TLN: Hey guys, Reigokai here!

Just got word that my discord got hijacked x.x I have already changed my pass and recovered the account, but discord doesn’t let me send messages anymore, so here I am, telling you it is fine now (probably).

Who knows when they are gonna allow me to write messages again, lmao.

Anyways, enjoy the chapter!

—–

Lanpeach, who calls himself Michibiki, stood on a biological deck, grimacing at its squishy texture, feeling uneasy as he faced off against a fox-like enemy.

The fox-man had jet-black fur, but his vital points, such as his chest, were covered by what seemed to be spirit armor fused with pink muscle tissue. Instead of a fluffy beastman, he looked more like a sickly, dangerous creature. Honestly, Lanpeach didn’t want to touch him.

[Who is this guy? Where did he come from?] (Lanpeach)

It was clear this opponent wasn’t from the surface. Lanpeach sent his thoughts to Mira, wondering if this fox-man was from the Underground District. 

Libra smacked his shoulder, annoyed at not being asked directly, but Lanpeach thought that if she really wanted to know why, he could tell her.

[That’s one of the employees of the ancient Harkein Corporation. He’s probably a department head.] (Mira)

[He doesn’t look like a department head! He clearly looks like a soldier!] (Lanpeach)

[The Harkein Corporation was a conglomerate. They established the Harkein Group and managed everything from pencils to world domination.] (Mira)

[Did I hear you wrong, or did you say “world domination” was part of their business operations? Maybe didn’t word it right?] (Lanpeach)

It is not something you would hear about a normal business.

Lanpeach asked, holding onto a faint hope, but Mira didn’t change her expression at all.

[They sent personnel to everything from office work to the battlefield, aiming for dominance through economics and force. That’s why they were called Harkein. I’m surprised the company still exists. Looks like they’re still hanging on.] (Mira)

Mira said she was surprised while showing an innocent face, but Lanpeach was sure she was lying. However, this wasn’t the time to call her out, so he simply gave her a dry look in response.

A new quest has been issued after all.

[Stop the emergence of the demon ship [Forneus]. Level 7.]

[Defeat the Harkein forces. Level 8.]

[Boss Battle: Defeat Chefei. Level 8.]

[Current losses: 3 Gunrabbis (3,000), Custom Rabbi exclusive  for Mimi (10,000).]

And then there was the incomprehensible log. What does this mean? What are these losses? He had a bad feeling about this. These numbers feel ominous.

“Mimi, what is this?” (Lanpeach)

“Kyuu, Mimi fought hard. Mimi borrowed in advance and fought, but lost.” (Mimi)

The mini rabbit sitting on Lanpeach’s head squeaked and rubbed her fluffy fur against him, rubbing her nose affectionately. 

Lanpeach found it impossible to pursue the matter any with this cute mini rabbit pressing against him. Surely, no animal protection group would tolerate bullying such an adorable creature.

Lanpeach turned his gaze towards Chefei, and saw him maintaining his distance, yet seeming to enjoy the fight. He was likely from a species that loved combat.

“I’m surprised humans still exist in the Hunter Guild! Twelve hundred years have passed, have you gotten any stronger?” (Chefei)

Chefei laughed as he stopped moving.

“Who knows. We’ve been doing okay. Haven’t had much free time, though.” (Lanpeach)

There’s a rabbit that borrows people’s EXP without asking. And a support character who only tells lies.

“Mimi, stay back. Maa, catch her!” (Lanpeach)

“Usaaa! I’ll catch her!” (Maa)

“Nice catch!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach threw Mimi, who had been sitting on his head, with all his might. Maa’s Gunrabbi flew by and caught her just in time, placing her in the cockpit and swiftly retreating.

“Boss, be careful~. That person is pretending to be a fox demon, but he’s actually another demon. Watch out for shadows.” (Mimi)

Mimi warned Lanpeach as she slipped into the cockpit, waving her hand. It seemed Mimi was exceptional in battle compared to the other rabbits, even though she is usually sleeping, and had noticed something during the fight with Chefei.

(Watch out for shadows? That’s a loaded statement. In situations like this, the real body is never present. Should I defeat the enemy that has a shadow?) (Lanpeach)

Having seen similar exchanges in anime and novels, Lanpeach had a good idea what Mimi’s words meant.

[Mumumu, Libra Eye!] (Libra)

Libra took the initiative to analyze Chefei. She rarely had a role in battle, so she was eager to contribute.

[Chefei: Demon, species unknown. Level 8.]

[Gah! My analysis got bounced off. I don’t know what kind of demon he is, so be careful!] (Libra)

But the result was useless.

[Demons can use various authorities. Don’t let your guard down.] (Mira)

“Got it. Let’s give it a try!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach nodded at Libra’s shock and Mira’s rare serious warning, readied his BD, and started his fight with Chefei.

◇

Within this place where Gunrabbis and Harkein soldiers fought fiercely in the sky, Lanpeach aimed his BD’s barrel at Chefei and pulled the trigger without hesitation.

It was a fully automatic burst from someone with a Gunmanship level of 6, a master far beyond human ability.

The bullet speed exceeded the limit thanks to his skill, relying heavily on Lanpeach’s shooting level to increase its velocity.

Chefei immediately kicked off the deck and hid behind an engine part that jutted out. It was outstanding sniping skills, but only a few shots landed. They landed, but were easily deflected. 

“Is that a peashooter? The bullet speed is fast, but the gun’s too weak.” (Chefei)

[Cursed Foxfire]

Chefei sneered, pointing his fingers as waves of dark flames surged across the deck like a tidal wave.

Lanpeach ran across the uneven deck, sliding behind a wall to dodge the flames while firing back, but the shots were perfectly described as pea shots. The moment they clashed onto the demon barrier of Chefei, they not only were reflected, but disintegrated. 

“This is bad, Libra. I forgot to buy a new gun!” (Lanpeach)

[Your gun’s attack power is 52. By the way, Mimi’s Carrot Buster had an attack power of 650.] (Libra)

“No to inflation! You’ve got to be kidding me! There’s no way I can beat him with this store-bought weapon! Damn it, I just bought this thing and haven’t even used it yet!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach had become the kind of gamer who doesn’t change his equipment until he hits a roadblock. His gun was too weak. It seemed like it would do no damage even at point-blank range.

Frustrated, he put the useless BD back into his Dimension Pouch and…

Launched a kick into the empty air.

“Urgh!?”

Chefei suddenly appeared where no one had been, taking a hit to his chin and staggering.

“I am impressed that you noticed!” (Chefei)

Chefei was surprised, tried to counter with a middle kick aimed at Lanpeach’s side, but Lanpeach deflected it with a circular motion of his hand.

“I’ve had plenty of practice.” (Lanpeach)

There certainly was no one there. Chefei had been hiding in the opposite direction, and his presence was still felt there. But somehow, Chefei had suddenly appeared as if he teleported.

“I was told to watch out for shadows. So I kept an eye on all directions for no reason.” (Lanpeach)

Thanks to his [Super Sense], Lanpeach had detected a shift in the dimensional fabric, allowing him to sense when Chefei had appeared, and attacked reflexively.

“Can’t lower my guard on you! Just the fact that you are a human already makes you special.” (Chefei)

“I’m honored by the compliment.” (Lanpeach)

Chefei jabbed with his left fist, and Lanpeach countered, striking with a screw-like punch that deflected Chefei’s fist from the side.

“Kuh!”

However, this was meant to be a clean deflection, and yet, Lanpeach’s arm still felt the impact, causing him to wince in pain. Each deflection sent shockwaves through his arm.

“At this rate, I’m just wearing myself down.” (Lanpeach)

The reason was obvious. The mana surrounding Chefei’s arms was too powerful, breaking down Lanpeach’s body upon contact. If his physical abilities were stronger, he might have been able to withstand it, but he couldn’t endure it at his current level.

Chefei was aware of this. He was attacking cautiously, using only jabs to accumulate damage on Lanpeach.

Though the fight appeared to be slow and calculated, both were moving at high speed, trading blows in a manner so swift that outsiders couldn’t follow. The battle would be over in a matter of seconds despite seeming like a prolonged exchange.

(This guy’s holding back. Must be because of my first strike.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach realized that Chefei was holding back, only using jabs, but Lanpeach could also tell he wasn’t taking it easy. It is most likely because Lanpeach managed to land a preemptive strike on him the moment he suddenly appeared. 

He was observing, wary that Lanpeach might have more tricks up his sleeve.

[I will deal a fatal blow while he is holding back!] (Lanpeach)

[Parry]

Lanpeach stepped forward aggressively using his skill to completely deflect Chefei’s next blow. 

Chefei’s stance faltered for just a moment, but he quickly launched another jab, thinking that this opening wouldn’t be exploited, however, Lanpeach closed the gap with a shoulder tackle, prepared for injury.

“Ugh?! Did you hide some kind of magic?” (Chefei)

Chefei staggered backward after taking the shoulder tackle.

Lanpeach followed up with a backfist to the side of Chefei’s face, causing his head to snap back, and then swung his left leg upward to strike Chefei’s chin ━or at least, he was supposed to.

“Too bad!” (Chefei)

Chefei caught the kick in the palm of his hand just before it could land. Normally, it would be impossible for a human hand to block such a forceful kick, especially when strength is involved.

But Chefei caught it with ease, clearly demonstrating the vast difference in physical ability between him and Lanpeach. Even as Lanpeach clicked his tongue and tried to pull back, Chefei didn’t let go, instead yanking him upward with a powerful lift.

“Kuku, it looks like you’re not much of an opponent after all! I was too cautious.” (Chefei)

Chefei effortlessly lifted Lanpeach and swung him around as if he were a lightweight doll. 

Lanpeach strained to resist, but no matter how much strength he used, he couldn’t stop Chefei from swinging him around.

“Too bad for you, Hunter!” (Chefei)

Chefei hurled Lanpeach with a giant swing using just one hand.

He crashed into the living deck with a violent impact, bouncing and rolling until he collided with the wall, creating a dent as he became embedded in it.

“Gah, that hurt…” (Lanpeach)

The intense impact caused severe internal damage, and blood trickled from Lanpeach’s mouth.

(Damn it, even after raising my stats and using body enhancement, I still can’t stand up to him?!) (Lanpeach)

He was too strong. The name “demon” wasn’t just for show. He had far more power than those crazed spirits from before.

“Well, I was cautious when I heard you were a human Hunter, but I see now. It’s impressive to have that much strength in your body for a human. But that’s all. You can’t match us demons. Heh, this is just like the old days.” (Chefei)

Chefei extended his fingers, revealing scythe-like claws, and confidently approached. His wariness had diminished, and he seemed more focused on the surrounding battle than on Lanpeach.

“I-Isn’t it…a bit too soon to be mocking me?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach wiped the blood away from his mouth, forced himself out of the wall he was wedged in, and sneered at Chefei.

“…You still have the will to stand? Are you hiding a trump card?” (Chefei)

Chefei looked at Lanpeach with a wary expression. Lanpeach smirked and muttered softly, taunting him.

“That’s right. I need to close the power gap just a little more. Now, watch closely.” (Lanpeach)

[Divine Spirit Fusion]

A blinding flash erupted, illuminating the surroundings, and Lanpeach’s figure disappeared into the light.

“What? …What’s with this spirit power?!” (Chefei)

“Oh, you can feel it? That’s good. Now it’s my turn to say the line. A demon is no match for someone who can fuse with a Divine Spirit.” (Lanpeach)

Once the light subsided, Lanpeach, now fused with a Divine Spirit, stood with silver hair flowing, a calm expression on his face.

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