No More Hunters!
"Ah..."
I'm dead, huh.
I lay there blankly on the floor and turned my head.
At the edge of my vision, the blue vortex that had been swirling with light was slowly fading away.
It had just been moments ago that I'd watched the last guild member vanish into it.
Looks like everyone else made it out.
"......"
I reached out with great effort and clutched my stomach.
An unidentified massive shard had pierced right through my abdomen.
Was it the lingering heat from the battlefield still raging until moments ago? Or were my senses already dulling? Even the pain felt faint now.
"Haa......"
I'm a hunter.
You know, the kind from those dime-a-dozen web novels.
One of those clichéd characters diving into gates, battling monsters in a never-ending struggle.
I figured I had some talent for it, and since I didn't have any grand dreams anyway, it seemed like a perfect fit when I jumped into the industry.
But...
Reality was nothing like that.
Living with death always at your side was far more agonizing than I'd ever imagined.
Those guys who swing their blades with numb grins on their faces? They're the abnormal ones.
Just a bit more money, and I'll really quit this shit.
I endured by muttering about retirement like a mantra.
Before I knew it, I'd earned the title of S-rank, and the guild I belonged to had become one of those promising names everyone knew on sight.
I was really, really planning to quit hunting after this one last mission and live a normal life.
I rubbed my dry face.
"Ah... damn it."
Of all the rotten luck.
"A double dungeon on the very last day..."
A supposedly easy dungeon I'd entered with a light heart.
But no. It was the kind you needed to prepare thoroughly for.
Well, we cleared it in the end, so I guess I contributed to humanity's peace or whatever.
I let out a hollow sigh as I stared at the massive abomination skewering my body.
At least I saved the others...?
No. Not even close.
This is bullshit. I'm pissed.
All the money I scraped together risking my life my whole career, and I barely even spent it. Dying like a dog after rolling in the mud like this.
As my body grew colder, I made a resolution.
If—and I mean if—there's such a thing as a next life.
Even if I die then...
"I won't... be a damn hunter!"
Beep-beep-beep— Beep-beep-beep—
The grating alarm shattered the silence.
"Ugh......"
Thud!
I fumbled around and slammed my hand down on the nightstand beside the bed.
"......"
As the ear-piercing noise died down, the tension eased from my body, and my eyelids grew heavy once more.
"......"
Hm? But...
Didn't I just die?
The fleeting question flashed through my mind.
I blinked and stared blankly at the ceiling.
"Ah... a dream......"
I sighed in relief and pulled the cozy blanket up over my head.
Just as I was about to drift back to sleep—
"Like hell it was...!"
A chill raced through my entire body. I kicked off the covers and bolted upright.
Those vivid sensations and memories from moments ago.
No way that was a dream.
And besides...
"My voice......"
I muttered softly, and the sound that emerged was strangely delicate and high-pitched—completely unfamiliar.
I stumbled out of bed.
Even the feel of the floor beneath my feet was off, but I dashed straight to the bathroom.
Cold tiles underfoot led me to the mirror.
But the sink and mirror were too high up.
I had to stand on my tiptoes just to see my face.
"!!!"
The moment I did and peered into the glass, I had no choice but to clutch my head.
Because a stranger was staring back at me.
Jet-black bob hair swaying at shoulder length, transparent black eyes. Facial features that vaguely resembled mine somewhere.
And above all—
The unfamiliar emptiness I felt below, under the hem of my clothes.
"Wh-what the hell is this...!"
The figure in the mirror gaped back at me in stunned disbelief, mirroring my exact expression.