Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter Dreams of a Hero ~-Chapter 445.2: Spirited Away ②

window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "67b6a3f059969b0665825541", id: "pf-13793-1"})

Unlike the other tools, the notebook seems to be less deteriorated. I pick up the leather-bound notebook and *parapara* flip through it, searching for the information I am looking for. Fortunately, I am able to read the characters written in the notebook. Moreover, for some reason…… I feel like I have seen this handwriting somewhere before.

window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "67b6a3f059969b0665825541", id: "pf-13793-1"})

『This is their testing ground. Those bastards kidnap people, observe them, and experiment on them. To fulfill the mission given to them by a faraway god.』 (Notebook)

A testing ground? Those bastards……? A mission given to them by a faraway god?

I frown at those multiple ominous words. When people in Zebrudia hear the word “god” the first thing that comes to mind is the one who ruled over the Temple-type Treasure Shrine that once stood where the Imperial Capital was. However, it has been a thousand years since the Temple-type Treasure Shrine was captured. And more than anything, this place doesn’t look like a temple.

The notes written in the notebook appeared to be a diary. A diary of their investigations on this place. I would love to read it carefully, but I don’t have the time for that. I skip over the unnecessary parts and quickly look for a clue to get out of this place.

『There is no way out of this place. There is only fear. I have named this hidden prison, which has summoned fearsome beings from the memories of the past, the 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】. Surely, all who come here will be helpless and exhausted. No help will come. No light will be found. They will be left behind in the abyss, forever.』 (Notebook)

【Star God’s Miniature Garden】. After all, is this Treasure Shrine really related to the 【Star Temple】?

However, I still don’t understand. It says here that they were the ones to name it. The word “Star God” would not come up if they randomly named it. I absentmindedly turn the pages.

It is on the last page that it is written.

The moment I read that sentence, written in shaky letters, I stop breathing. My eyes widen and I re-read the sentence over and over again. I couldn’t understand it.

『My name is Hugh LeGrand, a member of the Zeroth Knight Order. In the end, I never made my mark in Zebrudia, I was never remembered by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》, and I was not recognized by anyone. It’s just a shame.』 (Notebook)

The writing was messy as if it was written with a trembling hand.

Then, I, finally, realized.

The handwriting written in this notebook――No wonder they look familiar.

This is――My handwriting.

“Hh!?” (Hugh)

Suddenly, the corpse that has been on the ground rises and raises its arm to grab my wrist. I hurriedly shake it off and step back. The skull *ketaketa* laughs loudly. Before I know it, the corpse’s equipment has changed from that of a Hunter to an armor. There are black burn spots and countless scratches, but there is no doubt about it. That armor is only given to knights of the prestigious Zeroth Knight Order. Nearby lies the same decaying sword of the Zeroth Knight Order.

I feel dizzy. My heart is beating so fast. Is this what I would look like in the future?

There is no way. There is only me here. I quickly yell.

“The notebook, is, signed, huh! No wonder it’s written in the official language of Zebrudia! 【Star God’s Miniature Garden】………… If I can get this information out, it’ll be a big achievement for me!” (Hugh)

I notice that something is wrong. Even though the Hunter equipment was in tatters, the notebook was still in good enough shape to be read without any problems. The corpse is probably not that of a real person. And then――There is what was written inside.

A content that stirs up your fear. Monsters that appear along the way but attack that cannot get through. The seemingly endless interior of a prison.

“It’s an illusion! Everything! You’re reading my mind! If I think about it that way, it explains all the phenomena that have occurred so far!” (Hugh)

A Treasure Shrine that kidnaps people and reads their minds. There are Treasure Shrines that have special properties and this is probably one of those. It is unheard of for a Treasure Shrine to name itself, but there are many things that are still unknown about Temple-type Treasure Shrines. If it is connected to something like that, then anything could happen.

Suddenly, I feel countless eyes on me. They are watching me. Something invisible is observing me.

I put my back against the wall and ready my sword. However, I am not even confident if I am really putting my back against the wall. I cannot believe everything I am seeing.

My corpse, which I shook off, is also gone before I know it. It is as if nothing has been there from the beginning, including all of its belongings.

I repeatedly take deep breaths and somehow manage to calm my agitation down. Even though I have discovered the nature of the Treasure Shrine, the situation has not been solved. I still haven’t found anyone to defeat, anyone to save, or even a means of escape.

I am breathing heavily and desperately searching for a way out. At that moment, I hear a whispering voice from the depths of the darkness.

“Are all the knights in this world, this strong?” (?)

“Hh…… Who is there!!” (Hugh)

I hold my sword ready to strike at any moment.

What appears from the depths of the darkness is a single girl with black hair. She has short, straight hair and a beautiful, doll-like appearance. She doesn’t have a staff, but she is wearing a uniform bearing Zebrudia Magic Academy’s seal.

Seeing that face suddenly brings back my memories.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

The face in the darkness is that of the citizen who has brought the information that has led me to this situation.

Was it all a trap? From the moment she asked for help?

What a terrifying ability to camouflage. Is it a Phantom? Even when she is in front of my eyes, the girl still looks like a human being.

“To think that, instead of being scared at the sight of Monster Diggy, you would go and attack it with your sword――He was a monster who slaughters people of all ages and genders without discrimination, and plunges major cities into terror…… To think that he failed as a Monster, I am completely losing confidence in myself.” (Girl)

“Ha! It’s just another common monster! But more importantly, if I defeat you, will I be able to escape from here!?” (Hugh)

I shout with all my might, threatening the unidentified monster. Do not be afraid. There have been precedents of Phantoms that understand human language. They should only appear in High-level Treasure Shrines, but it is clear from the beginning that this is no ordinary Treasure Shrine.

I will not become frightened, even when I encounter unknown Phantoms.

“…… What’s going on in this world? And don’t say such scary things. I’ll end up crying, won’t I? Uh…… Fufuuu……” (Girl)

A single black tear flows from her eyes. A tear of blood. A suspicious presence I have never encountered before. The girl lowers her head and her shoulders tremble. And then――.

“Fufuuu………… Fufufuh………… Ahahahahahahahaha!” (Girl)

“Hh!!” (Hugh)

Her neck stretches out. While having black tears flowing down, her head, which is the size of a ball, comes flying towards me. I gasp.

That is ridiculous. A monster that looks just like a human that can stretch its neck out. There is no doubt that she is a unique presence among the many monsters out there, but what can she possibly do coming at me with just her head? And most importantly, I am carrying a sword.

“Uh………… Oooooooooooooooooooooh!!” (Hugh)

I roar as if to erase my vulnerability and step forward. I step just in time to avoid the head coming towards me and raise my sword.

“Your outstretched neck is completely exposed! How foolish of you to expose your weak spot! If only your head can move, then a Dullahan would be stronger!” (Hugh)

“There are, really, too many things in this world. I hate it. Because there’s no place for me.” (Girl)

Just before chopping off her head, she leaves behind a few words and disappears like an illusion. Silence returns to the corridor.

I feel like I now understand my opponent’s abilities and the nature of this Treasure Shrine.

It is, fear. A terrifying monster coming out of the darkness. My own corpse, rotting away in the prison cell. This Treasure Shrine is trying to use illusions to frighten me. A tactic used by some fiends.

I can win. I can conquer it. Hugh LeGrand――Can take on these remains that are probably left by a god!

As I sigh with my shoulders, a voice comes out of nowhere.

“But you can’t. I already know what you’re afraid of. I don’t know what makes it different from us tho’――” (Girl)

“What!?” (Hugh)

I turn around in a panic, searching for the source of the voice. At that moment, a shock hit me as if the blood flowing through my entire body freezes.

The shock is far greater than any I have experienced before. My breathing stops and all strength leaves my hands. The sound of my sword falling echoes throughout the room. But I no longer care that I have dropped my weapon.

My eyes open as wide as possible.

In front of me, a small wooden box is floating in the air. A beautifully decorated box.

“Im-Impossible…… Why, is this………… This, should have been, already resolved――Hh” (Hugh)

A traumatic memory that cannot be forgotten. The legendary curse that destroyed the country, finally released during the uproar around the prophecy. A cursed item that was handed to me by a mysterious being as if they pushed it onto me, and was supposed to have been dealt with by 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka) 》.

The 『Cursed Spirit Stone』.

A thick presence of death. This presence is not something that could be conceived from a mere illusion. The lid slides silently and falls to the floor.

The 『Curse』 that was once impossible to even see now erupts from the forbidden box.

And then my consciousness is swallowed by darkness.

Thanks for reading! Did not expect Strange Grief to go into spooky Treasure Shrine… RIP Hugh o7, you will be briefly remembered And who knows, maybe if you survive long enough, Cry would save you. But I wonder what Cry’s fear will be… No, Cry is afraid of nothing, so that girl is the one who will be afraid of him

If you are in a generous mood and want to support me, I will be very grateful! : Click here for Ko-fi donation or the button bellow

window.pubfuturetag = window.pubfuturetag || [];window.pubfuturetag.push({unit: "67b6a3f059969b0665825541", id: "pf-13793-1"})