"I was wrong."
Gilbert Bush looked around at the members of the impromptu party he had assembled in the lounge of the Beginning Footprint's Clan House.
The assault on the White Wolf's Den. It had already been a day since they returned alive from that hellish request.
Gilbert had been carried back unconscious, so he'd only heard about it afterward — but it seemed they'd managed to safely escort the emaciated rescue target all the way to the Imperial Capital.
The request issued by the Explorer's Guild could be called complete.
The anomaly within the White Wolf's Den would be handled by both the Guild and the Empire. Before long, higher-level Hunters would be dispatched to investigate the cause.
"I always thought I was strong. I thought I was getting stronger. But — I'm still not even close."
He glanced at the Purgatory Sword leaning against the wall beside him.
Until now, Gilbert had never faced a true rival. Whenever he'd struggled, he'd broken through on sheer power alone.
He'd been proud. He'd believed that all he needed was time, and he'd reach the pinnacle. But what he'd glimpsed during this expedition was impossibly far away.
It wasn't that he resented being nearly killed in one blow. He didn't remember a single thing about that moment.
He hadn't let his guard down. If anything, his mind had been razor-sharp. And yet, he couldn't recall what had even been done to him.
That only proved the vast, insurmountable gulf between them.
It had started with just one person.
He met talented, powerful companions — and even combining forces, they couldn't defeat the Phantoms they encountered. And in the end, they met a monster that crushed all of those foes with one hand tied behind its back.
And of course, the Thousand Transformations who commanded that monster stood far, far above even that.
Even Gilbert, who had witnessed the spectacle firsthand — every movement, every feat — couldn't fully grasp how terrifying it was. Perhaps the gap in their positions was simply too vast.
Though it had happened in a span of days, those experiences were more than enough to reshape Gilbert Bush's heart.
The mission had been perilous with virtually no reward, but it was worth every bit.
Having fought alongside companions he'd come to understand — even if only for a little over a day — Gilbert spoke.
"I couldn't even see the top. At my current level, there's no way I could ever reach that height. ...I'm going to apologize to my former party... and start over. Train from the very beginning — start again."
"...I see."
At those words, Tinno gave a small nod without changing expression.
Hunters grow. Through battle, through defeat, and through learning how far the summit truly lies.
Plenty of people break before they reach their goals. But in those eyes — eyes that had witnessed enormous setbacks, even despair — there was still a fierce resolve.
If that was the case, there was very little Tinno could say.
Gilbert rose to his feet with a clear expression.
He slung his luggage over his shoulder, looked at his companions' faces, and finally spoke to Tinno.
"Do me a favor — tell Thousand Transformations I said thank you. Sorry for all the trouble. And as for the rest... let's see... Just watch — I'll be able to catch bullets in no time."
"I don't think you will."
Tinno wore a sour look.
At that obviously disbelieving expression, Gilbert jabbed a finger forward with great force.
He shouted at the top of his lungs. As though making a declaration.
The members of Beginning Footprint in the lounge turned to look at Tinno's table, wondering what was going on.
"Don't get me wrong! I haven't given up on being the strongest! I'm just changing my approach. I'll catch up to you in no time — and to you too, Leader! See ya!"
"Ah... Gilbert, you forgot something—"
As Gilbert stood and moved to leave in a hurry, Luda called out to him.
She pointed at the Purgatory Sword propped against the table.
For a Treasure Hunter, forgetting what could be called your most vital lifeline was unthinkable.
But Gilbert didn't turn around. He widened his eyes just slightly and shouted back.
"I don't need that anymore! It's a weapon beyond what I deserve right now! It's certainly powerful, but if I keep relying on a Treasure Weapon, I'll never grow stronger! I'm going to be like Peerless Shadow — able to catch bullets with my bare hands!"
"Right..."
"So I'm giving it to Thousand Transformations! No... I'll leave it with them. I'm leaving it there until I've gotten stronger! Just watch — I'll come and take it back before you know it!"
"Geez, nothing's changed at all, has it?"
Gregg's voice was exasperated. But his expression made it clear his words weren't entirely serious.
The Purgatory Sword, even stripped of its power as a Treasure Weapon, was still a formidable blade.
Having received it the moment he became a Hunter and wielded it ever since, fighting without the Purgatory Sword would be painful and grueling for Gilbert.
He couldn't possibly be unaware of that. And yet, understanding it fully, the boy had cast the weapon aside.
That was resolve. A resolve only the person themselves could understand. No one had the right to tarnish it.
Tinno furrowed his brow and hesitated for a moment, but decided to call out to Gilbert's retreating back.
"Gilbert."
"...What? Don't try to stop me."
"No, it's not about stopping you or anything..."
Gilbert would surely grow stronger.
Tinno couldn't see people's futures — not when he'd first joined the party, and not now. But this was a Hunter the master of cunning schemes had recruited, after all.
And so Tinno took a deep breath, let his shoulders drop, and spoke.
Hoping that future would be brilliant.
"Sister's mask is a special make with no holes in the eye area... so when you caught the bullet, you shouldn't have been able to see anything the whole time... If you're aiming to improve, you should... keep that in mind too, maybe..."
"...Huh?"
§ § § It had been a day that left him utterly exhausted, both mentally and physically.
The Barrier Ring was meant solely as a defensive measure for emergencies. Having more than half its durability depleted only proved how dangerous his life had been — how close he'd truly come to death.
"You worked hard, Klye. The Explorer's Guild seems to be in quite an uproar."
"Mm..."
He leaned his entire body into the office chair, swaying gently as he listened to Eva's words.
The anomaly that had occurred within the White Wolf's Den was on a scale that almost never happened.
This time, everyone had managed to return alive, but in the normal course of events, it was the kind of anomaly where multiple Hunters would have to die before anyone realized what was going on.
The fact that no one had perished was nothing short of miraculous.
If Liliz hadn't sprinted back at a speed that couldn't possibly be explained, leaving everyone in the dust, all ten Hunters — myself included — would have been completely wiped out.
He looked at Liliz, curled up on the large sofa with her knees hugged to her chest, fast asleep.
She must have been carrying accumulated fatigue. Huddled small, not stirring even once as she slept — if not for that eerie mask covering her face, you might have called the sight adorable.
I was the one who designed the mask. I was also the one who made the mistake of forgetting to cut out the eye holes. But Liliz and the others continuing to use them wasn't my fault.
It blocks absolutely everything when you wear it, yet she still moves around casually as if nothing's wrong.
Liliz and the others' growth rate showed no signs of slowing from when they first arrived in the Imperial Capital.
Maybe it was partly because I'd stopped going to the Treasure Hall, but the gap between us could no longer be measured in mere hundreds of times.
I usually don't feel it because I'm perched atop the Clan House looking down on everything, but when I actually visited the Treasure Hall for the first time in a while and hammered some reality back into my complacent head, the difference became painfully clear.
Did Liliz even realize it?
That I could already see her as — a hero.
Her personality still left enormous room for improvement, honest. But the fact remained that she was somehow managing to survive in human society.
I let out a long sigh and steeled myself.
"I'm going to quit being a Hunter."
Eva looked at me with the same expression she always wore when I said things like this.
I said it so often that no one believed me anymore.
But this time, I was serious.
"This time, putting Tinno and the others in danger made me realize it. I can't stand on the front lines with my abilities anymore. There's the gap in my experience, and I was completely useless."
"Tinno said something about the master being a god or whatnot."
"I may not have meant any harm, but I did Tinno wrong this time. I don't think quitting is really making amends or anything, but I've had enough. Ahahaha... Maybe it really is my age."
"You're supposed to be one of the top young Hunters, you know."
"If I keep being a Hunter, I feel like next time I'll make an irrevocable mistake for real. That's what scares me. I have some money saved up — enough to retire to the countryside and live quietly, at least."
I didn't need a fortune. No need for luxury. Just enough money to live modestly within my means.
Farming under fair skies, reading when it rains — not bad at all, in a world without mortal danger.
Fighting Phantoms and the like was beyond me now. Just recalling it made me shudder. Being a human missile was something I never wanted to experience again.
Even people like young Gilbert or Lord Gregg — seemingly insignificant — possessed their own considerable strength.
There was no role left for me on the stage.
The times had changed.
The golden age of Hunters. It was a little too blinding for the likes of me.
As I spoke with genuine feeling, Eva pushed her glasses up with a smirk and said flatly: "Just so you know, Klye, I don't think you'll ever live a peaceful life again. You'd have to change your face or something."
"Why do you have to say such terrible things?"
If only Liliz would refrain from destroying the Changing Human Face...
"Well, I think you should just go far enough away that nobody you know can find you. My face is plain enough, and if it came to it, I could just arrange to have myself declared dead—"
"Hehehe... Then if Klye-kun is quitting, I'll quit too..."
Liliz, who had somehow made her way behind me without anyone noticing, hugged me from the back of the chair.
The combined weight made the chair creak and sway. He looked at the sofa — only the mask remained.
Huh? She had been sound asleep just a moment ago, hadn't she? A ghost or something?
"No, no, Liliz still has her dream ahead of her, doesn't she?"
Besides, the Mourning Specter was everyone's goal.
Level 10. The pinnacle of Treasure Hunters.
That was why we had become Hunters.
I had given up on it long ago, but for most Hunters it was an impossibly distant dream — yet with Liliz and the others' talent, it might actually be within reach.
Liliz's certified Level was still 6, but that was because she'd transferred a portion of her achievement points to me as Leader. Without that, she'd have been at least Level 7.
Liliz pressed her cheek against mine with a smile.
Her body temperature — far higher than mine — transferred through the contact. A Hunter's energy-filled body ran much hotter than an ordinary person's.
And that heat illustrated the enormous gap between Liliz and me.
"That's true, but if Klye-kun is quitting, then I guess I'm done too. It wouldn't be fun alone, and anyway, I'm already the strongest, right?"
Her voice was bright and sweet, but she knew — this dream couldn't be abandoned for such a simple reason, and it shouldn't be.
Hunting was talent. But that talent only shone when paired with effort.
The trials Liliz and the others had endured up to now, the crucibles they'd fought through — they had been fiercer than those of any Hunter in their generation.
But there was no lie in those words.
If I quit, Liliz would unquestionably follow me without hesitation and choose the path of retirement.
Quit? Should I quit? Don't quit? I don't think I won't quit... Maybe? Is that impossible?
"If Liliz leaves, the whole party falls apart."
"It'll be fine. If that happens, everyone will just quit too."
Liliz said something unbelievable with complete nonchalance. I couldn't help but shake my shoulders.
I had no constraints whatsoever, but Liliz and the others were different.
Their abilities were known throughout the Empire. Their influence was wide-reaching and formidable.
Some officially belonged to state organizations. Others had received offers to be recruited by certain nobles or the military.
There was no question that pursuers would be sent after them. High-level Hunters, at that.
And if it became known that the reason was me, they'd earn a truly vicious grudge. There was every chance they'd be killed.
The answer was obviously no.
Besides, I couldn't let my own actions render Liliz and the others' efforts meaningless.
I thought for a while about whether there was some good solution, but my peace-addled brain couldn't come up with anything.
"...Guess I'll try a little harder."
"Yeah. Do your best! I'll try hard too!"
Liliz pressed her cheek tighter against mine, dangled her legs back and forth, and let out a listless voice.
Right. I just needed to stop going to the Treasure Hall. That bastard Gaark, pushing weird requests onto me.
I would never accept another request when Ark wasn't around. Never again.
I turned away from reality and engraved that vow into my heart.