Chel released a wave of pressure. There was a weight there that was incomparable to the bloodlust Tsukuteku had showered them with earlier. Blade caught his breath.
Their lives were different from the premise. Chel was a person who had been raised by the military as a tool for fighting since early childhood. For her as a soldier, the end point of all purposes lay in the achievement of the mission given to her, and for that, she had tempered her body and polished her skills.
No matter how full of talent the top iTubers were, the number of scenes they had stepped into and their density were completely different from hers.
"From whom did you hear that story?"
Chel's aura told him that lies would not be forgiven. Even Blade, who had accumulated activities and achievements worthy of his name as a Pro Hunter, was at a loss for words before the pressure emitted by a returnee from the Dark Continent. The difference in strength was clear. However, within the bloodlust that made him prepared for death, Blade stepped forward to protect Six.
"I am the Scenery Hunter, Blade Max. For the pride of a Hunter, I will not yield to evil."
Saying so, he threw a single card. It wasn't an attack. The thing thrown in front of Chel was a Hunter License.
A License card is issued to those who pass the Hunter Exam. It's said that the card, packed with all sorts of anti-counterfeiting technology, would provide enough money to live for seven generations if sold. Losing the card didn't mean the Hunter's qualification was revoked, but the card would never be reissued, and one would be branded as a second-rate Hunter.
While preaching about the pride of a Hunter, he threw away its proof. It seemed contradictory at a glance, but no hesitation could be seen in Blade, who had taken that action.
In other words, to him, the pride of a Hunter was not something that resided in a License card. It wasn't money or evaluations received from others. It was a declaration to achieve something based on his own will and conviction. Even if he were killed, he would probably not talk.
"Indeed."
Chel withdrew her bloodlust.
"It is a fact that we were trying to hide our true identities. We were the ones lacking sincerity. I apologize for the discourtesy. I am sorry."
Six's eyes were also here. She judged that she shouldn't show any more high-handed attitude. However, the distrust toward Chel and the others wouldn't be wiped away just by an apology. And admitting fault here was the same as revealing their true identities. It was something Six would eventually find out, but the plan was to talk about it over time after building a relationship of trust.
"So, the Saherta intelligence agents, was it? And they're aiming for Six. The reason? Above all, is it information with credibility?"
"I can't say because of the duty of confidentiality-muscle. However, since this matter was a formal request undertaken through the Hunter Association, the credibility is guaranteed-muscle."
Hearing the exchange between Velvet and Blade, Chel and Toku wanted to hold their heads more and more. The Bureau of Authorization was the most suspicious source of information. It was hard to imagine that anyone other than the Bureau of Authorization had grabbed such detailed information. However, if that was the case, it would mean the Bureau of Authorization had issued a request to the Hunter Association.
Six's existence was a secret of secrets that must absolutely not be revealed, even for the Bureau of Authorization. Entrusting her search and contact to an external party instead of using a direct operational unit was far too high a risk. The Bureau of Authorization and the Hunter Association were major clients, but no matter what, they remained separate organizations.
Certainly, if the request was brought to Blade, who was invited along with Six to an offline meeting where iTubers gathered, there would be a prospect that the conversation would go smoothly. However, if you added in the various risks in case of failure, it didn't seem like a plan that could be executed.
However, in reality, the enemy had seized the initiative with the thinking of a madman. Even if there was sabotage from the Bureau of Authorization, Chel and the others, who had estimated it would be done under the surface, had their noses put out of joint perfectly.
The problem was to what extent information concerning Quinn had been disclosed to Blade. The more that was revealed, the higher the risk of a serious information leak, and conversely, if he was allowed to contact a Calamity without being told anything, there was no telling what kind of nerve might be touched. She couldn't fathom the thoughts of the Bureau of Authorization, which had gambled like this.
"Then, assuming Blade's story is true. Now I'll ask the intelligence agents, what is your purpose?"
"Interaction, dialogue, and protection of Six. I swear we have no intention of doing anything threatening."
"And you expect us to believe that?"
Due to Blade's testimony, Chel and the others were pushed into a completely hostile position. Even if they lined up lame excuses here, it would be difficult to gain trust.
"Then I have a suggestion. If you admit you are at fault, you should show it with a corresponding attitude and action. We want to end this game with no end in sight as quickly as possible. Please cooperate with that."
Velvet demanded they go hunt Tsukuteku. She was using the resolution of this abnormal situation as a reason, but in short, it was equivalent to saying "do us a favor and get lost," and "while you're at it, eliminate the other risk factors."
"Oh, right. Since you wouldn't want your precious princess to be caught up in a fight between iTubers, please just go defeat all the other Children for now too. Of course, this is a 'game', so please don't let any deaths occur. You won't say no, will you?"
Velvet smiled thinly while stroking Six's head. Six had slapped that hand away with a "peshi" sound.
Velvet was trying to use the fact that Six was an important person for Chel and the others to advance the game to her advantage. She probably also intended to conserve their own physical strength while forcing Chel and the others into consecutive battles with multiple Nen users to wear them down even a little. However, she also didn't want to make an enemy of Saherta.
Earlier, Chel had directed most of her bloodlust at Blade, but she had also hit Velvet with the aftermath as a deterrent. Velvet also understood that there was a large gap in their respective strengths. She was feigning composure, but a slight cold sweat could be seen on her forehead.
The mental speed and courage to see through the thin line and try to carry things to her advantage while being aware that there was great danger in entering a negotiation beyond her station. Chel, who had underestimated Velvet as nothing more than a high school girl uploader, while Blade was at least a Pro Hunter, revised her perception.
"...Fine. I'll accept those terms."
Even if they brought back all the Children neutralized, Velvet wouldn't trust Chel and the others even a millimeter. Still, there was meaning in showing sincerity. If they could prove they weren't arrogant, evil intelligence agents, even if they couldn't gain Velvet's trust, Six might show a reaction.
Tsukuteku was a matter they felt needed a quick response, and as for the other Children, they were also unknown opponents with no telling how much danger they posed, so it was better to eliminate them if possible.
For the time being, the plan was revised and corrected to end this game as quickly as possible, resolve the immediate problems, and then move on to full-scale contact with Six.
"In exchange, I'll leave the guarding of Six to you."
"Yes, of course, I promise."
"That goes without saying-muscle."
Setting Velvet aside, Chel felt that Blade was a man she could trust. It was nothing more than her intuition without any basis, but she could see a strength of will with a core passing through it, even though he was an enemy. They had clashed due to a difference in positions, but he didn't seem like a bad guy. She couldn't say she felt completely safe, but she felt it was okay to entrust Six to him for a short while.
"Ohoooo!! Live Six-chan, puru-puru-puru-puru!! What a beautiful young girl! I can't look directly at her because of her divinity... at this rate, I'll be purified!"
(Sound of silently taking many camera photos)
"There was a time when I also thought that three-dimensional young girls couldn't beat two-dimensional young girls. It's okay if I'm reported to the police now... so I'll give it my all..."
"Hey, Blade, you're in the way! I can't see Six-chan because of Blade's physique!"
"Please take those useless dogs back with you too."
Chel dropped a knuckle on the heads of the three useless dogs and dragged them off the stage by the scruffs of their necks.
"Um..."
A voice was called out to her back. When Chel turned around, her eyes met Six's.
"Take... care."
It was a short sentence, but they were words showing concern for Chel and Toku.
Certainly, there was a sense of distance between the two parties. After hearing Blade's story, it couldn't be helped. There was no welcoming atmosphere toward a suspicious-looking intelligence agent.
But even so. The time she had spent involved with Six was only a slight thing, but within that involvement, she was trying to face them without rejection.
"Yeah! Leave it to me!"
At the very least, she wasn't hated. Chel thought that was a sufficient harvest for now.