Global Disaster: I Will Slay Gods In This Second Chance!-Chapter 85: Demon Hunter Squads

After the meeting, the 13th Demon Hunter Squad wanted to leave immediately, but before they could step outside, one of the captains from the other squads walked up to them.

"13th Demon Hunter Squad, correct?"

Captain Minato asked calmly as he walked to them.

Minato was a tall, thin middle-aged man with short blue hair. He had a naturally stern face, but most of his reputation was about him being a nice, approachable leader.

Namita nodded.

"That’s right."

"Are you guys free?"

Minato asked curiously.

Namita and the rest exchanged glances, but nobody said anything.

After a brief pause, Namita answered.

"It seems like we are."

Minato blinked, then chuckled. "That’s perfect then. I invited the other captains to get some lunch together. I know a place. Even though we’re stationed in the same post, this is our first time meeting each other, right?"

Namita was unsurprised, nodding calmly.

"Yes."

Minato’s squad, the 7th Demon Hunter Squad, was also known as the first Demon Hunter Squad in Hyotokye. They were the first squad to be assigned in Hyotokye, particularly in the Kisame Ward, one of the dangerous wards in the city.

"We don’t mind," Namita added.

They haven’t had the chance to interact with other squads from their two cases, this was the perfect opportunity to understand them more.

Minato gave a small smile.

"That’s perfect!"

***

Shinjuku.

Since Nihono was still under a lockdown, there weren’t many restaurants that were open. The location of the squads’ gathering was inside a hotel owned by Minato’s family, who happens to be a Zaibatsu in Nihono.

This came as a surprise to most of the other demon hunters, but to the captains, they weren’t that amazed.

Namita already knew.

Arima and Koizume couldn’t care less.

But Minato wasn’t here to impress anyway. He raised the wine glass, shaking the contents inside.

"Please enjoy everyone!"

Everyone stood around the room with different expressions.

Soon, Minato walked over to Arima and Koizume, who were standing on the left.

On the corner, Akihito swept his gaze, inwardly surprised.

’Most are middle-aged men...’

Considering his and Ayase’s age, the first thing he noticed was the average age of the people in other demon hunter squads.

On second thought, it wasn’t that surprising.

’High school students being demon hunters is probably more surprising.’

While not unprecedented, it was indeed rare. At least, Akihito only knew a handful of cases, and that included him and Ayase.

While he was thinking, another voice disrupted his thoughts.

"13th Demon Hunter Squad, right?"

It was a feminine voice. Mature, but not too old.

Akihito turned his gaze in surprise, recognizing the girl.

"You are..."

"Matsuchika Sakura," Matsuchika smiled slightly, sipping on her glass of wine. "I’m from the 3rd Demon Hunter Squad, led by Captain Koizume. We heard you guys were assigned at Hyotokye from the start? We’ll be under your guidance then."

After saying that, she bowed slightly.

Akihito was startled and waved his hands rapidly. "No need to bow! But yeah, we were assigned from here. But please, we only have one case under us..."

"No need to be humble, Mr. Akihito," Matsuchika chuckled, shaking her head. "We already know that your first case was an A-class rated mission. It’s rare for a squad to receive a case like that as their first mission, that can only mean the DHA thinks highly of you guys."

Unused to praise, Akihito rubbed his nose nervously and chuckled in a shy tone.

"It’s nothing, really..."

"Ho-ho."

Matsuchika laughed softly, her voice ringing in Akihito’s ears.

At that moment, a dangerous chill crawled on Akihito and Matsuchika, their scalps tingling.

They turned their gaze to their side... and saw a long, blue-haired girl with a cold expression.

Akihito was startled, seeing the coldness in her face.

"Ayase."

He blinked in concern, a frown emerging on his face.

"Are you okay?"

"...!"

Seeing his unexpected response, Ayase’s expression softened, her eyes looking elsewhere.

"... Mhm."

Matsuchika looked at them from the side, touching her lips as her smile widened.

Women were especially sensitive to emotions, they said.

’How cute.’

Hearing her answer, Akihito sighed in relief and turned back to Matsuchika.

"So Matsuchika-san..."

"You two are teammates, right?" Matsuchika asked, changing the topic. "What are your roles in your squad?"

Akihito blinked, confused.

"Roles?"

Matsuchika tilted her head, then frowned.

"Huh... wait, you guys don’t know roles?"

Akihito looked at Ayase, who just shook her head quietly.

"Yet you managed to clear an A-class mission..." Matsuchika mused, shaking her head. "There are four roles in a demon hunter squad."

She then explained.

"Frontliner, who’s in charge of taking the damage."

"Damage dealer, who’s in charge of the overall offense."

"Support, whose job is to support the others."

"Scout, whose role is to gather and prepare information for the team."

These four maintained the balance and reliable structure of the demon hunter squad system, ensuring every squad could respond to any threat.

Akihito looked at Matsuchika with surprise. He smiled awkwardly.

"Maybe scout and support?"

Hearing the uncertainty in his tone, Matsuchia shook her head, amused.

"Forget it."

After some small talk, she expressed herself directly.

"I’m actually here sent by my captain to learn more about you guys... especially your current captain."

Akihito widened his eyes. "Ms. Koizume did?"

"Mhm," Matuschika nodded. "So what’s your captain like?"

"Uhh..." Akihito was about to ask which one, but after thinking about it, he’d just refer to Namita. "He’s quite cold... hmm, expressionless at all times? But you don’t get the feeling that he has no emotions. It’s more like he’s single-minded, as if his mind is not in the present."

Matsuchika dragged a long ’hmm’, then replied. "Kinda like Captain Arima, then?"

Akihito paused for a moment, then shrugged.

He didn’t know Mr. Arima that well to make a judgment.

While they were talking, the captains also gathered on the left, talking to each other.

Minato glanced at everyone in the room and smiled.

"It’s nice to see you again, Captain Arima and Captain Koizume."

Arima only nodded slightly, indifferent.

"I don’t think it’s nice at all," Koizume sighed. "Cooperation missions are rare. It would be best if we had met at another time outside of a case."

Minato smiled wryly. "Unfortunately, all of us are too busy, especially with the recent changes."

Koizume nodded, then asked. "I’ve been meaning to ask, but how is Hyotokye lately?"

"Hyotokye?" Minato thought for a moment, then glanced at Namita. "Honestly... there aren’t many cases around, the most dangerous one recently was solved by the 13th Demon Hunter Squad."

Hearing that, Koizume turned her gaze to Namita, who was listening to them subtly.

"I thought the captain of the 13th Demon Hunter Squad was a different person,"

Minato also wondered, but didn’t want to ask as it might be too personal.

Namita glanced at Koizume, then answered indifferently.

"You may be referring to our previous captain then."

"Previous?" Koizume narrowed her eyes.

Namita nodded. "He stepped down recently to handle something important. Why are you asking?"

Koizume paused, then spoke casually. "When captains step down from their positions, the squad usually takes a break from missions, or their squad gets dissolved, so another squad gets established in their place."

She stared at Namita, smiling slightly.

"It’s the first time I’ve seen another member of a squad substituting for their Captain’s absence. Even more special is that your current squad is only a four-member team... truthfully, I don’t think you guys deserved to be placed in this mission at all. Regardless of its difficulty, another squad would be a far better option than a crippled team."

Minato’s expression changed. "Captain Koizume..."

Koizume glared at him. "Was I talking to you?"

Minato shut his mouth awkwardly.

Namita stared at her. Koizume also stared at him. An awkward, tense silence emerged between the captains.

But at this moment, Arima broke the silence.

"Koizume. What are you doing?"

Everyone was startled, especially Koizume.

"Arima...!"

Koizume narrowed her eyes, but before she could continue, she felt Arima’s gaze land on her, freezing her on the spot.

Arima slowly turned his gaze to Namita.

"13th Demon Hunter Squad captain, please don’t take what she said seriously."

"..."

Namita was silent, looking at the two of them expressionlessly.

Minato’s expression turned even more hopeless.

After a brief pause, Namita answered.

"You don’t have to worry, Captain Koizume and Captain Arima. We let our abilities speak for themselves."

His gaze lingered on Arima for a moment, then he excused himself.

"I’ll be going to my squad."

No one stopped him.

Koizume looked at his back with a frown, but then Arima spoke.

"Have you forgotten my warning?"

Koizume fell silent. "But..."

Arima coldly glanced at her.

"Shut up."

"...!"

Koizume fell silent, clicking her tongue. She looked at Minato, then left without excusing herself.

Arima was indifferent, closing his eyes.

’Well, that was something...’

Minato sighed and shook his head slightly. He looked at Arima, who had his eyes closed.

"It’s been a while, Captain Arima."

Arima nodded. "Minato."

His words were short, and his tone was indifferent.

Nothing much had changed since their last meeting.

’But still, that does give people a sense of relief after everything so far...’

Minato smiled, bowing slightly.

"We’ll be relying on you and Ms. Koizume during this mission."