Metro Labyrinth Chapter 158: Encounter

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　Immediately after the end of the “Demon War”.

　While the allied forces of each tribe and city are immersed in the joy of victory and the sorrow of sacrifice, the next situation has already begun to unfold.

　The Shinjuku tribe territory was destroyed by the invasion of the demons and was left in ruins. When the Tokyo Metropolitan Government dispatched a survey team to restore the area, they found that it had turned into a magical cave, teeming with metro beasts they had never seen before.

　These deformed demon-like beasts have immortal bodies that can change at will, and are accompanied by countless “Family”. Named “Omnipotent Elephant” Watanabe by Tokyo Governor Nemurogawa, it later became one of the “Five Great Beast Kings,” the title of the most powerful beasts in New Tokyo.

“Wait, you’re not going to show your face? Or are you going to aim for a surprise attack?” (Suzuki)

　“Fresh Blood Weasel” Suzuki elegantly folded her arms and showed a provocative smile.

“…No, you’ve already left this place. You’re probably frantically returning to your nest right now, aren’t you? There’s no water connection between here and your place because once you don’t get to a body of water, there’s no way to contact you.” (Suzuki)

　Ploop, ploop, Watanabe walks on the surface of the water and approaches.

　Kearu growled low, and I equipped [Katana] and [Great Shield].

“On the ground, I met a human being who smells like you. I’ve been searching all night, and it was worth it.” (Watanabe)

　Suzuki heard the murmured reply—then her expression instantly boiled.

“Okay–that’s enough.” (Suzuki)

　The wind ruffled their gray hair.

　The next moment, Watanabe’s body spurts out a large amount of blood and falls into the water in a dribbling, melting mess.

“……eh?” (Shuu)

(What was that?) (Shuu)

　For a moment, the wind seemed to glow.

　And then I saw that Watanabe was falling apart.

(Was that Suzuki’s ability?) (Shuu)

“Wanda, Kinami!” (Suzuki)

　Suzuki shouted loudly, and soon two panicked-looking people appeared from the doorway of the guest room.

“Yes!” (Wanda)

“Did you call, Sect Leader–?” (Kinami)

“We’re all heading to the surface! Get ready!” (Suzuki)

　Kearu and I, who were left behind, looked at each other in amazement as the two rushed back again.

“Ah, umm… I can’t keep up with what’s happening…” (Shuu)

“Like I said earlier. We need to head to the surface. Before that, Watanabe, attacks the village.” (Suzuki)

“Attack the village?” (Shuu)

　A chill slithered down my spine.

“Well, but Watanabe fell apart with a single blow…” (Suzuki)

　Just one blow? They ended up like cube steak. If they were cut up to that extent, even a “Master Threadweaver” wouldn’t make it.

　Since there was no Tamiko, there was no way to accurately gauge their strength, but from the pressure I felt on my skin, they were by no means a weak opponent. Even though they were also a Beast King, it was a rather disappointing result–to the point of eeriness.

“How much do you know about ‘Omnipotent Elephant’?” (Suzuki)

“How much… I heard they have a lot of ‘Family’ and they send them to various metros.” (Shuu)

　I heard that Wormjaw, who we fought in Gokokuji Metro, is a beast that Watanabe often uses as a “Family”.

“Also, I was told that they had a kind of avatar… that was immortal, very strong, and could control ‘Family’. …Oh, so that’s who that was, then?” (Shuu)

　I took a peek from the water’s edge just to be sure. The dice steaks are attached to each other under the surface of the water–impossible. The water is muddy with the dead body dissolving into a sludge.

　Suzuki tugged at my collar and shook her head.

“No. They are merely imitations of the original, far from the essence.” (Suzuki)

“I see.” (Shuu)

“First of all, he doesn’t have complex things such as ‘Family’.” (Suzuki)

“Huh?” (Shuu)

“Secondly, it is the person itself who just confronted us. It’s just that there are an infinite number of them.” (Suzuki)

“What the?” (Shuu)

　Disregarding me who was confused repeating “What? What”, Suzuki put on the jacket that was on the sofa. Diana returns with Kinami and Koyuki.

　Suzuki looked around at the group and gave a small nod.

“Come on, let’s hurry. The village is in danger.” (Suzuki)

~3^rd Person Perspective~

“There~ it is~! There~ it is~! There~ it is~! Squeak!” (Tamiko)

“That’s a good song, Sis.” (Noa)

“My daughter. I would love to be intoxicated by your voice as beautiful as the croon of an angel, but we are squirrels.” (Tarochi)

　The day before, in the village of Nakano.

　Tamiko was singing happily atop Noa’s head. Tarochi is perched on Noah’s shoulder.

“It’s getting a little cooler. It’s already September.” (Noa)

　After Shuu and the others departed to meet the “true Sect Leader,” Noa and the others waited at the guard station for a while, but there was nothing much to do, so after lunch they disbanded for the day. Now they are strolling around the town in the late afternoon.

　If it were only Noa, a stranger from the outside world, the people passing by would have been as distant as they were yesterday. But now that she has the symbol of the village on her head and shoulders, she is being watched rather positively. It’s not like Tamiko’s song, but it does make one’s step livelier.

“Hmph, little girl,” said Tarochi. “Are you going to spend time time like this? We can have a nice family time together…”

“Noa is my sister forever, squeak. I will not tolerate words against her, squeak.” (Tamiko)

　Tamiko hangs from Noa’s ear, stretches her legs, and steps on Tarochi. “Stop it, Tamiko, don’t scratch the top of my head… Oh, only Kinko can do that…” [T/N: Hmm.]

“Mr. Tarochi, please show us around. We’ve hardly seen the workshops and ranches on the north side.” (Noa)

“Can’t help it then. I will be enlightening my beloved daughter about the splendor of my hometown–” (Tarochi)

　The sound of footsteps approached from behind, and they rushed through. Judging from their appearance, they were probably a guard.

“Um, what’s wrong?” (Noa)

　A second person was about to pass by and called out to them, the middle-aged guard member stopped and looked a little relieved.

“Ah, if I remember correctly, the deputy commander said you wanted to help…” (Guard)

“Um, yes.” (Noa)

“Good, can you come with me?” (Guard)

“Did something happen?” (Noa)

“Well…” (Guard)

　The man hesitated and shook his head. Like he doesn’t know how to expleain it.

“A stranger came to the village around noon… They didn’t have a permit, but the gatekeeper let them in because they are a famous hunter…” (Guard)

“A famous hunter?” (Noa)

“I heard that they are now relaxing at the inn, but as a rule, no one is allowed in without a permit. …And if any problems arise, we will be severely chastised by the commander. …Oh, I can just imagine it…” (Guard)

　When I followed him who was terribly frightened, it was the inn where Noa and her friends were staying. When they entered the lobby, Aomoto, Kure, and Yoshitsune had already arrived, and they were looking at each other and discussing something.

“Oh, did Ms. Ikari come too?” (Aomoto)

　Aomoto, pretending to put her hand on Noa’s shoulder, grabbed Tarochi by the stomach and poked. Tarochi was not pleased.

“So, who are the strangers?” (Noa)

“Ah, I hear they’re taking a bath right now. Should I call–” (Guard)

“Phew, it’s refreshing.” (Woman)

　Passing through the curtain of the women’s bath, a woman with dark skin, and long ears wrapped in a yukata appeared.

“””Ah””” (Everyone)

　“Witch of Komagome”, Hakuou Maria.

“Hmm? Ah, you guys. Why are you here? No, wait… So it wasn’t just my imagination.” (Maria)

“Eh?” (Noa)

　Hakuou lifted her head and sniffed.

“For some reason, I thought this inn smelled like Big Sis. Where is she? I know she’s with you guys, so there’s no point in hiding her.” (Maria)

　Noa coaxed her to sit on the sofa for the time being. Then she handed her a glass of milk with mushroom coffee, and Maria downed in one gulp and wiped her mouth.

“Ms. Hakuou, why are you here? I heard you don’t have an entrance permit.” (Noa)

“Hmm? Oh, I don’t have one. I’ve been walking hard for the past few days, so I just wanted to relax a bit. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have stopped in this rural animal town.” (Maria)

　This is a minefield for the people of this village, but he doesn’t seem to mind. [T/N: Seriously, she’s a bitch. I don’t like calling anybody the foul word, but she is a B-I-T-C-H.]

“Ms. Hakuou,” said Yoshitsune. “I haven’t seen you since the other day at the Grand Tournament.”

“Ha, don’t remind me every time. If that pink furball over there is here, it means that plain-faced virgin is here, too, right?” (Maria)

“Well, actually… there were a few things. We were here for work, and Mr. Abe and Ms. Utsuki acted separately…” (Yoshitsune)

“What’s that? Then guide me to my dearest sister.” (Maria)

“No, it’s a bit… Well…” (Yoshitsune)

　They can’t bring an outsider who doesn’t know anything about the Sect Leader. That could lead to a confrontation between the old and new gunter queens and turn the village into a sea of fire.

“No, more importantly, tell me Ms. Hakuou.” (Aomoto)

　Aomoto interjected from the side. At times like this, her seriousness is useful.

“You said you were walking all the time, but why did you come to Nakano? Are you alone?” (Aomoto)

“No, well… umm, well, I have a companion, but–” (Maria)

“–It’s noisy, I can’t even cool off after my long-awaited bath.” (Man)

　All eyes turned to the voice, and everyone was stunned.

　The voice was that of a man, and an elderly one at that. A glance at him was not enough to make it clear that he had a hand towel wrapped around his head and face.

　His yukata is from the same inn as Hakuho’s, but he does not have a sash fastened around it. He wears neither underwear nor shorts.

　In other words, his naked body is exposed beneath the yukata. It hides his face, and what should be hidden is dangling between the hem of the yukata.

“Oh, what? Isn’t it embarrassing to be seen like that? Hey, about my name.” (Balls)

　Saying that, the man grabbed the front collar of her yukata and spread it open. On his bare, naked lower abdomen, he proudly expressed himself, never seeming to be ashamed of it.

　—then Tamiko jumped down, shook off the restraints of Noa and Tarochi, and dashed forward.

“Balls! Wrinkly balls, squeak! Pigya!” (Tamiko)

　Tamiko looked up at the man’s balls and jumped up and down in excitement. [T/N: Oh Tamiko (－‸ლ).]

“Hmmm, a furball even furrier than mine. You have a good eye, don’t you?” (Balls)

　The man’s eyes twinkled, and he opened his legs wide and spread his arms.

“If you are far away, listen to the sound, and if you are close, gaze with your eyes! —Never hide it! –I am the greatest hero of all of Akabane, and my name is Dignified Fungal Balls!” (Balls)

　This was the moment when Tamiko’s fastest repetitive sideways jumps ever exploded.

A/N: It must have been God’s will that this story was updated just before the comic was released. The God of Balls or something.

So, the first volume of the manga will be released tomorrow, June 1.

I hear that a giveaway of certain goods is also in the works. (Note: I heard that it is a cushion of Tamiko. I have not confirmed it yet).

Pre-orders are now available at the web store. We would appreciate it if you could give us a star or review when you purchase.

I hope you enjoy reading “Metro Labyrinth” at home or on your commute to work.

T/N: You know less is more, but I surrender to the ball jokes. (ﾉ_ _)ﾉ

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