Chapter 100 - Breaking Through the Neighborhood Labyrinth (8) (1/2)

“Yeah, it’s okay. The sighting information has just been uploaded. Ruten is not near here right now.”

I nodded silently to Mikuma’s voice that could be heard from the smartphone and made eye contact with Gasaraio.

“Okay, thank you Mikuma. Are we ready?”

I sheathed the knife I borrowed from Gasaraio through its dedicated holder and asked while mounting it on my belt.

“Ah, the policewoman and the blonde chibi will be in front. After that, the children, then the villain and I will be in the rear.”

Officer Doggy who was carrying a weapon, Gasaraio who has experience in combat sandwiched the group and I followed.

Taking the children into consideration as well, the formation had to be like this.

Kusaka looked after the children carefully so that they wouldn’t scatter.

“Everyone, we’re going. Please don’t get separated.”

“U-un.”

“O-okay.”

Officer Doggy smiled gently and looked at the children.

Each one had a stiff expression, but they are strong children.

The small children mustered their courage.

If we adults don’t have it together, we won’t be able to stay strong.

“… now.”

Gasaraio stepped outside the dome-shaped slide and confirmed the safety of the surrounding area before beckoning with his hand.

Nodding at those words, I first brought the boys out.

Next, Officer Doggy quickly entered the forest with the girls.

Finally, the Kusaka siblings went out, and Gasaraio and I went to the end.

We went down the path that I made when we entered this park.

Before leaving the park, Officer Doggy stopped the children and first checked that the road was safe.

“It’s okay. The community center is this way. Don’t rush, follow me, okay?”

The nervous children nodded repeatedly and followed Officer Doggy out of the park.

“Furball, did you get in touch with your siblings?”

Gasaraio and I were talking while checking the sky and behind us.

“No, I couldn’t get through, so I sent a text. Their patrol route should be near the evacuation shelter.”

“Speaking of which, why are you by yourself?”

If you’re a newcomer, wouldn’t it have been better to be with one of them?

“Since Nanairo-aneki is the only one who causes trouble without fail. She has a short temper and is quarrelsome, even Seijistsu-aniki doesn’t know why she explodes, and only he can stop her when she’s like that.”

Your older sister is like nitroglycerin.

“Did you get in touch with your family?”

“No, I also sent a text.”

They didn’t answer the phone at home, so I wonder if they went to an evacuation shelter outside.

Only Shouhei has a smartphone, which is inconvenient at times like this. I should have given Aoi one, but she did have a record of breaking my smartphone.

“I heard from Officer Doggy’s mom, who was with them, so I think they’re probably okay.”

I pretend to be calm, but I’m anxious.

“… Sorry, it’s because of the Treasure Hunter Association.”

I was surprised.

I was so surprised that I left my mouth open.

I didn’t think that this large impertinent cat would apologize to me.

He did apologized once before, but that should have been for everyone.

“… What’s with that face?”

Noticing that I wasn’t replying, Gasaraio glanced sideways at my face.

“Ah, no. Nothing.”

I came to my senses and was a little flustered.

“Well, even though I’m a novice, I’m still part of the Hunter Association. So I would feel some guilt. It’s also disgraceful to involve an ordinary citizen.”

Gasaraio diverted his line of sight and continued on.

“That’s why, well, sorry.”

… The first impression was the worst but now that I think about it now, he may have a bad mouth but he isn’t a bad person.

“Well, that’s what the guys above did of their own accord, right? Well, it’s not like you were wrong, and you know, you’re helping us? It’s not like we’re not thankful, so there’s no need to apologize…”

“Ha ha, why are you trying to take me into consideration? Idiot.”

Gasaraio squinted and smiled happily.

“S-shut up!”

After that, we cracked jokes while following after the kids.

When we walked for a while, we saw the signboard for the community centre.

“It’s looks about just a bit further, right.”

Kusaka lead the girl’s hand and talked to Officer Doggy.

The children were different in age, and the older children were holding the hands of the younger children. How admirable.

“That’s right, everyone do your best!”

“Yup!”

“I’ll do my best!”

“Onee-chan! Just a little more!”

The smallest girl that was holding Hina’s hand looked at her with a big smile.

“Yeah! Let’s do our best?”

“Yup!”

Hina-chan titled her chestnut color hair and smiled at the girl.

Gasaraio and I looked at that scene in the back, but didn’t relax our vigilance.

“I haven’t seen a single monster.”

“In the first place, we’re far away from Tusk Crag. Monsters are born in fixed places, so only fast ones can come to this place. Even an average hunter can easily deal with a Rock Wolf, so maybe the other hunters already got rid of them.”

I had a really tough time though.

“It’s natural for hunters to carry around magic tools that doesn’t break the rules. Rather, it was strange that you were fighting monsters without any equipment.”

Ah, was my dissatisfaction revealed on my face?

“Kunpei-kun! Can you hear me!?”

I heard Mikuma’s voice from the smartphone in my chest pocket.

“Oh, I can hear you. What’s wrong?”

“Ruten is heading there! Hide!”

Shit! Our goal was right in front of us!

“There was information with a photo from a nearby building! Quickly!”

“Officer Doggy!”

“Everyone, this way! Quickly!”

A swift judgment!

“Hina! Hold on to that girl! I’ll carry you!”

Without time to reply to Kusaka’s words, Hina held onto the smallest girl.。

Gasaraio and I both ran and picked up the children by two’s.

Eventually, we could see a crossroad in front of us.

“There’s a convenience store in this corner… no stop! Run away!”

Officer Doggy, who turned around the corner, suddenly shouted loudly.

What!?

“Kyaaah!”

Officer Doggy took a step back and her chest was cut by something that jumped out of the corner.

“Uwahhh!”

“Police officer-san!”

The children’s short screams echoed.

“Furball! I’m going ahead!”

“Oh!”

I entrusted the child to Gasaraio, pulled the knife out of the holder, and ran towards Officer Doggy.

“Rock Wolf!”

The rock wolf was there, snorting.

I stood in front of Officer Doggy, holding the knife.

“Furball! Ill attract its attention, so find a chance to shoot it! Kusaka! I’m leaving Officer Doggy to you!”

I glanced at Officer Doggy.

It’s okay, she’s alive.

It seems that the Rock Wolf’s claws tore her clothes at the chest and there was some blood, but the wound was shallow. Did she black out when she was hit, she’s lying there limply.

“Y-yes! Doggy-san!”

Kusaska made the kids fall back, and rushed over to Officer Doggy lying on the ground, grabbed her right arm, and pulled vigorously.

I faced the Rock Wolf.

The wall at the crossroad should be a blind spot for it. Gasaraio who was well hidden already had his magic cannon readied.

The children and Hina-chan took refuge behind there, and Kusaka also arrived there while dragging Officer Doggy.

“Be careful!”

I know!

Maybe it reacted to Gasaraio’s words, but the Rock Wolf swiftly retreated.

I don’t have the skill to hit with magic cannon with one shot.

If that weapon is the only weapon that can bring them down with one shot, then Gasaraio who can surely hit them has to be the gunner and I have to act as the decoy.

“Hey, come on!”

I have to hurry up and lead this guy away.

I don’t know when Ruten will appear, and I’m also worried about Officer Doggy’s injuries.

Don’t rush.

I can’t be impatient.

I have to deal with this thing quickly and with certainty.

Keep cool, Kunpei.

“Guaaaaaaa!”

The Rock Wolf roared, ignoring me and started running towards the wall of one of the buildings.

What! Really!

“Gah!”

“Ah! That kind of thing!”

He kicked off the wall and attack me. A so-called wall kick.

The Rock Wolf came at an angle and then bent and dodged diagonally.

What’s with this guy!

If he landed there, he wouldn’t be in the line of sight of the magic cannon!

“Furball! Don’t move!”

I stopped Gasaraio who got impatient and tried to move, dodged, and prepared for the next attack.

“Are you an idiot! You have to protect the children too! If you weren’t there, who would shoot Ruten down!”

“S-sorry!”

That’s right.

If that monster finds us, only Gasaraio can take the initiative.

If we were preoccupied by this shitty wolf and missed Ruten’s attack, then we’ll be finished.

“Onii-chan!”

Hina-chan voice resounded.

“A-ah! Aniki! It’s Ruten! Ruten is over there!”

“Are you kidding me!”

While avoiding the Rock Wolf that kicked off the wall again and attacked from the side, I looked around and searched for Ruten.

It was there.

That annoying bird bastard flew straight towards us from over the other side of the community center.

It’s the worst thing that could have happened!

We don’t have the strength to fight the Rock Wolf and Ruten at the same time!

“Furball! Shoot Ruten!”

“I know! It’s still out of range!”

The Rock Wolf attacked, changing methods one after another.

With Ruten’s appearance, the option of receiving support from Gasaraio has disappeared.

He’s taking care of Ruten, I’m taking care of the Rock Wolf.

We can’t take our eyes off either of them.

Damn it, think! Think, think, come up with a method that can help, even a little!

“Kunpei-kun!”

“Sorry! I don’t have time now!”

I could hear Mikuma’s worried scream from the smartphone.

I want to say that I’m okay, but… sorry.

I have my hands full!

“Hit!”

Along with Gasaraio’s voice, a red flash emitted from the magic cannon that he readied.