An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world - Chapter 24

An active hunter from Hokkaido was thrown into another world

Chapter 24   First escort battle

“Where are they?”

“On top of the small hill in the forest. They’re hiding in the trees, but I can see their bows.”

“…I can’t see them.”

I’ll take a look with binoculars.

Ah, they’re on top of the hill.

“So, you have a telescope and glasses? You’ve got some nice gear.”

Well, yeah.

“They’re probably the rear party. They’ll shoot arrows from behind after we pass, while the others block the road. It’ll be an ambush with over ten bandits in total.”

“…What should we do?”

“Well, thanks to the young lady, we were able to spot them first. We’ll take the lead and either lure them out or threaten them to come out… Driver, stop the carriage.”

The column comes to a halt. By stopping, it should have signaled to the other party that we’ve discovered them.

“Should we initiate the attack from here?”

Saran suggests. I’m a bit curious about her excitement…

“I’ll take the first shot. Is that okay?”

“Of course.”

“Hey, hey!”

Bartil is surprised.

“You can attack from this distance?”

We have about 150 meters. It’s still within the range of my rifle. Piece of cake.

“Leave it to me. Once we start the attack, they’ll either flee or come at us.”

“For now, let’s gather the members up front.”

The members of Ballistes gather together.

“They’re bandits. Multiple bows on the small hill ahead. There might still be someone we missed at the back. Lant, keep an eye on the rear. If the attack starts here, they might come out from behind.”

“Understood. If they appear, I’ll use the sound arrows to signal.”

Lant, the archer who was called out, dashes towards the rear of the column.

“Shin will initiate first. He’s skilled in long-range attacks. After that, the bandits will likely come at us, and we’ll ambush them. Saran, provide support from the rear with your bow.”

“Understood.”

“Are you sure, Shin? The opponents are different from pigeons, you know?”

“Well, I’m still a newbie. But I’ll leave the rest to all of you. I’ll hand over my first battle.”

“I agree.”

“I’ll show you the power of my magic. Don’t be too surprised.”

…I didn’t realize we had a flamboyant person among us.

I discreetly take out the Remington M700 rifle that I had prepared and move forward, crouching on the slope next to the road.

I need to keep a distance from the horses to avoid startling them.

I adjust my position and aim up with the Remington M700.

Looking through the scope…

Wow… they really do look like dirty bandits.

They’re holding their bows, waiting for us to pass, ready to release their arrows at a moment’s notice. Everything is in place.

Now, let’s start with that archer unit…

Boom!

One person falls!

Chakikakashaa. I reload for the next shot.

Boom!

Second target!

It’s causing quite a commotion.

I hastily aim at the one who hastily turned towards us and release the third shot.

Boom!

Perhaps realizing the situation isn’t in their favor, they start running down the hill.

Right as they emerge onto the road…

Boom!

Fourth target! A man with a sword collapses abruptly.

They scattered and rushed down the road.

They’re running towards us from a distance of 150 meters.

Furthermore, six more individuals are coming towards us from even farther back. They must have heard the commotion and decided to join. Are they the ones who were planning to block our path?

I don’t have enough confidence to hit moving targets with my rifle.

Besides, if we continue, they might retreat.

I swiftly stand up, lower my gun, and run back to join everyone.

They all have a stunned expression on their faces.

“They’re coming!”

“They’re here! Save the talk for later!”

Bartil raises his spear, and everyone snaps back to their senses.

The flamboyant person begins their incantation for magic.

The swordsman readies their sword.

I position myself beside the group, loading four rounds into my Remington M700 rifle.

Boom!

Boom!

With a crouched position, I take down two of the six individuals at the farthest distance.

It’s better to eliminate the ones who are more likely to escape first.

Eight remaining!

Bishu… Rururu…

Thunk.

Saran’s arrow pierces through the bandit 60 meters away.

Impressive, Saran. You’re composed.

Seven remaining!

I adjust the zoom on my M700 to 4x and take a crouched position, ready to shoot from my knees.

Two bandits with swords, 50 meters ahead…

Boom!

Boom!

I deliver rifle shots at close range.

The two men fall forward, crashing to the ground while still in motion.

Those scenes in movies where the villains get shot and are sent flying backward, it’s all just for dramatic effect. In reality, bullets simply penetrate the body, and there’s no flying backward.

If the enemy were to be propelled backward, it would be physically impossible for me, the shooter, to remain unaffected.

Only five remain, “Ugh, oh no!” they start running away.

Shooo… Thunk!

Saran’s arrow pierces through, leaving only four.

The mage casts a fireball, aiming to hit them.

Missed!

Unfortunate!

I reload four rounds into the M700, place one hand on the ground, and readjust my stance.

Boom!

Boom!

Only two left!

Boom!

Missed!

Maybe I rushed a bit too much.

Boom!

Only one remains!

Since the magazine is empty, I retrieve a round from my pocket and load it directly into the chamber.

Distance: 200 meters!

Taking careful aim…

Boom!

Mission accomplished.

It’s surprisingly easy… I can’t help but think.

When wild animals flee, they escape sideways, changing direction upon spotting me, as if they instinctively know how to avoid getting shot.

In an instant, they dash into the cover of trees, bushes, or any patch of grass.

But humans, on the other hand, approach straight towards me, only to turn their backs and run straight ahead. No obstacles in their way, just a clear path.

As they run upright, their heads, throats, hearts, chests, abdomens—all vulnerable points—align in a vertical line.

No matter where I hit, it would be a fatal blow. Just align the aim precisely from left to right; the top and bottom are irrelevant.

The chairman of the hunting association once said, “Shooting humans is never amusing.”

Chairman, now I am shooting humans. Just as you said.

However, I never expected to feel so detached, so numb.

If I don’t shoot, those people would kill someone else.

That repulsion is the only thing bubbling up within me.

Obtaining a gun, participating in hunts with the members of the hunting association, I recall the exhilaration of successfully taking down prey for the first time, that triumphant “Yes!”

But now, even that feeling is absent…