Chapter 62: Nanase Island (Extra Update 7/46)
In the scenic area close to dawn, the sea breeze was cool, and the air was filled with the salty fragrance of the ocean.
Students interested in the sunrise had gotten up early from their beds.
They skipped breakfast and gathered directly in the observation area of the luxury cruise ship.
Among them was Nagi.
The eastern sky gradually turned a light golden color, as the night retreated slowly in the glow of the rising sun.
On the ship’s bow, the sea shimmered, reflecting the first rays of sunlight.
The students from the promotional department, who were there to shoot material for the school trip, had the hardest job.
They had to set up tripods and cameras early in the morning.
All to capture that moment perfectly—
The sun slowly rising above the horizon, its golden light spilling over the ocean, instantly illuminating the entire world.
Around them, the sound of students’ awe-filled exclamations echoed.
The first beam of morning light pierced through the thin mist over the sea, gently falling on Nagi.
Her waist-length black hair sparkled under the sunlight, with a few strands being lightly brushed by the wind, as if dyed with a golden glow.
She gently raised her hand, her fingertips brushing against her cheek, tucking a fallen strand of hair behind her ear.
Nagi’s pure and adorable features were further accentuated by the soft light, making her even more enchanting.
Her skin was as white as jade with a slight sheen, and her cheeks seemed to glow with a faint blush.
Nagi’s clear eyes sparkled brightly in the sunlight, gazing dreamily at the scenery before her.
However, what Nagi was looking at was not the dreamlike sunrise.
It was a vague outline on the distant horizon.
As the sun rose, the outline gradually became clearer.
The mountain ranges of the island could be faintly seen, as if emerging from the morning mist.
Nanase Island.
It was the place where the background story of the original “Hoshi Hi” took place.
“…I’m back.”
Nagi quietly murmured, in a voice that only she could hear.
Returning to the homeland where she once lived as a girl.
At the same time.
A shadow was hiding in the lower deck of the ship, avoiding attention.
At this moment, it faced the direction of Nanase Island.
Kneeling on the cold, hard ground as if on a pilgrimage.
Muttering to itself.
What it was about to step into was a true holy land.
…..
Nanase Island.
It is a city created within the world of the “Hoshi Hi” series.
It is set in the Seto Inland Sea located in the southern part of Honshu, Japan.
It’s a small island.
As the birthplace of the protagonist in “Hoshi Hi 1,” it primarily gives an impression of the sea.
Compared to the mountainous city of Kawano featured in “Hoshi Hi 2,” it showcases an entirely different ecological environment.
However, like the majority of cities where the protagonists of galgames are set, Nanase Island is not large, has a remote geographical location, and is an inconspicuous little place.
In the original “Hoshi Hi 1,” the protagonist’s background story unfolds around this island.
The story background of “Hoshi Hi 1” is not as complicated as its sequel; it unfolds in a very typical hot-blooded manner.
It tells of an ordinary boy living on a remote little island who dreams of the big city.
One day, his monotonous daily life is suddenly interrupted by a mysterious transfer student who is a beautiful girl.
From that point on, strange events began to unfold on the peaceful island.
Through interactions with the girl, the ordinary boy gradually came to understand the real side of this world.
At the same time, he established a deep bond with the girl.
Until a group of ability users, targeting the girl, arrived on the island.
They kidnapped the girl and burned the entire island down.
At a terrible cost, the boy awakened his powers and survived.
The surviving boy later became an orphan, attending high school in inland Japan.
There, he met other heroines and unexpectedly encountered the girl once again.
In the end, together with his companions, he set off on a journey to save the girl and even the world.
…..
Nanase Island was where Nagi lived from childhood until adulthood as “Light” in her previous life.
However, the difference is—she had prevented the events of the original story from occurring.
Thus, this island is still thriving today.
This place has special significance for ability users.
It is the birthplace of a former savior.
But to Nagi’s surprise—
Nanase Island has now been developed.
Even the “Sea God Festival” on the island has gradually evolved into a famous festival in Japan, attracting many tourists every year.
That’s why Hoshikage High School included it as one of the destinations for the school trip.
This is something Nagi finds hard to imagine. Why would SEMA and the academy’s higher-ups allow such a thing to happen?
The memory of that small, crowded port in Nanase Island has now transformed.
The originally narrow dock has been expanded into a spacious harbor area, with a new cobblestone road laid down.
No longer are there just fishing boats; there are now passenger ferries and yachts arriving from various places, their hulls shining in the sunlight, looking particularly magnificent.
As Nagi gazed at the harbor from afar, she couldn’t help but feel emotional.
“It’s been so long…”
Nagi gave a slightly lonely smile.
Time has passed, and everything, including herself, has changed.
This made Nagi withdraw her gaze.
As the luxury cruise ship slowly approached Nanase Island, the gentle voice of the crew came through the intercom.
According to the school trip itinerary, the students would next head to the hotel on the island.
The bus, reserved in advance by the school, had been waiting at the port for a long time.
As Nagi stepped down the gangway, she involuntarily looked up at the azure sky.
Today is a sunny day.
…..
Kawano City.
Bright sunlight poured down but failed to dispel the unease in the hearts of the hunters led by Old Sang.
The self-awareness of being seasoned hunters told them.
In the shadows of this city, something was brewing.
And today.
Old Sang finally received his gear.
A huge package was brought into the basement of the bar.
Since arriving in Kawano City, he had basically visited all the bars in the city and had become quite familiar with the owners there.
Thus, he was able to borrow a basement from the owner, serving as a base for him and the other hunters.
Old Sang’s caution was not without reason.
He was one of the few Gold-level hunters currently in Kawano City.
Ever since another Gold-level hunter completely went missing during a reconnaissance mission on that day.
It raised his alertness, indicating that beyond SEMA, there were other creatures capable of hunting Gold-level hunters in this city.
Therefore.
He specifically borrowed a set of gear from the guild.
A very rare artificial “Illusion Spirit Armor.”
Produced jointly by SEMA and the academy, it once fell into the black market, circulating until it finally landed in the guild’s hands.
It is said to be designed for “monster tamers” who lack abilities.
After unwrapping the outer layer of the package, a slogan caught his eye: “The strongest weapon to help you win victories and conquer the battlefield!”
The side of the box also printed: “Personalized RGB backlighting! Next-gen button technology! Never miss a beat in battle!”
The front showed product images, showcasing the keyboard, prominently marked with “Gaming Keyboard.”
What a typical guild style, Old Sang thought.
Then he unwrapped the disguise packaging, revealing a rectangular box inside.
The box had simple yet modern lines.
Its surface was a black metal shell, cold and understated, with intricate patterns faintly visible when light refracted upon it.
The edges of the box were precisely cut, with no gaps.
As the lid slowly opened, emitting a faint mechanical sound, a blue light illuminated within.
Soft light spilled inside, revealing weapons neatly placed in the center of the box.
A pair of glistening double blades,
carefully nestled in special grooves.
Upon seeing this set of illusion spirit armor, Old Sang couldn’t help but take a deep breath, expressing awe for it, or perhaps for its former owner.
The double blades, embodying the dual meanings of “cutting off” and “connecting,” held the powerful ability to “cut off” or “connect” all things.
They were replicas crafted to mimic the “Storm” authority.
Although they were replicas, their abilities were enough to affect “common rank” entities, even able to touch the status of “royal rank.”
However, the metallic surface of this pair of blades had long lost its original luster, presenting a dull silver-gray color.
The blades were covered in tiny cracks and scratches, as if they had endured countless fierce battles and were on the brink of being scrapped.
This was within Old Sang’s expectations.
Otherwise, how could such high-level illusion spirit armor be casually lent to a Gold-level hunter?
The deposit and rental fee were surprisingly cheap.
But even so, this pair of blades remained sharp, as if a light swing could cut through the air.
One could even feel that the embedded magical patterns were still functioning, seeking the user’s magical energy.
This indicated that this illusion spirit armor could still exert its abilities.
But how much could it exert was up for debate.
Acquiring this set of illusion spirit armor undoubtedly gave Old Sang and the other hunters some confidence.
At the same time, it decided they would take action today.
They, who sensed the anomalies in this city, could have left directly.
But during their time in this city, they received much kindness from the locals.
With a sense of reverence, Old Sang picked up one of the blades and held it parallel to his eyes.
Not all hunters prioritize benefits above all else.
“It’s time to repay their hospitality and fine drinks—”
“—Let’s go hunt some big ones after such a long time!”
Old Sang said to the other hunters in the room.
Their target—
The Heavens House.
That was the location of their mission’s client.
