Dark Fantasy’s Extra Chapter 88

Several days had passed since returning from Vile’s old laboratory.

An 8th-rank hunter’s main duty is to lead a team of six 9th-rank hunters as their team leader.

However, I was being excluded from almost all cooperative missions this time too because of my position in the Behemoth Tracking Special Unit.

The reason was that I needed to be ready for immediate deployment whenever Sephira and Dominic’s schedules aligned.

It’s nothing new but they’re high-ranking officials far above me, and while I’m 8th-rank, I’m still just a lower-ranked hunter, so it’s natural.

Of course, they can’t afford to let an 8th-rank hunter sit idle, and Crowty seemed disgruntled about the situation too, but they can’t completely ignore hierarchy and procedures either.

And as for me…

“I’m bored…”

I’m dying of boredom with nothing to do.

Of course, I never skip personal training and I have the somewhat luxurious hobby of reading, but still, the time not spent in the field is tedious.

It would be nice if I could at least go hunt low-tier Beasts alone, but without Hilde beside me, I no longer have the authority for such solo activities.

“Hilde…”

I wonder how that kid is doing now.

When we last met, she was nearly equal to me who had over 10 years of experience, after just about 3 months since joining.

Several more weeks have passed since then, so she’s probably completely surpassed me by now.

I hope she continues growing well like that.

“…What am I worrying about others for.”

Thinking about it calmly, my own situation is incredibly complex too.

With Blanc, Snow White, Maia, the Behemoth Tracking Special Unit, and probably things I don’t even know about, I’m in no position to be leisurely worrying about others.

Since I seem to be getting lost in idle thoughts, maybe I should go train again for a bit…

“8th-rank hunter mister.”

Just as I was about to head out, someone opened the door and came in.

It was an errand boy barely 10 years old.

“Oh, what is it?”

Did he just call me mister?

Well, by this world’s standards, it’s not entirely wrong.

The average lifespan must be terribly short here.

“The administration office is calling for you.”

“Oh? I’ll go right away.”

If it was something important, Hans who is Crowty’s assistant would have come himself, but since they sent just an errand boy, it’s probably nothing major.

When I first joined the Order and was doing that job too, I sometimes had to go call 8th-rank hunters, and people who looked like NPC extras A and B in the game seemed scary yet cool in reality.

“Hey, little one.”

“Yes?”

“Buy yourself something to eat with this.”

I took out two Order Silver coins from my desk and lightly tossed them to the boy.

The silver coins landed gently in his palm.

“Ah, th-thank you!”

“Sure. Good work.”

I waved to him as he bowed his head.

When I was an errand boy too, there were sometimes 8th-rank hunters who would give me a coin or two like this.

The gratitude and emotion I felt then…

…It would be nice if I could repay that kindness, but that 8th-rank hunter’s identification tag was hung in the same place as my seniors on that day 7 years ago.

“Sigh…”

I shook off the bitter thoughts with a sigh, straightened my hat, and went to the administration office.

“Ah, you’re here?”

Hera, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, smiled brightly and waved when she saw me.

Well, it hasn’t been that long, but we’ve all been very busy lately.

“Hello. Why the sudden call?”

I waved back to her.

“Well…”

Her mood suddenly dropped a bit.

Could it be something serious?

“There’s been a proposal for you, Mr. Eugene.”

“A proposal?”

“Yes. You know the neighboring country Offenbach? The Bluebeard family, who are the overall commanders of their branch, want to hire you directly…”

“…?”

What is she talking about?

“Both the Marquis and his son highly value you and would like you to come work at the Offenbach branch as an instructor to train their next generation.”

“Uh…”

“I thought someone like you might… Well, I wondered if something like this might happen, and it really did.”

“What?”

No really.

What is everyone talking about except me?

“Since you have both the skills and experience, Mr. Eugene, I thought you might get scouted like this someday… It’s a shame.”

“Why?”

“Well, you won’t get another opportunity like this! And it’s not just anywhere, but the House Bluebeard. They wield power rivaling royalty in Offenbach, and they’re said to be the wealthiest family in the world. Plus it’s not just anything but meaningful work training the next generation, so surely you won’t pass this up…”

“I’m not going.”

“Right, you won’t… Wait, what? You’re not going?”

“No, I can’t go in the first place. I’m assigned to the Behemoth Special Tracking Unit here. Did you forget I can’t go anywhere while that’s going on?”

“…Huh?”

Hera made a dumbfounded expression.

“Shouldn’t that be the first thing to consider? You’re in administration after all.”

“Ah.”

“Now you get it?”

“Th-that’s right! Of course! Yes, that should have been the priority! It seems Offenbach probably doesn’t know about that department yet. That’s why this misunderstanding…”

“The misunderstanding aside…”

I lightly pinched and pulled both of Hera’s cheeks.

“Get it together.”

“Owww…”

She’s really cute.

If I were to look for a spouse, someone like this… I should stop thinking like an old man.

I’m not old yet.

I released Hera’s cheeks.

“I’m sorry… When I thought about you going far away, my mind froze up for a moment. But…”

“But what? Something else?”

“You’re finally speaking casually with me.”

“Huh?”

“I couldn’t say anything before, but it felt awkward hearing you speak so formally to me. You’re older and more experienced than me…”

“Ah…”

I had unconsciously started speaking casually because the situation was so absurd.

“Was it that awkward?”

“Yes. All the other 8th-rank hunters speak casually with me, so it felt strange when only you were formal.”

“I see… Anyway, explain the situation well and send them back to the Marquis. I don’t have the luxury for that with my work here.”

“Yes! …But.”

“What now?”

“If it wasn’t for the Special Tracking Unit, what would you have done?”

“Well… of course…”

Just then someone roughly opened the door and came in.

“…”

The moment I saw that person, I completely gathered my scattered mood and composed myself.

“Sir Crowty…?”

Even Hera was startled enough to call out his name.

“You were here.”

But Crowty walked slowly toward me with a still fierce expression.

I steeled myself in that brief moment.

For Crowty to come all the way here unable to hide such a serious atmosphere must mean…

“…Eugene.”

“Yes.”

“I regret having to say this, but…”

I quietly waited for his next words.

And I couldn’t immediately understand the words that followed.

“…What?”

“I’ll say it again. Your classmate, Chris… He’s currently missing.”

Chris.

My classmate.

The only other survivor besides me from that nightmarish day 7 years ago.

If he hadn’t sacrificed his leg to request rescue from headquarters, my seniors’ sacrifice would have been in vain and I wouldn’t have survived either.

Chris lost not just his leg but his mind completely and became someone who could no longer fight.

That guy who was living a quiet retired life in Cranion… is missing?

“And there were signs of an attack at his home…”

“Attack?!”

I unconsciously grabbed Crowty’s arm and raised my voice.

“Wh-why?! Who?!”

“M-Mr. Eugene, please calm down first…”

I heard Hera saying something but paid no attention.

Chris, my classmate, the only other person who remembers that nightmare, was attacked and is missing.

There is nothing more important to me right now than that.

“8th-rank hunter Eugene.”

Crowty spoke in a cold voice.

But even that didn’t diminish the flames burning inside me at all.

“Who the hell did it? I’ll go right now, let me go right now!”

“…Let’s sit down and talk first. I’ll tell you the information I’ve gathered.”

Crowty pointed to a chair.

I pulled over a chair with trembling hands and sat down.

And I resolved not to miss a single word of what he was about to say.

“This is information that just came in from the Heresy Inquisition Department. About Winter of Salvation, the new religion that recently appeared in Cranion…”

Hearing those words, I barely managed to hold onto my consciousness that threatened to slip away.

Winter of Salvation.

A new religion that emerged after Snow White saved the city during the Cranion invasion.

That name existed in Blue Paper Moon too.

And I know what they will do in the future.

That’s why… that’s why it’s even harder to stay still.

They oppose the Order, and later their worship turns to fanaticism.

Capturing and torturing hunters becomes commonplace.

Such people attacked Chris, a former hunter.

Cold sweat poured down my face.

“Until now those Heresy Inquisition Department bastards wouldn’t share any information about them, but they made an exception just this once.”

“…Wait.”

‘Until now’?

“How long… has Chris been missing?”

“…Two weeks.”

I shot up from my chair.

“Where are you going?”

Crowty asked.

“To find him.”

“Do you even know where?”

“…”

I don’t.

To begin with, Winter of Salvation starting activities like this already wasn’t even in the story I knew.

But there is one person who would know.

Prophet Ryu in Cranion city.

He would surely know where Chris is.

“Calm down. If you don’t regain your composure, even things you could do…”

Crowty stood in front of me blocking the way.

“Move aside.”

“Stay still. That’s an order.”

“Right now that kind of-!”

Suddenly my vision went white and stars sparkled.

A strange ringing filled my ears and my senses became jumbled.

Then came a dull pain and the taste of blood on my tongue.

The smell of blood.

I shook my head and looked up.

I saw Crowty with his fist extended and Hera covering her mouth in shock.

“Ah…”

…Damn, what an unsightly display.

“Has your mind cleared a bit now?”

Crowty lowered his fist and held out his hand to me.

“Thank you.”

I wiped my mouth and grabbed his hand to stand up.

Thanks to him I came to my senses.

“If it could be solved with just one punch, I’d be more grateful.”

Crowty smiled slightly as he made a light joke.

As expected of the field overall commander trusted by everyone.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say now. It will help in finding Chris.”

“Yes.”

And Crowty began calmly explaining the circumstances of the incident.