Blood Archive (Bloodborne/Blue Archive)

[mgman]

Skadoosh! I bet you guys want to expect another chapter so soon, were you?

Hello everyone, welcome to the 24th chapter of blood archive, as you can probably see by when the last chapter was updated I managed to get this chapter finished in record time especially considering its absolutely colossal size.

In fact, this chapter is the second-longest chapter I've actually done so far with chapter 2 being the longest currently, seriously at 42,000 words that thing was a monster and not fun to write.

Anyway, I don't have much to say beforehand, other than I hope you enjoy the chapter and if you feel like you're up to it, please leave a review if possible to tell me what you think of the Chapter.

But without any further ado, I present to you chapter 24 of blood archive.

Chapter 24: The Siege Of Abydos, part 3

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"On the right, sensei!"

The hunter abruptly shifted his body, the voice of Arona making him stop his forward momentum as he abruptly dodged a hail of bullets that were intended for him.

Finding the target that had tried to shoot him, the hunter descended upon the unwary Kaiser robot, closing the distance almost instantly before be heading the robot and making no longer an obstacle.

Watching the head fly into the air, the hunter quickly grabbed a hold of it with his free hand, before proceeding to toss it as hard as he physically could.

The target of his throw was another kaiser robot, that abruptly found the head of its companion quickly smashing into its own, the two of them completely exploding on Impact in a magnificent shower of robotic gore.

Paying his latest two kills no more attention, the hunter moved on, dodging between sprays of bullets with an efficiency and dexterity that went beyond any normal human.

In fact, as he quickly descended upon another kaiser robot, the Beast Hunter saif already carving into its body.

The hunter could feel a pair of eyes falling onto him, and even though he didn't turn his head or even acknowledge it, he could already tell that it was none other than arrow Aru.

She had been in the process of reloading her sniper rifle, when she caught sight of the hunter unleashing absolute carnage.

And even though she was incredibly intrigued at watching him, she also found herself incredibly intimidated by him.

As a result of seeing exactly what he was truly capable of once he had his proverbial leashes release.

"He's unstoppable" Aru said with a considerable amount of awe.

Watching as the hunter quickly proceeded to rip apart a robot with his weapon before moving on, the speed of his steps being to the point, where she found it almost too difficult to even track him with her eyes.

There was also the fact that he was able to dodge the bullets of the Kaiser robots so easily, that it almost looked as if he wasn't even trying.

It didn't make any sense to her, simply because dodging bullets was something that even the strongest of students had a hard time doing regularly.

Yet, the hunter could do it without a seeming care in the world, which was only made even more impressive by the fact that he didn't have a halo to protect him like her and other students did.

"Nn He's impressive, but keep your eyes forward..."

Aru found herself jumping at the sudden voice, causing her to Almost drop her rifle as she turned on the spot.

Expecting to find an enemy, but only to see that it was Shiroko crouching behind her, utilising the same piece of cover that she was to quickly reload her white assault rifle.

Looking at the wolf girl, Aru noticed that she looked a bit different from before, her blue scarf was still in place, but the blazer that she wore before was now gone.

Revealing a standard looking button up white shirt, with the first couple buttons completely missing, as well as the fabric being noticeably torn.

This also allowed Aru to see the massive bruises that were easily visible on Shiroko's chest.

And even though she didn't ask what they were from, Aru secretly found it amazing that somebody could take such punishment and keep on fighting like it was nothing.

"Sensei might be fast and quick... But even he can't dodge everything, so we have to back him up as much as possible" Shiroko finished her words by quickly pulling back the charging handle on her rifle.

The action, chambering a fresh round as the wolf girl quickly jumped out from behind the cover, much to the concern of Aru.

Aru wanted to say something, but only could watch with confusion and surprise as the wolf girl charged forward.

Seemingly not caring about her own safety in the slightest, as she quickly gunned down a kaiser Trooper that happened to be in her way.

Before abruptly picking up its body with a free hand, and using it as an improvised the shield to block a fire from an automaton that was standing nearby.

Waiting for a momentary lapse in fire, Shiroko abruptly tossed the robot's body that she had been using a shield.

The body having no trouble colliding into the automaton that were shooting at her and subsequently knocking it to the ground.

Utilising the moment she created for herself, the wolf girl charged forward rifle in hand, but rather than shooting, instead she continued to run at the kaiser troop, who had managed to recover and was aiming his rifle at her.

However, he didn't get the chance to actually use it as the wolf girl quickly jumped into the air, delivering a powerful flying drop-kick to the automaton, sending it to the ground.

And giving her more than enough opportunity to scramble to her feet and finish it off by shooting it twice in the head.

Aru found her jaw quickly falling to the floor, while she didn't exactly consider herself, someone who was out of shape.

Considering that she used to take gymnastics class when she was a first year, even she wouldn't have been able to do something like that without hurting herself in the process.

"These Abydos girls really are the real deal" Aru said without even thinking.

Her hands moving by themselves as she quickly finished reloading her sniper rifle, while continuing to watch Shiroko swiftly make her way between cover to cover.

The girl's rifle, making absolutely short work of any automatons that were in her line of fire, as she quickly met up with sensei, the two of them sharing a quick nod with each other before resuming their slaughter of the Kaiser PMC forces.

"I can't let them show me up... After all I'm an outlaw, so I need to get in there" Aru said with a renewed fire in her eyes as she quickly jumped out from behind the cover she had been using.

Her rifle already finding its first target, that just so happens to be a kaiser robot with a belt fed heavy machine gun, that was trying to line up a shot on the hunter and Shiroko.

Without wasting a single moment, Aru quickly let off a shot, the bullet Flying Through at Impossible speeds, before smacking into the robot's head and causing it to explode in a shower of Sparks and oil,

This, of course, alerted both the Hunter and Shiroko to the presence of the now destroyed automaton, as they looked at it with surprise for a moment.

The hunter immediately looked at the now deceased robot for a moment, genuine surprise across his face, before he turned his gaze up.

Only to see that the one responsible for killing it, had been none other than Aru.

And after a moment of him looking into her eyes, he smiled thankfully, before turning his gaze forward again and rushing forward.

Quickly descending upon an unsuspecting kaiser Trooper that he proceeded to cut straight down the middle via a quick slash from the beast hunter saif.

Shiroko quickly fell into lockstep behind him, having a little bit of trouble keeping up with him both due to his almost superhuman / unnatural foot speed, and the fact that she still was in a bit of pain from her earlier encounter with the Kaiser sniper.

Yet even though she was lagging behind somewhat, the wolf girl continued to push herself to keep up with the Hunter.

Determined to watch his back and keep him safe, as he descended upon another group of automatons that had unfortunately been called out in the open.

Keeping her distance yet keeping her head on the swivel to make sure that no other automaton showed up.

Shiroko watched as the hunter did his work, the way he cut apart the robot was incredibly precise but also brutal at the same time.

There was also something else to the way he dispatched them, something that she had been considering as she watched him more

She hadn't known sensei for very long, but from the time Shiroko she had known him, it had become obvious that the hunter was somebody who often restrained himself and kept his emotions in check.

And even though his expression didn't change as he cut apart the robots, it was clear, just by his actions, that he was angry and was letting it out through his dismemberment of the Kaiser troops.

Shiroko impulsively turned to the sound of approaching footsteps, only to feel a bullet graze her shoulder, followed by several more flying past her.

Thinking quickly, tried to put some distant between her and the four or five robots that had managed to sneak up on her.

Quickly doing a backflip followed by a tuck and roll, Shiroko returned fire on the automatons as she tried to retreat, managing to take out one and injure another but not managing to fully destroy them before they opened fire on her again.

Several of their bullets from their return fire, hitting her in the upper chest and abdomen, causing her to let out a cry of pain.

Her cries alerted the hunter as he abruptly turned on his heels, completely forgetting about an automaton he was in the process of cutting apart.

Moving with a speed that was impossible for even the robots to follow, the hunter descended upon the robots that were attacking his students, his expression finally turning from one of firm seriousness to one of cold rage.

The automatons only noticed him when it was too late, as he quickly jumped into the middle of them, dispatching the first one via blowing its head clean off with the Evelyn.

Before quickly spinning, and using his momentum to behead using a quick horizontal slash from the Beast Hunter Saif.

The three remaining automatons tried to scatter, only to fail as the hunter quickly grab one of them by the neck, before tossing it into the air, and then impaling it midair using the Beast Hunter Saif.

Without wasting a single moment, the hunter quickly whipped the weapon downwards, his momentum causing the body of the automaton to become dislodged from the Beast Hunter Saif and fly at the two remaining robots.

The two pieces of the corpse, knocking them to the ground and their weapons out of their hands.

One of them tried to recover, reaching for its sidearm and pointing it at the hunter in fear.

However, the hunter didn't even register this fact as he approached the robot that didn't have a weapon.

Deliberately slowing his pace so that he could strike the fear of the old ones into them before he snuffed out their lives.

The robot with the pistol suddenly let off a shot, the bullet grazing the hunter's arm and damaging his Cainhurst overcoat, yet he didn't even acknowledge the pain or the blood that began to seep from the wound.

Instead, he focused all of his attention onto the automaton as he abruptly swept the Beast Hunter saif to the side.

The sudden motion making his overcoat flow behind him, almost like a cape or the wings of a crimson angel.

"You dare hurt my students... You will pay the ultimate price" the hunter didn't even give the robot time to register his words as he quickly rushed forward.

He didn't even consider using his weapon, instead resorting to stamping on the robot's head with his boot, immediately crushing it beneath his foot and causing the head to explode and a shower of sparks and electronic gore.

Not looking at the deceased robot, the hunter turned his attention to the single remaining one, who had seemingly been rooted to the spot by pure fear.

Both the robot and the hunter stared at each other for a long moment, before the hunter turned his body, accompanying the sudden motion by doing an elaborate flourish with the Beast Hunter Saif as he approached the downed robot.

"M-Monster! You're an M-M-Monster!"

The robot suddenly said, the words causing the hunter to stop dead in his tracks as a look of surprise suddenly appeared on his face for a moment.

And with that, it was only then that the hunter realised something, as he brought a hand up to the right side of his face.

Only to feel that instead of skin there was something else, something far more… inhuman.

In fact, keeping his hand on his face for a moment, the hunter could feel a wet levery texture.

The kind that would almost be found on some kind of aquatic secrete.

Removing his gloved hand from his face and looking down at it, the hunter could see that the glove itself was wet.

"Oh my... It appears I let my true appearance show through for a moment there... I should be more careful, I wouldn't want the students to see like this" The hunter said with an almost nonchalant tone.

That not only made the robot more fearful, but also caught it by surprise as the hunter looked down at it with an expression that was hard and deadly, yet suddenly turned into something that almost resembled a smile.

Yet, this smile was anything but happy or Jovial, and instead only made the robot even more fearful as it abruptly tried to flee, desperately crawling on its stomach for a moment before trying to get to its feet.

Only to fail miserably as the hunter abruptly put his foot on the robot's back, the sudden Force crushing the robot's mechanical spine yet not fully destroying it.

And allowing for the robot to see its demise rather than suffer a quick and painless one.

"I wasn't planning on letting you run away to begin with... But now that you have caught a glimpse of who I truly am, then I'm afraid you will not live to see tomorrow" the hunter made his voice sound almost whimsical and playful.

Which gave off the impression, that he was a vicious predator playing with its food to cause it more torment before he killed it.

Of course that wouldn't be entirely wrong, considering that he wanted to inflict as much fear into the robot as possible, and it seemed to work as the robot tried to escape.

Only for the hunter to grow tired of its continued existence, and abruptly shot in the head with the Evelyn.

The blood Silver Bullet causing the head to explode into a shower of small electrical fragments as well as specs of oil.

In fact, the blood Silver Bullet was so powerful, that other than a few specs of electronic debris, there was almost nothing left of the robot's head, other than its neck stump where it's head had been only a moment previously.

"Sensei, you've been a bit more violent recently... Are you okay"

The hunter suddenly heard the voice of Arona say to him.

Prompting him to look away from the robot corpse for a moment as he made a move to reach into his overcoat.

Only to stop himself as he remembered that Shiroko still needed his help.

Turning on his heels, the hunter began to make his way over to the wolf girl, who was still laying on the ground.

She was conscious thankfully, but clearly not in the best of shape judging by the clearly pained expression on her face

Although as walked over to her to help, he did acknowledge Arona, using his mind rather than speaking out loud.

'Forgive me for that violent display Arona, I'm... Slightly out of balance with my emotions'

His words reached Arona, as the hunter quickly knelt down next to Shiroko, holding a handout to her, which the wolf girl after a moment of visible pain quickly took, allowing the hunter to quickly pull her to a sitting position as he checked her over.

"It's not a problem sensei, I'm just worried about you, I've not seen you this angry or violence before"

Arona said from inside the tablet, her voice not projecting outwards into the surrounding environment.

But instead finding its way directly into the hunter's mind, and even though she couldn't see his face, she could feel the sudden change in his emotions and the almost fuzzy feeling being what she got from the change.

'Thank you Arona... You're worried for me is heartwarming' The hunter allowed himself to smile.

Both from the words that Arona had said to him, and also because Shiroko turned her eyes to look at him.

A thankful expression appearing on her face as, after a moment, the hunter stood up and helped the wolf girl to her feet.

Being sure to stay close for a moment as she wobbled on her legs, before she found her footing, meaning that he didn't need to act as a support for her.

Putting the Evelyn away from a moment, the hunter of reached down and picked up the wolf girl's rifle from the ground.

His much larger hand almost completely enveloping the receiver of the rifle, as he handed it to Shiroko who unquestionably took it, a small yet thankful smile on her face as she nodded her head which the hunter reciprocated,

And as if they were seemingly in sync, both student and teacher began to move together, although the hunter deliberately slowed his pace so that the wolf girl could keep up, considering that she was not exactly in the best of shape.

He also kept a close eye on her just in case she needed to be carried

"Nn, Thanks sensei" Shiroko with a thankful tone as her and the hunter continued to advance.

They were intent on reuniting with the rest of problem solver 68, as well as the Abydos task force, which were up ahead.

Hiding behind cover as they came under attack from a large group of robots that have managed to banned together around an armoured car with mounted machine guns.

Looking ahead, the hunter could already tell that the armoured car wouldn't be much of an obstacle for him specifically.

Considering that the Evelyn, could easily punch through the relatively thin paper-like armour of the car.

However, the same could not be said for the students, who didn't really have the firepower to take out something like that without thinking up some kind of alternative strategy.

"kufufu, Oh man, when you get all violent like that, you really are scary, sensei~" The hunter as well as Shiroko both abruptly turned their heads at the sound of the Unexpected voice,

The wolf girl's weapon reflectively being pointed at the source of the voice, while the hunter kept himself more composed, as he saw the voice belonged to none other than Mutsuki.

The mischievous girl was smiling with her trademark playful smile, as she had somehow managed to sneak up or not only Shiroko which was a task that most would struggle with.

But also, even the hunter hadn't been aware of her approach, which he had to give the girl silent praise for.

However, putting that to the side for the moment, the hunter turned his eyes forward again as the now group of three continued to run forwards.

Mutsuki took up the right side position, while looking up at him with a playful smile, as if she was expecting a rise out of him for her jab at his anger.

"I'm afraid, you'll have to do better than that to get a rise out of me, young lady" The hunter said in a slightly dismissive voice.

A slight smile appearing on his face, when he saw the expecting and malicious smile on the white-haired girl's face, dissipating somewhat when she didn't get the reaction she was expecting or wanted.

"Besides, we have more important things to worry about right now" the hunter finished his words by gesturing to the front.

Making not only Mutsuki look forward, but also Shiroko as both girls realised exactly what they were running into.

Propelling his legs slightly faster, the hunter overtook both girls, making it to the improvised barricade that, Haruka Serika, Ayane and Nonomi were using to take cover from the armoured car and the automatons that surrounded it.

But as the girls noticed his approach, the hunter did not stop running as he quickly jumped over the barricade in one smooth motion.

And continued running straight at the automatons and armoured car, the voices of the students behind him crying out in fear and surprise.

"Sensei!" Ayane shouted, fear evident in her eyes as she watched The Hunter charge at the group of robots, with seemingly no care for his own safety.

"What the hell are you doing!" Serika also shouted.

Surprise, anger and fear blending on her face as she poked her head over the improvised barricade to watch the hunter run.

"S-sensei! You can't take them on by yourself!" Nonomi yelled, fear evident in her eyes as she watched The Hunter run at the armoured car and Kaiser troops

Surprise, anger and fear blending on her face as she poked her head over the improvised barricade to watch the hunter run.

Only to regret that decision as bullets whizzed by her head narrowly missing her, and forcing her to take cover again

Pushing himself to run faster, the hunter did not take his eyes off the automatons as they all collectively turned their attention to him.

Yet as he ran at them, he did speak and that was precisely shouted to the students taking cover behind him.

"I will be fine! Trust me!" the hunter shouted with a powerful tone, he was determined to not put the Abydos students in any more danger than they have already been, even if that meant putting his own safety on the line.

Of course, though, that prospect didn't bother him in the slightest, considering that as a teacher and an adult, it was to be expected of him to put his own safety well below those of his students under his care.

Quickly dodging to the side as a hail of bullets came his way, the hunter quickly took aim with the Evelyn as he ran.

Firing the pistol at a particular automaton that was wielding a heavy machine gun, and his shot had no trouble finding its target.

As the body of the robot was suddenly blown into two distinct pieces, the upper torso with the machine gun still held in its arms flying off, while the lower half stumbled before falling to the ground. "Arona, can you still use that shield ability of yours?" The hunter suddenly asked as he dodged another storm of bullets.

Returning fire with the Evelyn firing it multiple times in quick succession with all of his shots landing on their respective targets.

"I can, sensei... But I've only got enough charge for one more use"

Arona said excitedly at the prospect of being able to help the hunter and show him that she was incredibly useful.

Only for her tone to noticeably diminish and become slightly apprehensive, as she revealed the fact that the tablet only had enough charge left, to utilise the shield ability one more time, before she and it would become about as useful as a paperweight.

The hunter contemplated his companion's words for a moment, and at the same time as deliberately slowing his pace, before dodging to the side as two automatons tried to shoot at him with shotguns.

Compared to the high calibre rifles, the pellets of the shotguns were practically moving in slow motion, allowing him to actually see them flying through the air and easily dodge them.

After doing so, the hunter responded to Arona, while at the same time quickly firing the Evelyn at one of the automatons.

The blood Silver Bullet having no trouble blowing the head clean off the robot's shoulders and letting its body slump to the floor.

"That will be more than fine, Arona, just because you can only use it one more time in this battle, doesn't mean you need to feel like you have failed me" The hunter said with a smile as he continued to run.

The distant between him and the remaining automatons and their armoured vehicle quickly diminishing.

Which was only emphasised by the fact that the automatons, began to turn and run, clearly deciding that facing the hunter was no longer something they wanted to do.

Even if they had the theoretical advantage of the armoured car, and it's machine gun turret.

However, the hunter would not let them escape, as he abruptly reached into his overcoat before violently throwing something with a flick of the arm.

And the objects that he threw, were only revealed when they hit their targets as three robots fell to the ground, each one of them having a serrated, vicious looking throwing knife embedded into the back of their heads.

With only two fleeing robots and the armoured car left to deal with, the hunter kept running, although before he could think of a way to deal with the two remaining and retreating robots.

They both suddenly collapsed, their heads exploding and a shower of sparks and the electronic circuitry, stopping in his tracks for just a moment.

The hunter looked back only to see an unlikely duo had been responsible for taking care of the two robots for him.

"Hmm, not a bad shot... For a goody two shoes anyway" Aru said with a slight smack as she quickly ejected the spent magazine from her sniper rifle.

Before reaching into her large coat that hung off her shoulders, retrieved the fresh one and loaded it into her rifle.

The second shooter was revealed to be none of them, Serika who had propped herself up against the improvised barricade.

Using it as a stand to keep her rifle steady so she could make the shot without fear of accidentally hitting sensei.

"Ha, you're one to talk! You can shoot straight, but you still act like a dork" Serika smirked with an almost mysterious smile.

Her words eliciting the reaction she expected, as Aru's calm and confident demeanour appropriately crumbled away, and was replaced with something that resembled surprise and confusion.

"H-Hey, I'm not a dork! I'm a hard-boiled Outlaw!" Aru tried to make herself sound confident as she spoke.

Yet, the stuttering in her voice combined with her general clear agitated state didn't exactly give off a confidence outlaw like appearance.

"Stop bickering, we need to back up sensei!" Ayane's impulsive words stopped the argument before it could progress any further, and made both girls look at each other for a moment.

Before looking at the glasses wearing elf girl and then back to the hunter who continue to square off with the armoured vehicle.

But unbeknown to the students, the hunter was smiling ear to ear, a genuinely happy expression on his face as he charged at the armoured vehicle.

It genuinely warmed his heart to see the students getting along to some degree, and actually acting like teenage girls, instead of kids who had to have responsibilities that they were not mentally and physically equipped to handle.

But putting that thoughts on hold for a moment, the hunter refocuses attention on the armoured vehicle in front of him.

It's turret quickly moving to track him as it opened fire, without any issue, the hunter dodge to the side, the bullets impacting the concrete behind him as he ran forward.

However, instead of simply continuing to dodge and weave his way through the bullets like he could have done.

Rather the hunter abruptly reached into his overcoat grabbing a hold of a certain object that as he pulled it out revealed it to be none other than the old Hunters bone, this would be the second time this day he used the macabre hunters tool, and he was going to use this similarly to how he did before.

Clutching the bone tight in his hand, the hunter activated the art of quickening, his foot speed increasing as he abruptly disappeared for just a moment.

Shocking all the students who saw this and even the operator of the machine gun who failed to track the hunter as he disappeared only to reappear a second later.

Activating it again, the hunter surged forward, watching as the armoured vehicle's turret abruptly trained onto him.

The gunner had managed to predict where the hunter would reappear, after the quickening dissipated, but that was not something that the hunter was concerned with, as it was that moment he decided it was time for Arona to do her thing.

"Arona now! The hunter abruptly said with a firm voice.

And as soon as the words left his lips, a blue semi-transparent hexagonal shield appeared around him, just in time to absorb the bullets from the armoured car's mounted machine gun.

Capitalized on the moment he created, The Hunter charge forward, activating the art of quickening once again.

And this time, he accompanied it by quickly jumping into the air, the art of quickening meaning that he disappeared from site for just a single second as the gunner on the machine gun tried to track him,

Reappearing as quickly as he disappeared, the hunter utilised the momentum that his jump provided to perform a perfect somersault, that carried him clean over the armoured car.

But as he sailed over the head of the mounted machine gun operator, the hunter quickly and devastatingly Unleashed a quick slash with the Beast Hunter Saif.

The extra reach that the weapon offered, allowing him to easily decapitate the machine gunner as he landed on his feet, his back now to the armoured car.

However, despite his spectacular kill of the machine gunner, the hunter knew that he was not finished as he abruptly turned on his heels.

Watching intently, the hunter saw the armoured car begin to move, seemingly the driver was trying to turn the vehicle around so that he could run the hunter over.

Yet, the narrowness of the street, combined with the size of the armoured vehicle, meant that the vehicle only got about halfway around before the hunter descended upon it.

Racing forward, the hunter reached into his overcoat once again, putting away the old hunter's bone, now its job had been completed.

And instead of retrieving something else, something that he abruptly tossed at the vehicle, and as the object sailed through the air.

it was revealed to be none other than a Molotov cocktail, perhaps one of the simplest of Hunter weaponry but by no means not effective.

The glass bottle smashed against the side of the armoured car, the flames instantly overtaking the side of the vehicle, as it abruptly stopped trying to turn around, and not a second later the driver abruptly burst out from the vehicle.

His mechanical body. Noticeably blackened, burnt and partially on fire as he tried to scramble to safety.

Only to quickly meet his end, as the hunter rushed forward, not even caring that the robot was on fire as he seized it by the neck.

Throwing it into the air and as it reached the apex of the throw, quickly slicing the robot in two with a quick horizontal slash from the Beast Hunter Saif.

Allowing the body to fall to the ground, the hunter took a moment to breathe, taking in several deep breaths not because he was winded necessarily considering that his human disguise could not grow physical tired.

But more because, he was allowing the rush of battle to leave his system, which it eventually did as he took one final breath, holding it for a second before letting it out.

The hunter's posture noticeably relaxed, as he turned on his heels and quickly began to walk, his intended destination being the improvised barricade where the students were watching.

And as he approached, the hunter couldn't help but smile seeing the varying reactions on the student's faces

The Abydos students had seen the hunter fight before, so it wasn't as shocking to see him do something like this.

Of course, they still haven't grown fully used to it, considering that he didn't have a halo to protect him yet fought like somebody who had no sense of danger.

It was an entirely different story however for problem solver 68, all four of the students gazed at the hunter with completely flabbergasted expressions.

They had seen the hunter fight only once before, but that battle was against another student and a few automatons.

So they didn't truly know what he was capable of until now, and as the hunter approached them, all four girls are problem solver 68 thought at the same time.

'Thank god we're on his side now'

The hunter didn't stop himself from smiling as he approached the students, the thoughts of the problem solver 68 Girls were easy to read.

But he honestly didn't even need to actually read their minds, to know exactly what they were thinking, which was the reason why he was smiling the way he was.

Even before they had become allies, he honestly would never have considered actually harming them, even if they did hurt the Abydos students.

After all, his duty as a teacher was to help all students, even if they were wayward and delinquents, and he couldn't do that if he went around physically hurting them.

But pushing that away from his mind for the moment, the hunter stopped in front of the barricade, the surprise looks of the Abydos students quickly melting away as it was replaced with relief.

Although the hunter couldn't be quite sure, if it was relief at the fact that he was fine considering they feared for his safety so much, or if it was relief at the fact that an obstacle had been removed from their path.

But regardless of why, the hunter didn't care, simply just smiling happily as Shiroko, Serika, Ayane and Nonomi approached and crowded around him.

"Sensei, I know you said that we don't need to worry about you... But seriously, can you not be so reckless!" Ayane abruptly said, her voice taking on a tone that almost resembled a parent disciplining a child.

The hunter for his part simply smiled and laughed at what she said, finding her concerned for his safety genuinely heartwarming.

But ultimately not necessary considering that despite looking like the human, he wasn't anyone near as fragile as one... At least he thought, anyway.

'That's something I've not considered... I know that my consciousness and true body cannot die... But what about my human shell... Would it be possible for it to succumb to death?' The Hunter felt his smile momentarily fade as he contemplated exactly that idea.

His consciousness was completely and utterly Immortal, as was his true body, but he wasn't sure if his human shell shared the same properties.

After all, he had crafted his human disguise to be a perfect replica of how he looked before his ascension.

And that even included allowing it to experience before range of human experiences, including injury,

So the ultimate conundrum he found, was that if he had made his human disguised to be a perfect imitation, then did that mean it could also suffer permanent injury or even death, like a normal human could.

The Hunter honestly couldn't stop his mind from racing, his inhuman consciousness trying to figure out if his human disguise could actually suffer a permanent death.

However, before he could get too far into his own internal thought process, he heard another voice speak.

This one prompting him to look at its source, only to see Serika looking up at him with a slightly frustrated but also admiring look.

"Geez you really like to show off don't you" Serika finish her words by crossing her arms over her chest, only to wince slightly as a result of moving her arms too quick.

She was hiding it well, at least she thought she was, but Serika was in an incredible amount of pain to the point where it was difficult to think straight let alone shoot.

But if there was one thing that Serika knew about herself, then it was that she was incredibly pig headed when it came to admitting things.

And she certainly wasn't going to admit, that she was in far more pain than she was actually letting on, which was why she tried her best to hide it.

Yet, despite seemingly managed to fool her friends, the hunter looked at her with something that suggested that he could almost see right through her.

Of course this made no sense to the cat girl, considering the only way the hunter could actually know how much pain she was in, was if he was somehow psychic, and of course, that would be ridiculous, considering the psychics didn't exist.

"Ha ha, I suppose I may have gone a bit overboard dispatching that armoured vehicle, but more importantly... Are you okay, Serika?" The hunter started about his words with a laugh, only for his smile to noticeably diminish yet not fully disappear as he looked at the cat girl with a concerned gaze.

Unbeknownst to Serika, he was easily able to tell that she was in far more pain than she was showing.

And it continued to concern him, to the point where he briefly considered that maybe she needed to be put into unconsciousness for her own safety, so that she didn't push herself beyond her physical limits and do any permanent damage.

Serika found herself speechless for a moment, a blush forming on her face as she turned away from the hunter for a moment.

Embarrassment clearly visible on her features as she struggled to speak, however as if by some divine providence, somebody else decided to speak, causing the hunter as well as her friends to look over to the source only to see that it was Kayoko.

"That was really impressive, sensei... The only person I've ever seen fight like that is the head prefect" Kayoko finished her words by smiling up at The Hunter as she stopped just a few pieces away from him.

Her hands deep inside her pockets, in a clearly relaxed manner that the hunter could presume she did quite regularly, considering her usually laid-back nature.

"Why thank you Kayoko... To have such high praise from you, and to be compared to the Head prefect is certainly an honour" The hunter found his smile only increasing when he saw Kayoko's laid-back expression momentarily change, her eyes widening as her cheeks flushed slightly before turning her head away.

His words also prompted him to think about what she had actually said, specifically about the fact that he fought like the head prefect.

In his mind, the hunter couldn't help but imagine exactly what it looked like to see Hina fight, he hadn't met her in person since their initial meeting.

Both of them had pledged that they wanted to meet each other again to smooth things over, but unfortunately, circumstances on the hunters end, had meant that that meeting had not taken place yet

But hearing what Kayoko had said, only reinforced in his mind that, despite her petite appearance, relatively calm and composed nature.

Hina was most definitely somebody to not be trifled with and was seemingly a fierce combatant in combat.

"Kayoko~ don't talk nonsense! Sensei is nothing like the head prefect" Mutsuki suddenly stepped forward, her voice filled with mischievous intent as she smiled and giggled quietly ahead of continuing to speak.

"The biggest difference is that sensei isn't an unstoppable monster like the head prefect is~kufufu" Mutsuki finished her words by giggling.

Not even caring about the multiple looks of clear disapproval there were being sent her way from the Abydos students.

However, the hunter who was the recipient of her clear attempt at getting a rise out of him didn't react, simply looking at the girl with a slightly raised eyebrow and a smile on his face before shaking his head gently.

He had already figured out exactly what the girl was doing.

She clearly still held some kind of resentment for their earlier meetings and was trying that best to push his buttons in a sense.

Of course, though, the hunter wouldn't rise to such a childish attempt at making fun of him, both because it would be inappropriate for him as an adult and a teacher.

And also because despite her demeanour and attitude, the hunter could tell that deep down Mutsuki wasn't that bad of a girl.

"My~ I take that as a compliment Mutsuki, to be compared to Someone Like the head prefect is a great honour" The hunter could barely contain the smile on his face as he spoke.

His words having the immediate and desired effect, as the mischievous smile quickly disappeared from Mutsuki's face, quickly being replaced with a look of genuine surprise that faded into disappointment.

Mutsuki even turned away from him, letting out a quiet grumble from between her lips, clearly not enjoying the fact that the hunter had not fallen for her obvious ploy to make fun of him.

"Ummm... W-What do we do now?" Haruka suddenly said, her voice was quiet and clearly shy yet just loud enough for everyone to hear and turn to look at her.

Although now with everyone's attention on her, the purple head girl found herself looking away, her eyes going wide and her body beginning to shudder with obvious fear at the fact that she was being perceived by so many unfamiliar eyes.

"That's a good question, Haruka" The hunter quickly brought to hand up to his chin as he considered their next options,

They had successfully driven or all destroyed the Kaiser invasion in this particular part of the District.

But going after all the Kaiser troops that currently occupied the Abydos region, would take far too long and wouldn't really achieve much, considering that due to their robotic nature, Kaiser most likely had much more robotic troops than they actually deploy to the battlefield.

"Why don't we just look for the Kaiser director, cut the head off the lizard as they say" Aru suddenly interjected, her words making everyone turned to look at her instead of the almost hyperventilating Haruka.

Aru puffed out her chest as a look of almost proud confidence appeared on her face, she even closed her eyes, putting her hands on her hips as if she had just said the smartest thing imaginable.

However, her having her eyes closed, made it impossible for her to see the surprise and confused looks she got from the Abydos of students and the varying looks that she got from her own friends and fellow members of problem solver 68.

"Don't you mean, cut the head off the snake?" Ayane said after several moments of Silence.

A genuinely confused expression on her face because she couldn't understand whether Aru had simply got the wording wrong, or was using a different euphemism that the glasses wearing student was unfamiliar with.

Aru abruptly opened her eyes, her confident demeanour disappearing instantly as she turned to look at the glasses wearing Abydos student with complete and utter shock on her face.

It was only then that Aru, realised that she had completely butchered the wording for the quotes she was using, to the point where the euphemism didn't make any sense anymore in the way she intended.

Feeling her embarrassment beginning to skyrocket as well as her cheeks flush red, Aru opened her mouth to try and get ahead before she can embarrass herself further.

Only to fail miserably as somebody beat her to the punch, with it being them other than a certain little mysterious minx of a girl, who saw a golden opportunity to have some fun at her bosses expense.

"Oh wow~that was really bad Aru. You just ruined the reputation of our organization, and in front of our new friends as well~kufufu. How scandalous" Mutsuki giggled with her trademark laugh.

She spoke with a fake sad expression on her face as she looked at Aru an almost expecting glint appearing in her eyes mysterious girl's eyes as she waited to see what Aru, the boss of problem solver 68 would do next, hoping that whatever it was, it would embarrass herself further.

Aru found herself stuttering, the words she wanted to say completely and utterly failing to even emerge from between her lips, and even sound like anything that resembled speech.

And before the pink head gehenna student could actually try and form proper words, somebody came to her defence, with it being none other than Haruka.

"I-I understood what you M-meant, Aru!" Haruka stuttered as she spoke, clearly nervous yet not to the point where she couldn't look her boss in the eye with a shy yet joyful expression.

For a moment, Aru found her confidence returning as she looked at her purple head companion.

Yet unfortunately that confidence did not last very long as Mutsuki decided to but in once again.

"Haruuukkkkaaaa~ don't stroke Aru's ego too much, it might go to her head and make her more bossy than she already is" Mutsuki didn't even try to fake any emotion this time.

Simply allowing her amusement to come through in its entirety as she giggled, even more so when she saw the faint ember of Aru's confidence expression completely evaporate and turn to dust right before her eyes.

However, before Mutsuki could tease her some more, or Aru try to defend herself.

Somebody else stepped in, physically putting himself between both girls, as he looked down at Mutsuki, with an expression that was hard for her to read for a moment.

"Mutsuki that is no way for you to treat your friends... A bit of Jesse at their expenses is acceptable, but you shouldn't belittle them for your own amusement" The hunter said in an almost fatherly tone.

As if he were giving advice to a daughter, who he had just caught misbehaving in a manner that was unserious but still needed correction.

Mutsuki didn't say anything in response to The Hunter, simply looking up at him with a surprise expression before she turned her head away.

A slightly annoyed expression on her face as she let out a quiet grumble of annoyance from between her lips.

The mischievous girl didn't exactly appreciate having her fun ruined, especially by somebody like the hunter who as far as she was concerned was still her enemy to some extent.

After all, despite often making a fool out of her friends and ribbing them for it, if there was one thing that Mutsuki hated more than anything, it was people making her look stupid.

"Let's forget about this... regardless of what she said, Aru is right. I think we should look for the director and take him out" Shiroko suddenly answered, stepping forward as she spoke to get everyone's attention, which her words certainly did.

"Indeed, I think that would probably be the most advantageous scenario for us, cut the head of the snake as it were" the hunter turned away from Mutsuki and Aru as he finished his words.

Although, he did turn his head slightly so he could see the clearly surprised look on Aru which made him flash a quick smile her way, before turning away, and focusing his attention on the Abydos students.

"I don't know if it's a good idea to go after him... We got this far, but we're not exactly in the best shape for another big battle" Ayane said with a slightly apprehensive tone.

While, she, just as much as anyone, wanted to get back at the Kaiser director for what he had done to them and their school.

She had to be realistic, they were low on ammo, and their two frontline fighters weren't exactly in the best of shape, so going out of their way to start another big battle wasn't exactly something that made any sense to her

The hunter brought a hand up to his chin as he began to think.

Ayane did make a good point, it was only by a miracle that the Abydos students had managed to get to this point so far.

Yet, they hadn't got to this point without being unscathed, and deliberately picking another big battle with the Kaiser forces, wasn't exactly something that could guarantee success.

"I think we should do it, we don't exactly have a school to return to any more, so why shouldn't we just go all out" Serika didn't even try to hide the aggression in her voice as she spoke.

She even accompanied her words walking forward with a confident and determined stride, although stumbling somewhat as a result of her legs being weak, yet she kept herself upright managing to make herself look partially stubborn.

Her words also held a bit of truth to them, making her friends consider exactly what their next move would be at this point.

The school was destroyed, meaning they couldn't go back to it, at least not now, so realistically the only option they really had left was to go after the director.

Because if they could take him out, then there was a possibility that they could stop kaiser from what it was doing.

"If you want my input... I think you guys should retreat while you still have the chance, live to fight another day and all that nonsense" Kayoko abruptly injected, making all the Abydos students as well as the hunter turned to look at her as she stood there with her hands in her pockets.

Her posture and expression were noticeably relaxed.

Although, only the hunter could tell via examining the minor movements of her body, that she was clearly on guard as if expecting some kind of counterattack, which was sensible considering that there were still kaiser patrols roaming around.

'I can see that she's the true brains behind problem solver 68' The hunter allowed the thought to enter his mind as a smile appeared on his face.

He had easily picked upon it before, but now it was even more obvious that Kayoko, despite her laid-back nature and clearly unbothered attitude, was perhaps one of the true reasons why problem solver 68 even continued to exist as a group.

In fact, it would be fair to say that she was the glue that held the group together, via being the rock and the true competent one that everyone could rely on.

"That's not a bad idea, we don't exactly have the stamina or the ammunition for another prolonged battle... But at the same time this won't end until we are out of commission or the Kaiser director is out of the picture" Nonomi suddenly spoke with a serious tone.

Any joy or cheerfulness that was usually in her voice, completely absent as everyone turned to look at her, only to see that her face was one of deadly seriousness, which was very much unlike her considering her usual cheerful attitude.

"I must agree... While I do not want to put you in any more danger than you have already been, the only way this Madness will end. Is if the Kaiser director is out of the picture, permanently" the hunter said with a slightly mindful expression.

He, of course, didn't want to go through of such a reckless plan, considering that the Abydos students were already at their limit, both emotionally and physically, and he didn't want to put them in any more harm than they had already been.

Plus he also didn't want to see problem solver 68 be harmed either, after all, they were students just like the Abydos students, so their safety was also his top priority.

"How are you going to find him though, he disappeared already, and I really doubt he's going to show back up again, just randomly" Mutsuki interjected.

An almost bored looking expression visible on her face as she idly looked around at the surrounding street, seemingly attempting to find anything to entertain her as she continued to grow restless and bored.

Nobody said anything in response to her words, simply because there wasn't anything that could be said, she was right in every sense of the word.

The Kaiser director had left in the battle earlier, running away with his tail between his legs like a coward.

And the chances of just randomly finding him in the district would be highly unlikely, not to mention he would most likely have reunited with a large contingent of kaiser PMC forces to protect him.

"That is indeed a conundrum..." The hunter said after several moments of Silence, once again bringing his hand up to his chin as he gently began to rub it, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

However, after a moment or two of this, his eyes suddenly went wide, a revelation striking him like a bolt of lightning as he turned to look at Ayane, who found herself momentarily surprised when she saw the hunter looking at her.

"Ayane you happen to be good with technology aren't you?" the hunter asked abruptly.

His question catching the elf girl completely by surprise, as she simply stared at him with a genuinely confused expression.

"I would say so, sensei... But why ask me that exactly?" Ayane followed her words by raising an eyebrow, mostly out of sheer confusion as to why the hunter would suddenly ask that out of nowhere.

"The reason I asked, Ayane, is because I was wondering if it would be possible for you to track the location of the Kaiser president... If we knew his location, then we could possibly initiate some kind of surgical strike" the hunter said with an almost hesitant quality to his voice.

He could have easily asked Arona to do something like this, considering that she from his experience could easily locate just about anyone or anything in the entirety of kivotos with little to no trouble.

However, the reason why he didn't ask, was simply because after having her utilised the Shield ability of the tablet to protect him earlier.

The tablet was now incredibly low on electric charge, meaning that it wouldn't be able to operate for much longer and certain functions were most likely no longer available, due to not having the energy to dedicate to carrying them out.

Ayane didn't immediately respond to the hunter, confusion remaining on her face for several moments before her eyes abruptly went wide, it now made sense why the hunter had asked her if she was good with technology.

"Oh, I get it now... I'd love to sensei, but I don't think I can anymore..." Ayane found herself trailing off.

An apprehensive expression appearing on her face as she turned her gaze the way from the hunter, not being able to meet his eyes because in her mind, it felt like she had failed him considering that she wasn't able to go through his request.

The hunter for his part simply looked at the girl with a slightly questioning look.

He wasn't angry or even irritated by her answer, but simply more curious as to why it wouldn't be possible for her to track the Kaiser director, utilising her own tablet and seemingly vast the drone network.

"All of my drones have been destroyed, sensei... Plus my tablet isn't exactly a great shape either" Ayane reached into her pocket and retrieved her smart tablet, holding it out and showing it to The Hunter who looked at it intently.

He was able to see that the tablet had clearly suffered damage at some point during the battle, the screen being cracked and broken to the point where it was difficult to even make out anything on it anymore without considerable effort.

Turning his eyes up to look at the girl, the hunter smiled with an accepting the expression, reaching a hand out and unexpectedly placing it on the elf girl's head.

This, of course, made Ayane look up at him with surprise as the hunter gently ruffled her hair from a moment.

Before taking his hand away, the blush on her cheeks easily being visible to him, which made him laugh lightly as he straightened his back and spoke.

"There is no need for you to feel like you have failed me Ayane, I was not making a demand of you, rather just asking a question" the hunter finished his own words by quickly reaching into his overcoat.

His hand grabbing a hole of his own smart tablet as he pulled it out, revealing it for the first time to the elf girl as well as the other students who had watched the entire interaction silently.

Watching as the students crowded around him, the hunter couldn't help but smile slightly, imagining that Arona was feeling particularly proud of herself, considering that the tablet that housed her consciousness was currently the centre of attention.

"Sensei, where did you get this…? I've never seen a model like this one before!" Ayane said with an almost excited voice.

If there was one thing that excited her more than anything, it was the prospect of seeing new and exotic that technology that she was unfamiliar with.

And seeing sensei's own smart tablet, which from her cursory view seemed to be a model that she was completely unfamiliar with, certainly perked her interest.

"It just looks like a normal smart tablet to me" Serika said with a slightly disinterested tone.

Looking at the tablet, she couldn't really see anything about it that jumped out at her as being out of the ordinary, other than the fact it didn't have any makers logos.

Her disinterest also wasn't helped by the fact that she wasn't really into technology in the same way that Ayane was.

Sure she had a phone, as well as game console and PC at her house, but other than that she didn't really keep up with technology all that much other than what was essential.

"Nn it doesn't have any brand logos... Plus something about it feels... off" Shiroko squinted her eyes as she stared at the tablet.

Nothing about it screamed unusual other than the lack of logos, but there was just something about it that gave her a strange, almost eerie feeling.

It was almost as if the tablet itself was much more than it initially seemed, or if it was deliberately disguising itself as something ordinary to hide something extraordinary.

The hunter couldn't help but look at the wolf girl after she spoke, raising an eyebrow slightly as he watched her continue to scrutinise the tablet with a much more critical gaze than everyone else.

He shouldn't have been surprised, that she of all girls was able to sense that the tablet wasn't entirely ordinary.

After all, Shiroko had shown herself to be remarkably intelligent and perceptive, so it was no surprise that she was the only one, to pick up on the fact that the tablet was something more than it actually was.

But putting that to the back of his mind for the moment, the hunter instead redirected his thought attention to what needed to be done as he looked at the tablet.

He was instantly presented with a smiling yet clearly tired looking Arona who was staring at him with noticeable bags under her eyes.

The hunter was taken off guard by this for a moment, before he realised that it was most likely as a result of the tablet having nearly run out of charge.

'So if the tablet's internal electric charge runs low, then that means that Arona becomes tired... Interesting'

The hunter couldn't help but find this revelation slightly interesting, considering it suggested that Arona was linked to the condition of the tablet much more than he had initially suspected.

But putting that to the side, the hunter returned his mind to the task at hand.

'Arona... I know that the tablet currently does not have much electrical charge left. But I was wondering if we'll be possible for you to track the location of the Kaiser director?' The hunter did not speak with his words.

But rather, he used his own consciousness to speak because he didn't want to give away to the students that there was a conscious being inside the tablet.

After all, Arona had specifically stated that she wanted her existence to remain unknown, and the hunter was intent to comply with her wishes.

Arona looked at the hunter with a surprise expression, his question had seemingly caught her by surprise and left her confused.

Before her expression softened, being replaced with a genuinely happy smile as she responded to him.

"I think I can do that, sensei... You're right though, I don't have much charge left, but I should have just enough to be able to track him to give you directions... you're going to have to put the Tablet on charge when we get back to SCHALE, though"

Arona said with a happy voice, she was already starting the process of tracking the Kaiser director before the hunter even responded to her.

Yet when he eventually did, his smile filled her with a warm, happy sensation that made her giggle.

'Wonderful Arona... I will make sure to charge the tablet once we return. In fact, I think after all of this mess is sorted out, you and I will spend a bit of time in the Hunter's dream, how does that sound?'

The Hunter found himself smiling as he saw Arona's face light up with excitement.

The prospect of being able to go to the hunter's dream again, seemingly all the motivation the little AI girl needed, as she began to do exactly as she was asked with a renewed sense of vigour and urgency.

"I'd love that, sensei! Luna promised me, the next time I came back, I would be able to help her with more gardening!"

Arona said energetically as she began to jump on the spot, the prospect of being able to help the living doll do more gardening in the hunter's dream, being an event that she was genuinely excited for.

Before this, she didn't think that gardening whatever appealed to her, considering that she was an AI who could not interact with the real world in any way.

But being in the hunter's dream and having something that resembled a physical body allowed her to actually appreciate the simple act of tending to plants.

Plus, Arona also wanted to see lunar again, considering she got along very well with the living doll and most viewed her as a big sister in a way.

Smiling, the hunter couldn't stop himself from laughing slightly, only to regret it as he noticed all the students looking at him with confusion that why he suddenly laughed.

Clearing his throat, the hunter idly typed away at the tablet, trying to make it look as if he were actually doing something on it.

He hoped that the random tapping of the home screen wouldn't give away to the students that he was faking actually doing something, and thankfully it seemed that it was enough as the students simply watched on with curiosity.

"Sensei... We've got a problem, a big problem!"

Arona abruptly said.

Her words catching the Hunter by surprises, he looked at the screen intently only to see the happier expression that had been on her face before, now completely erased and replaced with something that was very obviously fear and surprise.

The hunter opened his mouth to speak, only to not even get a single word out as the students who had gathered around him all abruptly turned their weapons.

A sound reaching his and everyone else is ears, which was instantly recognizable as the sound of boots against concrete, as well as the moving of tank tracks.

"Oh just great!" Serika, shouted with an angry voice, aiming her rifle down the street at what was revealed to be a large force of approaching kaiser bots, complete with several automated tanks trundling alongside them.

"Dammit, I know kaiser has a lot of money and troops, but how many of these guys are there" Aru didn't even try to hide the irritation in her voice.

Although it was also obvious that there was a small amount of intimidation there as well as she aimed her sniper rifle at the approaching tribe.

The hunter kept himself calm and collected, as he observed the approaching automatons and their armoured vehicles.

However, he wasn't looking at them specifically, rather he had focused his inhuman perception to a particular member of their group.

One that made his blood boil as soon as he saw, but also made him anticipate what was to come, considering it seemed that the object of his anger had decided to show his face once again, instead of the hunter needing to track him down.

'I imagine this is what the problem was, Arona?' The hunter already knew the answer to his question as he quickly put away the tablet containing his companion. T

Making sure to tuck it comfortably into his overcoat, as he then retrieved the Evelyn from his inventory, the weapon joining the Beast Hunter Saif, as both weapons rested comfortably in his now rigid hands.

He wanted to charge forward without a care.

The hunter wanted so desperately to immediately run at the horde and tear his way through until he got to the Kaiser director.

Yet despite every instant in his body telling him to, the hunter ultimately restrained himself because if he gave into his Hunter instincts at this exact moment.

There was a distinct and real charms that he would not be able to be beside his students to protect them, just in case the Kaiser forces decided to attack the head on.

"I'm sorry, sensei... I should have been keeping track of-"

'Arona you don't need to apologise, this is not your fault... In fact, I think this might even be a perfect opportunity' The hunter didn't want his companion to blame herself for not being able to sense the approaching Kaiser forces.

Arona may have been an AI construct, that was able to access an almost unlimited amount of information, but that didn't mean that she could keep track of everything.

"This is bad... there's so many of them!" Ayane said with a nervous voice, she was already holding her pistol close to her chest.

But that did not give her any confidence in the slightest, seeing just how many kaiser PMC troops were advancing on their position, which wasn't helped by the fact that they also had heavy armour in the form of automated tanks.

"Nn good... The more of them that come, the better" Shiroko didn't even try to hide the subtle yet excited tone and her voice.

A small almost imperceptible smile on her lips as she held her rifle up pointing it at the approaching automaton army with clear excitement.

While it would be fair to say that she along with the rest of her friends weren't exactly in the best of shape, that didn't change the fact that the wolf girl was eager to inflict more damage on kaiser PMC in the form of depriving it of more of its troops.

After all, if there was one thing that the Kaiser corporation cared about, it was losing assets, and the more troops that they destroyed the more assets that the company would lose.

(sign) "Looks like we're in for another firefight... What a pain" Kayoko's words and expression suggested that she found the entire all deal tiresome.

Yet looking over at her, the hunter could see the tightness in her body that suggested that she might actually be eager for the coming firefight, but was just not wanting to show it openly.

Turning his eyes forward, the hunter immediately found his target again, the Kaiser director stood with his large company of heavily armed robots and armoured vehicles.

All of whom suddenly halted their advanced, stopping no more than 20 or so yards away from the Hunter and the students.

"It looks like my prey came to me after all" the hunter said softly, his voice dripping with malicious and murderous intent as he gripped the Beast Hunter Saif tightly in his hand.

However, he still restrained himself, after all, despite the bloodlust boiling beneath the surface for the Kaiser director.

The hunter knew that the student's safety came first, and he was determined to protect them, even if it meant forgoing his chance at revenge for what the Kaiser director had done so far.

Watching with narrowed eyes, the hunter, as well as the other students, saw the Kaiser president quickly step ahead of his large group of robotic troops.

The suit that covered his large robotic frame noticeably dishevelled and even ripped in a few places, and it seemed that the dishevelled.

And the partially destroyed state of his suit, also reflected the kaiser director's mood, his robotic face looking the same as before.

Yet, his body language and the way he carried himself suggesting that he was absolutely Furious.

"I must say... When you ran with your tail between your legs I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, in fact, I didn't expect you to come back to face me willingly" the hunter smiled darkly.

He deliberately let malicious intent drip into his voice, which evidently had their desired effect as the Kaiser director flinched, his anger momentarily melting away as it was replaced with fear.

Yet as quickly as it happened the Kaiser directors seemed to gain control of himself, his anger coming back, only this time with much more Force than before.

"Shut up, you freak! I'm here to finish the job of putting you and your students in the dirt!" the Kaiser director, despite his anger, immediately regretted his words as the hunter's dark and murderous expression only intensified.

To the extent where the hunter's unwavering gaze, felt like a physical pressure against the Kaiser director's mind.

In fact, it was so bad that the Kaiser director found himself unconsciously looking away from the Hunter, one hand going to his head as he left out a cry of pain.

Unbeknownst to the Kaiser director, however, this discomfort that he felt in his head wasn't some harmless side effect of stress or even being intimidated by the hunter.

But rather, the hunter quite literally extending his consciousness and reaching out to touch the mind of the Kaiser president.

He could have done much more, but the hunter only touched the Kaiser director's mind lightly, after all he wanted the fat robot to suffer before he snuffed out his life.

And if the hunter were to simply just allow his full consciousness to be perceived by the Kaiser director, that would lead to his demise far too soon for the hunter's preference.

"So much damage... You have risked the lives of my precious students, but.. Furthermore, you TOOK one of the from me, and I will not forgive you for that" The hunter allowed his voice to drop.

To the point where even the students, who were gathered around him, felt a shiver rundown their spines at how murderous and dark it sounded.

"I was only joking before, but Geez, he really is scary when he's angry" Mutsuki said quietly.

Although not quite enough for her words to be perceived by everyone else, yet no one turned to look at her as she aimed her weapon at the large group of automatons in front.

"This is bad! W-What are we going to do?" Haruka stuttered with a clearly terrified voice, her shotgun which was aimed in front shaking noticeably in her hands, as she tried and failed to pull herself together.

While she wasn't exactly one to be scared of a fight usually, this time was a bit of an exception because she knew that the forces that her and everyone else were up against, weren't exactly something that she thought they could take on.

However, as the girl continued to quake with fear, she suddenly felt something totally unexpected and that was a hand being placed onto her head.

Instantly, Haruka shaking stopped as she felt an almost unnaturally calming Sensation flow into her mind.

It felt strange and foreign considering she was usually afraid of everything and everyone, but at the same time it felt natural, like it was supposed to be there.

Looking up with surprised eyes, Haruka saw that the hunter was the one who had placed his hand on her head.

His head remained forward facing the Kaiser director, yet he was looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, as a small smile greasing his lips which despite how unusual it sounds made the usually terrified girl more relaxed somehow just by seeing it.

"Calm yourself Haruka, you are one of my students, so I will protect you, no matter what" the hunter finished his words by smiling slightly brighter at the girl.

Before he turned his eyes back forward, the smile disappearing from his lips as it was replaced with a clearly unpleasant expression.

Yet despite that, Haruka simply continued to look at the hunter with surprised eyes, a feeling of warmth in her heart that she was completely unfamiliar with, while she got along with her friends and especially Aru.

They were the only people who had ever been nice to her.

So the fact that somebody who she barely even knew and barely knew her, was being so unconditionally nice to her.

And was apparently even willing to go as far as to protect her, was something that the usually nervous girls simply couldn't process.

"Good luck with that! How are you going to protect all of these useless kids, when you're up against my army" the Kaiser directors suddenly shouted.

Hs words destroying any positive energy, that might have been in the air as the hunter found himself almost losing control, abruptly stepping forward only to stop himself, as a mildly strained expression appeared on his face before he pulled himself back.

However, the hunter, almost charging forward, did alarm the Kaiser director who took several steps back.

As well as several of his own bodyguards, who also took steps back, clearly fearing the intimidating aura the hunter was giving off.

"Your tin soldiers are nothing compared to my students, and especially nothing compared to me... You know that better than anyone, unless you need a reminder" The hunter couldn't stop the smirk from appearing on his face, as he saw the Kaiser director begin to shake with fear, clearly understanding exactly what the hunter was getting at.

After all, he hadn't shown the director his true appearance, rather just a small sliver of it to get the point across, that the director was messing with forces far beyond his own understanding.

"Argh! Enough of this! You!" the Kaiser director abruptly turned to one of his subordinates, the director's body language suggesting both fear and anger.

"Deploy the prototype!" the Kaiser director shouted with a snarl.

His subordinate looking or rather his body language suggesting that he was confused by the suggestion, his electronic voice stammering for several moments before eventually managing to find words.

"Director, are you sure that's a good idea? It's still not calibra-"

"I don't care, deploy it now!" the director said following his vicious interruption of his subordinate by punching the smaller robot directly in the face.

Its head not completely shattering, but being noticeably damaged as the Kaiser troop fell onto its rear end, sparks emanating from the broken faceplate on its head.

But despite that, it still quickly got to its feet before bringing a hand up to the side of its head, and speaking into what could be presumed was an earpiece embedded into its mechanical head.

"D-Deploy T-T-T-The prototype... Official director's O-O-orders" The robot stammered, its voice noticeably glitching as it spoke.

The hunter, as well as the students, kept themselves on guard, not sure what exactly this prototype was, that the director was referring to.

Yet despite not knowing exactly what it was, both students and teacher understood that it could not be anything good.

Which was only confirmed when the sound of a helicopter prompted everyone to abruptly look into the sky, only to see a helicopter flying overhead, which then abruptly dropped something from its underside.

"Everyone, back now!" The hunter said with urgency as his words had the immediate effect.

All the students quickly taking several steps back, as the large object fell down like a brick, landing hard on the concrete where they had been standing only a moment ago.

The impact leaving a noticeably large crater in the concrete, suggesting whatever had just landed was substantially heavy.

Looking up at the object that had just landed in front of him, the hunter was unsure what to make of it at first.

It was clearly mechanical, that much he was certain of, it also had a similar design aesthetic to the rest of the Kaiser PMC forces.

However, taking one look at the object, the hunter could confirm that it was not autonomous like the rest, leading him to presume that it was some kind of vehicle or possibly contraption that had no free will of its own.

Yet, the hunter's inspection of the strange-looking thing that was presented before him was interrupted when he saw the director quickly walk in front of the strange curled up object.

And before the hunter could react or do anything, the Kaiser director suddenly turned his back now to the hunter and the students as he stepped closer to the object.

Only for a plate or door more precisely, on the front of it to open up allowing the director to step up and into it before the door sealed behind him, with only the Kaiser director's head now being visible.

The hunter wasn't sure what to make of this, yet he didn't have long to actually consider what had happened, as the object suddenly began to move.

Forcing him to abruptly take a fighting stance as the object rapidly unfolded itself, revealing it to be some kind of strange yet imposingly large contraption that had a vaguely humanoid shape.

"Let's see how you like this then!" the Kaiser director yelled from inside the mech suit as it finished its deploying sequence,

The arms coming up before lowering, the weapons attached where it's hands would have been, spinning to life with clear malicious Intent.

"What you see before you, it's one of the latest and greatest pieces of kaiser technology!" the Kaiser director shouted with renewed confidence as the mech suit took several experimental steps forward.

Clearly showing that the director was trying to get a feel for how it manoeuvred before he fully went for it.

And that action was also accompanied by a large energy cannon on the top of the robot suddenly unfolding, the barrel sliding out and into place, before aiming in the general direction of the hunter and the students.

"What the hell is that?" Serika explained with a slightly uncertain voice.

She kept her ground, aiming her rifle at the large mech suit, yet despite this, she couldn't stop herself from shaking slightly.

Both as a result of her legs losing some strength because of how long she had been standing, and due to the anxiety that was beginning to creep its way into her heart.

"Looks like some kind of exoskeleton or mech suit" Shiroko said with a slightly critical eye, she kept her rifle pointed at it, yet she couldn't stop herself from scrutinizing it with a clear intensity.

It was obvious to her that it was some kind of high-powered exoskeleton, although she was unable to say exactly what it was capable of without seeing it in motion.

Which wasn't exactly something she was looking forward to, considering that in the condition she was in there, was no hope that she would be able to fight with something like this, even if it was slow and cumbersome.

"Looks expensive... But then again it's kaiser, so it's probably junk quality... Just like one of their smartphones" Nonomi didn't even try to hide the clearly unimpressed tone in her voice.

While she did like to consider herself to be spoiled, that didn't change the fact that being raised with a lot of money, allowed her to distinguish when something was truly of high quality, versus something that was expensive for the sake of being expensive.

And while she certainly wasn't extremely well versed in mechanical machines, she could tell just by looking at what she was seeing, that despite looking big and impressive it most likely didn't have the quality to match.

"Damn it, this is bad! We can't fight that thing, we don't have the firepower or the Manpower" Aru said with a vaguely fearful tone in her voice.

While she wasn't one to usually back down from a fight or a challenge, this was one of the rare times when she figured it would be better to turn and run.

Especially considering that fighting whatever this was didn't look possible with what they had currently.

"Wow! it's huge~" Mutsuki said with a mischievous voice accompanied by a giggle.

Her innuendo didn't go unnoticed by anyone, yet they didn't really pay attention, considering that was the least on their minds right now.

The hunter kept his ground, eyeing the large mech suit with a critical eye, he may have not known exactly what it was or what it was capable of.

Yet, that didn't change the fact that he was examining possible avenues of attack, similarly to how he used to do when he was a true Hunter fighting monstrous beasts.

In fact, as the hunter continued to scrutinize the Kaiser director and his mech suit, he suddenly felt a familiar Sensation welling up in his chest, one that made him nauseated.

Anticipation and something else.

Something he had not felt for a long time… and that he never wanted to feel again...

Excitement.

Pure wild excitement for an upcoming battle.

"It's been too long, since I felt this… in fact, I didn't think I would ever feel this again" the hunter said with a slightly sickened whisper under his breath.

His expression becoming more fearless and slightly manic for just the split second, he found himself back in the blood soaked streets of Yarnham,

The scent of blood, fire and ash invading his nostrils, as well as the heavy weight of his weapons becoming noticeable in his hands.

In front of him was no longer the kaiser director and his mech suit, but rather a colossal beast of immeasurable size, the very same as the ones that he had butchered with reckless abandon.

And it was the very same that once led to him almost succumbing to the blood drunk hunter's curse.

Shaking his head, the hunter found himself coming back, the blood soaked streets of Yarnham as well as the beast that stood before him, returning to nothing but a distant memory as he focused his mind on the here and now.

The hunter may have not been able to quench the sickly excitement in his chest entirely, but he would not let himself succumb to be fleeting embrace of the blood drunk curse.

After all, he may have long since overcome it after destroying the hunter's nightmare and ascending to become a great one.

But that did not change that once touched by The Curse, it left a permanent reminder on his very being, something that even after his ascendance he could not truly be rid of.

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, the hunter calmed his racing heart, the anticipation for the upcoming battle instantly leaving as quickly as he focused himself.

He was no longer a hunter, at least no longer one, that hunted beasts and kin.

Instead, he was a teacher, one who had made a solemn promise to protect the students under his care, and he was determined to accomplish that even if it meant putting his own safety at risk.

Opening his eyes, The Hunter turned to look at the students behind him, all of them aiming their weapons at the Kaiser director's large mech suit.

He could see in their expressions, varying states of panic and apprehension, which made his heart break slightly.

The looks of fear in their eyes, was something that he never wanted to see because young children such as them should never have to feel such emotions.

Turning his attention back to the Kaiser director, the hunter narrowed his eyes, the grip on the Beast Hunter saif and Evelyn tightening, to the point where if they were normal weapons they would have shattered from his grip force.

"Everyone, I will take care of this, none of you should fear, for as your teacher, I will always protect you, no matter what" the hunter said with a serious expression.

However, before he could step forward to engage in battle with the Kaiser director, the hunter suddenly felt someone forcefully tug at the sleeve of his overcoat.

This caused him to look down and away from his target, only to see that it was Ayane tugging at his overcoat, a fearful and clearly apprehensive expression on her face.

"Sensei, you can't face him alone, I know you can handle yourself, but that mech suit will be too much even for you!" Ayane said with urgency in her voice.

Her words of fear for his safety genuinely warming the hunter's heart and making him smile gently as he looked down at the girl for a moment before.

After a moment, the hunter put away the Evelyn, reaching a hand and gently patting the elf girl's head, which surprised as she looked up at him.

"It soothes my heart to know that you are concerned for me, but you should not be Ayane, I will be fine, besides while I take care of him I will need all of you to take care of the rest" The hunter said with a slight smile as he took his hand off the elf girl's head.

Before gesturing out to the large robot army and their armoured vehicles, his words made all the students look at him and surprise until it's suddenly dawned on them exactly what he was planning to do.

He was going to fight the Kaiser president while they dealt with the substantial automaton horde.

"Sensei, are you sure fighting him by yourself, a good idea?" Shiroko said with a cautious and apprehensive expression.

She could already guess that the hunter was going to go through with what he was planning, regardless of what she said.

But she's still wanted to at least try and dissuade him from doing something like this on the off chance he did get hurt.

"Yeah sensei you can't be serious, like I know you're strong, but you can't fight him alone... at least have one of us back you up for god sakes!" Serika stepped forward as she spoke, stumbling slightly but managing to keep herself upright as she looked up at The Hunter with clear anger and nervousness in her eyes.

Her words also suggested that she would be the one to give him back up, even though realistically that wouldn't be a good idea, considering her condition wasn't exactly the best for fighting normal Kaiser robots, let alone the giant mech suit the Kaiser director had just unveiled.

"Your concern is much appreciated... But you do not need to be worried about me, I will manage this" the hunter turned his head for just a moment as he spoke.

Sending a calming and confidence smile towards the students before he turned his gaze back to the Kaiser president and his large mech suit.

His eyes darkening dangerously as the hunter's body tensed, clearly reading itself for battle at a moment's notice.

"Everyone scatter now!" The hunter abruptly shouted.

His words catching all the students by surprise, yet after a split second of looking at him.

All of them did exactly that, splitting into two groups consisting of Shiroko, Serika, Ayane, Nonomi on the right, and Aru, Haruka, Kayoko and Mutsuki on the left.

"No, you don't!" the Kaiser director barked as he tried to aim the massive weapons of his mech suit at the Abydos students, who were clearly trying to get past him to attack his forces.

However, before he could even get the weapons of the lumbering mech on target, something suddenly struck the left side of the neck in the upper shoulder region, punching clean through the armour and deep into the vulnerable electronics.

Being unbalanced by whatever had just happened, the Kaiser director turned his attention back to the hunter in front of him.

Only just see the hunter aiming his elegant and old-fashioned looking flintlock pistol at him, with the barrel smoking.

Momentarily turning his head, the Kaiser director inspected the damage, only to not believe that something so old and out of date, could do actual damage to his heavy mech, and it's ridiculous amounts of armour.

"You should pay more attention to the target in front of you" the hunter said with a loud and murderous voice.

He lowered the Evelyn so it was now horizontal, and no longer aiming at the Kaiser director's mech suit.

The hunter could have easily headshot the Kaiser director right there and then, ending the fight before it could even begin.

But that was not the style of the hunters, and especially not his, after all the Kaiser director needed to suffer for what he had done, and a quick death would not be able to satiate the hunters need for revenge.

"Fine! Have It Your Way!" the Kaiser president yelled as he controlled the mech suit to aim its weapons at The Hunter, the large calibre cannons on its arms beginning to spin to life.

The hunter waited for the right moment, watching as the weapons on the mech's arms quickly came to life with the clear intent to end his.

Yet at the very last moment has the weapons began to fire, the hunter made his move, sprinting forward with a speed that the Kaiser president could not even perceive.

Easily dodging the flood of large calibre canon rounds, the hunter moved in, the Beast Hunter Saif already puncturing through the air, as the blade easily cut through the thick armour on the arms of the mech suit

However, as the hunter pulled the weapon back ready to attack again, the mech suit abruptly took a swing at him, using the large armoured plates on its Arms as a battering ram to try and crush the Hunter.

Thinking on his feet, the hunter managed to dodge the wild swing narrowly, the reinforced armoured arms of the mech suit, grazing some of the hair on his head as he repositioned himself, putting some distance between himself and the construct to pursue a different avenue of attack.

"This almost feels like a fight from back then" the hunter exclaimed under his breath as he dodged another torrent of weapon fire from the mech suit.

Effortlessly managing to avoid the slow-moving Canon rounds as he looked for an opening to attack, which came as the cannons stopped firing abruptly, clearly needing to reload via some internal mechanism.

It was only a second or two, but it was all the time the Hamster needed as he dashed forward, only this time using a conveniently placed burned car to quickly give him some air via hopping onto the roof and then jumping high into the sky.

Allowing himself to spiral through the air, the hunter repositioned himself so he was now upside-down relative to the ground, utilising the height he gave himself to quickly take a shot with the Evelyn at the top of the mech suit, where he presumed the armour was weakest.

And thankfully, his hunch was correct when his shot landed, punching through the armour of the mech's arm before shooting out of the bottom of the shoulder and impacting the concrete below.

"Dammit! Stay still!" the Kaiser president shouted with anger as he quickly redirected the battle suit's aim.

The cannons letting loose a barrage of large bullets as the hunter sailed through the air, his momentum carrying him down to the ground as he redirected himself so he landed on his feet.

Yet instead of simply standing there, the hunter quickly dashed forward as he landed, the Canon rounds following him as he ran, however instead of utilising the Beast Hunter saif like he had done before instead the hunter quickly put the weapon away into his overcoat.

"I think something a bit more... Brute force will work for this" The hunter said under his breath as a Smile from his face.

His hand immediately finding the weapon he needed as he quickly pulled it out from his overcoat.

The Impossible site, caught the Kaiser director completely by surprise, as from the hunter's overcooked emerged something that was completely bizarre and strange.

And more importantly, far too big to have ever actually been hidden in there in the first place.

It looked like a giant hammer made of stone attached to the handle of a sword, the head was noticeably cracked and chipped in places.

Weathered and faded runes and writing scattered across the surface.

The handle of the strange weapon also shared a similar design, although looking much more elegant and refined compared to the hunter's other weapons.

The hunter cracked a smile with satisfaction as he rapidly closed the distance between him and the kaiser director's mech, his new weapon quickly flying forward of a force that nothing could even hope to match.

Which was only driven home when the Kirkhammer, a favourite among the healing church Hunters, found its target.

Bringing the hammer down, the hunter smashed it onto the leg of the Kaiser director's mech suit, the Kirkhammer having absolutely no trouble whatsoever, destroying the thick armour and vulnerable mechanisms, underneath from the sheer power the hunter used, and the weight of the weapon itself.

Yet, the hunter was not done as he quickly pulled the hammer back, with a dexterity and strength that bordered on inhuman.

Before quickly swinging it around with one hand, as the head of the weapons suddenly detached, the large rock hammer attaching to his back via a strap, while the handle was revealed to be a short silver sword.

That the hunter proceeded to shove into a gap in the armour, the weapon easily punching through the very thin protective metal of the leg joint, before absolutely destroying any remaining undamaged servos that lay beneath.

The Kaiser director tried to react, playing the controls to bring the arm of the mech suit up and swinging it wildly.

And surprisingly, it seemed that this did the trick as the hunter was suddenly sent flying by the Wild swing, his body flying through the air for a moment, a clear look of pain and surprise on his face.

Before, he managed to redirect himself midair and land on his feet, sweeping the Kirkhammer sword to the side in a matter that was both performative and meant to be intimidating.

"Ha, how'd you like that then, huh? Not so fast after all!" the Kaiser president accompanied he is words with a laugh.

Urging the mech suit to go forward, which it had some trouble with considering that one of its legs was now horribly damaged courtesy of the hunter's attack.

Yet, it still did so regardless, but as the exosuit took several steps forward, a sound suddenly reached the Kaiser director's mechanical ears, something that made him bring the suit to and look around with a slightly confused expression.

"What the hell's that ticking?" The Kaiser director looked around frantically, trying to figure out exactly where the ticking was coming from.

He did think for a moment, that it could possibly be his mech suit itself, considering he was not entirely unfamiliar with every function of it.

However, that was quickly persuaded when he looked up at The Hunter, only to see an almost mischievous looking smile on his face, which was only made more bizarre when the hunter abruptly pointed to a spot lower on the lower area of the suit

Looking down, the Kaiser director examined the lower half of the mech suit, only to see something that didn't belong.

It was a small round object approximately the size of a large soda can, made from the material that looked like some kind of ceramic or possibly wood.

But as he stared at it, the Kaiser director realised that the little object was responsible for the ticking.

Kaboom!

The Kaiser director's mech suit was abruptly thrown from its feet, the sound of an explosion washing over the Battlefield, as fire quickly enveloped the lower half of the mech and gradually began to consume it.

Much to the shock and panic of the Kaiser director who did two things, one was trying to urge the machine to its feet, and the other was activating its own built-in fire suppression system.

it managed to do the second of those actions, the fire quickly being put out thanks to it in built fire suppression system.

However, the suit failed to get to its feet, entirely because one of its legs was now destroyed, only barely hanging on via a few connective cables and hydraulic pipes but other than that being completely and utterly useless.

"I must say I doubted that the Delayed Molotov cocktail would be so effective... Perhaps I should use them more frequently" The hunter said with a surprise voice as he appeared in front of the Kaiser director who was still trying to get the mech to its feet.

He was looking down at him, the mech suit now being on the ground, giving the hunter a height advantage over the president once again.

But instead of shouting or screaming, the Kaiser president suddenly presses a series of buttons in the cockpit, before yanking one of the control sticks forward, the left arm suddenly shooting upward with the cannon spinning to life and letting loose a hailstorm of bullets.

The hunter moved, temporarily disappearing for a moment as the bullets missed him entirely, although as he reappeared a second later, he did let out a silent sigh of satisfaction.

Thankful that he still had the Old Hunter's bone easily accessible and allowing him to use the art of quickening.

This was one of the main reasons why he didn't receive a single bullet, despite being too close to the mech to comfortably dodge at a moment's notice.

However, the hunter didn't have long to actually comprehend this, as the Kaiser director, with a Howl and a shout of anger, suddenly urge the mech suit to stand even though one of its legs was completely unusable.

And yet seemingly through some sheer force of will, the mech suit managed to stand on its own, a barrage of bullets suddenly coming from its arm cannons, which were all intended for the Hunter

Yet, seeing them coming this time, the hunter easily dodged around the bullets, not needing to use the old Hunter's bone this time.

The Kaiser director, however, wasn't done with his attack, as with another scream, pressed a series of buttons in the cockpit.

Making several hatchers on top of the mech's main body opening up and subsequently shoot out a series of micro missiles that quickly hoped in on the Hunter

Thinking on his feet, the hunter abruptly jumped, performing a perfect front flip over one of the missiles as it harmlessly crashed into a nearby building, destroying it and showing the Hunter just what would happen if he did get hit by one.

Dodging another by ducking, the hunter then did something unexpected, and that was grabbing a hold of one of the missiles that he managed to dodge as it sailed past him, using the rocket motor and the momentum it gave him to quickly redirect its path.

Its new target now being the Kaiser director's mech suit, the missile abruptly rammed into the lower abdomen before exploding, blowing a large hole in it, making the piloted construct stumbled backwards and nearly fall over entirely.

"It's going to take more than that to put down a piece of kaiser engineering!" the Kaiser director spat with anger and ferocity in his voice as he quickly pressed some more buttons on the console in front of him.

And instead of unleashing another barrage of micro missiles, rather the large cannon mounted to the top of the mech suit, suddenly moved aiming downwards and b bringing the hunter into its sites as it then let loose an energy projectile.

The recoil from the weapon was even so powerful that the mech suit was flung onto it's back, as a result of the fact that it only had one leg to brace against the immense recoil

The hunter sealed himself, waiting for the energy blast to approach before he jumped to the side.

He could feel the heat from the energy blast on his skin, as it impacted the concrete, the energy blast leaving a massive smoking crater where he had been only a moment before.

Turning his gaze back to the kaiser director's mech suit, he watched as it managed to get back to its feet, having been blown over from the sheer kick that the energy canon had.

Narrowing his eyes, the hunter dashed forward, his mind already made up on the fact that he needed to take out the large energy weapon.

Considering it seemed to be the most deadly out of all the weapons at the that the mech suit seemingly had at its disposal.

As such, centreing himself, the hunter quickly transformed the Kirkhammer, the large stone hammer head quickly falling from his back, before he shoved the sword into the slot, locking them together and readying the weapon for what was to come.

Evacuating to the side as another hail of bullets came his way, the hunter saw that the large energy weapon on top of the mech was beginning to recharge.

The barrel glowing with vicious and clear Intent, as such, the hunter pushed himself, his feet going even faster as he dodged another stream of bullets, utilising his momentum to quickly jump onto and nearby broken down wall, and then jump into the air, his momentum and parabolic arc making it so that he would land on top of the Kaiser director's exosuit.

But the hunter would not actually get a chance to finish his leap, as the Kaiser director suddenly made the mech suit plunge to the side, making it so that the hunter landed on the concrete

instead of his intended target.

The hunter let her curse under his breath, yet he didn't have long to actually consider his failed plan, as he heard the familiar sound of the energy cannon spinning up and then firing a projectile.

Drawing on pure reflex rather than actual thought, the hunter dodge to the side, the energy ball quickly impacting the concrete where he had been only a second ago.

Yet as the hunter moved, he suddenly felt something that was unpleasant but only made him more surprised and angry.

Pain.

The hunter felt a vicious pain in his arm, followed by his body suddenly turning from sheer momentum, spinning and almost falling over.

However, the hunter managed to catch himself, the painful sensation immediately directing his gaze to his arm, only to see that there was a noticeable wound on his upper shoulder, with blood flowing from the wound and staining the already dark Crimson Cainhurst Knight's coat an even darker shade of crimson

"Curse it, just my luck!" the hunter cursed under his breath, rapidly dodging to the side as another barrage of bullets came his way, although this time he easily managed to dodge all of them because he saw them coming.

Thinking on his feet, the hunter dodge once again, not giving the Kaiser director a moment to target him as he kept moving.

Reaching into his overcoat with his spare hand, the Hunter retrieved a particular object, one that he had not used frequently yet was precisely what he needed right now.

However, as the hunter ready to Blood Vial for its intended use, he suddenly heard a voice, one that was full of concern and fear, that momentarily made him pause.

"S-Sensei you're hurt!"

The voice of Arona reached the hunter's consciousness as he quickly dodged to the side again, managing to avoid the energy blast from the Kaiser exosuit's energy cannon.

"Indeed, it would appear that way, but do not worry Arona, it was simply just a lucky hit from that copulant automata" The hunter finished his hasty comment by quickly jumping to the side once again.

Dodging a mass of bullets and finally finding the opening he needed, he quickly jabbed the needle like protrusion from the blood Vial into his upper arm just below the wound.

Almost instantly, he felt the energetic sensation of the healing blood flowing into him, the wound on his arm initially starting to heal almost immediately until it completely closed.

With the only evidence of its existence, being the dried blood and torn fabric in the approximate location of where the wound had been.

Feeling a new sudden sensation of invigoration, the hunter surged forward, seemingly without a care.

Easily manoeuvring his way around another barrage of large calibre canon rounds and micro missiles, his target now set in his mind as he jumped at the last second as another wave of bullets came his way.

He allowed his ascending arc to carry him through the air, however, instead of letting the Kaiser president know what was going to happen next.

Instead, the hunter redirected his momentum, ending his jump short, landing on his feet with his back to the Kaiser director and the mech suit.

Smiling, the hunter ready himself what was to come, as the exosuit let loose another hail of bullets, all of them screaming towards him at high speed.

To an outside spectator, it would seem like the hunter deliberately put himself at a disadvantage, but this was precisely what the hunter wanted as the bullets came his way and the last moment the hunter jumped again.

Although this time, performing a perfect backflip as at the top of his arc, he let loose a single shot from the Evelyn at the Kaiser director's mech suit.

The blood Silver Bullet impacted just above where the Kaiser director's head was, making him jerk the mech to the side, seemingly out of reflex.

Utilising the opportunity, the hunter landed on his feet before rushing forward, closing the distance between him and the Kaiser mech suit, yet as the Kaiser director tried to bring one of the arm mounted weapons up to shoot the Hunter.

The hunter quickly removed it as an obstacle, utilising a strong and powerful overhead slam attack from the Kirkhammer, to destroyed the arm mounted weapon and the arm that it was attached to.

But the hunter was nowhere near finished, as he quickly jumped, running up the arm of the mech before positioning himself on top of the body.

Steadying himself, the hunter quickly brought the massive stone hammer above his head before as much strength as he physically could manage bringing it down onto the energy Canon.

His superhuman strength combined with the sheer weight of the Kirkhammer utterly destroying the weapon and rendering it useless.

Yet, the hunter was not done with his attack as he quickly pulled the Kirkhammer away from the destroyed remains of the energy cannon, before reaching into his overcoat and quickly throwing free or four times Delayed Molotov cocktails.

Each of them having no trouble embedding themselves into the thick armour of the destroyed remains of the canon, due to the metal spikes attached to their bottoms.

Jumping, the hunter landed on his feet some distance away from the Kaiser Director's mech suit as the enraged robot tried to urge, t the barely operational constructor stand, yet to just as it managed to get to one knee, that was when the Molotov cocktails went off.

Each of them, exploding into a large plume of fire that quickly enveloped much of the upper half of the mech suit, and ultimately forcing the Kaiser director to look around frantically before releasing the cockpit hatch and jumping clear.

Satisfied with his work, the hunter calmly began to walk towards the Kaiser director, who was still sprawled out on the ground, gazing up at his exosuit that was burning like a magnificent pyre

However, as the hunter continued to approach, the Kaiser director finally notice him and that same moment the mech-suit suddenly exploded.

Going up in a magnificent fireball, the likes of which was even big enough and loud enough to draw the attention of not only the remaining kaiser PMC forces.

But even those of the students who briefly stop their engagement to look at the fireball, before utilising the opportunity to continue their fight with the remaining PMC forces.

"God dammit, H-how!?" the Kaiser director said with noticeable anger in his voice as he tried to get to his feet.

His mechanical eyes, lingering on the now destroyed and burning exosuit, with both disbelief and anger at the fact that his latest creation, had been thoroughly and utterly destroyed and even in the process humiliated him.

However, that was the least of his concerned when he noticed the hunter approaching with an almost deliberate and slow, predatory attitude to his movements

Thinking quickly, the Kaiser director made a move to stand, hoping to run before the hunter could get to him.

Only to failure when before he could even get to his knees, the hunter rushed forward with an impossible speed, and subsequently pinned the Kaiser director to the ground via stepping on his chest with his foot.

The Kaiser director tried to resist, attempting to throw a punch at the hunter's leg, only for his fish to connect with the hunter's flesh and do absolutely nothing.

In fact, the hunter didn't even react at all, simply continuing to stare down at him with a look that bordered on murderous.

Yet, the Kaiser director did not give up trying to escape, throwing more punches at the Hunter's leg while also flailing his legs and other arm in a desperate attempt to try and wiggle himself free.

However, no matter how much he struggled or attempted to attack, the hunter was not phased or let the director so much as moving inch.

"Where is she!?" the hunter suddenly said, his voice is deadly cold and his eyes filled with a murderous Intent.

That was only made more apparent when he abruptly smashed the Kirkhammer down to the ground, only a couple of inches away from the Kaiser director's head.

Turning his head slowly and shakily to the side, the Kaiser president looked at the stone hammer with fear but also something that bordered on familiarity.

Specifically, it was the engravings that he saw on the head of the Stonehammer that he recognised at least somewhat.

Yet, that was quickly put to the back of his mind as the hunter once again spoke, while also accompanying his words by pressing down with his foot even harder.

"Where is she? Tell me now!" the hunter raised his voice slightly, the coldness in his voice giving away to hot anger as he continued to press his foot harder onto the chest of the Kaiser director.

He wasn't sure if the robot could feel pain, at least in the traditional sense, but he was determined to find out as he pressed his foot down even harder, a satisfying sound of creaking of metal and plastic beginning to give way reaching the hunter's ears as he smiled.

"W-Who the hell are you talking abo-" the Kaiser director did not get a chance to finish as the hunter pressed his foot down even harder.

The cracking and bending of metal easily being heard as the Kaiser director screamed out in pain, unknowingly satisfying the hunter's curiosity that these robots could feel pain, which only made the hunter smile coldly, before the smile disappeared, and he returned to the task and interrogation at hand.

"Don't play games with me, you know exactly who I'm talking about" The hunter said menacingly as he relented the pressure he was putting on the Kaiser director's chest for just a moment.

He knew that the Kaiser director didn't need to breathe, considering he wasn't a living creature, but still, the hunter did this mostly by reflex, considering this wasn't the first time he had interrogated somebody like this.

"Who-wait, you mean that Hoshino twerp?" the Kaiser director managed to say, trying once again to escape the hunter's grasp.

Only to fail as the hunter kept his foot firmly planted on his chest, however after a moment of silence the hunter suddenly did something unexpected.

And that was to drop the Kirkhammer to the ground, allowing it to smack the ground with a large thump and even sink into the concrete a little bit, before he reached into his overcoat and retrieved the Beast Hunter Saif.

The Hunter held the weapon out for a moment, so that the Kaiser president could see it in its entirety, before he transformed it abruptly with a flick of the wrist, and then brought it close to the face of the Kaiser director, allowing him to see just how wickedly curved and sharp the blade truly was

But before the Kaiser director could actually fully comprehend what was happening, the hunter abruptly moved the weapon.

And in one fluid motion brought it up in a quick swipe, which immediately liberated the Kaiser director of one of his arms, at the base of the shoulder.

"Ah.. AAHHHHHHHHH! M-My arm!" The Kaiser director screamed in agony, his remaining hand quickly shooting to the stump where his arm had been once before, clutching it tightly as he began to thresh around in pain, much to the hunter's dark delight.

The only reason the hunter had just done what he did, was because the Kaiser director had the audacity to insult Hoshino.

And if there was one thing that the hunter would not tolerate currently, it was his enemy insulting his precious students.

"Yes... Although I would abstain from insulting her… Now, unless you want to lose another limb, tell me where she is" hunter lowered himself slightly as he spoke.

Bringing his face closer to the director's face, making the robot instantly stopped his thrashing as he looked up at the menacing creature that stood over him, that was wearing the face of the human being.

However, instead of answering, the Kaiser director simply couldn't bring himself to, both as a result of the pain he was experiencing, and more importantly the fact that he simply couldn't find the right words to use.

This of course only further infuriated the hunter as he lowered himself, his face now being only inches away from the Kaiser director's face.

In fact, their faces were so close together now, that the director finally noticed that the hunter's ice blue eyes malicious Intent.

"Tell me" the hunter once again reiterated, his voice now holding nothing, no emotion or even anger of this point.

His words were no longer a demand or even a request, but rather a strict, unyielding order, one that the Kaiser director tried to fulfil purely to save his own skin.

"I don't have, we only took her on behalf of..." the Kaiser president tried to speak.

Only to find his voice trailing off as he stared in to the eyes of the Hunter, yet the longer he stared he felt himself transfixed as the pale blue orbs suddenly changed.

No longer do they look like the eyes of a man or even a human being, but rather something far more alien and some might even say…

Cosmic.

The hunter found himself growing angry again, abruptly standing back up to his full height and then pushing his foot down, which only made the Kaiser president begin to scream.

Yet whether his screams were from the pain or the fact that the Kaiser director had seen something that no mortal, robotic or organic otherwise was ever meant to see was hard to say

But it didn't really matter in the end, considering that whether he could truly proceed it.

To gaze upon the cosmos would be enough to shatter the psyche of anyone and leave them a blabbering incoherent mess.

"On behalf of whom! Tell me, and I might just let you live" The hunter found his patients beginning to finally wear thin.

Which was only emphasised as he pushed his foot down even harder, the sound of breaking metal and plastic reaching his ears, as the Kaiser director's voice began to noticeably glitch.

His shrieks of pain and near insanity, mixing and forming into a disturbing cacophony, that even the hunter was mildly put off by

"I- I don't-"

"That's not good enough" the hunters said with a sense of finality in his voice as he quickly brought the kirkhamma up. Effortlessly managing to hold the impressively large weapon above his head with one hand, nonetheless, as he abruptly removed his foot from the Kaiser director's chest.

However, any relief that the Kaiser director may have had at the fact that the hunter was no longer crushing him with his foot, was completely forgotten when he looked up and saw the massive stone hammer hanging above the hunter's head.

"Wait!"

Was the last word that the Kaiser President ever said, the only person around to hear it being the hunter as he abruptly and suddenly brought the kirk hammer down.

Using all the force that he could manage, and far more than was necessary, to bring the hammer down and deliver the final blow to the kaiser director.

The robot's body completely shattered and blew apart on Impact in a visceral, and frankly somewhat disturbing display of robotic gore as the stone hammerhead completely mashed his body like a bug under someone's shoe.

The hunter stood there for a moment, his expression one of pure anger and hatred as he stared at the now mutilated corpse of the Kaiser director.

Yet as he stood there, he couldn't stop a familiar feeling from worming its way into his heart and mind, one that he found viscerally disgusting yet simultaneously pleasurable as he tried to banish it.

But try as he might, he simply couldn't rid himself of it, even as he brought the kirkhamma up, hefting it onto his shoulder and turning away from the corpse of the Kaiser director.

Bringing a hand up to his face, the hunter noticed that it was beginning to shake as the feeling intensified in his chest, and the feeling that he found both repulsive and fulfilling at the same time was…

Satisfaction.

The kind of satisfaction that he had not felt in a long time, yet even though it was a sense of satisfaction, it didn't change the fact that it repulsed him.

Taking the life and feeling satisfaction from it was something that he was supposed to have left behind after becoming a teacher.

After all he was no longer some blood firstly hunter barely holding on to his sanity, he was a teacher now somebody who needed to control himself better, so he could be a good example to his students

However, the hunter's thought process was suddenly and abruptly, completely derailed when he felt another Sensation.

Something that made him stop dead in his tracks, and even almost made him drop the Kirkhammer from the fact that his arms almost went completely limp.

"I feel them... The echoes of blood, but how?" the hunter spoke out loud to himself, his face taking on a look of complete and utter surprise as he felt the familiar feeling of Blood Echoes entering his consciousness.

Brief inexplicable flashes that accompanied the echoes, flashing before his eyes as they were absorbed into him, becoming his strength in the same manner that they had once done when he was a hunter of beasts.

This wasn't the first time he had accumulated blood echoes in this kivotos, but the only other instance of it was when he had put Tomo out of her misery.

Gaining Echoes from her death was something that he had expected, considering that she was once human before becoming a beast.

But what through the hunter off completely, was the fact that he had seemingly gained Blood Echoes from the Kaiser director.

He couldn't make out anything definitive from the fragmentary memories and feelings, but that didn't really change the fact, that it shouldn't have been possible for a mechanical construct to even give Blood Echoes, let alone have them in the first place.

"Could it be that these mechanical constructs truly are alive to some extent?" The hunter considered this possibility as he turned on his heels, his eyes settling onto the crushed corpse of the Kaiser director.

He scrutinized the Corpse closely, his eyes narrowing as he allowed his great one consciousness to reach out and examine the Corpse in a manner that no normal being could.

Yet despite there being a lingering essence to the carcass that was rapidly fading, the hunter could not send anything that would suggest that the Kaiser director, let alone, any of the other mechanical constructs, he had slaughtered until now, had any kind of true soul.

'Even if they are not truly alive, the fact that I have gained Echoes, means that maybe…'

The hunter closed his eyes as the thought crossed his mind

He searched for the blood echos he had swallowed, finding them quickly and then delving into them, usually this would allow him to see and feel what the echoes contained.

Yet, this time was different…

The echoes themselves were fragmentary, distorted and the scattered.

A mess of half formed thoughts and feelings, most likely as a result of the blood echos themselves being weak and diluted.

But still, the hunter concentrated harder on the echoes, the fragments of a conversation that the Kaiser president have had earlier that day beginning to form in his mind.

"She's all yours, Black suit, I don't know what the hell you want with her, but honestly, I don't care"

...

...

"My, after your outburst the other day, I didn't expect you to uphold the deal"

...

...

"Shut up, I might be many things, but I'm at least a man of my word… Now get the hell out of my sight, I have a District to take over"

The hunter abruptly opened his eyes, his breath hitching in his throat as after a moment he found a smile suddenly appearing on his lips.

He turned his eyes upwards as he looked into the sky for a moment, a renewed sense of purpose easily visible in his pale blue orbs.

"Black suit... I finally have a name for the person, who took my student from me" the hunter finished his words by quickly moving forward.

Completely forgetting about the Kaiser president and leaving behind his crushed corpse as he ran towards the ongoing battle between what remained of the Kaiser PMC forces, and his precious students.

As he ran, the hunter could see that two students were engaged in a battle with an autonomous tank, that was raining high explosive artillery shells down on their positions while they did their best to counter.

"Damn it, this is getting ridiculous… Hey, whatever your name is, you got anything that can deal with this thing?" Serika shouted as she took several pot shots at some exposed kaiser PMC troops.

And several supplementary shots at the armoured vehicle, its attention quickly being focused on to her as it let loose a shot from its cannon.

Ducking her head behind cover, luckily the shot flew over Serika's head, missing entirely and exploding some distance away down the street.

But even though the shot missed, the shock wave as it passed overhead was still enough to throw the cat girl to her stomach.

Making my temporarily drop her rifle, only for her to immediately grab it as she got back to a kneeling position, letting out a Grunt of pain as she did so.

Mutsuki who was occupying the same piece of cover as the aggravated cat girl, was also thrown to the ground as a result of the concussive blast of the shell passing overhead.

Getting up, she resumed rummaging around in her massive duffel bag, a slightly nervous smile appearing on her face, as she rummaged for a moment longer, before stopping and looking up at the cat girl in front of her, who was staring back at her with an expectant expression.

"Yeah, sorry about that catnip... But I'm all out on explosives, I'm such a small little thing and I can only carry so much you know" Mutsuki said with a slightly mischievous giggle.

Only for the laugh, she let out, to grow louder as she saw the almost flabbergasted and aggravated expression that Serika sent her way as a result of the nickname that the problem solver 68 students had just given the Abydos students.

However, as Serika opened her mouth to speak, somebody abruptly interrupted her, making both girls turn their attention to the source of the voice, only to see a blur of red, white and black rush past them.

"I can handle this just fine, for both of you" The Hunter said with a smile as he jumped clean over the improvised covered the students were using.

Feeling their surprised expressions lingering on him as they watched him run directly at the automated armoured vehicle that noticed his approach and turned to face him.

"Sensei, what are you doing?!" Serika shouted with concern as she made a move to run after the hunter only to not get very far as Mutsuki quickly grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back into cover.

The hunter paid no concern to the words of his student no mind as he continued to charge at the automated tank, dodging another shot from its large calibre cannon as he quickly put his plan into action.

Running forward directly at the vehicle, the hunter baited a shot from its cannon,, which came in short order as the vehicle aimed at him before letting loose another high calibre cannon round.

But rather than dodging, instead the hunter quickly brought Kirkhammer up in front of him, though colossal stone hammerhead blocking the intended path of the shell as It flew at him only to strike the Stonehammer.

And as soon as it did, the shell exploded into a shower of metal fragments that the hunter with a quick swipe of the wrist, redirected off to the side harmlessly.

Although the metal fragments did destroy several parked cars and severely damaged the front Facade of a house that looked like it was still occupied.

Putting that to the back of his mind, however, the hunter charged forward, the tank not having enough time to reload its main canon as the hunter quickly jump onto the front of the vehicle, before making his way to the turret.

Bringing the Kirkhammer up, and then bringing it down with as much force he could manage, the hunter watched with satisfaction as the Kirkhammer, completely and utterly destroyed the turret, crumpling the thick armour like tissue paper and leaving it completely inoperable

Satisfied, the hunter quickly jumped away, yet as he landed on his feet, he became aware that the tank was still operational to some degree.

The Turret was completely inoperable, yet the main chassis of the vehicle suddenly came to life, rushing at him, clearly in an attempt to run him over.

Dodging easily around the cumbersome vehicle, the hunter considered his options as the vehicle came to a stop, before quickly turning on the spot via its tracks and trying to run him down again.

With quick thinking, the hunter quickly reached into his overcoat, pulling out two objects, one of which was a small ceramic pot wrapped in fabric and tattered rope.

And the other was a Molotov cocktail, the rag inside the head of the bottle already burning as the hunter first threw the ceramic pot.

It's arc and trajectory making it so that it shattered on the front, and in turn covered the front and the large portion of the automated tank in a strange oil like substance.

Evacuating once again as the vehicle pride to run him down, the hunter waited for the exact moment as the vehicle turned around another time, before finally he threw the cocktail, that burst on Impact and subsequently ignited the oil, causing the vehicle to go up in a spectacular fireball.

Waiting for a moment, the hunter watched with satisfaction as the vehicle tried to move, only for the fire to continue to devour it.

Before ultimately engulfing it in a spectacular fireball that rendered the vehicle now completely not a threat to him or his students.

Turning on his heels, the hunter looked over to where the two students were huddled up, a smile appearing on his face as he saw the completely shocked expressions on their faces.

However, he didn't have long to actually enjoy seeing their shock, as he quickly shifted his head, his eyes immediately falling upon a group of kaiser PMC robots, that were advancing upon a held up position, where Haruka, Ayane and Nonomi currently were.

"Not on my watch" The Hunter said under his breath as he quickly took off at full speed, the concerned voice of Serika in his ear as he pushed forward.

"Sensei, slow down!" Serika shouted after the Hunter, only for him to deliberately ignore her as he ran.

Putting away the Kirkhammer into his overcoat, the Hunter knew that it would be too unwieldy for what was to come

So instead the hunter quickly retrieved the Beast Hunter Saif, transforming it into its extended form as he rushed down the Kaiser troops, who only noticed his approach as it was too late.

"Hey, what the-"

One of the Kaiser troops try to say, before he found his head quickly separated from his shoulders, via a strong horizontal swing from the Beast Hunter Saif.

Changing target from the now headless automaton, that was still standing but promptly fell under its own weight, the hunter descended upon the three remaining robots who finally noticed his presence, although by this point it was far too late as he went to work.

The first found itself suddenly stabbed through the chest with the long curved blade of the Beast Hunter Saif, before the hunter quickly brought the weapon up in one Swift motion, slicing the robot upper body clean in half.

Shifting his attention to the next, the hunter charged at it as it brought its rifle up, clearly intending to shoot him.

However, the hunter would not let that happen, as he quickly dodged around the wild and inaccurate fire from the assault rifle wielding robots, before firmly grabbing it by the neck the rifle with his free hand.

The rifle in the robot's hand crashed to the ground, as the hunter quickly span, before tossing the robot into the air, and then with a speed that was impossible for anyone to track.

Reached in to his overcoat, pulled out up the Evelyn and took a shot, the blood silver bullet easily hitting the robot directly between where it's eyes would have been, as it reached to the top of its upward arc, before gravity finally pulled the body down, letting it fall to the ground with a thump.

With one robot left, the hunter quickly descended upon it like a vicious predator as it tried to defend itself.

It's rifle coming up to shoot the Hunter, but the hunter was much faster as he used the Beast Hunter Saif to quickly and quite literally cut the assault rifle in two.

Both halves falling from the robot hands, as the hunter deliberate the final blow via a large overhead swing from the Beast Hunter Saif.

His attack was so powerful, that it quite literally split the automaton clean in two and left a substantial gouge in the concrete below.

Not giving the corpses of the robots any more thought than he already had, the hunter turned his attention to the students who were held up in cover.

But much to his amusement, he noticed that they had poked their heads over the improvised cover, and were watching him with clear amazement and shock on their faces, as a result of witnessing his absolute massacre of the Kaiser automatons.

Noticing a bit of oil on the blade of the Beast Hunters Saif, the hunter quickly flicked it to the side, the sudden motion combined with the properties of the hunter weapon allowing the oil to fly off and hit the ground, leaving the blade completely clean and unblemished as The Hunter walked towards the students.

Although as he walked, he noticed that there were still some automatons still standing, yet they had stopped firing, clearly weighing their options before they turned on their heels and ran.

"This hunt is over" The hunter said with satisfaction as he saw the remaining automatons retreat.

Some of them even throwing their rifles to the ground as they ran with their arms flailing, which filled the hunter with an incredible amount of delight as he finally made it to where his students were hungered down.

"They're falling back... We... We won!" Ayane said with complete and utter surprise in her voice, her face a look of shock as if she were failing to actually believe what she was seeing.

However, it seemed that eventually she came around to the idea that it was in fact reality and not some dream, when the hunter stopped in front of her and the other two girls next to her.

A gentle and calming smile on his face, which despite contrasting his slightly dishevelled appearance, filled her with a sense of relief that could not really be put into words.

"Indeed, Ayane this battle is over, and we are victorious for now" the hunter said with a smile as he put away the Beast Hunter Saif, the weapon no longer being needed as he returned to the role of a teacher rather than that of a hunter.

And putting away the Beast Hunter Saif could have not come a moment too soon as Ayane suddenly did something unexpected, and that was to rush towards him and immediately wrap her arms, or at least attempt to, around his broad waist.

Completely caught off guard by the sudden action, the hunter looked down at the girl with genuine surprising his eyes, only for his gaze to soften.

He immediately noticed the tears beginning to form behind Ayane's glasses as she hugged the hunter, apparently with all the strength she could manage.

Smiling warmly, the hunter gently brought a hand up and then putting it over the back of the girl, the relief filled tears easily wetting his overcoat and shirt as she cried.

Yet, he didn't mind, content to simply just be a metaphorical shoulder to cry on as she let out all the relief through her own tears.

"Nn sensei we won" Shiroko's voice suddenly reached to the hunter's ears, prompting him to turn his head slightly, only to see the wolf girl approaching from behind with Aru and Kayoko following behind her.

Looking at the two girls of problem solver 68, the hunter couldn't help but chuckle slightly when he saw the barely contained expression of awe, that was on Aru's as she stared at him.

It didn't take a genius to figure out that she saw his performance in the fight and had become fascinated with him as a result.

Kayoko's reaction, however, was vastly different, there was a clear look of genuine impressment behind her eyes, although it was mostly hidden as a result of an indifferent expression.

Turning his head again, the hunter heard more footsteps approaching, only to see that it was Serika and Mutsuki, the former of the two, limping slightly but doing her best to try and hide it.

While the latter simply walked with a slight spring in her step, her eyes never leaving the hunter as she looked at him with an expression that was a mix of both awe but also mild curiosity.

"Everyone, now that the battle is over I think it's best that we retreat to a safe location to regroup" The Hunter said as all the girls crowded around him.

His words eliciting surprised reactions, particularly from the Abydos students who, except Ayane, all looked at him with surprised reactions and looks on their faces.

"But sensei, we've got them on the run! If we keep pushing, we can just-"

"No, sensei is right" Ayane abruptly interrupted Serika before she could finish, at last pushing herself away from the Hunter, while moving her glasses aside and wiping away the residual tears from her eyes.

Although she did so, Ayane did look up at The Hunter for just a moment, a calm and thankful smile gracing her lips, which the hunter reciprocated by smiling gently at her and nodding his head slowly.

Serika looked like she wanted to argue, which she intended to do as she opened her mouth to continue speaking.

Only to fail as she found herself almost collapsing from a sudden flair of pain in her head and upper back, forcing her to stumble to try and catch herself, only for her to feel a pair of strong arms catch up before she could fall.

And even though she didn't need to look up to know who it was, she still did anyway, realizing the hunter was the one who had caught her.

He was looking at her with a concerned expression, that on the one hand she was thankful for, but on the other bothered her because she wanted to show that she was fine.

"I agree with sensei and Ayane, falling back and regrouping is a good idea right now... But that begs a question, where exactly do we go? The school is in ruins and I highly doubt that going back to our own houses is a good idea considering it would make us sitting ducks" Nonomi finished her words by quickly dusting off her slightly torn and bullet hole reddened beige blazer.

A slightly displeased expression appearing on her face for a moment, as she examined it for a moment before ultimately letting out a sigh,

She realized that despite how much it bothered her, ultimately the condition of her cardigan was the least of her concerns right now

Nonomi's question prompted the rest of her friends to begin thinking, contemplate of expressions appearing on their faces as they thought about their next options.

They didn't have a school to go back to right now, considering it was currently lying in ruins and just like the well-endowed girl had said, going back to their homes, wouldn't be a smart idea considering the Kaiser could easily get revenge and eliminate them.

However, as the four Abydos students continue to weigh their options, the hunter had already decided the perfect solution for their predicament.

And after a moment of silence, he suddenly cleared his throat, the sound catching the students by surprises they turned to look at him as he spoke after a brief pause.

"If I may all of you, I have the perfect solution... All of you can simply come back to schale with me" the hunter paused for a moment, a smile forming on his lips as he saw the quickly growing looks of confusion and realisation on the faces of the Abydos students.

"I cannot promise the most comfortable stay, but what I can guarantee is that you will be safe, and it will give you the perfect opportunity to rest up and recover" The hunter finished his words by looking at a particular student, with it being none other than Serika, who he was still holding with his arms, making sure that she could stand up right.

And gazing at her, he could see a look of confusion but also realisation on her face, which made him laugh just slightly.

"Sensei... You've done so much for us already... How can we accept that?" Ayane said with clear confliction in her voice, on the one hand she clearly wanted to accept sensei's offer considering that schale would be perfect for recovering for what was to come, but on the other it felt like it was simply too much for sensei, especially after he had done so much for them already.

The hunter didn't respond right away, simply turning to look at her with an understanding smile, he knew that her rejection of his idea didn't come from a place of malice or dislike of him.

But simply because, the glasses wearing elf didn't want it to feel like she and the rest of her friends were taking advantage of the hunter's generosity.

"I cannot force you to accept Ayane, but please consider it" the hunter said with a calm and understanding voice.

He wanted Ayane to make her own decision instead of forcing her into one, although silently he did want her to accept.

Considering if they all came back to his base of operations with him, that meant he could keep an eye on the students much closer, and hopefully avoid a situation like this again in the future.

Ayane's look of struggle only continued to grow as she turned her head down, staring at the concrete below as she weighed her options carefully.

She ultimately had final say on exactly where they would go next, considering that she was the de facto leader of the foreclosure task force now.

"Nn, I think it's a good idea... Kaiser might be brave enough to attack us and our district, but I don't think they'd be brave enough to attack the central district and the general student council" Shiroko suddenly interjected.

Her words making everyone turn to look at her as she stepped forward, assault rifle still in hand, and her prize in the form of the large 50 calibre rifle still strapped to her back.

"Yeah... I think it's a good idea too... Plus it would let us see where sensei lives" Nonomi couldn't help but agree with Shiroko while also trying to lighten the mood.

She not only had she been to the Central District in quite some time, but she was also incredibly curious to see exactly what schale was actually like.

Ayane looked at her friends for a moment, the uncertainty in her eyes now reaching a breaking point as she considered what her answer would be.

Yet, before she spoke, Ayane hastily looked up at the hunter, who stared back at her with a calm and understanding smile as after a moment he spoke words of encouragement.

"The final choice is yours to make, Ayane. I will not be angry if you refuse, I value your agency above everything else" The hunter said with a calming tone.

He kept his voice low, even and hoping it would be apparent in his voice, that he understood and was accepting of whatever choice the girl would make.

After all, true to his word he valued her agency above everything else, and he would not want to force her into a decision that she wasn't comfortable with because that would not be becoming of an adult and especially a teacher.

Ayane leaned her head downwards again, her eyes briefly closing as she suddenly took in a deep breath.

The hunter was already aware of the decision she had come to, as the girl opened her eyes and looked up at him, a composed expression replacing the uncertainty that have been there before.

"I accept sensei... I… I hope we don't impose on you!" Ayane finished her words by abruptly bowing in front of the hunter, who was caught off guard somewhat by the gesture.

However after a moment he smiled, gently reaching out and placing a hand on the girl's head, this, of course, caught her completely by surprise as she looked up at him only for the hunter to urge her to stand straight which she did somewhat hesitantly.

"Please Ayane. You and everyone else here are my students, I would never even consider any of you a burden" The hunter ended his words by smiling warmly, which after a moment made the glasses wearing elf girl cheer up as well.

But after a moment of smiling at her, the hunter quickly turned, in the process taking his hands off Serika, who sent a thankful look his way as she was able to stand on her own once again.

After making sure she was indeed fine, the hunter looked towards the girls of problem solver 68 all of whom, were standing nearby, watching the entire process with clear fascination but deciding not to get involved.

"I must ask... The Lot of you lot, what is your next plan of action? I highly doubt that kaiser will let this slide, even if they no longer have a head to operate with" the hunter finished his words by turning his head slightly.

Looking down the street and towards the still burning wreck of the Kaiser director's mech suit and more importantly the smashed and broken body of the Kaiser director himself.

However, he failed to account for this action, causing the rest of the students to look down the street as well, their eyes collectively widening as they saw exactly what had become of the Kaiser director and his exosuit.

But despite being surprised what had happened to him, nobody could really say that they felt sorry for what had become of the director.

The Abydos students in particular collectively and silently thanking, whatever deity was listening, that the vulgar and Incredibly aggravating robot was no longer of this world.

"Ummm... I don't actually know..." Aru muttered after a moment, turning her gaze to the hunter as her usual bravado completely disappeared, being replaced with genuine uncertainty as she looked around for a moment.

The hunter didn't immediately answer, a slightly contemplative frown appearing on his face for a moment, his hand quickly going to his chin as he lowered his head slightly to think.

He did briefly consider maybe asking if Aru and the rest of her friends wanted to come back to schale with him and the Abydos students.

Yet, he quickly dissuaded of that option, seeing that despite working together, the cohesion between the two groups of students still wasn't exactly the best, meaning that it was very unlikely that the two groups, would get along in a space that they had to share together.

However, as the hunter continue to consider potential options because he didn't want to just leave the students to defend themselves and potentially face a retaliatory strike from what remained of the Kaiser PMC.

Somebody else decided to step forward, with it being none other than Kayoko, her face a muted look of thanks that was emphasised with a slight almost invisible smile on her lips.

"Don't worry about us, sensei, we will be fine by ourselves... We've got some hideouts we can go to until things blow over" Kayoko said with a quiet and reserved voice.

Her words making the Hunter considered what she said before ultimately nodding his head gently.

He didn't want to leave them by themselves, but ultimately, despite how secretly protective he had grown to become over the girls of problem solver 68, the Hunter had to accept that they could handle themselves much like they had done until now.

"I see in that case then I will let you girls go on your away... Although if you ever need help please just use this, and I will come" The hunter quickly reached into his overcoat and pulled out a small object that he held out to Kayoko.

Looking slightly confused, Kayoko after a moment somewhat hesitantly extended her hand out, allowing the hunter to drop the object into her much smaller palm.

And as the object fell into her hand, it was revealed to be none of other than a beckoning bell, the very same kind that the hunters had once used to summon help from across the infinite cosmos and engage in cooperation in the hunt.

Kayoko of course, however, didn't know this, to her, it simply looked like an ordinary if slightly old and beautifully decorated bell, and therefore she couldn't quite understand how exactly it could be used to call upon the hunter for help, if her and her friends needed it.

Yet despite how confusion she was which was shared by her friends who were all poking their heads over her shoulder to look at the Bell, Kayoko looked at the hunter with a slightly thankful yet still clearly confused the smile as she gently clutched the bell tight in her hand for a moment, before shoving it along with her other hand in her pocket

"Okay, thanks sensei... Also, please don't forget about our promise, okay?" Kayoko said with a slightly raised eyebrow.

She didn't need to elaborate anymore on exactly what she meant, yet even despite that she could still feel the curious eyes of her friends lingering on the back of her head.

The hunter looked at her for a moment, before nodding his head in understanding, smiling as he responded to her question.

"Of course, I will make sure to check up on him occasionally when I enable... Now all of you, run along before kaiser decides to attack again" The hunter finished his words by turning away from Kayoko and the rest of problem solver 68.

He began to walk away from them yet as he did so he couldn't stop himself from tilting his head to the side so he could see them, urging them with a slight nob of the head to leave.

Which the girls did as they gathered their weapons, before quickly dipping into a nearby alleyway and disappearing, using the shadows cast by the setting sun as covered to escape.

The hunter stopped in front of the Abydos students, all of them having anticipated expressions on their faces as they collected that own weapons.

Looking at them, the hunter couldn't help but be proud of how well they had managed to hold themselves together, but also simultaneously extremely concerned because of how Haggard and exhausted they all currently looked.

However, he reminded himself as he stepped forward that at least they were still here and some might save them sound...

Well, except for one obvious exception, that is.

"Once we have rested and recovered, we will begin looking for Hoshino. I promise you all this here and now as your teacher that we will get her back" The Hunter said with a trustful voice, his words provoking nobs of approval from the students.

"We understand, sensei" Ayane said with a slightly fatigued smile, clearly exhausted which was shared by the rest of her friends, with all of them looking exhausted

Smiling, the hunter turned on his heels, using his free arm to motion to them to follow, which all four girls did as they fell into lockstep behind him.

The journey would be long, considering the train network was most likely down, but the hunter had faith that the girls would have just enough remaining strength to make it back to Schale.

However, as the teacher and students began their journey back to their temporary base of operations.

The hunter allowed his expression to darken unnoticed, he was thankful that the students could not see his face as he clutched his fist tight.

He knew exactly what his next goal was, and that was to find and interrogate this Black suit individual, the very one that had taken Hoshino from him and the very same that she had been nervous about when the two of them had their heart-to-heart.

---

"It seems that they are all at rest..."

A quiet and gentle voice said to no one in particular as its owner which was revealed to be the hunter gently rose from his seat.

Being sure to make no noise at all as to not disturb the sleeping Abydos students who had all found places to sleep within his main office at schale.

Looking over the students, the hunter couldn't help but smile as he saw how each one of them slept.

Nonomi had chosen to take the large couch position that the back of the office near the window.

However, she wasn't the only one as Ayane also chose the couch, both girls ending up facing each other as they slept, their arms loosely around each other.

Seeing this, the hunter couldn't help but smile even more softly, moving towards the girls and picking up a spare blanket that had come from one of the empty and unused rooms that currently populated schale and after a moment, gently draping it over both girls, being sure to cover them and make them comfortable.

With his deed done, the hunter turned his attention to the other two students, both of whom had decided to take separately spaces, with each sleeping differently that fitted their personality.

Shiroko chose to sleep seated upright in a large reclining chair, her face one of serene calmness and the gentle Rise and Fall of her chest, telling the hunter that she was sleeping peacefully.

Although stepping near to the girl, the hunter couldn't help but find that even though she was sleeping peacefully, it was obvious that she was ready to go instantly, her rifle leaned up against the armchair, so it was an easy reach in case of attack.

Sparing the wolf girl one last glance, the hunter turned his head, finding Serika sleeping peacefully on a large gathering of cushions on the floor, many of which have been taken from some spare and unused couches and recliners that he was in no hurry to use.

However, as he stepped closer, The Hunter couldn't stop himself from chuckling rather quietly as he saw the position the girl was in.

Serika had managed to almost completely curl herself into a ball, her face partially obscured by her folded arms as she slept blissfully under a thick blanket.

Her cat ears resting against the back of her head peacefully as a quiet, almost imperceptible snore escaped from between her lips.

Smiling, the hunter gently knelt down next to the girl, grabbing the edge of the blanket and adjusting it so it covered more of her body.

He had noticed that the cat girl was an incredibly restless sleeper before ultimately finding her preferred position, as a result he had to put the blanket back over her several times as a result of the blanket being tossed to the side.

However, the hunter didn't mind, in fact, he found the whole thing extremely soothing and peaceful.

Although, as he stood back up to his full height, his eyes couldn't help but linger on the fresh bandages wrapped around certain areas of Serika.

As soon as they had returned, he had immediately set about tending to her wounds much too Serika who whined and moaned the entire time.

But was also reluctantly thankful, which the hunter appreciated, however that didn't change the fact that her injuries were much worse than anyone could have possibly imagined at the time.

Not only did she have a concussion and a very severe one at that, but she also had what the hunter could only presume was several broken and cracked ribs, not to mention her previous injuries from the other day that had still not fully healed.

Allowing his smile to falter for a moment, the hunter knelt down once again, only this time reaching out a hand and gently placing it on the forehead of Serika.

And after a few moments, he closed his eyes, his great one consciousness reaching out and only just brushing against the surface of her unconscious mind.

This action was mostly to try and make sure that she had a restful sleep and thankfully as he opened his eyes, it seemed to that his action had worked.

Serika's face, which had been calm before, now shifted into a look of almost pure restful Bliss as he felt the slightly turbulent surface of her mind calm, like an ocean after a passing storm.

Keeping his hand on the forehead of the girl for a fleeting moment, the hunter smiled sadly, on the one hand, Serika's stubbornness and willingness to keep pushing herself beyond what she was capable of was admirable.

But on the other, it was also extremely dangerous considering that it meant that she would push herself beyond what her body could physically tolerate and could ultimately prove harmful in the long run.

Taking his hand off Serika's forehead, the hunter carefully stood up, walking over to his own desk, he found his Cainhurst overcoat draped over the seat which he promptly reached into the pocket of.

His hand pulling out the very same chocolate bar that he had intended to give to the cat girl when she was awake, however looking at it for a moment, the hunter quickly moved back to the sleeping Serika looking at her for a split moment and then kneeling to put the chocolate bar next to her.

He would have preferred to give it to her when she was awake, but this would do for the moment.

In fact, the hunter quickly reached for a piece of paper and a pen, scribbling something in his decorative and elaborate handwriting, before placing the note next to the chocolate bar and standing back up to his full height

Yet as he did so, the smile suddenly disappeared from the hunter's face as he moved towards his desk, the brilliance of the moonlight shining in from the windows silhouetting him in a pale blue light that almost made it look as if his body were glowing or even shimmering.

Without a word, The Hunter reached for shittim chest, that was resting on the desk charging via a plugged cable.

Taking it gently into his hand, the hunter gently unplugged the device, the screen lighting up with the typical logo, before a familiar looking class from appeared, a very sleepy looking Arona standing in front of her desk, clearly only having just woken up.

"Morning sensei... Wait, it's still nighttime?"

Arona asked with surprise, looking around with a confused expression before quickly checking the internal clock of the tablet that was her home.

Finding that her suspicion was correct, and that it was currently in the middle of the night rather than the morning like she had initially presumed.

"Indeed, it is not morning... I apologize for waking you so soon Arona, you deserve a long rest for what you did to me today, but unfortunately, there is business that must be taken care of" The hunter said with an apologetic voice.

Hoping that Arona would understand, and it seemed despite his initial worry, the little AI girl smiled thankfully after a moment, clearly enjoying the fact that he praised her, but also looking forward to the prospect of helping him with whatever he needed help with.

"It's ok sensei, I'm a little bit tired still, but whatever it is you need, I'll help you with it!"

Arona said excitedly.

Although it was obvious by her slightly flat tone that she hadn't fully recovered her energy from before.

But still, it was enough for the hunter to smile at her as he put the tablet down on the table for a moment, reaching for his overcoat which he immediately picked up, before throwing onto his shoulders, making sure that it was prim and proper.

Yet as he put it on, he noticed the hole in the shoulder area from where one of the Canon rounds that the Kaiser director's mech had hit him.

Looking at the damaged fabric, the hunter couldn't help but let out a growl under his breath, his anger flaring for just a moment before he calmed himself.

Even a death, the Kaiser director continued to annoy him, but pushing that away from his mind for the moment, the hunter chose to ignore the damage to his beloved attire and instead focus his mind on the current task at hand.

Picking up the tablet and looking at Arona once more, who nodded at him excitedly.

The hunter put the tablet into his overcoat for safe keeping, before carefully and quietly making his way towards the exit of his office.

However, before he made it to the door he couldn't help but stop mid-step, turning his head to look back at the sleeping students who were all resting peacefully.

"I will get to the bottom of this... Not only for her, but for all of you" the hunter whispered quietly as he turned back to the door, quickly opening it and exiting the office before closing it quietly behind him.

His expression transformed into one of hard determination as he made his way down the many flights of stairs and quickly out of schale.

He made sure to lock the doors of the main building behind him, via his own key, before he turned on his heels and looked out at the empty street before him, the moon's light bathing him in an almost ethereal glow as after a moment, he walked into the dark and disappeared into the night, like a fleeting breeze.

---

"I see so he finally comes... I can barely contain my elation" Black suit whispered quietly to himself as he sat in his chair.

The office bathed in darkness, with the only notable exception being the moonlight which managed to creep its way between the cracks and the blinds.

However, as he sat there in his chair, black suit couldn't help but notice the moonlight slowly falling between the gaps in the blinds mysteriously grow brighter for just a moment.

He couldn't be sure whether it was just his imagination or not because it was so subtle, but it didn't change the fact that it only put him more on edge but also paradoxically made him more enthusiastic for what was to come.

Black suit wasn't sure how he knew that the hunter was coming, but there was a feeling deep inside him that told him that the hunter was finally heading his way to see him.

And despite feeling excited, there was also something else and that was fear...

The deep kind of primal fear, that could only come from the very notion of something beyond your understanding coming for you.

Straightening himself in his chair, the Black suit waited patiently, the fear and excitement in his chest mixing into a strange almost sickly Sensation that he found both invigorating and also revolting.

However, as black suit adjusted his suit, seemingly out of pure habit and subtle nervousness, that was when a noise finally reached his ears, a set of rhythmic sounds that filled his heart with even more excitement but also terror.

Footsteps...

Slow and deliberate footsteps, the likes of which a predator would make as it hunted, and ultimately closed in for the kill on its prey.

But there was also something else, that made the steps sound... Wrong.

In fact, as Black suit strained his ears to try and hear the footsteps more clearly, the sound slowly and inexplicably morphed into something different, changing from normal footsteps against tile floor to something that sounded more like...

"The waves... Waves against the shore of a pebble beach" Black suit said with anticipation and horror in his voice, a silhouette even darker than the darkness itself suddenly appearing at the entrance to his office.

Feeling his breath hitching in his throat, Black suit watched with both fear and almost uncontainable excitement as the silhouette quickly materialized into a person.

One that now he was face to face with black suit found even more fascinating and terrifying than before.

The hunter stepped forward, his face obscured by darkness, meaning that black suit could not see the look of pure, unadulterated rage that defined the hunter's features.

However, despite not being able to see it, black suit could feel it radiating from the hunter like a vicious torrent of anger.

To the point where black suit even found himself lean back in his chair by pure reflex at the sheer killing intent the hunter was giving off.

"I knew we would come face to face eventually... I didn't expect your presence to be so... Oppressive" Black suit said with a mix of Fear and glee as he straightened himself in his chair, bringing his hands up from his lap and then opening his arms out wide in front of him in a greeting.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, sensei" Black suit spoke with an almost theatrical voice as if he were a grand show conductor introducing a show to an expectant masses.

The hunter, however, did not respond simply standing there in the darkness before immediately moving, yet despite black suit flinching, the hunter did not rush forward or even run.

Instead, he simply stepped with slow and deliberate steps, until he was only a few paces away from the desk the black suits that behind.

"By God..." Black suits suddenly whispered, the white cracks on his face that represented his facial features changing and more thing into something the represented surprise and terror.

For just the briefest of moments, he caught sight of the hunter's face, as it was briefly illuminated by one of the beams of Moonlight flowing in from between the blinds.

He saw anger, rage, sadness and killing intent all mixed into one vile yet tantalizing emotion aimed directly at no one but him.

However, that was not all because as the hunter's face was briefly illuminated, Black suit for just a single second could have sworn he saw something else, something that wasn't human yet simultaneously looked like one.

"Where is she... Where is my student?" the hunter at last spoke, his voice barely above a whisper and as cold as a vicious blizzard.

In fact, despite his words being simple and straightforward, made black suit pushing himself back in his seat involuntarily, simply because of how reserved yet powerful the words truly were.

"Cutting straight to the chase... I wouldn't have expected anything different from the little I've seen of you so far" Black suit concluded his words by laughing.

The glowing jagged lines on his face morphing into something that the hunter could presume was a smile, which only infuriated the hunter to no end.

Yet, the hunter kept himself under control, he had allowed himself to give in and butcher the Kaiser director earlier that day.

But he could not be so brash and impulsive with this man before him, simply because this Black suit individual was the only lead that the hunter had as to where Hoshino could possibly be.

"You are truly an Enigma, chosen by the student council President before her disappearance and the owner of the mysterious artifact known as the shittim chest... Truly there is no one in this world more interesting than you" Black suit said with an almost feverish interest as he lean forward on his desk.

The glowing cracks on his face forming into a smile, and even though the hunter did not respond physically, internally he couldn't help but question if the person in front of him was truly sane.

"But there's more than that, all of that would have made you interesting... But there's something else, something about you that makes you different from other adults" Black suit lead even further over his desk as he spoke, his voice taking on an almost anticipating tone.

The hunter did not say anything, yet his eyebrow did raise an inch as Back suit continue to look at him with a sick fascination that somebody would have with an unknown object or creature that had only just been discovered.

In fact, even though, the hunter having seen many things that would drive most mortals insane, he couldn't help but internally cringe, finding the behaviour of Black suit profoundly off-putting in a way that nothing else had truly made him feel.

"The others of my organization have underestimated you... They have written you off as nothing special, but I know different" Black suit abruptly straight into his back.

His tone turning into something that sounded a bit more normal, formal, and driven less by insane curiosity and fear.

"I will not make that mistake... Because I know you are not what you seem" Black suit's words made the hunter's eyes widen for just a brief moment.

Although thankfully, due to the darkness obscuring his face, black suit did not see this nor did he feel the change in the hunter's emotion.

"What exactly do you mean... You know nothing of me, so how could you possibly have such a preconceived perception of me?" The hunter asked with genuine curiosity in his voice, his revulsion of black suit momentarily forgotten as he found this individual slightly more curious than before in fact it was only after a moment of silence between the two adults that he realised exactly what black suit was getting at which in turn made his eyes widen in surprise.

"I can't say the definite... But there is something more to you... Something I'm sure you would understand is the arcane" black suit immediately regretted his choice of words as the hunter shot forward with a speed that was impossible to measure, his hand wrapping around Black suit's throat and lifting him from his chair without hesitation.

In fact, it was so quick that black suit found himself momentarily dazed from being picked up and held up by The Hunter.

And it was only then that black suit realised that the hunter had a significant height advantage as well as a strength advantage over him, considering the hunter was able to pick him up off his feet and hold him out of arm's length with just one hand.

"How could you possibly know of such things!?" The hunter shouted.

His voice making the entire room shake and much too black suits horror, the moonlight cascading between the blinds grow brighter with each word to the point where it almost looked like it was daytime outside again.

Yet as quickly as the hunter's outburst started, the hunter abruptly released Black suit, taking his hand away instantly and allowing him to fall back into his chair.

Although as black suit began to cough and splatter he didn't stop looking up at the hunter who stood over him, his arms still outstretched somewhat and face now illuminated by a beam of Moonlight.

Allowing black suit to see the look of pure, unadulterated hatred and contempt that was written on his features.

"Just who are you, and how do you know of the arcane?" The hunter said with a commanding voice, his expression momentarily changing into something that black suit found interesting, although it was so brief, he couldn't be sure if it was just the Trick of the Moonlight.

'Was that fear just now?'

Black suit wondered internally.

Managing to finally get his breathing under control as he straightened himself in his seat, and then evened out the wrinkles and creases in his suit, managing to somewhat composing himself before speaking.

"We are Gematria... We are researchers and scholars of knowledge that is not meant to be known" Black suit said with an almost joyful tone as if he were happy that he could finally introduce his organization to the hunter.

However, the hunter did not pay this any attention, simply looking at the individual in front of him with utter contempt, although he did silently file away the name Gematria into the Deep recesses of this consciousness for further study when he had the time.

"What do you mean by knowledge not meant to be known?" The hunter demanded, leaning down slightly as he scrutinized Black suit's inhuman face, only to see the glowing cracks form into something that almost looked like a grin.

"I think you know better than anyone, what I mean by that, sensei" black suit said with an almost cocky voice.

His fear from before had not vanished, in fact, it only grew stronger after the hunter had almost ended him.

But despite the feeling of fear, he was also even more excited than before, the hunter having proven himself to be everything, and more, that black suit would have ever wanted out of the mysterious man.

The hunter did not answer, yet his expression that despite being hidden in darkness said everything that needed to be said.

This Black suit was just like them the mad men from the Byrgenwerth the Healing Church, except Black suit was somehow worse than that those mad men from before.

The scholars of the college and the members of the healing church had searched for eldridge knowledge, believing that it could better and elevate humanity to a higher plane of existence.

They had brought about their demise through their own want and desire to ascend to a higher plane and elevate humanity to a state that it was never meant to reach, it could be considered selfish yet paradoxically selfless in an incredibly bizarre and strange way

Yet black suit was completely the opposite, he did not search for this knowledge because he wanted to better himself or others, but rather because he wanted to know for the sake of knowing.

"What do you want, sensei... What is the goal that you wish to achieve?" black suit's suddenly asked.

His word catching the hunter by surprise as Black suit leaned over his desk, crossing his hands over his face as the cracks on his face changed into something that resembled an interested smile.

"All of my students are precious to me, and I would do anything to save them... That is all, now tell me where she is" The hunter said with absolute certainty and conviction as he quickly retrieved an object from his overcoat.

The sudden motion catching Black suit by surprise as he suddenly found a gun barrel pointed at his forehead.

And even though the weapon was partially obscured by darkness, the little Black suit could see intrigued him, seeing that the barrel seemed like it belonged to a flintlock pistol rather than any more modern weapon that would be more familiar.

"Fascinating... Why do you have such a fascination for helping them, the students, I mean?" Black suit said unexpectedly, not seeming to be intimidated in the slightest by the barrel of the Evelyn that was pointed at his head.

In fact, he even leaned slightly closer, bringing the tip of the barrel closer to his forehead to the point where it was nearly touching.

"We, as adults, are the ones that transform society sensei... We should be the ones in control yet at the students are the ones that run everything, and I must say they do a rather poor job of it... So why are you so intent on helping them continue to live in their delusion?" Black suit couldn't help his voice from turning slightly sour.

Just the idea that the students were the ones that control this world being one that he still found ridiculous even after all of his time here.

He would even go as far to say that it was one of the many reasons why he and the rest of Gematria did what they did, it was all experimentation and research to try and figure out exactly why this world worked in the way it did, and more importantly, why the students were the ones at the top of the food chain so to speak.

The hunter didn't respond, not because he didn't know what he wanted to say, but rather because he doubted that a response was needed.

He was an adult and a teacher, it was his job… No, it was his duty to care for the students and make sure they could live and experience joyful lives.

To even consider anything else would be an insult to everything he had become after coming to this world, it also didn't help that he had come to care for the students as if they were his own children.

And much like any maternal figure, he would do everything in his power to make sure his children were safe and sound.

"I don't think you are capable of understanding even if I were to explain it to you" The hunter said with a finality in his voice.

His words further being emphasised by him pushing the barrel of the Evelyn forward, finally resting it against black suit's forehead.

Making it obvious to the strange adult in front of him that this conversation was now over and that he wanted the information he had come for.

"I see... It seems that we are at an impasse then" Black suit said suddenly is he abruptly stood up from his chair.

Catching the Hunter by surprise as he moved out from behind the desk and towards the window, grabbing a hold of the blinds and lifting them so that the moonlight completely cascaded into the office.

Everything being bathed in pale blue light, that the hunter found incredibly calming, while Black suit found slightly off-putting considering that the moonlight had not been this bright before.

"It seems that our negotiations are over... A pity really, I was hoping for more, but I suppose this is as much as I can wish for now" Black suit said with an almost sad tone to his voice.

Yet, as he felt the hunter moving behind him, the weapon in his hand still remaining aimed at him, black suit began speaking, quickly turning on the spot as he did so and facing the hunter fully with both of them now bathed in moonlight.

"Our dear little Hoshino is being held in a kaiser PMC base at the centre of the Abydos Desert... I believe you're already familiar with the installation" Black suit said with a slightly coy tilting his head to the side as he spoke, and feeling delight well up within him when he saw the hunter's eyes briefly light up with familiarity.

"It's a shame really, I was hoping to have more time with her to study the aspects of Terror, but it seems that that will have to be for a different time" Black suit couldn't stop himself from laughing.

Only to regret it instantly as the hunter suddenly moved, the distant between them closing to the point where their faces were so close that their noses were practically touching.

In fact, it would have been considered intimate by many, but black suit felt nothing of the sort, instead feeling a deep sense of Primal Fear as he looked into the hunter's eyes.

Only to see something that was no longer human or even recognizable as such.

"I will let you live this time... But if you ever hurt my students again, you will not be so fortunate" the Hunter's voice turned into a dark and malevolent tone as he spoke,

However, that wasn't even something Black suit considered, as he stared into the eyes of the hunter only to see... The infinite universe reflected behind his eyes.

it was impossible to look away, despite every Instinct in Black suit's body screaming at him to do so.

But he couldn't, the infinite cosmos behind the hunter's eyes, seemingly drawing him in and making him feel like a tiny insignificant spec in a universe that was uncaring of his existence yet simultaneously was aware of it.

The hunter abruptly turned on his heels, leaving the trembling and clearly shaken black suit alone in his office.

His new target now set, as he intended to Schale so that he could look over and rest with his students before their attempted rescue of Hoshino.

However, as the hunter left, he couldn't help but catch black suit whispering something to himself, something that made the hunter stop for just a moment before he continued on his way.

"I can't wait to see what you will do next, sensei"

---

Well, that's a wrap on another chapter and my god this one was long, even though I managed to get it finished In 12 days, writing this absolute behemoth of a chapter still took a lot out of me.

Although thankfully I still have just enough steam to start work on chapter 25 immediately, however there is a bit of an issue when it comes to chapter 25, specifically the fact that I am going on holiday on the 15th of next month.

I hope to get the chapter finished and complete by then and post it before I leave, but if I don't then most likely the next chapter will not be released until the end of next month, but here's hoping that I can finish it before then and get it out for you before I go away on holiday.

Also, some very interesting stuff happened in this chapter, specifically the interaction between black suit and the Hunter.

I was honestly looking forward to this for quite some time, considering that these two finally meeting allows me to start putting in some of the more horror and lovecraftian elements that I want to include in the story going forward...

After all, black suit and his cronies are going around digging into things that they shouldn't really be digging into, and who knows what they might give up accidentally.

Anyway I think that's enough of my rambling, currently I am sitting in my chair in my house finishing this up before getting ready to go out with the family for a meal.

So until next time, have a good day / night wherever you are in the world and I will see you in the next chapter.