I'm sorry, Ein...
Huh? Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?
If I'm also an outstanding hunter who is good in a fight, then Zechs wouldn't dare to look down on us so much. Moreover, they've already managed to score three hits on us before we've even started to fight properly...
No one knows who will win yet.
But I...
PLAYER, one's fighting ability isn't everything in a hunt. Having a good understanding of your own abilities and being able to choose a strategy that suits yourself... are the keys to victory.
Hmm?
Taking our current situation as an example, it's true that Zechs and Hannah's team is stronger than our team, but they have chosen to fight separately in an unfamiliar terrain purely because they are both strong fighters. This isn't very rational and might be the crucial element for us to turn the situation around.
But... what can I help you with in this situation?
Don't underestimate yourself, PLAYER. There's something that only you can do right now.
Although Zechs is an amazing melee fighter, he isn't very familiar with ranged weapons like these firearms. That's obvious based on how many times he has missed.
Once he runs out of ammo, he'll definitely choose to attack us with his favorite melee combat. This will be our chance.
I'll engage him, while you stay here and find a chance to snipe him from a distance.
I suddenly feel like I'm under a lot of pressure. I hope I don't end up missing every shot.
Just as Ein and I finish deciding what tactics to use, the shooting sounds die down in the distance. Ein raises his index finger and signals for me to be silent, then his ears move in the air while he listens to all the sounds around him.
My grip on the laser gun in my hand tightens when I see that Ein has pulled out his replica dagger. I start counting down silently in my heart...
5... 4...
PLAYER, relax.
3...
I trust you.
2...
So you should trust me too.
1...
We'll definitely win!
Ein rushes out of his cover like a flying arrow, and actively attacks the intruder like a wild beast whose territory has been intruded upon.
Not to be outdone, Zechs rushes forward to engage him. The battle between these great hunters is powerful and wild, and I can only see two blurry figures among the dust and falling leaves around them in the scope. In fact, I can only tell where Ein is by looking at the color of his fur.
However, red and brown just look too similar!!!
Huff... I need to calm down. It would be bad if I hit Ein by mistake.
The signal receiver used for scoring purposes on his wrist is constantly vibrating and flashing with a red light, which means that Ein doesn't have the advantage in the fight with Zechs. I take a few deep breaths and force myself to calm down, then I pick up the laser gun again and put my finger on the trigger in preparation to shoot at any time.
Huh? Ein is looking at... me?
Through the scope, I can see that Ein is looking in my direction and mouthing some words.
He's telling me to... shoot? But Zechs isn't in the best position... I...
Bang! My body reacts before my brain, and my finger pulls the trigger the moment I notice that Ein is giving me the signal. The dust stirred up by the two people entangled in the distance makes it impossible for me to judge whether my attack was effective.
Did I hit him? Wow, what a strong vibration. I didn't hit Ein, right?
Member 1 of the blue team has been eliminated.
It worked?
Ein and I are members of the red team, which means Zechs must have been eliminated.
Good job, PLAYER. Your headshot won us a crucial victory.
I didn't do anything. It's all thanks to your great leadership.
The main reason we won is because you trust me. After all, Zechs wasn't in the center of the scope yet when I signaled for you to shoot, right?
Yes.
Hey, can you two stop flattering each other? I'm still here and I can hear everything you're saying!
Losers should just shut up.
Tsk, you aren't guaranteed to win this game. I'm just here to hold you up over here. Judging from the time, Hannah should have found the treasure and should be on her way back to the camp.
This time I'm going to make you call me your older brother instead!
Ein, we really did waste a lot of time here with Zechs. There's only 20 minutes left until the game ends.
Given how fast Hannah is, since we haven't received any notifications about her finding the treasure, I'm guessing that she's run into some trouble.
Oh? What could possibly trouble a hunter in a forest?
We'll find out once we get there.
We walk all the way to where the treasure is hidden and find that it really has been taken away by Hannah. The footprints on the ground are a mess, and not even Ein can determine Hannah's whereabouts at this time, so we have no choice but to return to the camp and wait for further news.
Time's up. The game is over. This game is a draw.
Didn't Hannah find the treasure? Why is it a draw?
Ein and I return to the place where we waited for the game to start and encounter Hannah, who is covered in vines. According to what everyone else said, Hannah's intuition quickly led her to the hidden treasure, but then she got lost...
(whisper) PLAYER, you must remember that losing one's sense of direction in a jungle is a major mistake for hunters.
Although Ein speaks very softly, I see Hannah's furry ears twitch a few times before they become limp and start drooping.
Hannah and Zechs leave us after telling us that they want to go home and train. After that, Ein and I are in a good mood on the way home. The exhaust from speeding cars makes Ein sneeze several times and awakens me from my reverie of the immersive experience of that beautiful natural environment I was in earlier.
Sigh, what a shame.
What's a shame? That we didn't win the game?
No. I just really like the environment we were in earlier, as well as that excitement.
That's easy. Do you remember what we were saying when the game just started?
Your hometown?
Yeah! We can set off whenever you're ready.
You can go sunbathing, hunting, or do whatever you want. I'll take you to experience real nature.
I turn to look at Ein and see that he is looking right at me like he is waiting to hear my answer.
I'll put that on my schedule then.
It's a promise.
Okay.
