Hunted by Characters I Drew!!

"No! Hestia! Let me go! Let me go…!"

Amidst cries of despair and indignation, Apollo was forcibly dragged back to the heavens. It's safe to say he won't be returning for at least another ten thousand years. His Familia had been disbanded, leaving all its members as free agents due to the absence of their main god.

"What a pitiful end for Apollo," someone murmured.

Alexander, however, was grinning ear to ear. "Serves you right for putting on airs. Now look where that got you—your mansion is mine."

He was already preparing to head back to the estate for a well-deserved break. Hestia, standing beside him, looked equally pleased. For her, gaining wealth was secondary; the real prize was finally being rid of the obnoxious Apollo.

"Alright, let's head back and sort everything out," Hestia said, taking Alexander's hand as they prepared to leave.

But just as they turned to go, a loud voice interrupted them.

"No! We won't let Miss Haruhime leave with you!"

"And what makes you think you can stop us? She's one of us—of course, she's coming with us!" 

The two stopped and turned toward the commotion. Alexander immediately recognized the voice; it was Yamato Mikoto from the Takemikazuchi Familia.

Behind Yamato, Haruhime stood trembling, her frightened gaze locked on the aggressive group in front of her.

"Haruhime! Why are you hiding back there? Come with us!"

Members of the Ishtar Familia stepped forward, intent on forcibly taking Haruhime away.

To them, Haruhime was invaluable. Her unique ability allowed her to enhance others' levels. With her power, even a Level 5 adventurer like Phryne could reach Level 6. If they pushed harder, perhaps even Level 7 wasn't out of the question.

But Yamato wasn't about to let them take Haruhime without a fight.

"Over my dead body! Miss Haruhime is free now! She's no longer under your control, so why should she obey you!?"

Yamato's words struck a nerve. She was right—the Ishtar Familia had relinquished their claim on Haruhime when they handed her over to Apollo. Now that Apollo had been defeated and his Familia disbanded, Haruhime was technically free.

Phryne had already returned to the Ishtar Familia, but Haruhime had no intention of doing the same.

"You're not coming back? Don't forget, you were bought and paid for!" one of the Ishtar Familia members sneered.

Two of them lunged forward, grabbing Haruhime by the arms. Seeing this, Yamato sprang into action.

"Unhand her!"

Futsunomitama—Activate!

A powerful gravitational force pinned the two aggressors in place. But to Yamato's dismay, they shrugged off her ability as though it were nothing.

The attackers, both Level 3 adventurers, easily overpowered Yamato. Despite her strength surpassing that of a typical Level 2 adventurer, she couldn't hope to restrain them both.

"Looking to die, are we?"

Bam! Bam!

Two heavy punches sent Yamato sprawling to the ground. She gritted her teeth and lunged for Haruhime's ankle, desperate to stop them. But one of the Ishtar Familia members kicked her hand away without hesitation.

"Stay down, or you'll leave us no choice but to kill you," one of them warned coldly. Turning to Haruhime, he added, "Don't get any ideas. The Ishtar Familia won't ever let you go. And as for this little girl who's trying to protect you? If she keeps resisting, she'll end up dead."

Haruhime's eyes filled with tears. Their words struck a painful chord. Freedom? For someone like her, that was nothing more than a dream. She was nothing more than a puppet, bound to the whims of others.

"Mikoto, stop! Don't fight them anymore—you'll only get yourself killed!" 

Haruhime cried, her voice trembling with despair.

She didn't care about her own life, but she couldn't bear the thought of her friend getting hurt because of her.

"Miss Haruhime… I can't… I can't just let them take you. Even if it costs me my life, I'll—"

"Your life?" one of the Ishtar Familia members sneered. "Do you really think this ends with your death? What about the rest of Takemikazuchi's Familia? Do you want them to suffer because of your reckless actions?"

Yamato froze. Her words hit her like a hammer. It was true—she could throw away her life, but what about her Familia? She couldn't drag them down with her.

Tears streaming down her face, Yamato finally loosened her grip.

"I'm sorry… Miss Haruhime… I'm so sorry," she whispered brokenly.

Haruhime looked down at her friend, heartbroken. She wanted to comfort her, but what could she say?

"Let's go," one of the Ishtar Familia members commanded. "In Orario, there are few who'd dare cross the Ishtar Familia."

But just as they were about to leave, a voice cut through the tense atmosphere.

"Few, huh? That's a shame… because you've just met one."