MHGA Chapter 353 – The So-Called Savior (1)
[Trivia: "Frontier" refers to the multi-platform Monster Hunter MMORPG that officially shut down after ten years. It featured many unique mechanics and exceptionally high difficulty. Players from "Frontier" are often revered as "Frontier Gods" by fellow Hunters. If you're interested, feel free to explore on your own—much of its content was eventually fed back into the mainline titles.]
"When one fails to act decisively, chaos ensues..."
Kairo Retsu took a deep breath. Though the Frenzy Virus released from the battle between the Shagaru Magala and the Chaotic Gore Magala now saturated the air around him, he still tried to calm his mind as much as possible.
"Altair."
Kairo Retsu's voice was low. "You want to protect Setsuna Shimazaki, don't you!"
"From this moment on… to hell with the story! To hell with all that talk of Creators and Creations."
As the Shagaru Magala continued unleashing its power in its True Frenzied Form, Kairo Retsu fixed his gaze on Altair and said, "Now, unless we kill—no, unless we repel that Shagaru Magala, the future you want to protect for Setsuna will cease to exist."
"So forget about the Creator and the story." Kairo Retsu said, "Right now, the story she wants to keep telling, and the world in which she can continue telling it… those things must be written by you."
"Fight with all you've got."
Kairo Retsu declared, "Stake your life and your will to become the Savior. To protect someone else's future."
"You… Are you insane?" Altair looked at Kairo Retsu. "You know what I originally intended to do. And now you want me to be a Savior… How am I supposed to forget all the wounds this world inflicted on Setsuna…"
"Goddammit! Who the hell hasn't had enough of this world?!"
Kairo Retsu roared, "Back when I was just a teenager, I thought the same thing! Screw this damn world! Might as well destroy it!"
"There are too many bastards in this world! And on the internet, where people can hide behind masks, they unleash their malice without restraint."
"And what then… Do you think I'm asking you to protect the people you hate?"
Kairo Retsu pulled a Potion from his pouch and threw it toward Altair.
After Altair caught the Potion, Kairo Retsu continued, "Isn't it her? Isn't Setsuna Shimazaki the one you want to protect? And the world where she was meant to live!"
"So what the hell are you hesitating for?! What are you so lost about!!!" Kairo Retsu shouted, "No one can love the entire world! There will always be things you hate and despise…"
"But there will always be some primal force… that drives one down the path of a Savior."
"There's… just one thing I need to say to you now!"
Kairo Retsu opened his headset and connected to the Gathering Hall channel, sending his voice to everyone still inside the Birdcage.
"Fight for Setsuna Shimazaki! Just like you did before!"
"Take the power you once used to try and destroy all the worlds—and use it to save this one, even if you hate it! So that the primal force you wish to protect… has a chance to keep living!"
"Life will always fight to find a way forward…"
"Now… answer me."
Kairo Retsu's expression was solemn. "When Setsuna Shimazaki created you, the feeling she had deep inside her heart… besides the hatred she felt toward the malicious things in her life… was there perhaps…"
"A wish that things could be different, that she could live a happy life?"
"..."
Altair fell silent under Kairo Retsu's gaze, but that silence gave him all the answer he needed.
"Looks like I don't need to say anything else."
Kairo Retsu tapped the headset by his ear.
"To all my friends who were created…"
"What I just said, that was meant for all of you too."
"The so-called duty of a Savior—if it's just some hollow obligation, then it's too empty to mean anything."
"I admit it… If it's just a Hunter's strength alone, we won't achieve our final goal. That's why I'm asking you all to fight with me. If there's even one thing worth protecting to you—beyond a void salvation—then let's stake everything on it."
"And lastly… to the audience that Altair calls the gods…"
Kairo Retsu gave a wry smile to the sky as he tapped his headset one last time.
"May you draw even a sliver of courage or insight from this story. Since you've gathered here… then watch closely the characters you claim to love."
"Ask yourselves—what exactly was it you fell in love with? And how much strength can that love give you? Only you can decide that."
"So then… live well. Until we meet again, friends."
"Let the Sapphire Star of the Sky light our path forward."
With forceful intent, Kairo Retsu crushed the headset in his hand.
At the center of the Birdcage, the Shagaru Magala's True Frenzied Form had finally completed its transformation.
Its overwhelming presence and the torrent of leaking energy now made it seem like a true Demon King.
The Frenzy Crystals coating its wing membranes shimmered and floated outward behind it, making this already godlike Elder Dragon appear as if it had sprouted six glowing azure wings.
Pure and frenzied Elder Dragon energy surged through the heavens and earth. Though the Birdcage had transformed into daytime with the shift in scenery, the sky was no longer visible.
A boundless haze of Frenzy Virus now cloaked the entire area in heavy clouds, transforming everything here into the domain of the Shagaru Magala.
"Cough… cough…"
Setsuna Shimazaki, who had been brought to safety by Himmel, suddenly began to cough.
Himmel's expression tightened as he supported Setsuna—and saw that the hand she'd pressed to her mouth was stained with purplish-black blood…
It was a sign of Frenzy Virus infection.
"Eat this. You're infected with the Frenzy Virus."
Himmel pulled a Nullberry from his pouch and handed it to Setsuna Shimazaki.
But Himmel knew—Nullberries could only alleviate the symptoms of Frenzy Virus.
To fully recover, one needed either an incredibly strong life force… or medicine crafted from the tissues of the virus's source.
Himmel cast a worried glance at Setsuna, but also knew he couldn't stay here any longer.
He'd protected Setsuna for safety's sake—but now, it looked like he'd have to join the battle too.
"Mr. Himmel, I… I'll be fine," Setsuna said between coughs, still managing to speak. "Mr. Himmel… are you a protagonist from some other story? You look like… a hero from an isekai tale."
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