The first group is not affiliated with D

a

kam and refuse in D

a

Hunters working under Kam. They believed that sending Akira to the front was a decision on the side of Drarankham. They think D

a

KAM gave preferential treatment to the team on the grounds that they had brought back information that would be useful for the action.

That's right, Shikabe said the same thing when he negotiated with Drarankham. In fact, the information they bring may have actually been used for the operation.

So in order to calm them down, Dramakam decided to compromise and send them out as another reconnaissance team.

The second group is the young hunters of Drarankham, who belong to the Katsuya faction. More precisely, they were able to move ahead of schedule because of the support they had from within Drarankham, from the water plume.

For the head is the captain of the first reconnaissance team, Mizuha is quite worried. She also knows how much Shirabe hates Katsuya's guts. She worries that Hakube intends to use the achievements of this opportunity to affect the composition of the main lineup and even change Derrankham's attitude towards Katsuya.

So in order to fight back against Hakube, Mizuha even made some compromises with the main team so that she could send another reconnaissance team to the Serantal building in advance.

After that, both teams were sent to the first floor of the Seranthal building so that Team Elenas could not monopolize the rewards. They think, Ele

It may be difficult for the AS team to do it because they have limited equipment and manpower, but it will be an easy task for them as they bring in more people and carry better equipment. Of course, they can also just collect information to bring back, but if they end up bringing back the same information as Team Elenas, then Team Elenas who comes back first will be rewarded first.

While the hostility between the two groups of hunters is not to the point where they want to kill each other, there is no doubt that they will disrupt each other's work. Even a small accident can immediately turn into a fight. The leaders of each team can only barely calm down their respective teams.

Outside the main entrance to the Thranthal building, a hunter named Akira Kurosawa shouted to his squad with an annoyed expression. His equipment and the aura around him clearly show that he is a formidable hunter.

Akira Kurosawa is the leader of the squad that killed the 1.5 billion Orum Bounty Monster Dance. This time he was leading the anti-Rankham squad.

Kurosawa looked at his watch and smacked his tongue.

Team Six didn't come back at all, although I told them to be punctual. Send the eighth class in. Tell them that if the sixth class goes up to the second floor without my permission, ask the class in charge of stairs A, B, C, and D.

The other hunter next to him replied.

I bet they'll be back if we wait a little longer.

Kurosawa glared at the hunter.

We simply couldn't see how they were from the ground floor. There could be 3 reasons why they were late. First, they may be stuck somewhere and can't go back. Second, they may not have the ability to return as we originally planned. Or thirdly, they may be stupid and don't listen to my orders. But in either case, we consider them MIA. No need to wait for them.

Okay okay, I'll send the next one - oh, here they come.

Team 6 walked out of the doorway. Kurosawa motioned with his hand for them to come.

As far as I can see, you don't seem to be hurt? Did you almost get killed somewhere?

The squad leader sighed and answered the question.

We were about to come back on time when one of the kids got into a fight with us, you see. If you tell us we can shoot them, we will be able to return on time.

Where is it?

Hallway C7.

Hearing this, Kurosawa smacked his tongue again. He then signaled the Sixth Squad to go and rest before heading to where the leaders of both sides of the Dramakam were.

The leader of the drunken group immediately noticed Akira Kurosawa. The other young hunters around him looked at Kurosawa with hostile expressions, but Kurosawa didn't pay any attention to them at all, and said to the leader of the drunken group.

It looks like some of you are fighting with my men, can you at least discipline them well? I don't mind if you want to keep playing here, but I'm not going to clean up your mess.

The young hunter glared back at Kurosawa, as if trying to put some pressure on Kurosawa.

I'm sorry if that's the case. Also, don't say anything like that, everyone here is serious.

The young hunter responded like a hunter. He gives a different impression than those new green hunters or previous hunters. A skilled hunter who can recognize his true strength at a glance, regardless of his age.

The same was true of Akira Kurosawa, who knew that the young hunter in front of him was a very talented hunter. Although now he is just a skilled young hunter, it is only a matter of time before the word young falls.

The young hunter in front of him may be stronger than him in the future, but it is still the future, not the present. Kurosawa looked down at the weaker hunter standing in front of him, and said mockingly to him.

Kurosawa's first team and Katsuya's first team are defending the first floor of the Seranthal building. But they work completely separately from each other. They agreed in advance to move separately to reduce the likelihood of causing trouble, and also agreed that if one of them retreated, the other could continue to search the building.

As before, there was something in that building that prevented people from making any contact from inside the building. Because of this, Kurosawa and Katsu also stayed outside the building, keeping in touch with Kumayama City and the Hunter Office while giving orders to their respective groups.

Airi next to Katsuya looked at Akira Kurosawa coldly.

That's all?

Akira Kurosawa looked at Airi, and his expression returned to normal. He could see a determination in Alice's eyes, so he didn't intend to laugh at someone who had that determination. People like her, no matter how weak they are, should not be underestimated. After all, they often use insults and mockery as fuel to bolster their resolve, which ultimately fuels their growth.

Akira Kurosawa's evaluation of Katsuya has improved, albeit only slightly. Then he confronts the person who caused this change and says to her.

Yes, that's it. We agree in advance to deal with different areas to ensure that we don't interfere with each other. So be careful next time. Afterward.

He had already expressed what he wanted to say, and was sure that Katsuya understood that he wanted them to stop wandering around his area. Although he was about to complain about something else at first, he decided to back down as a sign of respect for Airi.

Akira Kurosawa was about to leave Katsuya alone, when he suddenly stopped, and he saw a girl running out of the entrance of the Thranthal building.

Gram also! They laughed at us again! You should go there and talk to them about something!

Katsuya tries to calm Lilina down.

Lilina, calm down and tell me what's going on?

What's the matter with those people talking so arrogantly?! Are hunters also the ones who successfully hunt bounty monsters?! They should respect us

Lilina then stopped Akira Kurosawa.

You, stop there! I know you're powerful hunters to defeat bounty monsters, but we have too! Just because well done, that's not a reason for you to be jealous of us and keep destroying us!

Kurosawa paused, visibly annoyed, sighed, and turned around.

So, where is it?

What do you mean by where you are?!

What a fool, I've also received reports that some of your group's hunters have been fighting with my men, so I'm asking you where this happened.

Isn't it already obvious?! It's in Se

a

The first floor of the THAL building!! Are you too stupid to even make such a simple guess?

Se

a

The Thal building has multiple floors and is huge. There are also countless separate rooms inside. So where exactly is it on the ground floor?

Does it still matter?! What's wrong with you and your stupid questions!

Lilina said to Kurosawa in a harsh tone, taking her anger out on him.

Kurosawa's gaze shifted from Lilina to Katsuya. He sighed deliberately to express his anger and mockery. Then, he said to Katsuya in a tone that was clearly mocking Katsuya.

Kurosawa's expression changed from mockery to hostility.

I don't know if it was the stupid hunter who deliberately entered that place, or if it was just the stupid hunter who got lost inside that building, but in this case, even if we suddenly opened fire, basically not the culprit. Anyway, are you really going to send these stupid hunters into that building? Do you really want to quarrel with us that much?

Lilina was overwhelmed by Kurosawa's pressure, but she was finally able to speak up.

We just passed a little! There's no need to go that far, right?!

Kurosawa's eyes were still on Katsuya.

Reports say my people got into fights. So basically that your people didn't retreat from that place, and even caused the patrol to be late, and I bet it was your people who didn't let me go, right? You also say you just passed a little? Ah, I see, I know it's probably just a little bit for you, and I guess that's where our understanding of the importance of this kind of thing differs. You should get this out of the way first and don't pull us in. Not from D

a

Kam's hunters, so we have no plans to clean up after your mess.

Kurosawa exudes an aura that only those powerful hunters have. There was not the slightest hint of banter or sarcasm on his face, and he spoke in a tone that would only be used against someone he considered an enemy, Katsuya, the leader of the other group.

Listen, we don't want to fight you because it's too much trouble to fight you, and we're going to fight monsters again. So at least don't get in our way. Don't make me decide to clean up all of you from here and continue to protect this building by ourselves faster. This request is from the city administration, and you are from D

a

Hunters of kam, that's why we try to block as much as possible, but there are also limits. So, clean up the mess yourselves. Got it?

After Kurosawa finished speaking, he didn't wait for a reply, and ran straight back to his post, because one of his subordinates contacted him and asked him to go back.

Kurosawa still looked angry as he thought.

[Although there seem to be some serious hunters among them, I guess most of them are stupid, right?] We can really protect Se while avoiding conflict with them

a

Thal Building? Once the main lineup is here, will we really work with them? God, I swear if we leave this to D

a

It's better for KAM people to be untied to us, isn't it? ]

Kurosawa thought about what to do next as he ran back to his station.

Lilina was overwhelmed by Kurosawa's presence, but as soon as he left, her anger quickly surged back.

Even now, she's about to blow up.

W-What the hell is going on with that guy?!

Yumina tries to calm Lilina down.

Lilina, I understand your feelings, but you calm down first, okay?

In contrast, Airi uttered short but harsh words.

Lilina, shut up.

Lilina was about to say something, but stopped halfway through when she saw Yumina and Airi. Yumina looked at Lilina with a serious face, and Airi looked at Lilina with a usually expressionless but hostile expression. Both stared at Lilina, putting pressure on her.

Around Katsuya, in addition to Yumina and Airi, there are other girls. But Airi and Yumina have been with Katsuya for a long time. Their hunter rank is second in the Katsuya team, behind only Katsuya. Their pressure was enough to shut up Lilina and even scare her.

That's right, both were angry. If Lilina said anything, the two would definitely be even angrier. So Lilina didn't even make an excuse, so she just shut up.

Katsuya is basically a kind person, and if a weak person scares him, no matter what the reason, he will reach out. Not to mention that someone from his own team and a beautiful girl to complete it.

Katsuya was also a little scared, as he could feel Airi and Yuminas' anger, but even so, he managed to squeeze out a smile and calm Lilina down.

Well, Lilina, calm down now, how are you now? Well, let's move on to the report. Since you came back faster than originally planned, it means that you have something to report as soon as possible, right?

Seeing Katsuya's gentle smile, Lilina calmed down. But she still couldn't completely calm down, and she desperately tried to piece together her words in a panic.

Uh, uh, we ran into them just as we were about to go back, uh, uh

Arrie interjected.

You can save it for later and tell us why you came back earlier than planned.

Uh-huh, it's not a big deal, but

Lilina hesitates, which only makes Airi angrier.

Just spit it out

The T-elevator moved

That's all?

Uh, we agreed in advance that we wouldn't go to the second floor until the first floor was safe, right? Since the elevator starts moving, they may use it to go to the upper floor without securing the first floor first. I just thought I needed to let Katsuya know about it as soon as possible so they wouldn't get a head start

Lilina mixed up her speculation in the report.

After Kurosawa came back, after receiving the report from his subordinates, he frowned and asked his subordinates to make sure they were not mistaken.

Are you sure?

Yes, the elevator moved.

So basically no one goes upstairs without my permission and the elevator starts moving, right?

Yes, as long as we believe the floors shown on the elevator. Hunters stationed near the elevator on the first floor also said they heard the elevator moving. The elevator on the first floor started to move, there was nothing we could do, and no fool among us would go upstairs without permission.

Thinking about it, Kurosawa's face became solemn.

[Has anyone gone upstairs to call the elevator?] No, it could be the squad we entered this building before and so on, but the elevator shouldn't work, right? So why did it start to develop unexpectedly? Has there been any change in the building? I have a bad premonition about this. ]

Kurosawa looked at his subordinates with a serious face and said to them.

Tell everyone in the building to return as soon as possible, do you understand? Just leave the portable information-gathering device behind. Tell them to come back here now. Also, tell the other hunters who are transporting the dead monster outside the building to stop immediately and gather here. Also, have their weapons ready. Use all movable walls to form a barrier, keeping a distance from the entrance so that you can safely focus your fire on the entrance and form a barricade around the entrance.

Kurosawa's subordinates suddenly gave this order, and they were taken aback. After all, it sounds like Kurosawa has given up on securing the building. One of them said to him with a blank look on his face.

Wow, are you sure? The security on the first floor is almost complete, you know? Are we really going to give it up?

Never mind. First of all, the other group of people who worked with us in this place were not very friendly to us. So even though we secured the first floor, I still doubt that it was really safe. And I can't trust those kids to properly protect the area they're responsible for. Even if there are no monsters coming out of the building, we can start working again later to protect the building again.

However, a lot of time will definitely be wasted protecting the building, is this mobile elevator really that dangerous?

The number of safe areas will basically affect the rewards that Kurosawa and others receive. Kurosawa put some pressure on his words when he answered his men who opposed the evacuation of the building.

It's my gut feeling. So it's just for safety. When you joined the team, you had already decided to work under me, so stop making noise and get to work. I know it was a cowardly decision, but you know full well that I am an attentive person who accepted to join the team. If you want to question my decision, you can do it later.

Kurosawa is indeed a skilled hunter and has good command skills, but from this point of view, he can sometimes make cowardly decisions. During the exploration of the ruins, there were many times when he was too pessimistic and ordered his men to retreat, although they could collect precious relics if they pushed a little further.

But because of this, Kurosawa's team has a high survival rate. Unlike most of the hunters in the East, he is willing to take risks in order to be able to return with a large number of relics, and he prefers to maintain long-term interests.

Even in the battle with the bounty monster Maimai, no one in Kurosawa's team was killed, not even seriously injured.

Now that the ruins of the shamrock have become as dangerous as the unexplored ruins, the other hunters understand that Kurosawa's cautious nature is an important factor in ensuring that they can return alive from the Thranthal building.

Kurosawa's man looked at him with a serious face and said.

Roger, do it right away.

Then hurry up!

Akira Kurosawa urged his men to hurry up with a serious face. Even if his decision is wrong, he will not regret it. After all, just in case this decision was not wrong, it would mean that he could save a lot of hunters from being targeted in that building.

***-

Ele

The AS team was able to reach the ground floor safely. But as soon as he stepped onto the first floor, the hunter with sharp instincts suddenly frowned, and his face became solemn, including Akira.

But before Akira could ask Alpha, she suddenly said something he couldn't ignore.

Aki

A, I'm sorry, I need to leave you for a while.

Again?

It's to improve your current situation.

As soon as Alpha said that, he immediately disappeared from Aquilas's vision. Akira could also feel her enhanced suit suddenly become heavier.

Achillas' face became more hideous, but he was still able to maintain his composure. After all, it wasn't the first time he had thought he would be able to escape the building by just passing through the entrance.

But this line of thinking also left Akira unnoticed. Unlike last time, Alpha didn't say that it would be okay, or that she would be back soon, or that there were no monsters around.

Elena then explained the current situation to the rest of her team.

There was a large signal reading in the hall near the entrance. It would be nice if it came from the forward station of the reinforcements, but that may not be the case. So stay vigilant.

The other hunters all nodded, then cautiously walked into the hallway.

As they get closer and closer to the hall near the entrance, they begin to notice that the dead hunter is splattering blood. They were fresh corpses that appeared to have been shot.

Shika

Abe checked the dead hunters' gear and frowned. They have a D on their outfit

a

KAM tag.

Their device is from D

a

kam。 I bet they're from D

a

Young hunters of Kam, they are supposed to work in the team, so the fact that they did not retrieve the corpse means that they are attacked and have no wiggle room to do so.

Elena said as she looked at the crowd.

To be on the safe side, consider the signals in the lobby as enemies. I would change course based on this assumption. This does not change the fact that care must be taken.

They continued through the corridors, ready for battle. They found other bodies, but this time, they simply ignored them.

Akira subconsciously tightened her grip on her rifle and struggled to control her breathing and calm her nerves.

Akira called out to Alpha with a stern face.

Α！ Aren't you done yet?

Alpha did not respond at all.

At the same time, in the vast white space, two girls stood. It's Se

a

Se, AI Manager at the thal building

a

thal and alpha.

Alpha was visibly angry, and she said to Thranthal.

Explain yourself!

Thranthal was expressionless, but somehow, she was also angry.

I have not violated any of our prior agreements. I didn't stand in your way as you explored the building, and I didn't stop you from leaving the building. As we agreed.

Then why do you use the elevator?

That happened outside of my control. I am indeed the manager of this building, but there are others who have been able to use the facilities in this building without my permission. In particular, users of the 50th floor and above have the right to use the elevator directly. Security drones also have this right. So I bet it's the B18 that uses the elevator.

However, I also found the B18 drone on the 30th floor.

They are simply exercising their right to protect themselves. Actually, I'm still bothered by the drones roaming around this building without my permission. I feel sorry for this too. However, there is nothing I can do about it. I'm really sad that they made a mess in this building.

Alpha and Thranthal continued to talk, no one seemed willing to back down.

Ele

The AS team eventually arrived at the reception near the entrance, where they confirmed the current situation from piles of rubble and wreckage in the hall and openings in the walls.

There were also quite a few corpses lying around the main hall, and there must have been a fierce battle there. The bodies were still wearing reinforced suits and holding rifles.

Se

a

The vestibule of the Thal building has a high ceiling and a tall entrance door. It even extends all the way to the third floor of the building. Ele

The AS team noticed that there was something else in that hall when they entered that building.

Rena couldn't help but mutter, this is exactly what everyone present was thinking.

What's that, exactly?

There is a giant mechanical monster in the antechamber. It was so big that it obviously couldn't fit in the hallway of that building, and oops, it couldn't even fit in the entrance to the building. Its body is wrapped in armor plates, and it has no legs, wheels, tracks, or anything else it can use to move its massive body. It seems to be unable to move except for flying. And even if it can be moved, it cannot enter the building due to its size.

This monster seems to be stationed there to protect the building from any intruders.

Ding said with a funny smile.

This thing is pretty big. How did this thing get into this hall?

As Ding spoke, the elevator in the hall suddenly opened, and several B18 monsters came out of it. Most of the people walked straight out of the main hall, but one person approached the big monster and climbed up.

And then the B18 monster stopped on the heads of the big monsters. Then the next moment, the B18 monster suddenly exploded as if it had activated the self-detonation protocol.

Immediately after, the armor of a large monster slid away, and multiple arms stretched out, collecting the remains of the B18 monster and pulling it into its body. The dead B18 monster with the huge monster turned into a new armor plate, a new machine gun that made its already huge body even bigger.

Elena nodded, her face gloomy.

I get it. So it's here because there's material available here. It is one of those monsters that can repair itself

Sara smiled wryly.

Well, this means that the basilisk of the thirtieth floor must also consume the wreckage there. I understand now that there is indeed a lot of material available in this building.

More B18 monsters emerge from one of the corridors and head out of the building, but suddenly, one of them explodes by a sniper.

Another bullet also hit the big monster, and at this moment, a blinding light flashed.

Akira frowned.

That kind of light force field armor, eh?

This reminded Akira of the powerful power armor that fought in the ruins of Katsubara in the past.

Shiori observed the giant monster with a serious face.

And judging from that light, it was a powerful force field armor. It would be nice if that sniper could hurt its body

They waited with bated breath as part of the monster's armor crumbled, revealing the new armor underneath. The armor plate popped out as if it was about to replace the armor plate it had just lost.

All thought the same thing and didn't say anything.

Shika

Abes's face twitched.

Carol, you know a lot about the building, right? Do you know of any secret routes we can use to escape this building? In this case, I am willing to pay any price.

Carol shook her head.

Unfortunately, the main entrance is our only exit right now.

Are you sure?

Yes. Even if you pay me ten million gold coins, I can't give you what I don't have.

Ming hoped that there was another way to escape the building, and was clearly disappointed. He didn't expect that the big monster would let them pass safely. If they wanted to get out of that place, they had no choice but to destroy that monster. And judging by the fact that it was able to get that sniper hit well, it would be a difficult task.

[Since you're already on the first floor, can't you just open a hole in the wall and escape?] No, that won't work. Carol also said that the entrance was the only logical option for us. If only Alpha is here, I can ask her why it doesn't work]

Unfortunately, Alpha is still not there. At this rate, Aki

A will have to fight without Alpha support.

Aki

As's expression tensed, and he tried to summon Alpha again.

Α？！ Aren't you really done yet!?

Again, there was no reply at all.