CHAPTER 107
The group entered the dungeon, the cold air biting at their exposed skin, only to find themselves transported instantly into a snow-covered field. Snowflakes drifted lazily through the air, covering the ground in pristine white, the silence almost deceiving.
"Eiii… snow?" one of the A-rank raiders whispered in astonishment, kneeling to scoop up a handful of snow, letting it fall through his fingers.
"It's beautiful…" another murmured, letting the flakes settle on their shoulders as they laughed nervously.
The raiders began teasing each other, their laughter echoing faintly across the snowy field.
One of the younger members flung a snowball at another, who ducked and retaliated with a small snowball barrage, and soon, the entire group was laughing and dodging playful attacks, the tension momentarily broken.
Renji, standing slightly apart from the group, smiled devilishly, eyes glinting as they fixed on Arisa.
"Why are you always so pale whenever you see me?" he teased, voice low and smooth, carrying a hint of mischief.
Arisa's face reddened immediately, sweat beading on her forehead. Her eyes darted from left to right, unable to meet his gaze. "I… I don't know what you're talking about!" she said, her voice forced calm.
Renji tilted his head slightly, eyebrow raised. "Uhhhh… you like me, don't you?"
Those words rang like bells in Arisa's mind, the internal scream echoing through her thoughts. What!!! No, no, no, no, no… I need to maintain my composure!
She straightened her posture and, forcing confidence into her tone, spoke aloud: "You wish, stupid. I don't know what you're talking about. Hmph." She pressed forward slightly, trying to regain control.
Renji grinned, the corners of his lips curling into a playful smirk. "Uhhh… guess I was wrong. I actually thought she liked me."
Arisa's internal scream continued. What did I just sayyyyyyy!
The scene shifted to Anya walking beside Hiroto, both moving cautiously through the snowy field.
"It's weird..… I don't sense any magical beasts here," Anya said softly, frowning as she scanned the surroundings.
Hiroto nodded. "Yes… it is strange."
Anya hesitated, glancing at Hiroto. "Ehh… Hiroto… there's something I want to tell you…"
"What is it, Anya?" he asked, curiosity tinged with concern.
She bit her lip, thoughts racing. In her mind, she wanted to warn him about the magical power emanating from Renji. It wasn't normal it rivaled the eight pillars, possibly even stronger. But for now, she decided to hold back, unsure if it was the right moment.
"Nah… it's nothing." she said aloud, forcing a small smile.
Hiroto raised an eyebrow. "Huh… are you okay, Anya?"
"Yes… I'm fine," she replied with a genuine smile.
Hiroto nodded, accepting her response, though a subtle unease lingered.
Meanwhile, Renji's mind was racing." What's going on It's weird… we're walking, but I don't sense anything". Not even a trace of magical presence. What is this an illusion?
He spoke aloud, breaking the silence. "Everyone… please wait."
The raiders stopped in their tracks, exchanging confused glances. "Huh renji-san Why… why are we stopping?" one asked.
Renji's gaze scanned the snowy field, sharp and calculating. "Hiroto… isn't it weird that you don't feel any magical presence in an SS-ranked gate?"
Hiroto frowned, nodding in agreement. "Yes… it's a bit strange… but it can't be…"
"An illusion," Renji finished the sentence, voice calm but carrying weight.
The raiders stiffened, hearts quickening. One by one, they muttered, "I-it's an illusion? This place… it's an illusion?"
Arisa stepped forward, resolve hardening in her eyes. "There's only one way to find out." She raised her hands, forming the intricate signs of the Boar, Tiger, and Rat. Her eyes flared green with magical intensity as her body began to overflow with mana.
"RELEASE!" she shouted.
The snowy landscape shuddered violently, cracking and warping around them. The soft snow vanished, replaced by a rainy forest, dense trees stretching high above, the ground damp and covered in grass. Rain poured steadily, droplets splashing against armor, cloaks, and hair.
"What is going on?!" one of the raiders exclaimed, gripping their weapon tightly.
Renji's eyes glinted with admiration. "Ohhhhhhhh You're amazing, Arisa-kun"
Her face paled once more, and she looked at him quickly. "It's nothing."
Just then with blinding speed and Without warning , a massive ghoul, humanoid in shape but grotesque, tattered, with glowing red eyes, massive claws, and elongated fangs, appeared behind Hiroto. Its speed was blinding, and it lunged for his throat.
Hiroto's senses flared, but it was already too late. He reached for his daggers, voice strained. "Shit… it's fast!"
Before the ghoul could strike,
Renji moved.
Whooshh!!!! In a blur of speed
So fast that none of the raiders could track him, he appeared in front of the ghoul, catching its strike by the head.
"What do you think you're doing?" he said, slamming the creature straight into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves through the forest, cracks forming in the earth beneath. Without pause, he kicked the ghoul into a nearby tree, splattering its body against the bark in a gruesome display.
Anya's eyes widened. "He's… fast… I didn't even see him move."
Arisa and the raiders stared, awe and fear etched across their faces. Renji's strength and speed were overwhelming, far beyond any s rank hunter's comprehension.
Renji turned to Hiroto, voice sharp. "What are you doing? Your senses have dulled."
"Ehhhh… are you stupid ? You almost took my head off!" Hiroto exclaimed while clenching his fists, laughing despite the situation.
"Ehhh… sorry, Hiroto… but…" Renji's eyes shifted toward dozens of other ghouls, predatory S-rank beasts emerging from the forest. Daggers began forming in his hands as his golden aura flared. "They're coming!"
Anya noticed it huh he can summon daggers??
Hiroto smirked, confidence in his stance. "Let's go!"
He turned to Anya. "Watch the raiders. Protect them. Arisa, Renji… let's move!"
Together, the three of them moved, cutting down the ghouls with synchronized precision. Hiroto's SS-ranked skill shone, blades flashing like lightning. Arisa demonstrated why she was Japan's strongest S-rank, movements fluid and deadly.
Renji's attacks were unmatched in speed and accuracy, taking down dozens of ghouls with minimal effort. Each slash, each strike, displayed his deadly control and overwhelming mana. Anya's eyes widened in disbelief. Faster than Hiroto… faster than anyone…
The forest trembled as new waves of monsters emerged, more dangerous and varied than before. Their forms were twisted, grotesque amalgamations of animalistic and humanoid traits, each one radiating SS-rank power.
"These are SS-ranked!" Hiroto shouted, raising his voice over the chaos.
Renji gritted his teeth, a predatory smile forming. "Tch…"
He didn't slow down, each strike precise, devastating, and perfectly calculated. The raiders adjusted, working as a cohesive unit under his guidance. The difference in overwhelming power between Renji and even Hiroto was stark—but Hiroto adapted, complementing Renji's movements in a fluid dance of destruction.
Arisa's eyes widened, watching his movements. Is he… SS-rank… or… SSS-rank?
Renji and Hiroto exchanged glances mid-battle, subtle nods acknowledging each other's skill.
"You're fast… precise… incredible, Renji." Hiroto shouted amidst the chaos.
"And you're relentless… you always want to match me like this." Renji replied, slashing through another monstrous wave.
The raiders, inspired, adjusted their tactics, covering each other and the weaker members, moving with renewed determination under the combined presence of the two SS-level hunters.
Each movement Renji made was a lesson in efficiency, precision, and overwhelming force, teaching the raiders the difference between power and technique in real-time.
And still, more monsters emerged, the forest alive with the chaotic pulse of SS-rank energy, a test of skill, endurance, and sheer willpower.
The raid had only just begun..