The Hunter Association
Hunter Association.
This place issued Hunter licenses in Zone 1, home to everyone from Rank 2 to Rank 6. In a world where national borders had blurred, the Hunter Association wielded more power than any single nation.
"...And you're an executive there, stuck hunting monsters? That's too much."
Isabel said this as she turned both palms skyward. Her magic tool gloves materialized on her hands, conjuring massive flames.
"No helping it, right? They're short-staffed."
Kua smiled brightly, back-to-back with Isabel.
"True. A city with monsters like these running around."
Without even glancing, Isabel hurled the fireball from her right hand to the right and the one from her left to the left.
Boom! Boom!
A three-foot-tall monkey-like monster vanished in the explosion, while a scorpion-form beast melted in the blaze.
"Exactly! Civilians must be terrified!"
Unlike Kua's concern, Zone 1 citizens seemed used to monster outbreaks. Some watched from building rooftops, others snuck videos—reactions varied wildly.
"Grraaawr!"
A tiger-shaped monster charged then. Kua clenched her gloved fist into empty air.
Float.
Monsters of all kinds rose into the sky, encased in water bubbles. Isabel sneered at the sight.
"This isn't a zoo... Hold 'em tight."
Gripping a spear of flame, Isabel hurled it with perfect form. Thanks to Kua lining them up straight, the spear pierced every target. Their combo against monsters was flawless. A Rank 5 Hunter would've struggled here, but the pair cleared it in under ten minutes.
"Woooah!"
"Hunter Association rocks!"
"Fire Witch! Water Fairy! You got this!"
Cheers poured in from the crowd.
Isabel looked displeased.
"That damn 'witch'..."
"R-Right? 'Fairy'...? Embarrassing."
Kua blushed at the citizens' reactions. Their Hunter Association duty was simple: dispatch calls.
"Hunters have it rough. Villain shows up? Monster rampage? Everyone here just calls for Hunters."
"Uh... But isn't it the same for Sabers?"
"Yeah."
Isabel shot Kua a glare.
Kua just smiled innocently. Lately, she'd been calling Isabel out more. Her points were always spot-on, delivered with that friendly grin—made her a tough opponent for Isabel. Whether he knew her feelings or not, Kua asked with genuine worry.
"Is the party leader doing okay?"
"Zien? He'll be fine."
Before she knew it, Isabel trusted Zien completely. Relying on someone else was rare for her.
"More importantly, you get a new quest too?"
Isabel read her hologram and asked Kua.
You are affiliated with the Hunter Association. Assist Lucia Elquines in heading to the Christie Auction House.
The Association Chairman will oppose Lucia Elquines's opinion. Lend her your support.
"Yes! But this... Ah! I get it! Linked quest!"
Kua's eyes sparkled as she looked at Isabel. She was thrilled to meet Lucia. Isabel cracked a small smile at her excitement.
"That woman's got a role with the Hunter Association too? No wonder we haven't crossed paths—just endless dispatches."
"Still! Now we can join up!"
"Plus, the flow suggests Zien'll be at the rendezvous."
"Whew, finally the main quest. Feels like we're at the starting line."
"Yeah..."
Isabel scanned her surroundings.
This illusory space was gate-made. And it was Rank 5 difficulty.
'But...'
The quests so far had been too easy. Fetch quests by her standards. When the front was simple, the back got brutal. Gates were unfair like that—never easier than rated, always harder.
'A disaster at the auction house...'
As Isabel pondered, rain began falling slowly from the sky.
Drip. Plop. Patter.
Dull gray skies. Gloomy weather. Perfect harbinger of the typhoon hitting Rain City.
A forgotten corner of Rain City.
The abandoned factory was Rebellion's meeting spot. Jane arrived far later than promised, battered from mana overuse and Sin Ha-seong's spear wound. Bandages on her arm, limping from a botched teleport landing. Bruno eyed her.
"You look like hell."
The seated Bruno stood.
Over two meters tall, he dwarfed her.
"J-Just got careless."
"...Careless."
Bruno leaned down to meet her eyes. Sharp despite his bulk.
"That's not 'careless,' Jane. We're not idiots."
His low voice carried disappointment, grief, pity. Iruka watched from the side, squinting coldly.
"Miss Jane, why get greedy? Didn't trust us?"
Iruka's gentle probe made Jane step back.
"I-I! Wanted to end it with my hands, not the boss's... Yeah! My way!"
Desperation cracked her usual poise. Iruka pressed.
"And that's the result?"
His soft tone hid barbs.
"Jane. Boss tasked you with surveillance. His revenge is his."
"Yet you botched it. She might not even show at the auction."
Iruka's flat voice matched his expression.
"Even if she does, doesn't lighten your failure. And now injured..."
"...Sorry."
Jane bowed, but no one accepted it. Their coldness stung deeper.
"But I'm a Rank 5 Hunter! This injury's nothing!"
She bristled.
Bruno gripped her wrist. Pain twisted her face.
"Guh!"
"Doubt it. Can you even deploy like this, Jane?"
Iruka shook his head firmly.
"You'll just be dead weight."
Step. Step.
Night of the Rank 5 gate Hunter.
This saga's protagonist. Nameless Hunter Jeokhyeol emerged from the shadows.
"Jane."
She didn't respond. No matter. Jeokhyeol notified her unilaterally.
"You're out for this op."
Harsh for a Rebellion member. Their rage varied, but their bond was the same.
"Even if you're boss! You can't order me like that! I have a right to his revenge too!"
Her scream bounced off Jeokhyeol. Bruno approached the pitiful Jane with a sigh.
"Jane. I get it. Retract the 'don't understand' bit... But."
Bruno chopped her neck with his thick hand. Jane exhaled like a puppet cut loose.
"Gahk!"
Crack—she crumpled unconscious. Bruno gazed bitterly.
"Cool your head."
Her blackout would last a day at least. By the time she woke, it'd be over. Iruka draped his jacket over her.
Bruno chuckled at the sight.
"In just a dress shirt? They'll bounce you at the door."
"Don't worry. I'll buy one."
"Big mouth, tiny eyes."
"Eyes and mouth are unrelated."
Trading barbs, Bruno and Iruka left the factory. Last out, Jeokhyeol glanced back at Jane. Her fallen form overlapped with someone. He looked skyward instead.
"The weather?"
Dreary gray sky.
Rain poured endlessly, true to Rain City's name.
"Gloomy start."
Fifth floor of Sky Town.
Far too early for the auction, Yume summoned Zien to her room. Straight to business—she hated beating around the bush.
"You. After this job, come work under me."
Yume continued magnanimously, eyeing him.
"I'll tell Dad to make you my exclusive bodyguard."
She flicked her light purple hair confidently.
"No thanks."
"Right. Start at 7 AM... Huh? W-What?"
Yume stammered, flustered.
Rejection was a novel experience. But Zien wasn't job-hunting. The quest was to protect her.
'No need for extra hassle. Can't die now.'
To avoid mana handicap, he needed to shut this down.
"This job's my last."
"W-Why? I'm offering!"
Legs uncrossed, she closed in.
"Salary? I've got tons of money. Name your price."
Unlike yesterday, she pitched hard. Saving her life had won her over. But she was just a 17-year-old student—tactics immature. Her go-to weapon: cash.
"I'm good. This gig pays enough."
Blocked, she muttered blankly. Used to getting everything, the shock hit hard.
"Enough? M-More's always better, right?"
"I'll think about it."
"Uh? Y-Yeah, think it over~"
She waved him off casually, but her face betrayed her.
"What is this gross feeling?"
First experiences stick. Especially intense ones like rejection.
My Previous Life was the Strongest Sword God