Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 32: The Man Afraid of Girls

Assistant: (To himself) WHAT! THEY ACTUALLY COMPLETED THE MISSION!?

Kono: (With a broad smile) The Maivelance crew has successfully completed the mission, and we are here to claim our reward!

Assistant: (To himself) There's no way. How could a low-ranked crew have possibly defeated a Riou turtle?

The assistant glanced at Daru and Zodiac, noting the dirt and leaves in their hair.

Assistant: (To himself) It must have been those two who took down the turtle. How strong are they?

Daru: Do I have something on my face?

Assistant: What? No... no.

Zodiac: (To himself) He appears genuinely surprised that we completed the mission.

Himitsu: Umm... So, are we receiving our reward now? Or not?

Gram: Yes, I want money! (Smiles widely)

Assistant: U-umm, yes, yes. Your reward for completing the question-mark mission is 300,000 geo and a mystery box. The funds should be transferred to your account.

Kono checked her watch to confirm the transfer to the crew's bank account.

Kono: Excellent!

Gram: How does this crew account work?

Kono: As a crew, we share a common bank account where all earnings from missions and other expenses are deposited. This also means we can all withdraw funds from the account.

Upon hearing this, Gram began to smile mischievously.

Gram: (Whispering) Oh, that's good to know. Hehe.

Kono: Huh? What was that, Gram?

Gram: O-oh, nothing! Nothing! (Waving his hands, laughing)

Assistant: Now that that's settled, let me reveal the mystery box.

The Assistant kneels beneath the desk, retrieves a key, unlocks the drawer, and pulls out an unusual white and gold box. He places it on the desk for Kono and the others to examine.

Himitsu: Take a look at this!

Gram: I wonder what's inside!

Zodiac: Yeah, it's called a mystery box for a reason...

Kono: How does this mystery box work?

Assistant: It can contain anything from one of the rarest items to the most trivial. It's entirely based on luck.

Himitsu: Oh, I would like to open it!

Gram: No, let me open it!

Daru: Can you all please stop behaving like children? (shaking his head)

Kono: How about this: after we finish all the missions today, we can go back to my place and open it together. Sound good?

She places the box in her backpack.

Gram: (to himself) Noooo! I have to go back to that nasty place!

Himitsu: (to herself) I'm not sure I can tolerate that smell again...

Assistant: Now then, what's the next mission you would like to select? (pointing at the screen)

The others begin to examine the screen to determine their next course of action.

Daru: This is disappointing. I don't see any more question-marked missions.

Zodiac: Yes, what a pity...

Kono: Well, you still have the five-star rated missions available, which can present a challenge with great rewards.

Daru: Alright then, I would like to choo—

Gram: Hey, you chose a mission last time! Let me select!

Daru: So? What's your point?

Himitsu: I agree with Gram; let us choose the next mission!

Zodiac: Whatever.

Kono: I mean, you did pick the last one, Daru, so why don't you let them choose?

Daru crosses his arms.

Daru: Fine, go ahead.

Kono: And you, Zodiac?

Zodiac: I don't care what you pick. Just hurry up.

Gram and Himitsu turn back to the screen to select their mission. Gram notices a one-star escort mission.

Gram: Let's do that one! (points at the one-star mission)

Assistant: Ah, so you wish to select an escort mission, I see.

Daru: You must be joking, right? A one-star mission?

Gram: Yeah, why not!

Himitsu: I believe it's fair since you chose last time and selected what you wanted; now it's our turn.

Zodiac: He has a valid point.

Daru: Screw this.

Kono: Well, it appears that's the mission we want!

Assistant: Very well. Here is your crystal.

The Assistant hands Kono a white crystal.

Kono: Alright, guys, you know the drill! Let's head outside!

Lith: I can't believe this.

Reiji: Yeah, Kono has a solid team; good for her.

Sai playfully strikes Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ouch!

Sai: Fool.

Kono exits the building, followed by the others, while Daru remains visibly upset. As they step outside, Kono holds the crystal, prepared to break it.

Kono: Are you all ready to begin?

Himitsu & Gram: YEAHH!

Daru: No, this is stupid.

Zodiac stands silently.

Kono: Then let's get started!

Kono breaks the crystal on the ground, resulting in the formation of a white portal. She leaps in, followed by Gram and Himitsu. As Zodiac prepares to jump, he notices Daru, who is frowning and crossing his arms.

Zodiac: What are you doing?

Daru: I can't believe Gram chose such a dumb mission.

Zodiac: Well, that's what he—

Daru: JUST STOP TALKING AND ENTER THE PORTAL ALREADY!

Zodiac: Okay, crybaby.

Zodiac jumps into the portal as Daru approaches it hesitantly. On the other side, Zodiac finds Kono and the others in a vast green field.

Daru: I hate this place.

Gram: What? We just got here!

Daru: That's why I hate it—because I'm stuck on this stupid-ass mission.

Zodiac: Are you going to continue complaining?

Daru crosses his arms and remains silent.

Kono: Well, it's a one-star mission.

Himitsu: Yes, so it should be straightforward and quick.

Daru: (muttering) Stupid-ass mission.

Kono: Regardless, let's review the mission details to determine our task.

Kono and the others activate their watches to access the mission details.

Himitsu: This seems simple enough: "Goal: Locate a middle-aged man named Gally and escort him to the designated area."

Gram: We need to find a man named Gally? How are we supposed to locate him in this vast field?

Kono: Who knows? But let's head in this direction first. (points straight)

Kono leads the way, and the others follow. They encounter various animals, plants, and sights. After walking for 5-10 minutes, Daru's frustration grows.

Daru: Where is this bastard!? We've walked for at least ten minutes and haven't seen a single person.

Zodiac: This is getting a bit annoying.

Himitsu: Plus, we don't even have a complete description of his appearance. It will take ages to find him if we have to approach individuals one by one.

Kono begins to contemplate the situation.

Kono: Yeah, this could be troublesome. Maybe we can get a hint.

She reviews the mission details and notices a small hint button. Upon clicking it, a message appears: "Would you like to pay 30,000 Geo for a hint?" She selects yes, and the funds are deducted from the crew's account, revealing a hint.

Gram: What does the hint say, Kono?

Kono: It states, "He always runs away from pretty girls."

Himitsu: That's a useless hint. It doesn't help at all.

Zodiac: It seems there is a kingdom ahead, and I see someone running from a group of girls.

As they approach, they see a well-established kingdom and a man sprinting away from several girls.

Daru: Please tell me that isn't him...

Himitsu: That must be Gally! Let's go after him!

Everyone rushes toward Gally, who is hiding behind a crate, crouched and trembling. Himitsu approaches the crate to identify Gally.

Himitsu: Excuse me, are you Gally by any chance?

Gally jumps up, startled to see Himitsu and the others.

Gally: AHHHH!!! What the—how do you know my name?

Himitsu: We are representatives from the Order of Triumph of Sampostis. We are here to escort you to your destination! (smiling)

Gally inspects their outfits, noticing a small emblem on their clothing representing the Order.

Gally: W-wow, you truly are from Sampostis.

Daru: Yeah, we are. Now let's get moving. I want to get out of this place.

Gram: Can you give us just a second to talk, Daru?

Daru: No!

Gally: Did I do something wrong?

Himitsu: Oh no, it's okay. He just wants to fight someone strong.

Gally: (confused) Oh...

Zodiac: So, where are we taking you?

Gally: Um... I need to return to my kingdom and report to my father.

Daru: (frustrated) Alright, then let's move!

Gally flinches at Daru's tone.

Gally: Okay, okay, I'm sorry.

Just as Gally is about to step away, Kono approaches him.

Kono: Hello! I'm Kono—

Gally turns to see Kono, a young woman extending her hand.

Gally: AHHHHH! GIRL!! GIRL!!!

Gally dashes behind Daru, gripping his leg.

Gram: What the hell?

Himitsu: That hint was pretty spot on.

Kono: Did I do something wrong?

Gally: Girl... girl...

Daru: Hey! Get off my leg, damn it!

Gally clings tightly, trembling and too frightened to release his hold. Zodiac kneels beside Gally.

Zodiac: Are you genuinely that afraid of girls?

Gally: Afraid? No, I am absolutely terrified of them.

Himitsu: Why especially Kono? She's harmless.

Kono: Yeah, I'm harmless. I won't hurt you.

Zodiac: You still didn't answer my question.

Daru, visibly irritated, yanks Gally off his leg and pulls him closer.

Daru: Will you provide an answer?

Gally: (Nervously) Ughh... Yes! I am afraid of them because they always want to kill you.

Gram bursts into laughter.

Gram: Kill you? Hey, Kono! Do you want to kill Gally?

Himitsu: Do you truly believe Kono wants to kill you?

Kono: No, certainly not.

Gally: LIAR! SHE'S LYING!

Daru forcefully throws Gally face-first onto the ground.

Gally: Ow!

Daru: Listen, I don't care what you're scared of, and frankly, I don't care about you. I just want to leave this stupid place! So if you don't get up and start moving, I'm going to kill you, or I'll make her do it (pointing at Kono).

Kono: Me?

Gally: Ahh! Okay, okay!

Gally stands up and begins walking toward the kingdom, followed by the others.

Zodiac: I have a feeling this mission is going to be both long and short.

As they proceed, Himitsu jogs up beside Gally.

Himitsu: Gally! May I ask you a question?

Gally: Huh? Yes, what is it?

Himitsu: What is the true reason for your fear of girls?

Gally: (Sighs) Well, it all started when I was in school. (A flashback shows Gally as a younger student.) I attended an all-boys school, went to classes, and completed my homework like everyone else. One day, I returned home to find my father preparing dinner. He informed me that I needed to deliver an important note to the kingdom before I could eat. Naturally, I agreed. I took the note and set off toward the kingdom. As I traveled, I began to feel hungry since I had not eaten yet, but my father's insistence on the urgency of the task kept me moving.

After a long journey, I finally reached the kingdom, but it was late as the sun began to set. I located the address on the note, only to be confronted by a sign on the door that read, "No boys allowed." I knocked anyway, and a large, unpleasant girl opened the door, emanating a foul odor. She glared at me and said, "Did you not read the sign? It says no boys allowed."

I replied, "Yes, I understand, but I need to deliver this for my father." She snatched the note from my hand, looked me in the eye, and asked, "Do you want to die?" I quickly responded with a no, but then she advanced toward me. I began to step back, but she struck me, causing me to fall. She continued to assault me, and soon I was bleeding. Just when I thought it was over, she called her friends over, and they joined in, kicking and punching me. Once they finished, they threw me to the ground, and I lay there, injured and unable to move, until morning.

When morning arrived, I woke up in a hotel, bandaged and surrounded by girls who were watching me intently. Terrified, I ran out of the room, only to find that everyone was a girl, all staring at me with those same predatory eyes. I have been hiding ever since.

Gram: Wait! HOLD ON A SECOND!! YOU HID?

Gally: Yes, I hid.

Gram: Let me ask you a question. When was the last time you saw your father?

Gally: Umm... I think it was about... six years ago!

Everyone stops.

Everyone: Six years ago!!!!

Gally: Yes...?

Himitsu: So you're telling me that you were hiding in the kingdom we just left for six years?

Gally: Yes.

Everyone has blank expressions.

Daru: I can't believe this. This guy gets jumped by a couple of girls, and now he's afraid of every girl in history, thinking they're all out to kill him.

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Kono: Yeah, this was a dumb mission.

Gram: Well, didn't you have a mother?

Gally: No, my father said she died giving birth to me.

Himitsu: I'm sorry to hear that. I bet she was wonderful.

Gally: I don't know; she'd probably want to kill me too.

Daru: Wait, that doesn't explain how you contacted us.

Gally: Oh, that's simple; it was your D bug.

Zodiac: D bug?

Kono: Oh yes! The D bug. It's a small robot that traverses dimensions, gathering data by scanning locations and creatures. If anyone finds one, they can send a request for help, which transmits your information to the D bug. It brings that information into our database, where our team reviews it and assigns it to a mission, adding it to the mission board.

Gram & Himitsu: Wow!!

Kono: Yeah, right? Sampostis is full of surprises.

Zodiac: That could also be a disadvantage.

Daru: Let's keep moving. I'm getting more pissed off by the second.

Zodiac: When are you not?

Daru: Don't test me.

Gally begins to laugh.

Daru: Something funny, Gally?

Gally: Uhh... no!!!

Gally resumes walking, followed by the others. After approximately 50 minutes, Kono makes an observation.

Kono: Umm... Gally.

Gally: Yes?

Kono: Do you know where you're headed?

Gally: Yes, why do you ask?

Kono: Umm... Well, because that tree (points) we've passed it four times now.

Gally: Huh?

Gally looks at the tree, perplexed.

Gally: (Laughing) That's funny.

Himitsu: What's funny?

Gally: Well, since I haven't been home in six years, I guess I forgot where it is.

Kono, Gram, Himitsu: WHAT!?

Daru: So... are... you... saying... that... we... are... lost?

Gally: Umm... No... I mean, yeah, I forgot where it is (laughs).

Daru: (Laughing) You know, this is funny...

Gally: (Laughing) I know, right? It's genuinely funny.

Gram: This is not going to end well.

Zodiac: I think it'll be entertaining.

Kono: Yeah, it kinda is.

Himitsu: (Laughing) Yeah, I can't stop laughing!

Daru: (Laughing) You know what else is funny?

Gally: (Laughing) What?

Daru stops laughing.

Daru: ME RIPPING YOUR HEAD OFF!!!

Daru charges at Gally as Gally begins to flee.

Gram: Yeah... I saw that coming.

Gally: I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Daru: Get over here! I'm going to kill you!

As Gally runs from Daru, he collides with a wooden sign and falls to the ground.

Gally: Ouch! Not again.

As Gally rises, he sees what struck him. The sign reads, "Welcome to Teon City," his hometown. Just as Daru is about to strike, Gally exclaims.

Gally: I FOUND IT!

Daru halts his fist, inches from Gally's nose.

Gally: (Fearful and pointing at the sign) W-we made it.

At that moment, the portal to Sampostis opens beside them, and their watches vibrate as the AI voice speaks.

Jumper Watch AI: Mission complete. Please return to the Order of Triumph to claim your reward.

Gram and the others finally catch up with Daru and Gally.

Gram: (Out of breath) Finally... caught... up... with... you... all.

Himitsu: Man (looking at Gram), you're really out of shape.

Gram collapses to the ground, exhausted.

Kono: I see you didn't kill him.

Zodiac: I'm surprised as well.

Daru: We completed the mission; I'm out of here.

Daru steps into the portal.

Kono: What!? Daru!

Zodiac: It's fine; we finished the mission. Let's go.

Zodiac steps into the portal.

Kono: Uhh... whatever!

Kono follows into the portal. Himitsu then lifts Gram onto his shoulder and looks at Gally.

Himitsu: Well, we must leave now. It was a pleasure meeting you, Gally.

Gally: Uhh... yes, likewise. Thank you once again.

Himitsu: (Walking toward the portal, waving) You're welcome... uhhh, I hope you figure out the girl situation. See ya!

Himitsu steps into the portal, returning to Sampostis.

Gally: They made an incredible team, but that Daru guy is genuinely intimidating.