Chapter 747: Setting Sun Part 1

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"Piyoyo!"

"Hnnn?"

The time is evening; since it's the period before tests where we get out of school early, it's a timeframe that tends to divide people into those who use their free time effectively and those who don't, and I had logged into ShanFro to utilize my time in the best possible way: mental refreshment.

Since my respawn point is the save point inside the Leviathan, I was thinking of enjoying a little hunting combined with a practical test of my new weapon on the monsters in the Sea of Trees... but as I stepped out of the Leviathan, a single falcon flew right up to me.

"Oh, there there, let me give you this premium bird food."

Since the taming method for bird monsters is currently unclear, the "Bird Food" item that allows you to feed mailbirds is an incredibly popular commodity among bird-loving players. The one I took out was meant for falcons, so it was basically dried meat cut like shredded bacon... apparently, players can eat it too, and when I tried it as a test, it tasted like flavorless gum since it didn't use any salt or pepper.

"Piyo!"

Eh? You're giving me something? Well, naturally the first thing is a piece of mail... Ah... W-Wow, a sparrow's feather. I'm so happy.

Sensing that someone's mail had vanished without being received, I placed the falcon on top of my head in place of Emul, who hasn't been partying with me lately due to some event or something.

The sender was "Ougasei"... Ah, that supposedly elementary-schooler kid with the ridiculously strong personality.

Summarizing the contents, it basically said, "Let's gather all the Goldunine cooperators together."

The reason I say "basically" is because, whether they wanted to sound like a translated Western movie or something, they forcibly crammed in phrasing like "Let's make it a massive festival" or "Once we gather, we're a special ops team, we ain't even afraid of the military," which makes me feel like... are we going to launch a raid somewhere? I pray the translation isn't wrong.

"Gather, huh..."

Considering I was the one who proposed the ceasefire agreement in the first place, it's hard to say no. But the problem is that the meeting place is inside the Sea of Trees for some reason... To be frank, I overwhelmingly feel like asking, "Why?"

If the goal is to avoid public attention, there shouldn't be any need to do it dead-center in an area where monsters spawn. Ah, but if they're bringing along kin snakes like Sammy-chan-san, then are human settlements entirely out of the question...? Wait, why is there a need to bring the snakes? Can't you just explain things verbally?

"...Ah, is it because I showed off Sammy-chan-san?"

From the perspective of the other "Goldunines," Wimp is a single-digit number holding the highest threat level provisionally, and her kin is an ultimate stealth snake that doesn't even trigger heat or mana detection.

Even I would fully gear up if I was told, "The Raid Boss just acquired an invisibility ability!" Actually, in Bakumatsu, it would instead be an all-out pawnshop raid... since dying poorly means your gear gets run off withlost.

And ultimately, everyone ignores the Raid Boss to start a pawnshop assault or defense battle, only to all get hunted down by the Raid Boss. That is the providence of the ecosystem known as Bakumatsu... We are herbivores defying providence, sharpening our horns to resist the invincible lion. If it's for that sake, then even cannibalism can't be helped.

"Well, the punchline is that we get bitten by the lion while our horns are tangled up together, though."

Since humans are creatures that shaved down their instinct parameter to raise their INT, we are instinctively stupider than animals... My thoughts derailed; in short, to the other Goldunines, it's likely a form of self-defense.

At the very least, while Sammy-chan-san can erase her figure and presence, she can't erase her mass, so rather than standing out alone, it's better to have a massive physical presence nearby... I guess?

In that case, wouldn't it be better to just pick a place with heavy foot traffic, or ban the kin snakes from coming in the first place...? Hmm?

Well, since this was organized by an elementary schooler (provisional), thinking too deeply about it might just be a waste of time. Having concluded that, I decided to dedicate my thoughts on how to solve the other problem.

Namely, how to drag that massive coward out... But really, it's more about how to convince Sammy-chan-san.

If that guardian genuinely goes into stealth, I seriously won't be able to find her... Conversely, as long as I have Sammy-chan-san, if I act as a sacrificial pawn while she swallows Wimp whole and enters stealth, we can get through almost any situation.

Having somehow managed to successfully convey that intention to Sammy-chan-san, I am now heading toward the promised location together withdragging along Wimp... with Sammy-chan-san following behind in stealth mode.

"let— me— go—"

"Question: Actions taken if released."

"e-ehhh... Right! i have to peel vegetables!"

A Unique Monster demanding to go home because she has a part-time job.........

While half-glaring at Wimp—who was displaying a pointless desire to work while being rolled up in a bamboo mat by Saina and carried like a bale of rice—I search for the designated location...

"Umm... Under the white tree northwest of the Elf Village...? No wait, that's like trying to find a specific utility pole inside a city..."

Kuh, this exquisitely ambiguous feeling of whether this is helpful or unhelpful... Kuh, I feel like hurling insults at Ougasei will only lower my own standing.

"Give it up, Wimp. Don't worry, when push comes to shove, I'll be your meat shield."

"i want a lifestyle where i don't need a shield or a weapon!!"

A golden rule, truly a famous quote worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize. But this is an underdeveloped pioneer fantasy; in the providence of the natural world, those holding neither shield nor weapon are referred to as "food."

"All you have to do is lock your facial muscles and body tremors and sit there looking arrogant."

"Recommendation: Fainting."

"No, it'd be pretty bad if she isn't actually awake."

I can't exactly present a Wimp with her eyes rolled to the back of her head. Puppet or not, I need her to act dignified. As for ideas I can come up with, maybe positioning Sammy-chan-san at ultra-close range to give her a sense of security...

"...Is that it?"

Kuh, considering I was just thinking "there's no way I'll find it with such confusing directions," finding it so terrifyingly easily leaves me feeling indescribable.

"Alright, steel your resolve, Wimp. There are times when both humans and snakes have to lay their lives on the line to survive. Especially you—if you just space out, you'll be slaughtered by the original Goldunine, after all."

"Eh?"

Geh, there are already guests here. Tighten up your face, Wimp!

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Author's Afterword

Inside the dim forest, looking at that dark face, you ask: Who are you?

On the upcoming Friday, October 16, 2020, Volume 1 of the materialized comic adaptation "Shangri-La Frontier ~Kusoge Hunter, Kamige ni Idoman to su~" by Ryosuke Fuji-sensei will finally go on sale!

There will also be a "Special EditionExpansion Pass" released simultaneously featuring a newly written novel (which I had to cut down by about 5,000 characters because I misunderstood the character limit), so please be sure to pick it up!!