'You were a ........................ famous hunter, weren't you?

Krach Andrich, who had come with a group of friends, said with deep emotion at the start.

This incident was difficult in many ways, but if I had to name the biggest victim, it would probably be Krach Andrich.

It was my bad luck that I was forced to participate in the Emperor's Festival without knowing anything about it, and for some reason, he thundered at me a lot.

However, Kulahi's demeanor was calm as usual when we met.
He didn't seem to mind that I had concealed the fact that I was level 8.

Well, even if you don't know my real name, I'm not sure if you don't know that my two names are rather famous.

If Citry had been here, she would have been able to carry on the conversation instead, but unfortunately she was away on business today. Lucia, Ansem, and Liz were also gone.
There was no one I could turn to, and I didn't know what to say, so Krahi continued.

'I wanted to come see you sooner, but it was only this morning that I was finally able to move. I pushed myself too hard with the last blow.

'...... Oh, that's the one you hit me with.

I remember ...... the one that cut off my last boundary finger. If you think about it, I haven't been attacked by a fox, but I've been attacked by a lot of krachs. .......

The reason why the lightning spell is called the hero's spell is not only because of its power, but also because of its difficulty, which is one of the highest among all the spells. The difficulty of the spell also includes the difficulty of its handling.
To put it simply, lightning spells are good for burning a large area, but it is difficult to hit a specific target.
Even if you have perfect control over the magic, if there is an anthem or a very unhappy man nearby, there is a high probability that you will be attracted to them.

How do I know all this? Because Lucia told me so!

Lucia doesn't use lightning magic, but do you understand why? I'll never forget the look on Lucia's face when she accidentally hit me the first time she performed a lightning spell.

Krahi nodded loudly at my words and brushed her hair away, holding her forehead. It was an awkward gesture, but it suited her well.

'I heard what you said. I've heard that you were cutting corners in that game to lure the fox.

'..................?

Where did the story get twisted to come to such a conclusion?

Nothing had even snatched at the truth. The rumor seemed to have a tail and a spine.

But to tell the truth, it's complicated. It's especially complicated to explain that the me that Kulahi is fighting is the me that I'm not.

When I checked behind me, Luke, who was in the room as a guard, was nodding his head knowingly. You definitely don't understand. .......
He's a passionate man, but he's not interested in anything that doesn't interest him. It was a pity that the sensible group was not in attendance.

For a moment, Luke and I met eye to eye. Luke nodded, took a step forward, sighed as if to say, 'Good grief.


'You don't understand. Did you cut corners? No, I didn't. That was all Kry's plan. I don't understand it either.


If you don't know what's going on, please shut up. .......

I don't know what to do. Even if I can't tell the truth, I want to clear up any misunderstandings Klahi may have.

Klahi looked at me with a serious expression.

'Cry, tell me one thing. Was it an act when you were blown away by my lightning?


Here! Here it is!
At least ...... make yourself look a little smaller! Why do I have to go through so much trouble to make something that was originally small look small?


'............ No, you can't do that with an act. I can't give you the details, but it was a terrifyingly powerful lightning spell. I only know of one person who can use lightning better than Krahi.

No ordinary hero could have fired that much lightning. I don't know much about the strength of hunters because I have holes in my eyes, but if it's just the handling of lightning, it's probably better than the level 7 hunter, Arnold of the Foreign Mist.

Then, who's a better user than that? That would be Ark Rodin, of course. I'm a big fan of Ark, and I've known him for a long time. The number of favors I've done is different.


Krahi closed his eyes and was silent at my words, but then he slowly nodded.

'I see. ...... I guess I was right. But it's hard to believe, isn't it? I've always thought I was as good as anyone at handling lightning, but I must admit.



Krahi looks straight at me. The fists clenched tightly were trembling, perhaps from frustration. All hunters hate to lose.

But it can't be helped. After all, his opponent was Ark Rodin of the Silver Star Thunder. And he's even playing favorites. I'll give it 99 points without thinking about it. I'll give you a hundred if you improve on not being there when I want you to be there.



Then, smiling at me, Krahi said clearly.



'Admit it, Krei Andrich. You're a much better Thunderer than I am.'




'........................ Yes?


What's he talking about, this guy? What's he talking about? Was he hit by lightning so hard that his head went blank? I'm not sure what you mean by that.

I'm at a loss for words, so Kulahi continues. His voice was quiet, but it was filled with a strange heat.


'You don't have to hide it, I know. You--you absorbed the power by daring to take my lightning!


'? Absorbing power by receiving lightning? What's that? That's so cool! Cry, I'll do that next time too!


I don't understand the logic, but Luke's eyes immediately lit up and he jumped on board.

The comedian. Someone, please play the role of a comedian.



'The power of that mysterious fox mask, and the power of the earth key that I felt just before I fainted, that's not something that can be stopped by a human magician! So long as you don't borrow the power of Mother Nature! No, that's not the only reason. You were struck by the lightning that was supposed to be aimed at the fox! You twisted the spell another wielder used, took it, and made it your own. It's territory I don't know. That time you were definitely the Thunder Emperor... no, no, no. ............ you're even more than the Thunder Emperor. --You're the God of Thunder!


You took it on yourself... you put it on me! My hat's off to you for that idea.



Don't tell me you're not Klach Andrich ............ a bad guy?

At any rate, we need to clear up the ...... misunderstanding.


I'm not sure what you're talking about.


I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. It's a phenomenon caused by a torrent of intense emotions. It's a common sight for powerful mages, and he stops his tsukkomi and takes a step back.

The Thunder God stabbed his index finger at me and shouted in a high voice.


'I've made up my mind, God of Thunder--I'm going to surpass you! I'll master the profound skill of receiving lightning and aim for even greater heights! It's a pity the Martial Emperor Festival was canceled in the middle, but I'm really glad I entered! I now know who's above me. The fox sorcerer... and you! I can be even stronger! I'm sure it's fate that you and I met because we have similar names!



No... The superior lightning user isn't me. It's Ark. Normally, if you want to say you're superior, you'd say it in a different way!
There were many things I wanted to say, but I couldn't say anything because Krahi was too flashy.

While I was reeling, Kulahi's excitement had reached its peak. His eyes were shining brightly.




'One day, we'll play again. I will not forget. There are better lightning users than me! And I'll tell everyone that there's a God of Thunder even greater than the Thunder Emperor! I'll give you a satisfying fight this time... until the time I can defeat you, I'll leave the title of God of Thunder in your hands!



Somehow I've earned the title of God of Thunder.
I've not only got a tail and a spine. I even got a tail! High-ranking hunters really are a bunch of freaks.



Krahi turns away with a dashing, grand gesture. He's trying to get away with it.

Something ............ must be done to stop him. d*mn it, I can't think with all the buzzing and babbling.
But he manages to open his mouth and shout.


'Wait, Krach! You've already beaten me!


'.................. What?'


Krahi stops moving for a moment and looks back at you. But the purple light he wore only grew stronger. You can say that you are no longer in control of the lightning at this point.

The Thunder Emperor looks at me as if he's looking at something fishy.


'For your information, ......, in what ways do you think I'm superior?


That's .................. all of them. On the other hand, I can't think of any point where I'm better than Krach.

But if I don't give specifics, he won't believe me.

In my confusion, I saw Krahi's companions standing quietly behind him as he flashed his purple light.

I had only seen Ruscha, but he must be a look-alike of my companion who was first introduced to me at .......

I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but I'm pretty sure it's the same thing. And then there's a woman with bad eyesight who looks like a mage (probably Kutley). It's not like they're crackpots or anything, they're different in every way except gender. If this wasn't an emergency situation, I would have liked to have had a long talk with her.



'............ What's winning?'


Krahi asked again in a low voice and stepped closer.
If you get any closer, you'll be struck by the lightning that surrounds you. I shouted in a panic.


'Hey, it's a variation of my friends! You've got great friends!


...... No. No, that's not what I'm saying!

It could have sounded like ridicule. But Krahi rolled his eyes and took a deep breath.


'........................ I see. You're right.


Did you ...... succeed in convincing him? Isn't this possibly the first time I've been successfully persuaded?


As I rolled my eyes in disbelief at this first time turn of events, Krahi, perhaps having regained his composure, said in a quiet voice.



'I stand corrected--we will defeat you.



No! That's not true! No, we're not!
Look, the sensible ones, Luke and Liz, are bowing their heads in the back. Look at the back!

...... Could it be that the Strange Freak is, in every way, the opposite of the Strange Grief party?

Maybe Krach doesn't listen to you as much as Luke and Liz do.

So ...... persuasion is pointless? Am I going to become the God of Thunder?


Then Luke, our troublemaker, stepped forward. That's right--Luke! You're no stranger to incomprehension!

Now, smite the Krach!


I pray to God. Luke shouted confidently.




'You don't understand, Thunder Emperor. You have no idea why you're vastly inferior to the Thunder God, or how to become ---- stronger!



For a moment, I couldn't understand what you were saying. I can't keep up with my understanding. ...... You see, this is our Luke Sykor! It's not cool, it's Luke Sikor!

.................. Luke, when did I become the God of Thunder? You've been adventuring with me for a long time, haven't you? Have you ever controlled lightning before? Don't be so easily influenced!

Do you have a sword stuck in your head?


Even the Thunder Emperor, who never listens to me, didn't expect those words, and his eyes widened in amazement.
Then Luke said as if he was giving a lecture.



The reason you lost to the God of Thunder was because you relied on your treasure. That auxiliary wheel is corrupting you! Just as the truly strongest swordsman doesn't choose a weapon, a true lightning user should be able to control lightning without a weapon at will. In order to become the strongest swordsman, I entrusted all of my weapons to Krai! If you want to be the strongest, leave that staff here!