The Exiles
Seong Ye-han's baby hunting on day two. With his still-immature control, even the slightest surge of mana risked repeating yesterday's blunder, so mana use was strictly off-limits. He had to hunt monsters relying solely on his pure physical abilities. For an ordinary C-rank hunter, this would be tantamount to a death sentence. But of course, Seong Ye-han was the exception. Unless he ventured deeper into the forest to face higher-grade monsters, the mid-zone classified as C-rank territory was overflowing with prey even without mana. Unlike the day before, he encountered monsters frequently, slicing and smashing them with such flair that it bordered on exhilarating.
Shwaaak— A heavy whoosh cleaved the air, followed by the crack of splitting flesh. Two shadow wolves charging at him were bisected by the axe blade of his horizontally swung halberd, their bodies halved mid-leap. Achieved without mana enhancement, purely through raw strength and speed—the cuts were impossibly clean. The act happened so swiftly that the wolves didn't even realize they'd been cleaved until they hit the ground, twitching before blood erupted and they expired.
It wasn't a flashy display to captivate the eye, free of flourishes or excess. Textbook, yet still rough around the edges. But the overwhelming power compensated for every flaw, sending chills through the air with each swing.
A hunter's physical specs truly shone under mana reinforcement. The higher the class, the exponentially greater the amplification coefficient. An S-rank at full physical enhancement could send shockwaves hundreds of meters with a single punch. So, what heights could Seong Ye-han reach—possessing specs already superior to hers at minimum—if he focused and reinforced properly?
"Haa..."
Imagining the day when this grown man fought beside her, his power alone making her tremble, Shin Ye-hwa exhaled hot breath. And beyond the strength, she loved his utter lack of hesitation in carving through monsters. Even monsters stirred instinctive revulsion in many when it came to slicing living flesh before their eyes—not bugs, but creatures with tangible blood and meat. The sensation of killing something substantial was indescribable to the uninitiated.
Most average hunters faced peers in desperate struggles, steeling themselves with "kill or be killed." But that mindset didn't fit Seong Ye-han. The gulf between him and C-rank monsters was too vast for such psychological crutches. Some civilians balked even at blood in photos or videos. Yet he moved without falter amid the vivid crimson spray—proof of exceptional mental fortitude as a hunter.
Sguk— Shwaaak—
As she fixated on him, he casually butchered another shadow wolf that had circled behind, without a glance. Shin Ye-hwa licked her parched lips. Her red tongue flicked out. Violet eyes gleamed in the sunlight. The crimson tint in her gaze seemed deeper today. She wished he'd grow swiftly. And when he hit S-rank, they'd return to the hunter world in glory together. Shoving a massive middle finger to all who'd scorned her, basking in the spotlight as the dazzling S-rank couple. Just imagining it lifted her spirits. That day couldn't be far off...
She'd once resented him for stopping her rampage at the Association right after regaining her powers. Now, she was glad it had happened.
Seong Ye-han steadied his breath, feeling his heart pound—not with tension or doubt as moments ago, but with excitement and confidence.
Honestly, until this very instant today, he hadn't fully grasped his own power. Sparring with Shin Ye-hwa always ended in his defeat, so even praise for his superior specs rang hollow without that visceral proof. But now, effortlessly carving through a pack of shadow wolves that would have meant death before meeting her—he finally felt it.
If she heard, she'd laugh that he was getting worked up over mere C-rank trash. But for him, this first hunt's thrill would be unforgettable for life. At the YP Research Institute, sorting monster byproducts and magic stones from others' kills, he'd dreamed of this endlessly: life as a true hunter, not just an awakener. Now it began. He brimmed with potential to tread the S-rank heavens of hunters.
He turned to Shin Ye-hwa, standing amid the corpses like him. Beautiful even in bloodbath. No—especially in the bloodbath, she shone brighter. Their meeting was sheer luck, their start flawed. But now, she was more precious than anyone.
"Thanks."
She tilted her head at his abrupt words. "For what?"
"For showing up in front of me that day."
"Pfft, over something like that."
Shin Ye-hwa smirked and approached, their shadows merging. Thick armor blocked warmth and softness, but it sufficed.
"If anything, I'm more grateful."
"Huh?"
"Without meeting you, I couldn't have become S-rank again." She whispered hotly into his ear. "I'd probably be way more broken than now. To get back to S-rank, I'd have done anything."
Fallen from the pinnacle, she'd have clawed back at any cost. Joining a vicious cult. Getting royally fucked by some sleazy conman. Even heinous crimes—for a sliver of hope. She'd have become a monster in human skin. She knew because it was her. No "what if"—it was inevitable. He'd stopped that, kept her human despite his rudeness. Sure, losing her virginity while unconscious stung. But now, utterly claimed and awakened to female bliss, it only left regret. What had it felt like, her first time? No chances left to know...
"So make up for it. Keep fucking me senseless from now on..." Her voice, already husky with seduction, deepened further, tar-like, melting into his ear and brain.
"Fill my baby room with your thick cum?"
"Urgh."
No touch, yet electricity from his ear made Seong Ye-han shudder. Ignoring it, she pulled away, hips swaying seductively—plump curves defying the armor.
"Hah! Fuck."
Feeling his groin throb painfully, Seong Ye-han vowed again. Once home, he'd punish that lewd bitch harshly.
The site reeked of monster blood. Severed trees, trampled brush. Gore chunks and blood pools hinted at the battle's ferocity.
"Clean work... but off somehow."
A group of twelve appeared. One—a figure shrouded head to toe, gender and face obscured save for eyes—muttered in a low, gruff male voice.
"What's weird?"
A high, shrill female voice replied. He answered, "Traces scream overwhelming massacre. Minimum A-rank."
The cuts, corpse layout—undeniable.
"But the processing screams total newbie."
Hunting was economic: byproducts and magic stones. Pros knew prime parts and efficient kills.
"Chopping shadow wolves like this, ignoring their valuable pelts? Didn't even consider taking them."
"So what? You or I could do this to C-rank scraps blindfolded. That bitch doesn't seem the type to bother collecting anyway."
"Doesn't matter about her—the guy with her might."
"Guy?"
"Tracks show man and woman. Woman's her; man's the butcher."
"Hmph. Probably hooked some show-off loser dying to impress pussy. That slut looked easy to snag."
He clicked his tongue at her dismissal. "Tch. Any variable's a risk, idiot. Watch it."
"What? Say that again."
"Am I wrong? Lord didn't make me leader for nothing."
Undaunted by her glare, he met it coolly.
"Ha! Cocky fuck. Strutting like big shit? Catching one barely-A-rank bitch and some gutter rat—why's your tongue so long?"
"Better than airhead like you."
"Hey!"
"Shut up and fuck off. I'll check more. I'm leader till return. Strip if I say—rules, you know?"
She fumed, but "rules" quelled her rage. She swallowed it.
"We'll settle this later, you prick."
"Haha, music to my ears. Get to watch you squeal ass-up again."
"Eeeek...!"
He brushed off her outburst with mockery. She shut up, speechless. Satisfied with the quiet, he scanned traces. Unexpected wrinkle, but minor. Mission success, big reward—and that arrogant cunt would learn her place. Rising, he thought of that day.
"Clean traces thoroughly, then move."
His curt order mobilized the shadows. They expertly covered corpses, blood, battle signs. Pros at this. Soon, the site looked pristine—no human presence lingered.