Chapter 200 Living Calamity ③

Part 1

　It was undoubtedly Kruz Argen’s biggest pinch in her whole career as a Hunter.

　A far superior Treasure Shrine that can make me nauseous just from the density of its Mana Material.
I don’t have my usual wand with me (As it is hard to wield two staff at the same time, but also because I didn’t expect this in the first place) and the existing rules that don’t allow me to properly cast my Magic.
We were truly in a desperate situation.

　Kruz is a Magi.
It is not that she isn’t good with moving her body, it is just that she can’t fight without Magic.
　At this rate, I will just drag his feet.
Even if an enemy does appear, I will not be able to accomplish my task as an escort.
In the first place, I feel like we have been doomed as soon as we have been surrounded by the Treasure Shrine――.

　The Emperor’s authority doesn’t work in a Treasure Shrine.
At this point, the only one who could be relied upon was Yowaningen, who seemed to know about this Treasure Shrine.

　However, I can’t just be protected.
I have my pride as a Spirit People.
　No, I don’t mind if I am just being protected, but I won’t stand dragging him down.

　I clench my quivering hands.
I don’t know what to do.
There’s nothing that Kruz can do without Magic.
I don’t even have a weapon.
I can think, but even that is a far cry from the unparalleled strategist.

　And then, Kruz remembered what Term did earlier.

　Unable to activate his offensive Magic, Term immediately switched to strengthening his physical abilities.

’

　I hurriedly used my Magic on me.
It was not offensive Magic, but body strengthening Magic.
It is rudimentary Magic that converts magic power into raw power.
　Magic power circulates in my body and the depth of my body becomes hot.
My trembling subsides and I feel a surge of strength.

　I see.
The rules of this Treasure Shrine do not apply to the inside of your body.
　No Magi in their right mind would dive into a Treasure Shrine where Magic cannot be used, but then again, I’ve heard of such stories before.
　Rules that had been rewritten with Mana Material in a Treasure Shrine, can also be overwritten with Mana Material.

　With this――I can fight.
There was a little pain in my body from the unusual Magic manipulation, but it was much better than when I manipulated Magic while eating Amuzu Nuts.
The training I’ve been doing lately is paying off.
　Spirit People’s aptitude for Magic is enormous.
Their amount of Magic power is not even comparable to that of humans.
It won’t last long, but Kruz’s current physical ability should be comparable to that of a close-quarters fighter.

　But, of course, I don’t feel like I can defeat the Phantom of this Treasure Shrine――.

　Yowaningen, completely unconcerned of the natural fear that Kruz had for them, stepped out of the room――Into the place that had been filled and transformed by the Treasure Shrine.

　Going there alone would be suicide.
Although he had won earlier, Kruz could clearly see the difference in rank between Yowaningen and the Phantoms.
　By no means do I think that fighting is the only way to win, but the difference of strength in their Mana Material is too far apart.
It’s like comparing a Dragon with an ant.
If we’re going to get through this emergency, it would be better to work together.

’

“Urgh!?” (Kruz)

　Just as she was about to follow him, Kruz noticed it and opened her eyes.

　A blond-haired Phantom wearing a fox mask appeared at Yowaningen’s feet.
　Moreover, the power that can be felt from her body is far greater than that of the Phantom that just appeared earlier.
Her seemingly slender body contains a huge amount of Mana Material that makes the illusions that Kruz has fought so far seem like mere illusions.
It showed that the Phantom from earlier――The one that made Franz vomit due to the remnant of the Mana Material emanating from its death was neither a boss nor an executive, but just a mere small fish.

　Using 『Round World』 as my walking stick, I scolded my trembling legs and moved forward.
If I stopped, I would never be able to stand up again.
It would be better to move forward than to show such a pitiful appearance.

　There was no time to think about the Emperor’s guards.
At this point, it didn’t matter if Kruz was there or not.
If that was the case, it would be better to go along with Yowaningen and try to resolve the situation together.

　The Phantom says.

’

“I want Aburaage.
If you don’t give me Aburaage, I will attack you.” (Blond-haired Phantom)

　What she said seemed like a joke.
But the Relic in my hand tells me that, unlike last time, her words mean exactly what she said.

　Aburaage――I don’t know why she wants Aburaage, but there is no way that we have some.

　However, Kruz thought about it.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Yowaningen does have some.
　It was Yowaningen who loaded the food.
If it is Yowaningen who have knowledge about this Treasure Shrine, then I’m sure――.

　Yowaningen was looking at the Phantom at his feet and was silent for a moment, but then he quickly smiled half-heartedly.

“Sorry, I don’t have any this time.” (Cry)

’

“!? Don’t joke around――” (Kruz)

　Desu! Just as I was about to shout that, it was already over.

　A gust of wind blew.
I groaned as shock and pain shot through my body.
It was then that Kruz finally realized that she had been slammed against the wall.
　However, although my body screamed, the damage wasn’t that serious as I had strengthened my body with Magic.
I coughed and struggled to regain my stance using the staff.

　What Kruz received was nothing more than the 『Aftermath』.
The fox-mask slender arm was definitely swinging down at Yowaningen.
　It wasn’t Magic.
It was just a swing from her arm.
　Phantom created by a high concentration of Mana Material can sometimes have monstrous abilities that can *barabara* tear apart a well-trained Hunter with just a scratch.

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
That Amuzu Nut training! So it finally paid off!
But now cliffhanger! Hope you are ready for it!
Tchao à plus!