MHGA Chapter 360 – End of the Creator (8)
The moment Kairo Retsu confirmed the Shagaru Magala's new location, the quest panel also updated with a new objective.
[Slaying Quest: Slay the Shagaru Magala
Quest Details: Hunters have identified the source of the Frenzy Virus. The Shagaru Magala is now gravely wounded. In an attempt to recover, it is trying to hasten the birth of Walpurgisnacht and begin feeding. Slay it at once.
Quest Location: Mitakihara City (Madoka Kaname's world)
Reward: Frenzy Virus-related equipment and decorations unlocked]
The updated quest appeared before all present Hunters—and even Madoka saw the sudden mission notice.
The abrupt development drained the color from Madoka's face as she thought of her family and friends still in the city.
But Kairo Retsu had already gotten intel from the Felynes: no anomalies had yet appeared in Madoka's city, though the activity of Witches had grown noticeably more intense.
Tying that to the quest details, Kairo Retsu guessed that the Shagaru Magala was attempting to recover its stamina and vitality by devouring the soon-to-emerge Walpurgisnacht—and was using its Frenzy Virus to accelerate the manifestation of that entity.
Unlike in Monster Hunter, where hunts end in under an hour, a real pursuit often takes days when a monster escapes.
Kairo Retsu had thought the Birdcage was secure enough to prevent the Shagaru from escaping—but it not only broke out of the Birdcage, it left the world entirely… and entered Madoka's.
"Walpurgisnacht…"
Until it manifests, the Shagaru shouldn't be able to regain much strength. The only concern was that the Chaotic Gore Magala might perish before then.
Kairo Retsu took a deep breath.
This development had caught him completely off guard—but it also gave the Hunters a chance to re-supply and regroup.
Still…
Kairo Retsu glanced around at the devastated Birdcage and realized there was another issue they couldn't overlook.
To produce a cure for the Frenzy Virus infecting various worlds, they would need biological samples from the Shagaru Magala itself.
This battle had unleashed large amounts of the Frenzy Virus—there would surely be many new infections.
"We need to act quickly."
Kairo Retsu frowned. "Looks like I won't be able to stick around in this world much longer…"
"That golden dragon—where did it go?!"
Altair, who had failed to intercept the Shagaru Magala, now rushed to Kairo Retsu in agitation. "And the other one…!"
Kairo Retsu shook his head. It seemed the grand performance could no longer reach its scripted conclusion.
The scene's spectators quickly came to the same realization, and an official announcement was made, promising follow-up story compilations soon—placating the onlookers for now.
"We… need to talk."
————————————
The day after the battle in the Birdcage ended, the weary creations and Hunters gathered together—sluggish and drained by the ordeal.
Several among them had contracted the Frenzy Virus during the fight.
The resurrected Setsuna Shimazaki had also been taken in by Aki Kikuchihara's official support team. She, too, was infected with Frenzy Syndrome.
Though clearly reluctant, Altair still sat down with the others—for Setsuna's sake.
"Hunter-san… about a cure for the Frenzy Virus…"
Aki Kikuchihara asked the most pressing question.
Kairo Retsu could only give her the truth: for now, Frenzy Syndrome could only be temporarily alleviated with Nullberries. A true cure would only be possible after obtaining samples from the source—i.e., the Shagaru Magala.
"The rest… is up to us Hunters."
Kairo Retsu paused before continuing. "We'll pursue the Shagaru Magala, slay it, and use its tissue to develop a cure. We'll distribute it to all worlds afflicted by the Frenzy Virus."
"Moreover, that monster may soon trigger a calamity in another world. We have to act fast."
Kairo Retsu shook his head. "It was our lack of preparation that let the Shagaru appear and cause all these incidents."
"No, things have gone far better than we feared."
Kikuchihara shook her head. "I never imagined we'd get through it all without a single casualty…"
"There may be lingering effects from the Frenzy Virus, but at least we've averted greater disaster."
She added, "We'll take care of Setsuna Shimazaki—give her a new identity and let her live peacefully from now on."
"Mm…"
Kairo Retsu nodded, then said, "Before we leave, there's one more thing."
He called over Joseph, who nodded and borrowed a laptop.
In front of Aki Kikuchihara, Joseph performed a short incantation—causing a list to appear on the screen.
"This is a list of the people who participated in cyberbullying Setsuna Shimazaki…"
Kairo Retsu handed the laptop to Kikuchihara. "They may not have known their actions would lead to suicide, but… they should still be held accountable."
"This matters—to both Setsuna and Altair."
Kikuchihara nodded. "Understood. The authorities will take this seriously and pursue proper legal consequences. We'll also strengthen our vigilance regarding online harassment."
"If any new issues arise… we'll deal with them when we return."
Kairo Retsu sighed. "Had things gone smoother, we'd be celebrating right now… but we still haven't finished."
"Wait."
As Kairo Retsu turned to leave, Altair suddenly appeared before him, blocking his path.
"To cure Setsuna, that golden dragon must die—right?"
Altair locked eyes with him. "And the Gore Magala… I'm going too."
"You want to come with us?"
Kairo Retsu shook his head. "I'd prefer you didn't."
"I'm worried your emotions regarding Setsuna and the Chaotic Gore Magala will interfere—and cause the hunt to fail."
He continued, "Hunters can always hunt again. But the ones harmed during these missions… they don't get a second chance. And you're not even a Hunter."
"Can you really promise you'll work with the others to stop the Shagaru Magala's destruction?"
"I…"
Altair hesitated—then said, "I want to try."
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