'Branch Chief, are you really going?'

Gark Werther sniffed once at Caina, who raised her eyebrows in an annoyed manner.

This is not the way he usually dresses when he works at the Zebrudia branch of the Explorers Society.

He wore crimson armor that covered only the essential parts so as not to impede the movement of his limbs, and a helmet with spikes that protected his head.
The tool around his waist that could be used to quickly retrieve potions and other tools in an emergency, and the large machete that could be used for a variety of purposes other than combat, were all pieces of equipment that Gark had used during his time as a hunter and still had.

Both the armor and the helmet have countless minor scars, indicating that the equipment has passed through countless battlefields.

However, the most striking feature of all is the spear axe (halberd) in his right hand, which is as tall as he is.

It was a strange blueish-black spear axe (halberd). The axe was much larger than the tip, and seemed to have been designed for cleaving.

Once, in a time when even the "super-life species" that claimed to have experienced all of history did not yet exist, there were those who loved smithing and fighting.
In the course of their lives, they refined their smithing skills and created their own unique art of creating new metals by kneading magical power into metals.
These warriors, who loved war and were skilled warriors, used their skills to the fullest to create many special weapons, and fought off many calamities and prospered for a long time.

A long time has passed, and now there are hardly any traces of the civilization that once existed.
The refining techniques of the special metals that were the backbone of civilization have been lost, and many mages and smiths have tried to recreate them, but not even a clue has been found.

--But the product is different.

It is said that most of the weapon-shaped treasures found in the Treasure House today are reproductions of items produced in the advanced magical weapon civilization of that era.

A great sword that manipulates fire. Swords that never break, never bend, and are light. A lance that can cut through the air and penetrate several meters away.
It is a legacy of antiquity that easily pierces demons and phantoms with bodies stronger than those of ordinary metals, a threat that still exists.

The use of the treasure tool requires long training. That's why many hunters don't have treasure tools.
However, most hunters choose the weapons of this era as their few treasures, as partners worthy of risking their lives for.

Gark's halberd is one such weapon.

This is the partner that raised Gark Werther to level 7 during his time as a treasure hunter.
The halberd, "Ice Storm Battle Fang," has a strong cold air that freezes those it slashes from the inside out.

When I retired, I was approached by many people who wanted to sell it, but I finally couldn't part with it.
You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.

You'll be able to see that he's in a good mood, and Chyna sighs deeply.

'Chief, you're not a hunter anymore, you know that? Do you understand?

'I understand. I won't do anything rash.

'Since First Step is cooperating fully, it shouldn't be a problem. The Black Gold Cross is also ahead of us. ...... It's not something that Gark-san needs to go to. ......'

'...... Tsk'.

In the event that you've got a lot of time, you'll be able to take a look at the most effective way to get the most out of your business.
The tip of the spear axe hits the ceiling, and frost falls. With weapons and armor totaling over a hundred kilos, Gark's appearance is the same as usual.

You can't end up being mocked by Leeds! I've lost my strength, but I'm not going to lose to the current hunters either. I've got experience!

'...... such a childish ......'.

A small voice leaked out and Gark averted his gaze.
Gark is a former level 7 hunter. In the event that you have any questions regarding where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site.



I'm not sure what to do. It would be faster if I were there. It's also good for ...... performance.'

He half-heartedly applied for an increase in the budget.
The fact that it was approved without any specific information is due in part to the prestige of Level 8, but also to the fact that Gark's name is known to the upper echelons of the Empire.
Is it really necessary to hire so many hunters?
I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to try to find out. I'm sure you'll find it easier to convince them if you take action yourself.

She held her forehead and sighed deeply. I can't stop it. There's no way to stop it.
The branch manager may have retired, but he's still a hunter.

'I'll leave you some work to do, so I'll be working overtime for a while after I get home.

'.................. You don't mind doing that, do you?'

'No thanks.'

It was now Gark's turn to sigh at Caina's words.



§ § § §



In the narrow cave, the sound of sword fights reverberated. The howling of wolves and the sound of something crumbling.
Except for just after the outbreak, the White Wolf's Den had been almost completely deserted, but now an unprecedented number of hunters had gathered there.

One of the founding parties of the Footprints. The Black Gold Cross is one of those parties.

Six members. The average certified level is 5.
Among them, the leader, Sven Unger, who is about to reach level 7, is one of the best archers in the Imperial City Hunters, and is known as the "Storm Shot".
Archers are very rare among hunters, whose common sense is to use magic for long-distance attacks.
The power of the bow and arrow is quite powerful. Especially when fired with the strength of a hunter's muscles enhanced by mana materials, they can penetrate even thick metal armor. This is not to say that archers are weak, but mages are more useful in treasure halls where responsiveness is required.

It could be said that this was proof that the Black Metal Cross were hunters who excelled at defeating demons rather than exploring the Treasure House.

At the head of the party is Sven, the leader. Behind him followed his heavily armed companions.
Full body armor of black iron. There were two swordsmen who could take all kinds of attacks with their swords and shields, a magus who specialized in protective magic, a mage who was in charge of widespread annihilation, and finally, a recovery expert who had just joined the party.

The passage was dimly lit, but there was no hesitation or fear in their steps.

Suddenly, Sven, the leader of the group, stopped walking and held a long bow in his hand. As he did so, the others following behind him stopped in their tracks as well.

It is a black metal bow. With a natural movement, he pulls out a long arrow from the tube on his back and attaches it to the string with a familiar motion.
The bow and arrow are specially made for hunters. The bow, refined specifically for its rigidity and strength, cannot even be drawn by an ordinary person, and the arrows released from it are thick, long, and heavy as if they were a joke.

The string creaks and the metal bow bends greatly due to the physical strength.
A face suddenly appeared from the corner of the direction of travel. A wolf knight in crimson armor.

At the same time, Sven fired an arrow.

It was like a cannonball. With a thick sound that didn't sound like wind noise, the arrow was aimed right at the crimson Wolf Knight's skull, but it didn't stop there, it completely blew off its head and drove it straight into the wall.

The wolf knight's body, which had lost its head in the blink of an eye, convulsed for a while, but then disappeared as if it were melting into thin air.

It was an extreme shot, without even a roar or a pause for a desperate cry. Sven easily slaughtered the phantoms without even giving them time to react, put the arrows that were stuck in the wall back into their quiver, and walked on as if nothing special had happened.

The number of illusions that appeared was not small. However, all of them, regardless of whether they were red-haired or silver-haired wolves, were shot through their skulls by Sven's arrow at the beginning of their encounter, and disappeared without even the time to let out a roar.



The Black and Gold Cross is a hunter who specializes in slaying demons. However, this does not mean that he is not good at capturing treasure halls.

In particular, there are no traps or other dangerous gimmicks in the White Wolf's Lair.
This treasure house, where not so many illusions appear at the same time, is a very easy treasure house for the Black Gold Cross.

The expressions of the members of the party were somewhat relaxed in the battlefield. The only one who seemed a little nervous was a young man who had just joined the party, the Healer (Writer) Henrik.

Halfway through the map, Sven made a slight noise.

'Well, it's true that the level has increased, but there's nothing unusual about it.

It seems that the hunters who preceded us didn't find anything either.

In the event that you've got a lot more than one, you'll be able to take a look at a few of them.

There is no doubt that an anomaly is occurring. There's no doubt about it, but I have no idea what's causing it.
The whole party of the Black Gold Cross is highly capable of fighting, but their investigative abilities are not in the realm of an ordinary party.
The explorers' association that gave us the request probably doesn't want us to do that much. If they needed more detailed research, they would have assigned a researcher specializing in that.

As Sven and the others were talking somewhat peacefully, Henrik interrupted him.

'Mr. Sven, don't you think it was necessary for us to take the test?

'Hmm... ...... asked me to do it... ......'

Sven scratched his cheek at these words.

The Black Gold Cross received a request to investigate the White Wolf's Lair when they dropped by the Explorers Association to deliver a message from Kry.
We had no obligation to accept the request, but since it was after we had delivered the message from our Clan Master that he was too busy to go, we decided to accept the request after discussing it with the party. One of the reasons was that we had time.

Henrik's expression was somewhat dissatisfied.
He was probably a little concerned that his party had been sent on an errand and had been asked to be involved.

At this expression, Sven says to her as if to appease her.

'Well, exploring the treasure house is also a learning experience. Besides, what did I tell you before the search? I don't care if you stay in town.

'...... That's not how it works. I'm a member of this party. ......'

The swordsman who had been silently guarding the back of the young man as he straightened his posture patted him on the back.
Henrik coughs, and a laugh breaks out.

''--Geez, geez, ............, but it's like I'm cleaning up after the master. --'

'...... Well, Henrik, you'll see.

Sven smiled wildly at the still-contentious look on his face.
Seeing that the others didn't refute his words, Henrik gave a small nod.

They walked for several tens of minutes without any serious battles occurring.
When they were halfway to the boss's room, the bag on Sven's waist suddenly trembled.

Sven immediately stops and takes out a black stone from his bag.

The Footprints are a large clan. The clan differs from other clans in that it is highly organized, whereas other clans are more like a collection of parties.
This is a characteristic that is not often seen in hunters who do not like to be tied down.

The Black Stone was a treasure trove known as the Sympathetic Stone. They are found in pairs, and words spoken to one stone are transmitted to the other. It is an unparalleled method of information transmission.
Sven's syllabic stone was purchased in consultation with the Black Gold Cross, and the other was kept at the clan's headquarters so that it could be contacted at any time in case of emergency.

The Synodic Stone is expensive.
They were expensive and required a certain amount of training to use, but even if they were found and brought to the market, they would be sold quickly.
Even if it was found and brought to the market, it would be sold quickly. Sven's item was also obtained through a tradition, and he was not asked to do it by the clan.

Sven was holding the stone close to his ear, and his expression quickly turned into a scowl. The conversation lasted a few words.

'Oh, okay. Thank you.

He puts away the stone, which has lost its power. He looked back at his companions, who had been silently watching the area.

'Let's get out of here. It seems the situation has changed. Kry's sending more Footprints. Watch out for the slime. Tell the rest of the party. Sound the retreat whistle.'

'Huh? ...... huh?'

'Yes, sir.'

One of the swordsmen sounded his whistle, leaving the confused Henrik behind.
A sharp sound indicating an emergency echoed through the cave.