Arifureta Vol 4 Chapter 2 (2/2)
“… …”
Hajime’s relentless word make s.h.i.+a fell silent. Hajime and Yue who were unconcerned about it, continue their attacks.
From then on, s.h.i.+a was quietly sitting on the two wheeler with an expression that was difficult to read.
After several hours, their party finally arrived at the border of “Haltina Sea of Trees”. From the outside of Sea of Trees, they don’t only see the dense forest, but it seems as soon as they entered they’ll be covered by fog.
“Well then, Hajime-dono, Yue-dono. Please don’t ever part from us in here. Even though it was possible for you to advance by yourself, it’ll be a problem if you get lost here. Also, our destination is in the depth of this forest, under the Great Tree right?”
“Aah, I have only heard about it, it seems there is a way to the real dungeon there.”
Kam was confirming Hajime’s destination in the Sea of Trees. What Kam called Great Tree was a huge tree that exist in the depth of “Haltina Sea of Trees”, it also called “Great Tree Ua Alt” by demi-humans, and seems like it become a sacred place that no one dare to approached. It was a story they heard from Kam when they escaped from the canyon.
At first, Hajime thought “Haltina Sea of Trees” was one large dungeon, but when he think that if that was true then the wandering demonic beasts would be as strong as the one inside the Abyss, it would be impossible for demi-humans to live there. Even for “Orcus Great Dungeon”, they are only able to guessed where is the true entrance. So, he became suspicious when heard about “Great Tree” from Kam.
Kam who nodding at Hajime’s word, signaled to the other tribe members to make formation with Hajime in the center.
“Hajime-dono, if possible please erase your presence. Great Tree was a sacred place so there are no one and it was prohibited to approached it, but there is possibility to encounter someone from Faea Belgaen or other inhabitants(villagers). We are wanted person after all so it’d be a problem if they found us.”
“Aah, I’ll do that. Yue and me are, to some degree, able to do that so it’s okay.”
Hajime use the skill “Hide Presence”. Yue also thinned her presence using the method she create in Abyss.
“-!? This is… … Hajime-dono, if it’s possible, can you adjust it to the same as Yue-dono?”
“N? … … something like this?”
“Yes, that is enough. If you hide it as much as a while ago, even we will lose sight of you. No, ah, as expected of you!”
In the first place, although their specs are lower, RabbitMan tribe excel in stealth operation and search operation using sound. And it seems, Yue’s skill for hiding her presence that she create in the Abyss was quite excellence to use it on the surface. However, Hajime “Hide Presence” skill was more powerful. If it was at typical place, they’ll be able to find him, but inside Sea of Trees, even with RabbitMan tribe’s specialty they might be unable to find him.
Having her tribe’s specialty surpa.s.sed by humans, Kam can only smile wryly. Beside him, Yue was proudly puffed up her chest. s.h.i.+a was complexed. Probably because of the difference in ability that Hajime just show.
“Then, shall we go?”
Under Kam’s words, their party start to advance, Kam and s.h.i.+a head into Sea of Trees with complex feelings (deppressed).
After a while, they are unable to see the road anymore. Immediately thick fog surround them and their sight was cut off. However, there is no hesitation in Kam’s steps. He seems to completely understand their location and direction to take. Although it was not known why, demi-humans and only demi-humans were able to understand their current location and accurately move around the Sea of Trees.
While advancing, suddenly Kam and his tribe stopped and began to look around their surrounding. There are demonic beasts’ presences. Naturally, Hajime and Yue also can feel it. Apparently they are surrounded by demonic beasts. The RabbitMan tribe pick the knives that given by Hajime when they entered the Sea of Trees. If it was the normal, they’ll just escape with their ability, but they can’t do it now. Tense expression appear on all of the tribe members.
And, suddenly Hajime quickly shook his left hand. Faintly sound of something flew (PASHu) echoes in succession.
Immediately,
DOSA-, DOSA-, DOSA-
“”” KIiiii!?”””
Scream can be heard along with the three sounds of collapsing. And, panic can be felt coming from the fog area, three monkey-like creatures with height around 60 cm and four arm each can be seen moving around.
Yue hold up her hand aiming at one of them then mutter in whisper-like voice.
“”Wind Blade””
Having said the name of her magic, wind of blade appear and rushed toward, without any resistance that monkey-look-a-like was slashed apart in the air. Without any chance to scream that monkey-look-a-like fall to the ground.
The other two was moving separately. One of them approached a child, while the other aimed its four arms equipped with sharp claw toward s.h.i.+a. s.h.i.+a and the child were instinctively stunned and unable to move. Meanwhile, the nearby adults were yelling… … but that was just baseless worry.
Once again, Hajime shook his left arm and PASHuu! sound can be heard then the head of the monkey-look-a-like that tried to approach s.h.i.+a and the child struck with countless number of 10 cm long needles.
What Hajime just used was Needlegun that’s equipped on his artificial left arm. He got the hint from “Scorpion-look-a-like” that he fought before, then create the Needlegun. To fired it he used “Lightning-clad” though it was not at the level of Donner-Schlag but it has enough power. Even though it only have range of 10 m, it was silent, and added with poison it became convenient to use. It can be said it was one of dark-weapon series. Because they are inside the Sea of Trees and they didn’t wanted to attract attention, Donner-Schlag can’t be used.
“Th-thank you, Hajime-san”
“Onii-chan, thanks!”
s.h.i.+a and the child (boy) thanked him. Hajime gesture them not to worry about it. The boy look at him with sparkling eyes, while s.h.i.+a suddenly dropped her shoulders because she can do nothing but stunned in such times.
Kam only wryly smiled at her. They continued to guide him after being urged by Hajime.
Afterward, even though some demonic beasts come to attack them, Hajime and Yue quietly dealt them. The demonic beasts of the Sea of Trees, who were considered as troublesome by the ma.s.s, were not a problem for them.
However, after several hours pa.s.sed since they enter the Sea of Trees, innumerable presences that can’t be compared to before can be felt, Hajime and his party stopped their advance. Their killing intent and teamwork can’t be compared to the demonic beasts they encounter before. Kam and his tribe start to restlessly search for their location.
And then, a worried and lose expression appear on their face while they gripped their hand. As for s.h.i.+a, her face became pale.
Hajime and Yue who noticed the other party’s ident.i.ty, feel that it’ll be troublesome.
The others was
“You are… … why are you together with humans! Tell us from what tribe are you now!”
It was muscular demi-humans with ears and tails similar to a tiger.
<script>