'You're pretty good at what you do. You're especially good at gathering information. You beat three groups yesterday. The atmosphere is a bit unsettling, but ...... where did you find such a gem?

Apparently, the lights have decided to stay at the inn next door. I'm sure they are taking into consideration Citrie, who is a client of theirs and has been providing them with supplies for some time.
When I asked him about his impressions of working with the Fox Mask Enthusiasts, he gave me a probing look.

The red armor, the symbolic color, is dazzling. The evaluations made by the lights are cold-hearted to a fault. She was one of the few friends who had the temperament not to believe in the reputation of a level 8.
I guess nothing happened, because if anything happened, the lights would have attacked me mercilessly.

Fox Mask Lovers' Club. Even though the relationship started from a misunderstanding, they still seem to be a very strong group of people.

'Well, a lot has happened. I'm glad you're getting along.

'Sometimes the enemy you fight today becomes your friend tomorrow. The reverse is also true. Sometimes we use people who look like criminals, but we need to be told in advance.

That's a terrible thing to say. The suspiciousness of those people was certainly not unusual, but what did she see that made her assume they were criminals?

In the end, Sora didn't take me up on my offer to be honest with her. Apparently, she thought it would work.

That's why the misunderstanding of the fox mask lovers' group (tentative) has not been cleared up yet. I feel very close to her because of her ad hoc response, but as an older person, I have to do something about it.

Citri intervenes with a sharp-eyed light. He narrowed his eyes and said with a thin smile.

'Well, well, well, Mr. Light. I've already told you about that. Kurai-san can manipulate criminals with impunity. I won't say anything, but you have to act on that premise--this is within the scope of the contract.

'Mu............'

The lights go silent in disgust. What kind of contract has been made with Citri? At the very least, the way the Order of the Lamp and its companions look at Sitri is not a purely client-oriented one.

And which Kry-san is the one who can manipulate criminals at will?

I think I'd rather be the one being manipulated. It's just that I'm not in that situation because of Eva and Sitri.

'Well, all right. We'll do anything for money. Use what you can, that's our motto, though I won't do a mock battle with the Thousand Swords no matter how much they pay.'

Luke...... hates you. The more skilled the opponent is, the more likely he is to be feared.
The more skilled the opponent, the more heated and unruly he becomes, and Luke is as feared as Lies among the clan members.

Incidentally, he got tired of me being quiet and went into town with Liz and Anthem.
They probably went to beat someone up. Since Anthem was there this time, I don't think they would be caught.

Then, as if to change the subject, Cicely clasped her hands together.

'So, Mr. Light. Do you have any information?

'Information ......?

'I've been asked to look into the contestants for the Martial Emperor Festival. I'll have to do my best if I want to win.''

That's Sitri. Luke and Lucia were also competing, and it would be difficult for an alchemist to win, but that was no reason for him to cut corners.
In the event that you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

'You're right. I'm going to compete too.

'Business is another story.

'You're right. There's nothing better than a paying client.

You're a good friend of ............ and I'd like to share your social skills with the rest of them. I'm not talking about Liz and Luke, but Lucia is also quite shy, despite her appearance.

The light straightened up and had his companions bring the file to him. He spreads it out on the table and says in a hushed voice, as if he were talking about a secret.



'Well, let's start with the ...... most interesting story. Boss--your fake is coming out.'

'............ No, it's not a fake, it's my real one.'

'!

The light rolled its eyes and turned to face its companion.











This era thrives on the wealth produced by the many naturally occurring treasure halls. Treasure hunters who bring back treasures from the treasure halls are called heroes.

Treasure hunters are the shortest way to obtain wealth, honor, power, and everything in between, which is why this era is called the Golden Age of Treasure Hunters.

It was inevitable that Krach Andrich, who from a young age showed outstanding talent and heroic qualities compared to those around him, would want to become a hunter.

By the time he was old enough to remember, the adults around him had no doubt that he would become a great treasure hunter.

Although his body did not grow to such a large size, he had an outstanding sense of combat and powerful magical qualities that were unbelievable for a man.
Most importantly, he had the ability to absorb and retain high levels of mana and materials, which was essential for a treasure hunter.

And so - as if guided by fate, Krahi became a treasure hunter.

However, even with his god-blessed abilities, the Treasure Hall was still a formidable challenge.
It was a thorny path that awaited Kulahi after he left his hometown.

He was selfless. He conquered many treasure halls. I studied. He nearly lost his life once and was targeted by a criminal organization.
I couldn't afford it. I spared no time for sleep. The hardships were God's test to Klach Andrich, but overcoming them was a joy.


And before he knew it, the name of Krach had become famous in a thousand miles.


Krach Andrich of the Thousand Heavenly Flowers, a level 8 (or so it seemed) powerhouse.


He still hasn't received his second name. But many hunters know the name of Krach.
The fact that he proudly announced his name has been a success. The Explorers' Association basically decides the two names of treasure hunters, but it would be unbearable to be given an uncool name.

Senten Ten Thousand Flowers . Travel through a thousand heavens and shine like ten thousand flowers. The ideal of the treasure hunter, Kulahi.

Sometimes his name was misremembered, but that was a trivial matter.

At last, Krahi had earned the right to participate in the Martial Emperor Festival, the crowning glory of war.

It was a great feeling.


The current rumors about Krahi are overblown. Krach is not yet level 8, nor does he have two names, nor has he destroyed a huge criminal organization without doing anything or turned a flower garden into a treasure house.

But the rumors are surely a sign of hope.

Krach Andrich can finally surpass the rumors by winning the Martial Emperor Festival.

The contestants are probably strong opponents. Many of them may have been in the martial arts for much longer than Krach.
But right now, Krach is in better condition than ever.

He can do it. Krahi's current strength is surely on par with level 8.

Best of all, Krahi has friends. He started out as a soloist... but now he has friends who support his ideals and follow him.

He can't fight the Emperor's Festival with his friends, but the fact that he has them gives him strength.

I even made a party. I was surprised when they told me they were going to name it "Strange Freak" and that they wanted to use the symbol as a mask, but Krahi has the guts to listen to the opinions of his friends.




'Hey, isn't this a bad idea? What are you going to do, Cool? You can't beat the real thing, you know? Me.

'Mmm...... this is not good. I didn't expect the real thing to come out. ......'


I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not. In the living room, the companions of the Strange Freak, Elizabeth Smythe of the Spectacular, and Cool Psycho of the Seer, were conferring face to face with serious expressions.

Elizabeth Smythe is a Thief. Her hair is a dazzling fluorescent pink, and her clothes are almost naked. Most eye-catching of all are her large, protruding breasts. That seems to be the reason for her nickname, "Spectacular. I think it's a stupid nickname, and he sometimes says some cunning things, but his skill as a thief is not bad.

Cool Psycho is the brain of the party. He wears glasses, speaks respectfully, and calls himself a swordsman even though he's never wielded a sword before.
Although he is of little use in battle, it is thanks to his foresight that Kulahi, who has received no training as a leader, has been able to form a party and carry it forward so smoothly.

The other members of the party, although a little strange, are irreplaceable companions for Krahi, who has always been a soloist.


'My party, except for Krahi-san, are all small things. ......'

I'm sure you'll be able to find a lot of people who'd love to have you as their friend.

It's not! That's not true!

Krahi couldn't help but intervene at the unpleasant words.
Even if it was just a matter of chance, the two of them were already members of the same party.

I've always told myself that my self-esteem is low, and that's one of the weaknesses of my party members.

'Cool, Zuly. If it weren't for you guys, I wouldn't be standing on this stage so soon. I'm grateful.

Krahi says with a serious face, and Zulie makes a constricted expression. Cool also has a troubled look.


'Why ...... is this guy so strong? ...... I never thought he'd be in the Martial Emperor Festival--'

'That's because ............ he's been fighting and surviving on his own for so long. ............ It's not intentional.


That's right. It doesn't matter who it is. I don't care who it is. Come on!

I'll change it.
I'll make not only my name, but the name Strange Freak, known. That's another dream of the current Krach.

With renewed determination, Krach turned his quietly burning eyes out the window.

The city was gradually becoming more crowded before the Emperor's Festival. Suddenly, Krahi thought.

I wonder if that young man with a name similar to his own will come to support me?