-Vol 5: A New Life-

-Mermaids(3)-

“Bait!” every single gathered hunter shouted in surprise when the old man finished speaking. There was a look of horror plastered on their face as they all processed the old man’s words.

“That’s right, a bait. What do you think one needs most when catching a fish? Isn't it a good bait? For these mermaids, what would be a better bait than a human? Especially hunters with powerful lifeforce?” the old man chugged in another mouthful as he slurred in response to the hunter’s shout.

“Old man, are you mad? Are you really telling us to become bait for these mermaids?” a young man raged as he came forward from the crowd. He had a pink mohawk and a ring on his left eyebrow.

“Of course. Do you think I joked around? Hmph! You brats who lack the courage to even do this much, how can you call yourself hunters?” the old man mocked them before taking in another gulp from his bottle. The mohawk’s jaws tightened as he struggled for a reply. In the end, he found nothing and opted to just glare at the old man.

“Old man. You can't possibly expect us to do something this idiotic? What if you fail and we die?” this time another hunter, a man wearing a pair of spectacles came forward and asked.

“Idiotic you say? Then, do you have any better ideas?” old man captain glared at the man and questioned. Seeing the hunter remaining silent, he snorted in disdain before glaring every one. Taking another chug from his bottle, he threw it out of the boat and walked steadily towards the back of the boat where Kenshin was sitting.

“I would have volunteered but if I jump down, who would help you catch them? Besides I am not telling you guys to just go and die. You just have to be the bait and lure them near you. The rest would be done by us. As for your safety, you don’t have to worry about that. Don’t you think so?” The last sentence was whispered into Kenshin by the old man.

Without even looking around, Kenshin could see how smug this old man was. In the end, he pushed on the most troublesome task to him, who didn’t have any interest in this hunt. To babysit. But of course others didn’t understand his innuendo, a girl with two daggers asked out the question on everyone’s mind.

“What do you mean we don’t have to worry about our safety?”

“Haha!” the old man laughed loudly before turning around and lean his weight on the edge of the boat, looking at the gathered hunters he spoke “What I mean is simple. I can somehow guarantee your safety while you are a bait, as for others, it's up to you if you are able to save yourself or not. Now decide upon yourself, who will be performing this glorious task…hahaha!”

“You old man! You promised them, but can you keep that promise?” Kenshin asked looking at the old man who was still leaning on the edge of the boat.

“Why should I worry about that? It's you who is going to fulfill that promise…hahaha!” the old man threw his head back and laughed loudly. Abruptly stopping, he looked at Kenshin, before speaking “Brat, let's make a deal. You just protect the one who will be the bait, and I will tell you about the girl you are looking for.”

Kenshin narrowed his eyes after listening to the old man’s words. He had this feeling that this old man knew about that girl, but his words now confirmed it. Letting out a sigh, he asked: “How did you know I am not going to harm her or have some other thoughts?”

“Buhahaha! You are good at making jokes, brat. I will admit it, that at first, I thought so too, but thinking about it a little, I realized that it was just me overthinking. You are already this strong, there was no need for you to move on your own against a small character like her. I guess you are asked by someone to look after her. And knowing her relation, I think that brat Suguro must have asked you to look after her.”

“Old man you know a lot it seems.” Kenshin was also surprised at the old man’s spot on deduction.

“Haha! It's me who informed Suguro that she was joining the mission from this branch. Sigh…to think that brat would ask someone like you to do this job. More importantly, I couldn’t believe that someone like you would join this mission.”

“What’s wrong with me joining this mission?” Kenshin asked not understanding the old man’s meaning.

“This mission is basically a patroling type mission. From tonight onwards, from morning to evening, DCB patrolling boats packed with hunters would encircle the are until the monsters all eradicated. For you to join this patrolling mission, I wonder why?” the old man asked he also didn’t understand this.

For a moment Kenshin blanked, as he also didn’t know so much detail. Yuki didn’t tell him this.

‘She must have her reasons…’ thinking of this he stopped thinking about it and just showed a troubled smile to the old man. They both stayed like that for a few minutes before Kenshin gave the old man another proposal, “How about you don’t tell me where she is, instead makes it so that she was safe till the boat reaches the coast? And I will make sure the bait is safe and sound for round two.”

“Haha! Interesting. Okay. I will hold onto that.” After that, the old man left Kenshin’s side before stumbling towards the group of hunters who had yet to come into a decision.

“Why do all these powerful people have to be a pretender? Is there a requirement like this when one undergoes their first awakening?” Kenshin muttered under his breath before conjuring a black star atop his index finger and aimed for another mermaid swimming a few dozen meters away from the boat. This mermaid held the face of Yuki. After dealing with a few such mermaids, Kenshin already found a nice way to train his emotions. Killing these monsters who held the face of his closest family, it was the best source of his emotional strengthening.

This world is vast, with millions of hunters and trillions of skills. There were also many monsters around. What if there was someone who could pretend to be one of your own and attack you? If you don’t have enough emotional strength, can you make apart real from illusion?

Until now he had already killed three Mrs. Yui, five Yuki, two Lily, two Marias, and one Chiba. The last one was a very embarrassing event for him as he didn’t know he was thinking such nasty thoughts about a girl so young. But there was no Akari, Ellie or Axel. Of course, it was for obvious reasons, Akari was his sister, Ellie was also his sister and Axel, well he was a male. Kenshin also found another interesting thing, if he coats his body with his Intent subtlely, then these mermaids could no longer take any form of his lust. This discovery somewhat confirmed his theory about these mermaids possessing a high amount of WIL.