Seeker 322

Test

Chapter 322. Pursuit

Kazane and I chase after Echigoya and the magistrate, jogging down the corridor quietly.

If we sprinted, our [Stealth] skill's effect would be lost, but this pace is fine.

When we spot their backs, we maintain a certain distance.

It seems they haven't noticed us.

After a while, Echigoya and the magistrate arrive at a door.

It's the door with the "No Entry Without Master's Permission" sign.

Echigoya takes out a bunch of keys and tries to unlock it.

Just then.

"Daichi-kun, we're in trouble. Someone's coming from around the corner."

Kazane whispers in my ear.

Her [Presence Detection] skill must have picked up on them.

Moments later, I hear voices approaching from behind.

Those voices──

"The kidnappers from earlier."

"Probably. If we stay here, we might get caught between them."

Our [Stealth] skill isn't foolproof.

Even against lower-ranked Awakened Ones, running into familiar faces in the middle of a hallway is risky.

There's nowhere nearby to hide.

While I'm deciding what to do, the footsteps get closer.

"Echigoya-sama, please, though it's a bit dirty, choose any girl you like."

Ahead, Echigoya has unlocked the door and is inviting the magistrate inside.

I glimpse the stairs leading down before the door closes behind them.

I hear the lock click shut.

They must have locked it from the other side too.

That's very secure.

Just then, a notification sound rings in my head , and a message board appears.

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Special Mission 'Infiltrate Echigoya and Gather Information' Completed!

All party members gain 30,000 XP!

Current XP

Musou Daichi... 1,865,904 / 1,927,788 (Next level: 61,884)

Kazane Kodachi... 1,741,536 / 1,743,010 (Next level: 1,474)

Hotaru Yuizuki... 1,844,651 / 1,927,788 (Next level: 83,137)

───────────────────────

Another notification sounds.

A second message board appears.

───────────────────────

Special Mission 'Defeat Echigoya and the Magistrate, Rescue the Kidnapped Girls' Triggered!

XP Reward for Completion: 50,000 Points

───────────────────────

This is the first time a new special mission has been triggered immediately after completing one.

But that's not important now.

What matters is that Echigoya and the magistrate have disappeared, leaving the hallway ahead clear.

Kazane and I quickly run to the door.

Opening it and proceeding further would be difficult.

It's locked from the other side, so we'd need to use force.

"Daichi-kun, over there."

Kazane points to another door in the corridor.

There's no time to hesitate.

Trusting Kazane, I head for the door and we both slip into a small room.

After closing the door, we hear the kidnappers' footsteps and voices approaching.

They stopped in front of the door Echigoya and the magistrate entered.

"The lock's open. It's not mealtime, though."

"The boss said the magistrate's coming today. He's probably downstairs with him, picking out a girl."

"That magistrate sure is a lecher."

Their voices fade as they move away.

When it's safe, I open the door and check the corridor.

No one in sight.

Kazane and I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Alright, we have enough information. Kazane, go outside and get Kushinosuke and Yuzuki."

"What about you, Daichi-kun?"

"I'll stay and keep watch."

"If someone's staying, shouldn't it be me with the [Presence Detection] skill?"

"No. I don't want to leave you alone here."

"That's mutual. But okay, just don't overdo it."

"I know. You know my answer in situations like this."

"You'd hate to miss out on flirting with me and Hotaru, right?"

"Exactly."

"Got it. I'll be back."

Kazane suddenly leans in and kisses me lightly.

"Since I'm bringing in Kushinosuke and Hotaru, we can make a scene, right?"

"Y-Yeah."

"Okay, see you soon."

With a mischievous smile, her cheeks slightly flushed, Kazane waves and runs off.

Left behind, I touch my lips lightly.

Still in shock.

"Kazane..."

She needs to think about timing.

What if I lost my composure?

Trying to calm my racing heart, I continue to keep watch.