I quieted down my friends who were giving me disapproving looks or glaring at me, and Ark and the others left the lounge at a fast pace.

As I expected, Ark listened to my request.
He didn't say anything specific because of the content of the request, but he must have sensed what I was trying to say from my words and the current situation.

As expected of Ark Rodin. The empire's strongest hunter is also its deepest.
I love the versatile Ark. He can even use recovery magic. Can you believe it?

He's so different from me who can't do anything.

High level hunters often have powerful party members, but the higher the level, the more solo hunters there are.
For example, the Exceeding Siege, one of the only three level 10 hunters in the world, who inspired us to become hunters, was also a solo hunter.
When a hunter is outstanding, the people around him are often unable to keep up with him. And because of that, they have high versatility.

Ark matched the level of the Treasure House to the party members. He would probably be able to level up much faster if he worked solo or joined a more powerful party.
The fact that he's still in a party, albeit a harem party, may be a rare thing for a top-notch hunter.

Hopefully Ark will always remember that kindness. Thank you for your continued support.
When I was satisfied with my negotiation skills, Liz, who had been looking unhappy all the time, pouted her lips and shook my shoulder.

'You're so cool. Cry-chan, you're relying on Ark-chan too much! Can you rely on me more? Hey! Hey!

'............'

'Luke's not here, I can't have a mock battle with Sito, and Tee's a small fish, so my skills will be dulled. You know what? I'll do anything!

Liz rubs her body against me as if she's flirting. Is it a pet or something?

I'm not sure what to do. ...... Please be quiet.
I'm not complaining about Liz in terms of competence, but her temperament is just too rough. I sighed deeply.

'Liz, do you know what I've asked you to do?

'Yes, I do. You want me to go to that little shit and steal his treasure, right? I'm on it!

Ryz smiles, somewhat proudly. Your sense of ethics is too weak.
I want the treasure, but I'm not going to commit a crime for it.

Liz breaks her fingers as if she were going on a trip.

'It's an easy show compared to the Treasure House. The knights guarding it are just amateurs, and the warding system is a bit tricky without Lucia, but we can just steal it and come back before we get caught, right? Oh, that's right! I think I'll take Tee with me!

Please don't do this.
She wasn't always like this. She was too used to rough stuff. Maybe she's ready for it.

The mask is safe now. Maybe Ark will bring it back.
Citly, the conscience, chided her sister in disgust.

'Big sister! Cry-san is in trouble! I'm sure the masked one has his reasons for deciding that Ark-san is more appropriate, and we have our own things to do.''

'Things to do?

'To make money.

Lyss rolled her eyes at Citri's immediate response, but put her crossed legs down.
He nodded his head and looked at me, as if he was convinced of something.

'............ Oh, so that's what it is. Then it can't be helped. It's not like I can ask Ark-chan to do it.

'I have to make up for my savings before Lucia comes back. ...... Isn't that just right?

What's just right? The story goes on, leaving me, who doesn't understand at all, behind.
They are sisters, after all, and may have a sympathy that cannot be understood from the outside.

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... I see. ...... As usual, Crye's plan is perfect. I'm sure you'll agree. The sooner the better, right? It's been a while since I've had a crunch. Sito, be ready.

'I know, .......'

'Well, I'm going to do some light exercise first. I'll see you later, Cry-chan. I'll do my best to give you a good report, so wait for me!

With a wave of her hand, Liz left the lounge with a light step. If she looked like that, she wouldn't be chasing after Ark and the others to break and enter.
I don't know what he's planning to do, but it won't be a big problem if Sitri is there.

'So long, Cry-san. I'm off too. Please leave the control of your sister to me.'

'Yeah, yeah, yeah. Be gentle.

I'd like to help if I could, but I'm afraid I'll just get in the way.
In response to my empty encouragement, Sitri clenched his fists and smiled.


§§§§



After returning to the base, Ark and the others adjusted their equipment.
However, Ark and the others were hunters by trade. Even if they didn't have plans to search the treasure house, they were prepared at the very least.

Ark is a mage as well as a swordsman. He is good enough to fight with his bare hands but he can also use magic. He will not be easily defeated by ordinary people or even by most hunters.

The Magic Bag is a pouch-type bag that boasts a larger capacity than it looks, and has a special effect that prevents the decomposition of the items it contains, making it an extremely high-class item that has been handed down in the Rodin family for generations.
You can use it to store all kinds of potions, foodstuffs, and camping items, and it can be used in all kinds of situations.

'Are you sure you want to go to ......?

'Are you worried?'

In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The other members of the group were also making preparations with somewhat dissatisfied expressions, although they were not complaining because Ark was their leader.



His skill was that of a first-class hunter, but more than anything, he was putting in the effort as if he were about to visit a treasure house of high difficulty.

If I had to pick just one characteristic of 《First Step》, most of the members would not cite the well-developed welfare system, the strength of the members that one would not expect from a young clan, or the huge clan house, but rather the "Thousand Trials" that the clan master brings from time to time.

It falls on everyone equally, and naturally Ark's party is no exception.
No, Ark's party is the number two of the clan. If anything, they are more likely to be asked to do things than ordinary members.

Members other than Ark say that no matter how difficult it is to conquer the Treasure Hall, it is better than a request that suddenly comes to them before they have time to prepare. This was partly the reason why he always maintained his equipment and made the minimum preparations at all times.

Yu Shiiragi's well-rounded appearance was distorted with anxiety.

'Yes. Krai-san is ...... often involved with Ark-san.

'You're level 8, you should be able to do it yourself. You're spoiling him too much too, Ark-san.

Isabella, who was wearing the same pure white robe as when she was searching the Treasure Hall, sighed deeply.
It's true that Ark almost never refuses requests from Krai.
If he was afraid of accidents, he wouldn't be a treasure hunter, and some of the things he was asked to do would certainly have caused a lot of damage if someone hadn't acted.

'With Lyss and Sitri here, don't you think you should do it yourself?

Ark gave a dumbfounded smile at the request for agreement.

'Isabella wants Miss Eclair to let those two get close to her? I wouldn't be able to do such a horrible thing.''

'...... That's ...... true, Liz and I would seriously fight even if the other party was ten years old. You don't even have to think about their status.

'...... It's a scary story, but it's possible.

Isabella's words were agreed to by the swordsman Armel with a stern expression.
The strength of the Ghosts of Sorrows is known to everyone, but at the same time, their unprincipledness is also well known. Ark and the others who were members of the same clan and had known him for a long time knew that his reputation was a little more modest.

It was a bit like the bloodthirsty mafia.

'It would be different if Lucia and Ansem were here, but it seems like they haven't come back yet... No, no, but then why don't you just go yourself? You can easily talk your way out of this even if you are a nobleman, right?

She shook her head in protest, but Isabella's voice did not have the same power as before.
She understands that her decision is reasonable, but her emotions are having trouble convincing her.

Eclair Gladys is still a child, but a child of nobility. She has a high sense of pride.
In addition, Eclair had a strong feeling against Cry, who was said to be Arc's rival. Krai would be able to do whatever he wanted, but it was obvious who would be able to deal with Krai better, Krai or Ark who had always been close to him.

'Admit it, Isabella. We're related to the Gladys family to begin with. In fact, if there's trouble, we should go to them. It's a bit out of line to complain about ...... Cry.'

I can't read Kry's thoughts, even with Ark, who I know reasonably well.
However, aside from Ark, the other members of the team, Ark's 'thousand trials' so far have not been anything to get upset about.

He had the power and motivation to save them.
He prepared himself and finally took out a sword from his space-time bag.
A white matte sheath with a dull gold hilt. It is a longsword with little ornamentation, but even in its scabbard, it has a solemn atmosphere that fascinates the viewer.

It is said to have been used by Rodin the First.
The Historian, a holy sword that has cut through history with Rodin and purged disasters.
It is the strongest of the many sword-shaped treasures, a blade of unparalleled power that has yet to be cut.

Normally, weapons would not be allowed in a nobleman's mansion, but Ark is allowed to have one.
In the first place, even if one or two swords are taken away, Ark Rodin's fighting ability far exceeds that of the knights guarding him, and Sir Gladys understands this.

He was told not to take the sword with him, but the holy sword is a weapon he carries around with him.
Ark trusted Krei but he also knew that he was trying to hide information and impose a test.
As long as you don't pull it out, it won't be a problem.

We're all set. Now we just need to check on Eclair.
Isabella, who had also finished her preparations, frowned and said.

'But, Ark-san. If you don't make it in time, don't you think it's a joke that I'm going to be sad?

'............ Isabella is serious. Come on, Miss Eclair should be at Sir Gladys' house by now. Let's hurry.

'What? What? What? Was that my fault?

Accompanied by a panicked Isabella and her friends who looked at her blankly, Ark walked towards the mansion where something was going on.




§ § § §



The mask he had bid 200 million guilders for was surprisingly creepy.

I had heard about it, but if I had seen it in person, I might not have participated in the auction.
The mask, which looked like it had been made by kneading raw meat, pulsated as if it were alive, something that would have made the head of House Gladys, who had received it on Eclair's behalf, frown.

The maids and stewards of the house praised Eclair for winning the auction against the level 8 hunter, but their expressions certainly changed the moment they saw the real thing.

A cursed treasure with no known effect. A mask of flesh that has been deemed dangerous by appraisers.

A mansion in the Imperial City. The auction was over and Eclair had retreated to her bedroom.
Eclair is the only one in the dark bedroom with the curtains closed and the lights off. There is almost no furniture, only a large canopy bed and a desk.

The first day I was so humiliated and angry that I cried aloud. The second day I threw tantrums, hit things, and all that remained now was deep regret.

Many times the family came to call me, but I shouted at them and chased them away. It was unbearable for a proud child of Gladys to be seen as she was now.

He showed me mercy. That alone was unbearable, but the treasure in my possession was so fearsome that it made me doubt the sanity of the seller.
Even if he had defeated it head-on and obtained it with honor, it was too fearsome to give to Ark, whom he respected.

If the skin of a human face were removed and the surface scraped off, it would look like this mask. How can you call it a mask of flesh?

The treasure that I had tried to obtain at all costs a few days ago now lay abandoned on the desk next to my bed.

The victory that had been handed over was humiliating enough, but now that he had seen the real thing, there was nothing left in Eclair's mind.

His head ached with pain. The food had been placed in front of the room, but it was almost untouched.
Over the past few days, Eclair had managed to regain his composure. But his body, lying on the bed, was too weak to do anything.

His spirit was worn out, and even the anger he had harbored against the thousand transformations was gone.

What am I supposed to do now?

I think in a daze.
I acted on my emotions and created a debt of 200 million. It's my family's money, but I promised to return it.

What are you going to do now ......?

Do you want to sell the mask of flesh you won at the auction? No, I don't think any of the merchant houses will buy it. The reason it fetched such a high price was largely due to Eclair himself. You can't sell it for more than what you bought it for.



Present to ARC as planned? That's impossible. Giving him a treasure you didn't win and whose effects you don't know will only annoy him.

Throw it away? After going through all this trouble to get it?

Sell it to the Changeling? That's clowning around.
What kind of face do you want to sell it to him after he intervenes and concedes the victory to you?
Just thinking about it made Eclair want to die, and he gave a small wince.

Unanswerable questions and answers swirled around in his brain.
He changed his position in bed and looked at the mask of flesh he had left on his desk.

For Eclair, who has a low tolerance for filth, the mere sight of it makes her want to vomit.
When I first heard that the effect could not be appraised, I laughed at the disappointment of the appraiser, but when I saw the real thing, I understood why the appraiser gave up on it.

I don't even want to touch it. No one in their right mind would wear it.

As he thought about it, a question popped into Eclair's mind.

Why was the "Thousand Transformations" trying to obtain this mask?

The one who wanted it first was the One Thousand Transformations. He even tried to negotiate with the seller in advance to get it, and when he found out, the other hunters, the Chamber of Commerce, and Eclair intervened.

There must be a reason for that.
I've heard rumors that it's the most powerful treasure, but I'm not ready to believe it until I see it in person.



--Do you want the power?

Go to ............?

In the dark. A voice echoed unexpectedly in his brain, and Eclair sat up as if he had been thrown.
The cold air drifted in from nowhere.

The voice sounded hoarse and depressed. It didn't sound familiar.
Quickly, he reached out and took the sword that lay by his bedside like a talisman.
The sword, which normally swings lightly, is heavy. The mere pull of it almost takes my body with it.

--I've been watching. I've been watching you. The grief, the sorrow, the rage, and the despair. A soul with a rare gift. The body is fragile, but it will endure. It's time to lay down my power.

'Is that ......, or is the mask talking to ......?

That's impossible. It may look fearsome, but it's just a treasure trove. It's impossible for a treasure tool to talk.
I told myself desperately, but I couldn't move my eyes as if they were glued to the mask of flesh on my desk.

He hurriedly drew his sword and lifted it. Using his left hand, he moves his hips and retreats.
I have fought demons and phantoms several times before. But the sword's body trembled in fear of the unknown.


'It doesn't just talk. I am the weak one. I am the one who advances men. I am the one who gives hope to the weak. It's good to be alone-- let's do what we were born to do. "My Lord.

'?

And then, in the darkness, the mask floated up into the air.

No, to be more precise, it wasn't floating. The countless tentacles extending from both sides were lifting up the body like arms and legs.

That's impossible. A treasure trove must be activated by its owner. Eclair hasn't even touched it.

--That's a dangerous weapon.

The tired expression and voice of the young man who had come to negotiate just before the auction of the treasure trove passed through my mind.
And then the mask of flesh smiled broadly and jumped towards Eclair.