Ch.105105. Maximum Speed (2)

“…5 minutes?”

Of course, Riru immediately responded with the expected reaction.

First was complete incomprehension.

“…What are you going to do in 5 minutes? Just enter that place?”

“…I’m going to hunt the boss of this area within that time.”

Second was denial.

“This isn’t the time for jokes. The Scorching Zone has dangerous beasts that are incomparably more dangerous than the sea we hunted before-“

“Yes. And I’m going to catch the strongest and most dangerous one among them in 5 minutes.”

“…”

After repeating myself, she finally seemed to realize I wasn’t making a mistake or talking nonsense.

Looking at me with an expression beyond shock, almost to the point of resignation, Riru eventually pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.

“…There’s that face again.”

“Pardon?”

“You had the same face when you said you’d catch the Water Dragon.”

Riru crossed her arms and glared at me.

“To anyone else, it would sound like complete nonsense. But you’re the type who’s absolutely certain it can be done, aren’t you?”

“…”

How strange.

It sounds like a compliment, but why is she speaking in such an angry tone?

“You always casually spout crazy things like this.”

“…”

“Tell me. What are you planning to use me for this time? You specifically brought me along for some ridiculous scheme, didn’t you?”

I can’t argue because everything she’s saying is correct.

Elnore who I sent with Talion, Yuria who I sent with Elia.

I divided them all with clear purposes in mind.

And Riru, well…

I brought her to my side because I had a very specific use for her.

“Riru.”

As I say this, I firmly grasp both of her arms with my hands.

“…Huh?”

Seeing this, Riru blinked blankly for a moment.

When I suddenly closed the distance between us, her face immediately flushed red.

“…What are you doing?”

Her voice trembles slightly.

I was prepared for her to possibly slap me for touching her inappropriately, but fortunately it didn’t come to that.

When I mentioned making her my concubine before, she didn’t immediately bash my head in, so I guess there’s at least that level of affection.

Which means…

I’m confident she won’t immediately kill me for what I’m about to do.

“I have something to tell you.”

I continue speaking while looking directly into Riru’s wavering eyes.

“…What is it?”

“It’s about you and me.”

“…”

Realizing how serious my expression was, Riru’s body began to tremble.

This developed into her fidgeting with almost her entire body. The flush on her face deepened.

“W-what is it? Don’t keep me in suspense, just say it quickly.”

“…”

Why is she so embarrassed?

She’s someone who’s lived a rough life, beating up anyone who crossed her path.

Just by getting close to her like this…

I didn’t expect her to become so unstable to the point of looking dangerous.

Her entire face is flushed like a ripe tomato. Her eyes are darting around. Her breathing seems a bit labored, though that might be my imagination.

[This type is actually quite weak to physical contact. Other men probably never dared to get close to her because they were scared.]

‘Calivan.’

[Yes?]

‘Why are you talking like that when you haven’t had much dating experience yourself?’

[…]

I know you didn’t have time for that while training in swordsmanship and living as a knight, anyway.

Inwardly clicking my tongue, I check one more time before saying what I’m thinking.

So…

< Gift-Related Person Alert >

▼ Riru Garda

[ Trust Level 1 ]

[ Rewards available! ]

This.

Setting aside the rewards.

Trust Level 1 means she has enough affection for what I’m about to do.

“Do you remember when I said I would take you as my concubine?”

“…Y-yes?”

“That was actually a lie. As you suspected. I have no intention of establishing that kind of relationship with you.”

“…Oh, t-then?”

“Being a concubine would be disrespectful to you. A woman like you deserves a much better position.”

Riru’s eyes began to dart around even faster.

“C-concubine, better position?”

“Yes.”

“B-but, d-don’t you already have a woman as your official wife?!”

“Elnore is irrelevant.”

I cut off my words abruptly.

As if to say she doesn’t need to worry about that person in our relationship.

Riru flinched and nibbled on her lips.

Her face couldn’t possibly get any redder.

Her breathing was now noticeably more labored.

“…Hey, you! T-this kind of thing!”

“Yes.”

“C-couldn’t you set the mood better, in a nicer place, and give me some time to think! I-I’m a woman too, you idiot! You should at least hear my opinion!”

Seeing Riru rambling with tears almost welling up in her eyes, I nod.

So.

My goal is to ‘use’ this person to clear this place within 5 minutes.

Yuria and Elnore, whom I sent to other hunting grounds, will definitely finish their hunts within that time.

‘…I can’t throw this person directly into battle.’

Although the main flow of the boss battle has been altered, Riru still needs to play a major role in defeating the Apostle of the Inverted Tide.

Unlike Elnore or Yuria, she hasn’t fully merged with her fragment yet, so her specs haven’t increased much.

I need to handle her carefully. She can’t get hurt.

And.

To finish the hunt within 5 minutes without having her engage in combat.

I need to step in myself.

“Yes. So I’ll ask for your opinion.”

And to do that, this method is the most… effective.

At least in the sense that I can handle it somehow.

“What do you think about being friends?”

Riru’s movements completely froze.

“…What?”

“You’re a woman with your own personality, so wouldn’t it be much better to be friends bound by loyalty and camaraderie, rather than suffering the outrageous fate of becoming a concubine to someone like me?”

“…”

“Don’t you think so too?”

Hearing those words, all expression disappeared from Riru’s face.

She seemed to be calmly contemplating what I just said.

And then.

“…What did you say?”

Blue energy began to emanate from her body in wisps.

This was exactly what I was waiting for.

< System Message >

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ A powerful entity is about to turn hostile toward you. ]

[ Applying skill: Desperate Situation at A-rank. ]

< System Message >

[ Demonic energy detected! ]

[ ‘Seal of Fallen Heaven’ is responding! ]

Hmm.

That’s right.

I knew a Demonic Vessel would get insanely angry just from hearing this kind of talk from me.

‘…With this, I’ve secured the booster.’

Thanks to the stat increases from exercising with Riru every day recently, my stats amplified by Desperate Situation have reached a level that’s not far behind even fairly powerful beings.

Moreover, with this.

[ Infinity Gauntlet ]

[ Equipment: Unique ]

[ A gauntlet made with various high-grade materials, possessing numerous effects. ]

[ ▶ Dragon Scale: Possesses durability that will never break or wear down under any circumstances. ]

[ ▶ Ectoplasm: Shows extremely high compatibility with various supernatural abilities. When enhancement and buff skills are cast on this equipment, effects are applied at double strength.]

[ ▶ Star Iron: Has extremely high resistance to various curses and responds most sensitively to divine power. ]

[ ▶ Adaptive Leather: Automatically copies the target’s attributes upon striking. Automatically weakens the target’s attributes on the second strike. ]

With something like this.

Even by myself, I can do quite monstrous things.

“…”

But still.

A-rank might not be enough.

“Ah, and Riru.”

“…”

I continue speaking to Riru, who’s glaring at me murderously without responding.

“I actually don’t like women with nasty personalities.”

“…”

“Try to fix that temper of yours that flares up at everything. Elnore isn’t like that.”

< System Message >

[ Crisis situation detected. ]

[ Judging this as an extremely, enormously, absolutely life-threatening level of danger. ]

[ Applying ‘Skill: Desperate Situation’ at EX rank. ]

< System Message >

[ You have voluntarily done something insane, throwing away your life like straw! ]

[ Enhancement conditions for ‘Skill: Desperate Situation’ have been unlocked! The condition has been added to the Gift tab! ]

“…”

Well, the drug seems to be working well.

Maybe too well, which could be a problem.

●

Hatan Wu-Zel’s steps as he entered the control room were nothing short of solemn.

After all, the Hunter’s Night, one of the most important events in the entire Crucible of Struggle, was currently underway.

Even for someone in his position as both Dean and Tribal Chief, it was natural to feel immense pressure.

“Scorching Zone, control system normal.”

“Snow Zone, control system normal.”

“Jungle Zone, control system normal.”

Hearing these reports coming in one after another, Hatan slowly nodded.

“Track the vital signs of all students.”

Giving that instruction, Hatan checked the images of each “hunting ground” displayed on the screen.

What was unfolding there could truly be described as an unprecedented, ominous sight.

Medium-sized magical beasts that ordinary students would struggle to even flee from, let alone fight, were scattered everywhere.

Even large magical beasts that would normally be peacefully sleeping during this time were frequently visible.

There were even signs of the “rulers” of each magical realm, beings one might see once in several decades.

The Water Dragon, ruler of the sea, had already been confirmed.

‘It wouldn’t normally be this chaotic.’

It’s somewhat strange.

From the perspective of an experienced hunter, the most rational explanation for sleeping magical beasts to awaken would be the presence of an even stronger magical beast nearby.

But.

What being could possibly exist that even these rulers of magical realms would fear? It’s incomprehensible.

‘Still, this year…’

As chaotic as the environment is, it’s fortunate that someone who shines far brighter than others has also emerged.

Hatan chuckled as he recalled the fellow who had recently succeeded in the insane feat of “dragon hunting.”

He was clearly someone extraordinary.

‘That guy might…’

He might not stop at just the Water Dragon but could capture another ruler from a different magical realm.

That would be an achievement that not only students but even warriors who have left their names in history have rarely accomplished.

Perhaps he might even go beyond two, reaching three.

And if that happens.

He would receive the title of “Great Hunter” in front of all tribal chiefs, a title that no one has received since the establishment of the Tribal Union.

Even Hatan himself, considered the most outstanding hunter of the modern era, never dared to think of receiving such a title.

More important than simply receiving the title is the authority recognized by “all tribal chiefs.”

At least when it comes to facing “magical beasts,” it means the entire Tribal Union would have to pay attention to what that person says.

“-ean! Dean!”

Someone reported with an urgent voice to Hatan, who was lost in such thoughts.

“The rulers have appeared simultaneously in all three magical realms! They’re currently in battle!”

“…”

Hatan glanced at his watch.

Only 3 minutes had passed.

But, what did they say?

“…Check again if there’s an equipment malfunction-“

“The rulers of the Jungle Zone and Snow Zone have died!”

“…”

They just said they appeared.

They just said the battle had just started.

Hatan’s mouth gaped open, and before he could question further, the staff member continued reporting with a breathless expression.

“F-for now, I’ll transmit the footage from the Scorching Zone, where the only surviving ruler of a magical realm remains!”

With those words, the screen soon began to show the Scorching Zone.

In the center of the screen were Riru Garda, who was somehow emitting a blue energy from her body, and a young man.

And the scene unfolding from those two was…

Undoubtedly.

Something that could be called a natural disaster.