　At that moment, Term found something strange.
A painting.

　The white-painted walls were covered with very abstract paintings.
　Right now he wanted any hints on what was going on.
He approached cautiously and observed carefully.

　At first glance, he couldn’t tell what all those yellow lines drawn all around were, but――.

　Suddenly it occurred to him and Term murmured.

“………… A Fox……?” (Term)

“Kekeee!” (Kechakchakka)

 

　At Kechakchakka’s warning, Term turned around as he backed away.
　They saw a small figure at the other side of the corridor.
It was a child wearing a white kimono.
However, its face was covered with a glossy white mask.

　Its shape indicated that it is――A fox.
　It was a Phantom.
He didn’t even need to wonder about that.
The presence of the Mana Material that was drifting from its small body was extraordinary.

　He won’t be able to win without his Magic.
Term’s bracelet is exceptionally strong as a wand, but it cannot be used for striking.

　However, he still has his trump card.

　The fact that he can’t use Magic is probably a characteristic of this Treasure Shrine.
And the reason why he can only use physical enhancement is because he didn’t lose control of his body to this realm.
　Every High-Level Hunter knows that in a very high-level Treasure Shrine the law of physics can change.
But then you just have to make a weapon that is within those laws.

’

　Water can be found in your own body.
No, water in the body is the easiest thing to manipulate.
Therefore, naturally, he had already made preparations for it.

　The child with a fox mask approaches him.
Its movements were nice and easy.

　I’ll catch him off guard and finish him off with a single blow.
I’ve been in this kind of situation many times before.
There won’t be a problem this time either.

　But it is a strange mask.
A mask painted in vermilion on glossy white background.
It seemed both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
　His heart was buzzing.

　The secret organization to which Term belongs, the 『Nine-Tailed Shadow Fox (Kyubi no Kage Kitsune)』 owes its name to a Treasure Shrine.
A Treasure Shrine where a god in the form of a fox reigns.
　The founder of the organization had the misfortune of once having an encounter with the god and survived.
Fascinated by its power and its divinity, he borrowed its name.

　Even for someone from the seventh-ranked, Term had only heard rumors about it, but it is said that as a sign of loyalty, the highest-ranking executives of the organization are given a fox mask that the founder once brought back from the Treasure Shrine.

　He felt a chill run down his spine.
Kechakchakka’s face was also tense as if the same thought had occurred to her.

“Don’t tell me――This is――.” (Term)

　That’s impossible.
We don’t know where in the world that Treasure Shrine is――No, even if it exists at all.
　It is said that the founder, who entered and survived this divine realm, never encountered the Treasure Shrine again.

　It is destiny.
It is not just luck that would allow you to encounter it.
You must be destined for it.

　He regained his composure.
He hadn’t even taken his eyes off it, but the fox-face child who had been closing in on him had vanished like an illusion.

“”

　Instead, a voice comes from behind him.

“Welcome, guest.” (Fox Phantom)

“Huh!?” (Term)

“I know about your situation.
There is no need to be so vigilant.
Term Apokris.
Kechakchakka Munk.
Poor humans that have been abandoned by Kikkikan-san1.” (Fox Phantom)

’

 

　He couldn’t feel its presence at all.
He was sure it wasn’t there a few seconds ago.
　It was a different individual from the child that had been approaching them.
The one he had just seen earlier was a child, but this one was a young man.
The only thing they had in common was that they were wearing a fox mask.
　He felt a chill.
The amount of Mana Material in its body far exceeded that of the fox-mask child who already had an out of ordinary amount.
　He can’t win.
His body almost retreats on reflex, but he holds it back.

　It reminds him of the words of the founder.
The founder of the organization said, 『Never give up』.
　Whether it was a lie or the truth, the founder was an excellent Hunter.
And, truth is, he survived.
He brought back a mask.
Then there was no reason why Term Apokris, who was feared as 《Stillwater (Shisui)》 couldn’t do the same.

“Are you――A god?” (Term)

　I can touch him.
Phantoms that have a human form often have structures that are similar to humans.
　Which means there must be water in his body.
If I touch it directly, there is a possibility that I can control it.
If it is me, a master of water manipulation, I should be able to do it.
No, I have no choice but to do it.

　I have to catch him off guard.
The young man says to Term.

“Please rest assured.
We are fair and impartial.
We will guarantee your safety.
However, there will be a price.
Also, I am not a god.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

“A price…………?” (Term)

“There is no need to be afraid.
Except your own lives, we will only take what is tangible.
But we will take what is most precious to you.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

　The young man looked over Term and Kechakchakka who was wary.
　There is an opening.
No, he is full of openings.
The other side is not wary of our attacks.

　Nodding strongly, the young man slowly opened his mouth.

 

“I will receive the 『Blessing of the Water God』 and the 『Proof of Immortal Dragons』.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

’

“Huh!?” (Term)

　His mind…… Had been read.
He was sure of it.
　The 『Blessing of the Water God』 and the 『Proof of Immortal Dragons』 are the foundation of Term and Kechakchakka’s power.
Without the 『Blessing of the Water God』, Term’s power will be greatly reduced and there will be no replacement for it.
And needless to say for the 『Proof of Immortal Dragons』.

　More importantly, if those two things were lost, Term and Kechakchakka would not stand a chance.

　Cold sweat was sliding down his cheeks.
The fox-mask laughed.

“What will you do?” (Kitsune Onii-san)

“What… If I say no?” (Term)

　His heart was starting to hurt.
The young man’s demeanor remained unchanged.
He leisurely exposes his body in front of Term’s eyes.

　I’ll manipulate the water in his body.
I’ll touch him.
As long as I touch him, the game is won.

　The fox-mask young man laughed calmly at what seemed like a provocation from Term.

“I didn’t have to tell this to Kikkikan-san――But, of course, you have the right to refuse.
We are…… Very fair and impartial.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Press F for Term and Kecha.
So Fox’s boss is someone who survived the Treasure Shrine!
But I doubt that he did it like Cry XD
And most likely their boss didn’t take any tail from the Fox God as Cry said that it has been 100 of years since the last time its tail has been taken.
Unless their boss is more than a 100 year old.
I just got a what if scenario! What if their boss face Cry and see all the tail Cry have XD
Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Kikkikan-san: It literraly it means No Sense of Danger-san and it refer to Cry.