Humans and demi-humans walking toge

Humans and demi-humans walking together inside the Sea of Trees.

Having seen that, those tiger-like demi-humans looked at Kam and his tribe as if they are traitors. They readied their double-edged sword while taking a stance. Tens of demi-humans come to surround them while emitting killing intent.

“W-we are…”

Kam who drenched in cold-sweat tried to find them some excuse, at the same time the tiger-like demihumans catches a glance at shia then their eyes opened wide.

“Isn’t that… the white-haired RabbitMan? … … bastard… so you are the Haulia tribe… a disgrace to demi-human race! For years, you’ve deceived us to raised that taboo child, and this time you brought humans here! What treason! I won’t hear any excuses! Everyone will be executed here! Everyone ge-!?”

DOPANn!!

At the time the tiger-like demi-human said no more negotiations and tried to command an attack, Hajime’s arm moved, a gunshot along with its flash can be heard then something grazed his cheek, leaving traces of gouged trees as it disappear into depth of the forest.

The tiger-like demi-human that was grazed, froze in place unable to understand what happened. If his ears were located at the side just like human’s, it surely would have been blown away. Everyone was stunned by the unknown explosive sound added with an attack so fast they are unable to react.

At that place, Hajime’s voice can be heard accompanied by an extraordinary pressure. It was the result of special magic called “Pressure” that directly apply physical pressure to the enemy.

“That attack just now, I can fire it tens times in succession. I already knew how many of you that are surrounding us. You’re already in my Kill zone”

“Wh,wh… … the chant…”

Without chanting, to be able to fire invisible attack in succession and to know his comrade’s location made that tiger-like demi-human stutter unintentionally. To prove that, Hajime easily pull Schlag and aimed at a certain direction. The tiger-like demi-humans subordinate was in that direction. From the fog a sign of unrest can be felt.

“I won’t show any mercy to anyone who tries to interfere. Until they have fulfilled their promise, their lives are under my protection… … don’t even think you will get even one of them”

Aside from the pressure, Hajime start to emit his killing intent. The tiger-like demi-humans who was known as thick-headed and war-like were drenched in cold sweat, started to panic and screamed while one of them tried to desperately keep his calm.

(It must be a joke! How, how is this a human! He must be a monster!)

To the tiger-like demi-human who think hard so that he won’t lose to the fear, Hajime continued his words while setting up Donner-Schlag.

“However, if you retreat now I won’t give chase. If you’re not an enemy then there is no reason for me to kill. Well, now choose. Are you gonna be my enemy and meaninglessly annihilated or will you quietly go home?”

The tiger-like demi-human was convinced that the moment he give the order to attack, that flash he saw a while ago will be back. If that happen, there were no chances for them to survive.

The tiger-like demi-human is the captain of the Second Guard of Faea Belgaen. His work was to guard between Faea Belgaen and the surrounding village, it was his pride and resolution in this work to protect his brethren from intruders and demonic beasts. Therefore, it was not easy for him to decide between retreating and his subordinate’s lives.

“… … before that, I want to know one thing”

The tiger-like demi-human desperately tried to ask Hajime with his hoarse voice. Hajime urged him to talk with his eyes.

“… … what’s your purpose?”

A straightforward question. However, depending on the answer, he implied that he has the resolution to fight even if it’ll put a risk to his life. For the tiger-like demi-humans, it was impossible for him to let go anyone who tries to hurt demi-humans living in Faea Belgaen and its surrounding villages, so he bravely stared at Hajime with unyielding eyes.

“The depth of the Sea of Trees, I want to go underneath the Great Tree”

“Underneath the Great Tree… you say? For what purpose?”

The tiger-like demihuman thought whether his purpose was trying to enslave demi-humans, but when he heard his purpose was the sacred place “the Great Tree” he can only give out perplexed look. “The Great Tree” for demi-humans was just one of many place inside the Sea of Trees.

“Over there might be where the true entrance to the Great Dungeon resides. We are traveling to conquer the Seven Great Dungeon. And that is why we employ the Haulia as our guide.”

“The real dungeon? Just what are you trying to say? This Sea of Trees is one of the Seven Great Dungeon. The dungeon where no one except the demi-humans can advanced without getting lost.”

“Well, that is weird.”

“What?”

The tiger-like demi-humans dubiously tried to ask Hajime who confidently declared that.

“For a Great Dungeon, the demonic beasts here are too weak”

“Weak?”

“That’s right. For a Great Dungeon’s demonic beasts, all of them are suppose to be monstrously strong. At the very least around the level of “Orcus Great Dungeon”‘s Abyss. Also…”

“What is it?”

“A Great Dungeons is the place of trial that the “Liberators” left behind. For demi-humans to easily enter the depth, you said? That can’t be called a trial. That’s why it’s weird for the Sea of Trees itself as a Great Dungeon.”

“… …”

The tiger-like demi-humans was unable to hide his confusion after hearing Hajime’s words. That was because he was unable to understand what Hajime means. The Sea of Trees’ demonic beasts’ were weak, “Orcus Great Dungeon”‘s Abyss, the Liberators, trial of the dungeon… were something unknown to him. If it was the usual, he will just say it was “nonsense”.

But, now, in this place, what Hajime said was appropriate. For Hajime who capable to overwhelming them, there is no need to make any excuses. In addition, his words itself strangely made them convinced. The truth is if his objective really was the Great Tree not the demi-humans or Faea Belgaen, rather than meaninglessly throwing his subordinates’ life, it was better for him to reach his objective then leave.