Arifureta Chapter 364

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To be honest, Hajime was extremely bewildered.

What the hell

Just what should I do here huhhe thought.

Why? The answer lay at the bunch before his eyes.

Uh, guha failure, huh. Damn ittt

Even the device is broken-, this is the end for us!

In the end its just a pipe dream-

Nearly thirty men and women were lying flat on the floor like heaps of corpses, but it seemed that around half of them were unconscious. On top of that, several people who were barely unconscious didnt even notice Hajime and Kouki there. Their expressions were in despair and they seemed to be extremely busy with lamenting.

When he looked beside him, the damn hero bastard who dragged him here was also watching with his mouth wide open.

Oi, Amanogawa. Why is the atmosphere like this even though you are summoned here? You arent welcomed at all no matter how you look at it.

The, there is no way I know why isnt it?

After they were sucked by that space hole that was like a black hole, Hajime and Kouki felt like they were sucked in by a muddy stream. Or perhaps it felt like laundry that was tossed into washing machine.

And then, they were spat out into this place but

They couldnt find which of these people was the stupid bastard who summoned them here. Even though Hajime was already imagining lines like Please defeat blah blah in our place! or Save the world! coming out and planning to shoot first, when the lid was opened, the situation was like this.

These people were like someone who sank their very last money to buy lottery that would decide their life and obtained a huge miss as a result, which was just as they expected. The buzzer that signaled that it was game over for their life had rang out. This situation was like that.

Eh? You guys didnt summon us? Can you see us? Look, your summoning is more or less a success you know? Hajime thought in bewilderment which couldnt be helped.

Hajime became slightly calmer and pulled out Donner following the irritation that was boiling up inside him.

These guys, after summoning us they are grieving & ignoring us instead. Theyre seriously looking down at us. Im gonna kill them, yosh, lets kill them.

Wait-, you decided too fast! These guys look injured so for now lets treat them before asking information-

Carrying it out when he said that he would do it was Hajime quality. After all this man was a savage demon who would ask Is it okay to kill them? after turning a force of Dark Being into small pieces with rocket even though he didnt really know about the situation in detail.

Koukis face turned white and he immediately dashed to nurse the wounded people.

Hajime ignored Kouki for the moment and observed the surrounding.

This place too is a bit unexpected in its own way.

He unconsciously muttered that because he couldnt see any kind of temple, or ruin, or magic circle which was common for a summoning place.

Or rather, he couldnt find any fantasy element at all, not even a bit. The dark place was only illuminated by the torches or lamps lying on the floor here and there. The inside of the room was surrounded by metal walls and ceiling. There were passages extending to four directions with many pipes running on the walls and ceiling.

His first impression was that they were inside a factory facility or perhaps an old subway.

As though to support that impression,

This equipment

There were heavy metal objects inside the roomthey were machines no matter how he looked at them, scattered all over the place. Most of the objects didnt retain their original shape, but they looked like computer to him.

The pedestal where Hajime and Kouki were spat out to was also awfully distorted like an eerie tree growing in a witchs forest. It was surrounded by what might be a dome of steel frame though now it had been torn to pieces.

It looked like there was an explosion that was centered on this pedestal spreading outside.

He tried looking at the people Kouki was nursing. They looked really dirty. It was like they were wearing layers of ragged clothes overlapping each other. Their face and hands were also dirty with what might be mud, dirt, and oil. Their hairs were oily as though they hadnt been washed for several days.

This is like a science fiction with a ruined world as the stage.

Just what was going on, he wondered. Hajime let out a long sigh.

Well, it doesnt matter.

In any case, it made this quick if they didnt summon them. No, even if they summoned them his conclusion wouldnt change. Rather it was fortunate if there was no hindrance, they could just use the compass and Crystal Key to return immediately.

Thinking that, Hajime moved his hand toward his pocket. It was then,

Yo, you twowho are you?

A mans voice reached him. Different from the people before this who were only lamenting, this voice was firm even with the agitation mixed in it.

When he looked toward that voice, a middle aged man with disheveled hair seemed to return to his consciousness. He borrowed Koukis help to stand up even while sending them a wary gaze.

Eerrwe are

Didnt they summon them knowing who they were? Rather, it was this side who wanted to know who these people weresuch bewilderment was clearly conveyed from Kouki. He looked back across his shoulder toward Hajime with a gaze that was asking him How should we explain it to him?.

Co, consulting before taking action? Whats more to me? You, now then, you are an Amanogawa impostor arent you?

There is no way thats the case right!?

Hajime-san took a wary stance. Koukis lips greatly twitched. A vein snapped on his forehead. Although, it could be said that Hajimes reaction was only natural if he looked back at his past self.

And so, he firmly endured here and asked Enough with that, how should we answer!? with a stronger tone.

But, while they were making such talk, the people who fainted all woke up, and then they began to converse about something in whispers.

O, oi. Those quality clothesdont tell me, are they people of the upper world

Wha-, why is people of upper world here!?

Had they, gotten wind of us from the start?

Thats right! There is no way we wont get found out when we tried our hand on this kind of taboo!

Wait! We cant decide if thats the case yet! Perhaps they are the paradise

Jasper-san! Whats going on!? Everyone is here because they bet on you!

Their whispering was gradually getting louder from the tension. It became angry yells at the end. Their gazes turned toward a single mantoward the man with disheveled hair just now.

The voice of heaven told me. A black vortex opened in the air. It said thats the path that connect to paradise

We heard that many times already! But in reality there was absurd light right after the activation and then an explosion right after-. We almost died-

The man called Jasper was at a loss for words. It seemed he was the leader of this people. And then, it seemed he was a leader without that much popularity. The eyes of the other people that were looking at him were overflowing with distrust and discontent.

Jasper averted his gaze from their eyes and returned his gaze toward Kouki.

You two areare you perhaps, someone from the paradise?

He asked with a gaze that was pleading somewhere in it.

Kouki and Hajime were in a desert battlefield until just now. It couldnt be called as a paradise at all. Although, if the paradise that they mentioned referred to another world, then the answer was yes.

And so, Kouki was going to answer like that

Right before he could, *gan gan gan gan-* a sound like metals colliding on each othercountless footsteps were echoing faintly from one of the passages. Jasper and others immediately went pale. One of the people here glared at Hajime and Kouki with hatred, anger, and then terror in his expression.

Its just as I thought-. These guys are people from the upper world! They knew about our plan and had investigated all this time! The failure too must be because these guys got in the way!

This isnt the time for that! Theyre coming-, were running away-

Jasper and others stood up even while enduring the pain in their body. They began to take distance away from Hajime and Kouki. Kouki raised his voice in panic to stop them.

Wai-, wait a second! We dont know what is going on at all! Explain the situation to us a little![

Shut up-, you damn dog of the machines-. Im not going to get myself disposed

When one of them broke into a run, the rest followed like an avalanche. Every single one of them was desperately vanishing into one of the passages. It seemed that Jasper more or less had some self-awareness as the leader, because he was glaring at Hajime and Kouki in order to put them in check.

Like that, Jasper was going to run away when he was the last one remaining,

Dont be noisy you stupid bastard.

Right after Jasper turned around, the bullet that was fired from Donner struck the back of his head. Jasper-sans face was beautifully sliding on the floor. He slid smoothly with a wonderful posture like a soldier standing in attention before crashing on the wall and came into a stop.

Even though he only woke just now, he lost his consciousness again now. His quietness was inviting great pity. Kouki looked at Jasper who wasnt even twitching and protested.

O, oi!? Nagumo!?

Calm down, I used rubber bullet.

Even rubber bullet is dangerous if it hit the back of the head right!? The way he slid was amazing just now! He even flew horizontally for a bit!

It was non-lethal so no problem.

Just now, you paused! You yourself is a bit unsure right!?

Shaddup, this damn hero.

Dont tell me to shut up! This demon king-

Even while the hero and the demon king were making such pleasant chat, the countless footsteps were approaching heavily with excessive loudness.

And so, Hajime took out the compass and Crystal Key.

We arent summoned. Lets go home quickly. You arent going to say youll stay behind arent you?

There is no way Ill say that. We arent desired here. Thats why, stop pointing your gun at me every time! Or rather, why did you shot that person if were just going to go back right away huh

From how they were running away from the approaching people, it wasnt hard to imagine that Jasper would go through a life that wasnt really fun in case he was captured.

I dont know whether the magic power is going to be enough. Perhaps I wont be able to open a gate right away. In that case itll be better if we have at least one person familiar with the land.

I think this person is going to get captured if we leave him alone though.

Bring him along if youre concerned. After we teleported got away, we can just send him back alone after the situation calmed down.

I, I got it

Kouki had a lot of things he wanted to say, but in the first place it was him who dragged Hajime here so he shut his mouth. He ran toward Jasper and carried him on his shoulder.

Then, in that moment Hajimes uneasy voice that was rarely heard echoed.

Eh? Wait a second, no way!?

Whats the matter? For you to be that panicked

Amanogawa. Try using some kind of magic. Quick!

Whats with youLight Sphereeh? Light Sphere! What-, it doesnt activate!?

Hajime clicked his tongue. Kouki ran to him in panic.

Nagumo, whats going on!?

This isthe same like Raisen. No, its a version that is several timesdozens of times greater.

Ra, Raisen?

Hajime nodded gravely.

A similar phenomenon like in Raisenwhich was the magic power dispersion effect. Even when Yue used magic power with the amount for the highest class magic, it could only be used to activate mid level magic. That demonic area was a magician killer that would cause them to run out of magic power in the blink of eye.

When Hajime poured magic power into the compass, even though he was directly touching it, his magic power was dispersing as though he was pouring water into a bucket with hole. He couldnt even activate it. Even Koukis magic to create light dispersed like mist instantly without even making the slightest flickering.

Its good that we secured this man. I cant open the gate at all. We need time to think of some method.

Seeing Hajimes serious face made Kouki switched his mood too. His face quietly turned into the face of a warrior with steely resolve and he asked calmly.

What now? Are we going to follow those people and run away?

We dont know which side will be advantageous for us. Perhaps the people approaching here is the causethere is the possibility of some kind of jamming. Dont get in the way okay, Amanogawa.

Hajimes last words were filled with coldness like ice. If someone got in the way of their return, he wouldnt give any mercy to anyone. He also meant that he wouldnt allow any hindrance like giving consideration to the enemy.

The glance from Hajime was filled with sharpness, coldness, and wariness. It was wariness toward Kouki.

Kouki looked back straight into that gaze of Hajime.

Sorry. I cant promise that.

His words were unwavering, clear, and filled with a will of steel. If he could make it so that no one would be hurt, then he would choose that path.

The sharp eyes of the demon king that was like a spear that pierced all creation, and the tranquil eyes of the hero that was like a forest spring intersected.

Your troublesomeness is still the same.

Im aware. Im really sorry to drag you into this.

Hajime snorted Hmph.

I cant concede, just like there are things that you cant concede. If youre going to stop me then you better do it with your life on the line.

Yeah. Im resolved. Ill accept no matter what kind of result that comes from it. In the worst case Ill do something by myself, so Nagumo, you can return home without paying me any mind.

Obviously.

Kouki quietly put Jasper down among the scattered machine wreckages. He placed other scraps above Jasper as camouflage while smiling wryly at Hajimes decisive words. This man will surely return without any hesitation when the time comes, he thought.

If it was the irresolute and unstable Kouki from before, then Hajime would drag him back with no question asked even if he had to ignore Koukis will and broke his limbs. He would prioritize not making Shizuku and others sad.

And yet, right now he would really leave him behind. That might be because he was recognizing Kouki as a human with his own will.

Kouki didnt know what Hajime was actually thinking. However, he called him unlikeable guysurely that was the case. Kouki thought, his wry smile deepened.

Kouki sensed that the presences would arrive soon and he stood beside Hajime. Words spilled out from his mouth in a small voice.

Sorry, for a lot of things.

Ill kill you the next time you apologize.

Then, thank you for getting dragged into this.

Ill kill you the next time you thank me.

I have no hope of returning alive like that!

You are a masochist hero who leap into despair on your own arent you?

That misunderstanding is too great!

The two of them made such frivolous talk while standing side by side. They glared at the passage from above the pedestal for several seconds.

They finally showed up.

Oh my. No wonder their footsteps are heavy.

Troublesome. There is really not a shred of fantasy here.

The twos faces twitched. It couldnt be helped. After all,

Live human reaction, three. Wreckage of taboo confirmed.

What came out was an inorganic voice without a shred of emotion.

Beginning scancomplete specimen of taboo confirmed. Revolver type handgun as well as sword.

That body was formed with only boorish skeletal structure and gray colored metal that emitted hardy glitter. Its hand was holding a futuristic rifle.

Searching the targets. No record. Violation of the third article of mankind prohibition confirmed.

It was a humanoid machinean android.

Arrest start.

Instantly thirty androids pulled the triggers all at once.

No question asked huh.

Shit-

The attack that came didnt betray the futuristic design. It was bluish white laser, thirty streaks of them. They attacked like a line of spears. Hajime and Kouki leaped to left and right to dodge.

Hajime leaped while drawing out Donner and aimed. He thought to repay the laser with railgun that was like pseudo laser but,

(Tsk, so I also cant activate Lightning Clad properly as expected.)

He would need a magic power for highest class magic for a single shot of railgun. There was a limit even in being inefficient.

Reluctantly, he fired toward the head of an android. A bursting sound roared pleasantly to the ear. The bullet shot through the target with unerring accuracy.

The enemy android had the external appearance of thick and simple skeletal structure with large head like a deformed human skeleton.

Therefore, he tried aiming at the head that looked like an important part. It seemed that it was just as he expected. Donners bullet splendidly punched through the metallic androids forehead. With one shot, the bluish white light from that machine eyes vanished.

(Its fortunate that I can shot through even with just normal bullet. But, even activating the treasure warehouse is difficultmy remaining bullets are)

24 shots. No, it was 23 shots with the deduction from his shot just now. It was already including the spare bullets that he usually put inside his pocket just in case. Of course, he also had the slug bullets and needle bullets and some other things loaded inside his artificial hand, but he couldnt waste them in case there was enemy reinforcement.

Well, itll depend on my method though.

Hajime grinned fearlessly like usual and rushed toward the laser guns that were retargeted toward him. He slipped through the countless flashes firing at him by sliding and fired at the head of the nearest android from below.

And then, she leaped up using only the strength of his back muscles while launching a spinning kick to use the android he crushed just now as replacement for cannonball.

The android was blown away as though a truck running on highway had just collided with it. It crashed on several of its comrades and fragments were scattered from all of them.

At the same time, two more androids had their head shot through and fell.

There, one android judged that attacking using laser rifle in close range would be disadvantageous a large knife extended from its arm with hiss. It thrust out the knife. Hajimes hand blocked it.

Too bad. It seems my left arm is better.

Yes, it was blocked by the beautiful artificial arm artifact that had ominous crimson lines running on the black surface.

The android wordlessly tried to push but

Impossible to analyze. Impossible to analyze. Abnormal strength that surpassed human limit is confirmed. Cause unknow

Well of course

The android intentionally spoke words might be because of its unrest. No matter how tough the artificial arm was, it should be able to push the human down with its machine power, and yet the human didnt even twitch as though it was taking on a huge mountain

But, the android wasnt given any chance to confirm it. The artificial arms Vibration Destruction activated. The large knife was smashed into pieces. At the same time a right hook that was swung with overwhelming speed pulverized the androids head.

The heads surface was smashed up, at the same time a lethal vibration was transmitted to its inside and sealed its fate. The android convulsed for an instant before crumbling down.

And then as expected, even during that time Hajimes right hand moved like another living thing and fired the two remaining bullets. But, those bullets didnt bore into the enemy right away.

They were bouncing on the machine wreckages that were lying around in countless number. Each bullet pierced a different android violently from the side. The two androids were forcefully turned to another direction. The lasers that they fired claimed two of their comrades as victim.

The two that got hit by laser convulsed before losing their balance and falling together with the earlier two androids that were shot from the side.

In addition, as the result of four androids at the front line getting taken care of with two shots, their formation was disturbed and the lasers from the androids behind them also got blocked or grazing those four so that the trajectories veered off.

Because of that, several streaks of bluish white flash streamed around Hajime in vain. It was like the flashes themselves avoided Hajime.

His left hand entered his pocket. He grabbed six bullets. At the same time he flipped up Donners cylinder and ejected the cartridges. He flicked the cylinder with his thumb and rotated it in high speed. There he flicked the bullets with his finger into the cylinder and finished reloading like doing a magic trick.

It was far slower compared to the godspeed midair gun spin reload using treasure warehouse, even so it was a high speed reload with transcendental finesse that would make the eyes of any gunman on earth flew out from their sockets.

Donner who filled its stomach in less than a second matched the arms movement that swept horizontally and instantly pulverized six androids.

The four androids that were hit by their allies lasers before this were also convulsing for a while before stopped moving.

Hajime crushed more than half their number in very little time. He dodged the lasers by sight while reloading with finger flicks once more.

(As I thought its the same like Raisen. Magic like Physical Reinforcement or Light Speed that only used magic power inside the body wont dispersebut, its troublesome that I cant even properly use Transmutation even though thats the one magic I can use with extraordinary efficiency.)

Hajime analyzed and observed both the enemies and himself inside his accelerated thought while shifting his gaze slightly. He had been keeping a focus on the presence all this time but

*Rin-*, an elegant sound that was the exact opposite of bursting sound that Hajime loved caressed his eardrum. It was like the sound of bell that adorned a peaceful night. The sound was so serene that it wasnt fitting for a battlefield.

But, the result that it brought about was brutal and immense.

*Swish, swish* It was like a leaf fluttering in the wind.

It was a natural movement that any passerby wouldnt pay any mind to. So natural that it felt like the person would easily slip out the awareness of anyone watching if they let their guard down.

Just with a single step forward that person slid smoothly into the blind spot of the lasers that were flying past, and the next moment he was already sneaking to the back of the enemies.

And then, the enemies he passed through slid diagonally as though remembering the reality that they had forgotten. Their iron bodies were bisected extremely easily along with the serene sound *rin-* accompanying such act.

Cut.

The slash that was unleashed was like the extreme culmination of that concept. It was truly a one hit kill.

What was terrifying was how there was nothing except serenity that could be found there. There was no killing intent, hostility, and not even any fighting spirit. When the enemies only felt wind caressing their skin, they were already cut. Such peak of sword slash could be found there.

If Hajimes technique was the height of rationality, that technique of Kouki ought to be called as the summit of martial art.

It seemed that at first he tried everything he could to talk with the androids seeing that they could converse with words, but because the enemies wouldnt even reply to him and continued attacking with no question asked, Kouki too finally resolved himself.

He was slow to start as usual. That side of him made Hajime wanted to punch him but

Even while Kouki was attempting to talk with the androids, he also attracted the attention of nearly half of them so they wouldnt target Hajime. At present Kouki had already defeated half of them, so Hajime decided to pardon him with the justification of if it was just once then its an accident. He also didnt want to waste bullet.

Targets are judged to be threat. Executing disposal.

It seemed the androids recognition of them changed. But, that judgment was too late.

Although, that too was something that couldnt be helped. Because there was no way they had the data of hero and demon king inside them.

Five seconds after that all the androids ended up as scraps.

AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.

Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.

Material

Finger flick reload

I used the revolver user who came out in the movie Dark Tower as the reference. There are many gun actions there that tickled my chuuni heart. Shirakomes heart was jumping around at the point when the setting of a holy sword getting reforged as revolver came out.

If you google Dark Tower Reload then you will be able to watch transcendence skill that overflowed with romance!

Notification regarding the next update

Im very sorry even though I have only just started a new arc but, my schedule for November is packed and it will be difficult to update every week. I intend to write if there is opening but, I have no confidence to promise update

And so, please allow me to post the next update at the first Saturday of December.

Many apologies but, best regards!