Part 2
Opening the gate was probably the start signal for the Game as trees started to grow quickly to weave their branches around the gate to block their path of escape.
The trees were standing so densely together, that they even obstructed the sunlight from coming in. It was hard to imagine people living in this place.
A pile of broken rubble of what used to be a path of red bricks had already been torn up and scattered by roots of the huge trees that jutted out from the ground, rendering it impassable to humans. With this they won't be able to tell where the enemy will attack from.
Yō informed the nervous looking Jin and Asuka.
"Don't worry. There's nobody nearby. I can tell by scent."
"Oh, you have a dog friend too?"
"Yeah. Around 20 of them."
Kasukabe Yō's Gift allowed her to grow stronger whenever she became friends with a beast. This was the reason behind her outstanding physical abilities. Her five senses like hearing and sense of smell were most likely even more acute than Izayoi's.
"Do you know where he is exactly?"
"I don't know yet. But I can't smell him even though he is downwind. That means there is a high chance of him laying low in a building somewhere."
"In that case, we should start searching the outside first."
The three of them started walking through the forest. The strange trees seemed to have swallowed up the homes with their growth, almost all the residences were torn up by branches and roots. The Residential District that should have been still in use the day before was now completely in ruins.
Kuro Usagi said that it was impossible for Fores Garo to stage a large scale Game, however if he had the power to create a mysterious forest overnight, then they shouldn't underestimate him.
"For him this is a once in a lifetime contest. He probably had one or two hidden tricks saved up until now."
"Yes. In reality his combat history only consists of matches that were essentially won by default. It wouldn't be strange if he had some powerful Gifts that haven't been revealed yet. Yō-san, even if you manage to find Galdo, please don't let your guard down."
Separating from the other two who were walking, Yō jumped on top of the tallest tree and kept a lookout for Galdo.
"....nothing. I cannot see anything that resembles a hint, and we did not find anything that would likely be the weapon."
"It's possible that Galdo himself fills that role."
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. That is certainly true, but if they don't have the weapon, they will only be assaulted one-sidedly. If they aim for the least risky hit-and-run tactic, then they have to rely on Yō's abilities.
"Although I don't like it, let's change our course of actions. First, Yō-san please search for Galdo with your abilities."
"Already found him."
Jin and Asuka directed their gaze towards Yō on top of the tree.
She jumped down from the tree and pointed towards the ruins of the red brick path.
"He is inside the headquarters. Although I only saw his shadow, I'm sure."
Kasukabe Yō's pupils were different from normal and she was looking at the headquarters with the golden pupils of a bird of prey. With the eyesight of a bird, that distance would probably pose no problem for her at all.
"Come to think of it, you also have a hawk friend. Though now that you have been summoned to a different world so suddenly, are they not sad about it?"
"H-hearing you put it that way ... is a bit painful."
Yō seemed deflated.
Asuka patted Yō's shoulder with a bitter smile as the three of them started vigilantly towards the Headquarters. The trees that eroded the road and were now hindering their progress, having intertwined in a way that made it seem to be a work of someone's orders.
(Demonifying this many.... could it really be her...?)
Jin only knew of one such person who could do that.
However he immediately shook off that thought. There was no way she could be here.
"Look, even the building was swallowed up too."
They arrived at [Fores Garo]'s headquarters. The door emblazoned with a tiger's stripe emblem was torn off and the glass of the windows were shattered. The luxurious exterior was damaged by ivy invasion and torn down along with the wall coating.
"Galdo was on the second floor. It's safe to go in."
As expected, the interior was also in a horrible state. The order-made furniture that must have cost a fortune were knocked over and scattered around.
As one would expect, the three of them had begun to have their doubts about this scene.
"Was that Stage of a strange forest scenery ... really done by him, I wonder?"
".... I don't know. Although the Host side's participant is restricted to Galdo alone, he could have asked someone else to prepare the stage."
"Even if he did ask someone to set the stage for him, there's not a single trap anywhere?"
Yō addressed that problem.
"The forest is a tiger's territory. He prepared an advantageous stage for a surprise attack ... or not. If that was the reason, there is no meaning in hiding in their headquarters. Yeah, also there is no reason to destroy their headquarters in the first place."
Yes, that was the most suspicious. The reason for building such a luxurious headquarters must've been Galdo's desire to show off. It can be said to be the symbol of his ambitions. Would he turn it to such a pitiful state for no reason?
The three of them started walking again, now with an entirely different kind of feeling of tension.
They turned all the rubble upside down and investigated every nook and cranny, but they didn't find any trace of a hint or weapon-like object.
It could be a single needle, or possibly a lump of metal that's impossible to lift up. And that was the unfavourable condition that might occur due to having thrown a blank challenge for the Host to decide on the rules. But even if it's just a nagging feeling that something is out of place, which has no bearing whatsoever on the outcome of the match, it didn't hurt to be careful going forward.
"We will go up to the second floor, but Jin-kun, you wait here."
"Wh-why is that? I also have a Gift. I won't be a burd-"
"That is not the reason. There is no telling what will happen upstairs. So we split into two groups, Kasukabe-san and myself will look for hints on how to win, and I would like you to protect the path of escape."
Although her reply was logical, Jin was still discontent. However he also knew the importance of protecting the path of escape. So Jin reluctantly decided to wait on the lower floor.
Hindered by roots, Asuka and Yō were slowly and silently advancing up the stairs. After they reached the top of the stairs, they positioned themselves on both sides of the last door and waited for an opportunity. They were both holding their breath, and just as they began to barge in resolutely, they heard from inside,
"Gr....."
"........GRRRRROAAAAARRRRR!!!"
A tiger monster that could no longer speak stood in their way, with its back turned towards a silver cross sword.
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