Chapter 78
Death approaches with unsettling ease.
The entity now piercing my abdomen resembles the Demon of the 99th Floor.
It feels unjust.
I came to this distant planet under orders to investigate, only to face a futile and meaningless death.
The bitterness is overwhelming.
I can’t leave alone like this.
【I’ll take you with me!】
“What are you saying? I told you—I can’t understand you!”
This primitive creature can’t grasp the complexities of our advanced language.
But this demon… he understands perfectly.
【You understand my words, don’t you? Unlike that primitive being.】
The demon flinches for a moment.
Indeed, he understood.
【Then relay this: the end of this world is nigh!】
I tried exploiting an opening to strike, but it was pointless.
The demon quickly regenerated and began to absorb me.
And in a voice only I could hear, he whispered,
【Don’t worry. I’ll devour your kind as well.】
That was my last memory.
The boss monster was absorbed by Nika, and with that, the space began to tremble.
It’s over.
“You did well.”
【I’ll get us out of here!】
Holding me tightly, Nika exited the Gate. The moment we crossed, the Gate vanished entirely.
It was so sudden—if we had been even slightly late, we might have been lost in the void.
Nothing about this situation was normal.
“Brother!”
At the sound of my sister’s voice, I turned to see her leaping toward me.
Or rather, flying at me.
“Ugh!”
She collided with my chest, hugging me tightly, nearly knocking the wind out of me.
“Were you trying to finish me off for good?”
“…….”
She didn’t say a word.
“Are you crying?”
“…….”
Her eyes were red, and tears streamed down her face. I could see how worried she had been.
At times like this, actions speak louder than words.
I hugged her silently, just as I used to when she was scared of thunder as a child.
Once she calmed down, she pushed me away.
“Wh-What are you doing? People are watching!”
“You were the one who hugged me first.”
“Whatever.”
She turned away, visibly flustered.
“Let’s head back first. Talking in the middle of the ocean feels a bit… odd.”
“…Okay.”
Several large battleships approached to pick us up, including a massive cruise ship.
They told us we could board the cruise ship for a proper rest, though it would take some time to reach land.
“We wanted to provide proper hospitality for the Hunters who worked so hard,” they explained.
If we were in a hurry, helicopters were available, but since we weren’t in a rush, the cruise seemed like a good idea.
Besides, the event had been broadcast worldwide. Returning immediately might not be the best idea.
The American Association President joked that we’d never make it out of the airport with all the media attention.
Was he always this easygoing?
As we boarded the cruise ship, my younger sister, Lillian, the Heavenly Demon, and Darami followed suit.
They welcomed us with drinks and offered a tour of the facilities.
The cruise had eight floors, complete with various amenities and shopping areas.
My sister, who had clung to me until now, darted off the moment she heard about shopping.
“Hey, everyone! There’s shopping!”
Her excitement drew reactions from Lillian and even the Heavenly Demon.
“Humans sure love shopping,” Darami muttered as she tried to sneak off as well.
I grabbed her before she could.
“Nyoo!” she protested, but I knew her intentions.
Darami loved shiny things and would definitely beg for something.
“No, you already have plenty.”
“The more, the better!”
“I’ll get you something later if you behave.”
“You promise?”
Sometimes I wonder who she takes after to be this straightforward.
…It’s definitely not me.
With the mention of a “ladies’ gathering,” Cha Mi-rin, Joy, and Tsurumiya Yui all disappeared together, leaving only Nika and Darami by my side.
“It’s a relief you two stayed with me.”
“Let me go as well.”
“Aww, but Darami, I’m your favorite, right?”
“Nyoooo! Let me go!”
I managed to wrangle the tsundere Darami and Nika and asked the staff to guide us to our room. The attendant promptly began leading the way.
As we followed, taking in the surroundings, I couldn’t help but wonder why the room was so far away.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived. The attendant scanned a card key and handed it to me.
“This card key grants you access to all services onboard.”
“Thank you.”
Wishing me an enjoyable stay, the attendant left. As I entered, the room welcomed me with sheer opulence.
The walls offered panoramic views of the ocean, and the room even came with a terrace.
How luxurious is this place?
“Not bad. Although shopping would’ve made it better.”
I suppose I’ll have to take Darami shopping.
She’s been hinting at it so persistently that ignoring it would weigh on my conscience.
“Fine, fine, let’s go.”
“Really?! You’re the best!”
“I’ll get you some sunflower seeds or something.”
“Nyoooot! Forget that! Buy me some jewels!”
Wait, isn’t an obsession with shiny things more of a crow’s trait?
Could Darami actually be a crow?
Or maybe she’s picked up traits from all species since she can transform into multiple forms.
What a fascinating creature.
In the end, I took Darami to the onboard shopping center.
It was a struggle to restrain her from lunging at the countless jewels on display, but we managed to shop.
Sure, I could buy her everything, but she already has an overwhelming collection of jewels—enough to rival a dragon’s hoard.
“We need to be reasonable, okay?”
“Then… I’ll just take everything from here to there!”
“That’s still too much, you rascal.”
Pointing to a large diamond-studded necklace, I told her to be satisfied with just that. Darami’s bright, pleading eyes stared at me in response.
“Are you really only going to get me that?”
This little rascal knows all too well that I’m weak to cuteness.
“Fine… pick something else next to it, too.”
“Perfect! I’ll settle for this today!”
I asked the staff to bring out the necklace and ring set displayed in the glass case.
The employee, who seemed amazed, carefully took them out—only for Darami to immediately pounce and claim them.
“Please ring this up.”
I handed over my card, but the employee politely refused.
“All payments are handled at once and covered by the American Association.”
…Wait, what?
“Are you saying everything I purchase will be charged to the American Association?”
“That’s correct, sir.”
Smiling professionally, the employee began showcasing more newly arrived jewels.
Well, this changes things.
“Darami, is there anything else you want?”
“Are… are you serious?”
“How about we clear out everything from here to there?”
“Nyoooooooot!”
Darami’s ecstatic cry echoed as I showed her what it means to flex.
Not with my money, though.
At the Hunter Guild’s headquarters in New York,
The Association President had returned earlier than the Hunters and resumed his work when a knock interrupted him.
“Come in.”
His secretary entered, skipping formalities and getting straight to the point.
“So, how are Han Ji-an and his party?”
“They are resting well, sir.”
“Make sure they are treated without any shortcomings.”
“Here is the expense report.”
“Ha-ha-ha, how much could they have possibly spent? Just tally everything at once.”
With a hearty laugh, he took the report—but then froze.
He thought he must have misread it.
“How… how is it this much? Did they buy a ship or something?”
“They’ve been clearing out every luxury shop onboard.”
“I see. Well, that’s fine. Let them shop as much as they want.”
“About that… here’s one more.”
The secretary revealed another payment slip, previously hidden.
Upon seeing it, the President sighed deeply.
“They’re really trying to bankrupt us, huh?”
Though the amount was significant, it wasn’t enough to hurt the American Association. Still, it was rare to see such a figure solely from shopping expenses.
“And there’s one more thing.”
The President’s expression stiffened.
This latest expense surpassed the previous ones by a wide margin.
“What did they buy… a cruise ship?”
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