MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 8 - Grasping Something Beyond Reach

After safely (or perhaps not so safely) acquiring the [WIDOW MAKER] technique, Haruhiro and the others went back to their daily routines at the Siren Mine.

Marco had learned a Dark Knight spell called [DARK TERROR] that instilled the Dark God Skulheill's fear in his opponent, resulting in his opponent's mind becoming muddled. Depending on how it works, it looks like the technique is quite useful.

Barto returned with a double technique [FORWARD THRUST] and [REVERSE THRUST]. [FORWARD THRUST] is a one-handed thrust with a fairly long range, while [REVERSE THRUST] is a thrust used as he retreats. Both of these techniques are simple versions of the baiting technique usually used by Marco, and these are quite confusing skills, namely [PROPEL LEAP] and [JUKE STAB].

Alice learns the mantra [SHADOW BIND]. A shadow elemental was placed on the ground, this magic would cripple any enemies who stepped on it. But this spell has its flaws, that is, only one elemental can be placed at a time, so that a strong enemy can force themselves to escape this magical bond, he said, and this magic only lasted up to twenty-five seconds. But like [PHANTOM SLEEP], the opponent's battle skill might not be relevant on its impact. It's more like a supporting magic than an attack skill, but it's a spell that matches Alice's personality.

Vina is back with the technique [STAR PIERCE]. He had practiced many throwing knife skills, and he was also adept at using a variety of different weapons. He had even bought a small set of throwing knives, ah not really, according to him “Vina did not know which knife to choose, so Master Vina took this for Vina, this one too, so Master Vina took it, this one too, and this one too. Master Vina bought this for Vina, and Vina sangaaaat pleased! Of course, Vina also bought it with Vina's own money ..”

It seemed like Guild Master Hunter Vina was starting to like him, and Haruhiro could not blame him.

Lusi returns with a light magic spell [LIGHT OF JUDGEMENT], an attack spell used by the Magic God Luminous, to punish the enemy. The range is short and the damage is low, but it causes the target body to become numb, and slows their movements for a short period of time. Lusi may not have intended to fight directly with this technique, but rather only to provide support to Barto and other frontline Party members.

With the new skills possessed by all the members, the team's fighting ability could be said to be enough

escalated. The power of Alice's new spell [SHADOW BIND] is a pretty important addition.

“Alice, that's awesome! You managed to stop a tip!” Haruhiro.

They were in the third level of the Siren Mine, and were engaged in a fight with a group of kobolds led by one of the tough bosses who preferred to stand behind, instead, and give orders to his subordinates on the front line. Alice's [SHADOW BIND] technique had left her unable to step forward. Although his movements were increasingly limited, the kobold boss should not stop giving orders to his subordinates, but it did not seem to happen because he was so panicked.

“Now! Finish off his subordinates!” Haruhiro Shouts.

But Marco did not need to be told, nor did he ignore it despite being told. He's already stuck out his gun to attack Subordinate A.

"Dark Knight is coming! For Skulheill! Shake with fear, O infidels! [DARK TERROR]!”

The purplish-colored mist engulfed Subordinate A, and the mist entered his body through his nose and mouth. The Kobold let out a short howl and leaped wildly in front of Marco.

"Ap-" Marco immediately restrained the kobold knife with his long sword, but the kobold did not stop there. He launched a series of indiscriminate attacks. “What the fuck! Damnit!” he shouted, while deflecting his opponent's attack. “It shouldn't be this way!”

“... He seems to have lost the ability to think well.” comments Haruhiro.

In the end, Marco is Marco. Haruhiro felt stupid for expecting such a good thing from him. There were two other subordinate kobolds, Barto facing Bawahan, while Vina headed towards Bawahan C, but Lusi was in front of the two of them.

"O light, under the auspices of Lord Luminous ... [LIGHT OF JUDGEMENT]!”

Subordinate B, who was waiting for Barto, bathed in light all over his body.

His whole body began to convulse violently.

Barto immediately finished him off with a shout [RAGE CLEAVE], “THANK YOU!!”

B's subordinate collapsed, and Barto soon moved to help Vina. Barto is very reliable, and he will not use his new style if it is not needed.

“I guess, no other options.” Haruhiro muttered and started helping Marco.

He headed towards the back position of Subordinate A, then something suddenly happened to him. Marco's [DARK TERROR] was not a skill intended to scare his target, but a skill that made his opponent go crazy in confusion, and of course his opponent would launch a merciless indiscriminate attack. Marco failed to use the skill, but Haruhiro actually benefited. A's subordinate was so focused on killing Marco, that he didn't see Haruhiro at all. He easily takes a position behind the kobold... and.. [BACKSTAB]? No, maybe he'll try his new style, "[WIDOW

MAKER]!"

Haruhiro was attached to Subordinate A and locked both of his arms for now. He was already so adept at performing such a locking technique, but he still had not mastered the technique of locking the opponent's legs. However, the position of his opponent's revealed arm was already good enough for Haruiro to stick his dagger in, and the chances of succeeding were quite high. He slammed his dagger into the base of the kobold's neck, then he slit his throat, and jumped to get away from it.

Subordinate A does not die instantly, however, being near an opponent is not a good option as there is a risk of a counterattack. But that wasn't the only reason why Haruhiro jumped to get away from him.

"AKAAAAAAAAANN THIS!" Shouted Marco, while jumping forward, and thrusting his sword at the dying kobold. Then he finished it off by stabbing it again right at the heart, using all his strength.

“YESSS! I GOT MY VICE! CAN VICE!!” Marco declared it with a joyful cry.

“That's reckless! Your prick can hit me too!”

Haruhiro shouting.

“If you die, then I'll get VICE again! YESSSS!!!”

You imbecile. But Haruhiro already knows. A fool will still be a fool, so what needs to be regretted? But Haruhiro was still upset. He wants to get angry while yelling “fucking!!”. But, it would probably be better if he held it in.

"DAD!" Vina shouted, while using [SWEEPING SLASH] quickly followed by [CROSS CUT]. The combination attack overwhelmed Subordinate C.

"THANK YOU!" [RAGE CLEAVE] from Barto came without hesitation, and he put an end to the kobold resistance.

“Everything! Attack the boss!” Haruhiro shouted, but that loud shriek made him a little embarrassed. But the shouts on his team at times like these also have the effect of motivating, and improving teamwork. This is not a time to be ashamed. The kobold boss is no longer bound by the spell, and the team immediately swarms towards the kobold boss. Of course, the kobold boss would put up a desperate resistance to provide a counterattack. What is the best way to deal with an opponent like this?

Haruhiro and the others learn to seek answers to their problems through experience. The four of them would surround, instead of attacking randomly, so they waited for the monster to attack. Then one would attack and defend, while the other three counterattacked. They will repeat this process until the enemy collapses.

As a result, they could conquer the kobold tips without anyone on the team being injured. As usual, Marco's movements were strange and confusing, but Haruhiro decided to let it go, as victory was almost certain.

“Are you bored enough to be at this level?” Ask Marco. “This enemy is too easy. It's time we move on, we have to level up. “

"We start again ..." Haruhiro.

Haruhiro is still not completely convinced after they defeat another boss along with 2 of his men, but when they find a sinking well that goes to the fourth level, the, Haruhiro began to consider that going down was a viable option to take. Everything was fighting very well today, and he wanted to keep this momentum going. On the other hand, he did not want the success of today to make them too self-reliant. At times like this, they are easily caught off guard.

“Hmm ..” With the sinking well that was right in front of him, Haruhiro began to ponder something.

He was 50-50, whether to go down or not.

“When are you going to stop your doubts?!” Marco demanded.

And Haruhiro has to admit that this time, and this time only, Marco said correctly. It seemed that this time Haruhiro found it difficult to be assertive. What do others think of a leader like this? Alice and Barto's expressions looked anxious. Vina stared blankly. Lucia also seemed to be pondering something. Marco is the only one who is upset.

This is no good. When a firm decision is needed, he is worried. Haruhiro decided it.

“Let's continue tomorrow,” Haruhiro announced.

“APA!?” Marco protested immediately.

Haruhiro had anticipated Marco's violent protests, but he was still upset.

“It doesn't matter if we come back again tomorrow, right?” He answers. “We will have time to prepare mentally first for the better.”

“I'm mentally ready now!!”

“Only you! What about the others?!”

“So I was wrong because only I was mentally prepared here!? And you're just cowardly chickens!!” Marco spit.

Waw. Damn, that word was enough to upset Haruhiro. It could explode with anger. Haruhiro closed his eyes and forced himself to take a deep breath. Anger will not solve any problem. He has to control himself. Yes, self-control. Butwhy? Why would he have to try so hard to control himself against Marco's ravings?

It was Marco's fault. It's all fucking Marco's fault.

When Haruhiro opened his eyes, he took his eyes off Marco. His self-control would evaporate free if he too often saw Marco's face.

“We will end the hunt at level 3 today, and drop to the fourth level tomorrow. Marco disagrees with me. Is there anyone else who disagrees too?”

The others agreed with Haruhiro. Haruhiro was ready if Marco kept up with the protests, but surprisingly, Marco just shrugged his shoulders and turned around. Haruhiro still could not understand the disposition of the man. What the hell was Marco thinking?

Their income is relatively good today. After dinner together, they head to the Sherry Shops

for drinking.

As Gori followed along, the conversation grew lively. Gori and Marco were like two birds chirping at each other, they hugged each other on their shoulders and caused a commotion together. They have a personality match, Haruhiro thought. And the more he thought about it, the more Haruhiro realized that he was one of the most at odds with Marco. Is it because he doesn't have a personality that matches him?

Haruhiro was about to go home with his other colleagues, but then while they were on their way home, Haruhiro returned to the tavern alone after giving some random excuses to his friends. There, he sees Lusi sitting alone at the end of the first floor counter table. He saw Haruhiro approaching, then the girl turned her gaze towards him.

For a moment, he wondered anxiously, what would he do if the girl told him to leave ... Maybe he was just a coward, as Marco said this afternoon. He was not brave and hesitant. Fortunately, this fear is unfounded.

Lusi smiled slightly and asked, “What's wrong?”

“Ah, it's okay, really. It's just .. do you mind if I sit here?”

“Samely no.”

Haruhiro sat beside him. He saw the girl sipping another cup of Mead honey, so Haruhiro ordered the same drink. Lately, Haruhiro ate and drank quite a lot, as he wished. She was not worried about money, and her little heart was considering moving out of the shabby cottage.

“Lusi, where do you live? Emm” He panicked, and he didn't mean to say that. “No! No, I mean .. I don't mean to want to know where you live. I was just thinking of the possibility to move out of the cottage ... and I emm, ask where you are, you know ... just ask .... for reference.”.

“I rented a room in a simple inn on Jalan Kaen,” Lusi replied casually. “It was a place only used by women, and I've lived there since the beginning.”

“Oh. I understand ...” Haruhiro felt stupid for asking such a thing. Had there been a hole nearby, he would have gone in there to hide his face. Or maybe not. He felt the sweat start flowing down his forehead, and he tried his hardest to look ordinary, so he rubbed it with one hand. “Hm. Must be delicious huh. I know that you would feel awkward if there was a guy living next to you.”

“If you decide to move from the cottage, I might be able to introduce Vina and Alice to the owner,” Lusi offers.

“Yes, they will probably greatly appreciate the offer. But, it's not that we've decided to move house, or anything like that. We haven't even talked about it seriously. Everything is still comfortable living there, although sometimes I want a more decent place to live. We're all used to living like that.”

“Condage Backup Team ..” Luci closed his eyes and sipped his drink again. “I remember those times...”.

Haruhiro was convinced that Lusi was still living with his old friend at the time. They are friends who are no longer with him.

“But the cottage is getting crowded recently,” Haruhiro said with a laugh. He didn't mean to laugh, and he didn't know why he did it. “The newcomers are also there, anyways our room is quite far apart, so I rarely say hello to them.”

“What kind of people are they?” Ask Lusi.

“There is nothing like Hector,” replied Haruhiro. “But also there is nothing as pathetic as us.”

“In my opinion, you don't deserve to look at yourself that low.”

“Oh. Is that how it works?”

“Slight.”

“Yes. I guess it is.” Haruhiro felt like strangling his neck with his own hands, but he instead vented his embarrassment by shuffling his hair.

“It's not good. I wish I could project myself to be more confident, but .. I don't think I'm that type of person.”

“A confident and overly sure Haru?” Lusi's expression softened. “You're right. It doesn't look like your personality at all.”

“Yes, I'm not sure myself either. But, it will sound good if I say that it is still possible.”

“Are you sure you don't think too much about it? Should you take this so seriously?”

“Too serious? Thinking excessively? Me? Impossible,” Haruhiro denied.

“Just like Marco, you take it too seriously and that's why you've always been at loggerheads with him, ” Lusi explained.

“Ahh. Maybe that's true, yeah. I have to figure out a way to flaunt her, every time she says something.”

“That happens because you want to find the perfect solution, making things even more complicated. I thought, it would be better if you just ignored it. Save your seriousness, and use it when you really need it.”

“Leave alone, yes..”

Haruhiro does not think that he is the type of person who takes things seriously, but when dealing with things related to Party leadership, he realizes that he is always sensitive and thinks hard to make the best choice for the team. It was true that he was only doing the best he could to seriously consider everything, but that was probably the case because he was not someone who had an innate nature as a leader.

If he is fit for this role, if he has what it takes to lead, then he will not think about things so deeply. And the conclusion he came up with after thinking over and over again remained the same, which was If there was someone around him who could lead better, then he would hand over his position happily.

Even during the conversation with Lusi, he felt that the girl was perfectly suited to lead this Party rather than himself, and he was tempted to ask Lusi to take his place. But he didn't do it. He could not allow himself to do such a miserable thing.

“Lusi, I've been wanting to ask you something for a long time ..”

“What is it?”

“About Mine Siren.”

“You mean ..” Lusi seemed to have a lot of things to reveal, but he suddenly shut his lips.

Starting tomorrow, they would drop to the fourth level, then finally drop to the fifth level, which was the level that the Lusi Party had passed before.

If they continue to go there, then surely one day they will reach the place where Luci's best friend once died. Lusi had to set foot in that place once again.

Haruhiro knew, personal experience, how difficult it was for Lusi. It was bitter and heartbreaking.

Anger fills his stomach whenever Haruhiro returns to the place where an armored goblin once killed Udin. It was an overwhelming sadness and anger that he wanted to endure with all his might. But they once returned to the place where Udin was killed, and they managed to avenge him. If he could, he would forget his existence.

“I just want to know, is it okay for you, if we continue the hunt at the mine. You're not forcing yourself, are you? I didn't mean it anyway, but ..”

“This is not .. easy,” said Luci with closed teeth. “Getting deeper into the mine didn't give me a good feeling at all. Not now, maybe never.”

“I think so too ..”

“But ... it is something I have to do,” he said, shaking his head. “No, rather, it was something I wanted to do. If I don't do it, then I'll never be able to get away with all this. I could never do it alone, and if necessary, I would be willing to borrow the strength of others to do so. You and the others. Because you and the others have regarded me as a colleague and friend.”

For some reason, Haruhiro was deeply moved by those words. No, actually he understood quite the reason, it was because he was very happy. Lucia actually depends on them. Luci considers the other Haruhiro as a friend, and he believes in them to be together through this. And Lusi actually said it out loud to Haruhiro, thus making Haruhiro so happy and relieved.

“I'm sorry for putting this burden on all of you,” added Lusi.

Those words were spoken from her mouth so sweetly, that Haruhiro wanted to give her a hug. No, no, no, she would not dare to do such a crazy thing. He couldn't do it, and he didn't think that Lusi wanted such a thing. But at this moment, Lusi looks so cute, that Haruhiro vows to protect her more than anything in the world.

“This is not a burden,” Haruhiro reassured him with a smile.

Haruhiro wanted to show that giving confidence in himself was valuable, but Haruhiro himself was not sure if he could carry this dependency. But at the very least, Haruhiro wants the burden of Luci's mind to be lessened by sharing his problems with the team.

Haruhiro continued, “This is not a burden at all. We will lend all the power we have.

Well, we're going to do everything we can, and if we can't do it, we've…. But, I don't look pretty cool, do I?”

“I don't mind you like this, Haru.”

“Really? You think like that?”

Then, with a whisper that could barely be heard by normal ears, Lusi said, “Thank you.”

Whoa. And at that moment, Haruhiro felt as if he was going to fall in love with her. Ah, not really. After all, Haruhiro was not the type of man that Lusi liked.