Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer
Vol. 4 - Ch. 182 - Chess Mate

Kirie Kujou---If one were to ask, she was undoubtedly the central figure in Guild «Chariot>, holding the title of «Commander».

She was a 29 year old woman with impressive style and figure, like a model for graveur magazine, but in reality, she was the reaper for monsters in the dungeon---a professional licence holder. Then again, she was also leading a group of professional explorers who were generally perceived as ruffians while showcasing her talent to the world.

She was certainly a beholder of charisma that helplessly attracted the others, despite being 29 years old---which was considered a young age in the world of explorers.

She was still a 5 year old little girl when dungeons started appearing in the world. Speaking of the current time, the title of commander or leader of a guild was almost entirely lined with the names of explorers active, and had contributed a great amount, from the first dungeon era. So the appearance of a young persona among the names of old timers was certainly an irregular sight.

Fame begets envy, jealousy. There were many, both amateurs and professionals alike, who were harbouring their own doubt about her standing.

It was just a matter of time before she was being seen as mocking gaze like 'A Dainty Explorer' or 'All beauty but no worth' etc. And such gossips were always the one that attracted the media like nothing else.

If the doubt could be traced back to, it would surely be the lack of a chance to see her fighting in the battlefield.

But she was far from being just a garden flower of a professional. No, or a correct way to put that would be---the talent that she harboured in oneself was something that would kill to get their hands on.

She was the owner of two «Inherent Ability», a rarity in this world, and her calling was the top class, even when counted among the combatant one. Even without blessing, she was a monstrosity with her physical abilities. She would have without doubt become a top-class individual if the world had taken a different course in its route than the current one.

But even more than that---her ability to grasp the situation of a battlefield, her intuition and her five senses were just of different magnitude.

"---Kirie Kujou is a monster, born to be an explorer," was how a certain explorer who became friends with her on the battlefield describes her.

There had been some ups and downs, but she had finally started unmasking her truer self in front of Tenji.

"3 underlings coming from 4 o'clock......two big and one middle-type. Honnou, kill them."

"Okay."

In the dense forest, Kujou raised her voice at the Honnou, who was running at the tail of their group, without sparing a glance behind while exquisitely shuttling through the group of underlings.

At the very least, Tenji, Fuyuki or Chisato couldn't even sense their attack from left or behind. Or by extension, not even Honnou was able to sense anything.

They tried to look into that direction but all they saw was a long trail of trees. Their breathing, footsteps, or the prickly feeling that they typically felt from the monster's bloodlust---nothing gave away the incoming attack.

(Maybe, it's......)

But if one thing was certain, then it was that Kujou's word would never be wrong. It was like one of those unspoken rule of their team. If Kujou said it, then it must be so.

And---

"Riiiiiiiiii."

"Raaaaaaa."

"Ruuuuuu."

And just as she had predicted, three underlings jumped out of the shadow of shrubs tens of seconds later.

Honnou, who had been ready with his offensive skill, activated his long-range skill «Magma Force» instantly even before confirming who it was.

He tossed away the three small molten rocks he was holding in his right palm, burning in flames. The molten rock instantly turned huge and crashed against the underling carrying that moment.

Fwoosh 

The three underlying turned to cinder immediately after. On the other hand, Kujou kept running through the forest, not even checking the state of battle.

Fuyuki and Tenji were behind her, tracking her footsteps, and even behind them was Chisato. Honnou was at the end of their train to cover for them.

The three underlings were the only ones they had come across in this forest all this while.

Tenji was astounded by Kujou's detection ability. They had been so desperately fighting the never ending wave of underlings a while ago, yet just a few words of her and they were suddenly roaming the forest like underlings had never infested the forest.

(So this is the real Kirie Kujou...the commander of Chariot huh. This is far more astonishing than just simply hearing about it from Godou-san. «Chess Mate» eh......it's simply far above the norm. It's definitely on the level of clairvoyance.)

«Chess Mate» was one of the inherent abilities of Kujou---it was an ability that enhanced her five senses, granting her a sensation like she was looking at the battlefield with bird-eye view. The explorers who knew ehr called this a sixth sense.

The several kilometre area was like the chessboard above Kujou's palm.

"Two monsters taking a respite at 11 o'clock. Fuyuki, you up?"

"Yes, leave it to me!"

"Then attack the instant I give you a signal, alright?"

"Yes!"

Following Kujou's instruction, Fuyuki adjusted the muzzle by a few millimetre from a distance, underlings still hidden from sight, when Kujou whispered in low voice 'shoot.'

Though Fuyuki was still in half-doubt, he took his shot while adjusting the angle, strength and direction.

Kujou had heard about the details of the mythical beast «Shadow Sniper»---the bullets being able to ignore walls or trees---so she had purposely chosen timing to avoid coming into their line of sight.

"Ruuu!?"

"Riiii!?!?!"

The next instant, a faint painful shriek of underling could be heard from a far distance.

"Excellent marksmanship. you have become stronger, Fuyuki,' she probably had felt the situation as she said that to Fuyuki.

On the other hand, Tenji was reflexively left awe struck by the dazzling appearance of Kujou.