Demon Hunter, Unlike a Cat

Even now, with demon monsters overflowing everywhere, that name occasionally popped up in player communities. But back when Arcana was just a game, it was treated like a complete joke. Thinking back even now, it was utterly pathetic.

While other classes hunted monsters with flashy skill names and explosive attacks, the demon hunter scraped by with basic attacks or, at best, one of the fundamental shooting skills like Simultaneous Shot, locked in grueling fights.

'Don't even get me started. Back in my day...'

At this point, anyone unfamiliar with those days might ask what on earth made players choose a class they had nothing to brag about. Me, Lee Hoyeol. I fell under some sudden severe chuunibyou spell and picked demon hunter. But surely no other players chose it for the same reason.

That's right. There were those pretty faces who lured naive, clueless players to Akkshan. One of them was Akkshan's guardian spirit, the Akkshan wolf.

A wolf's howl echoed through Sisli.

Awooooo—!

Agentress's eyes widened as she shot to her feet.

"......!"

Agentress was right. On the surface, Sisli was perfect land. No better word than a greenhouse. I'd noticed it myself while wandering Sisli. There was nothing remotely threatening.

'It was too peaceful.'

Herbivores that fled at the mere shadow of a human on the Arcana continent instead approached with wide eyes. That said it all.

"How could a beast be in Sisli...?"

So it was natural she'd flinch at the wolf's howl. But it was too early to be surprised, Agentress. The pretty face? The one who dragged players to worthless Akkshan? No, the culprit wolf itself.

Screeech!

The air split. The rushing wind hinted at its speed. Fitting for Akkshan's guardian. It never appeared ordinarily.

'What a dramatic entrance.'

Watching it, old memories flooded back. Even in Arcana continent-era demon hunter class intro videos, the Akkshan wolf had overwhelming presence. A body larger than an adult man. Flames rising where its paws landed. Its appearance was no mere show.

"......Ah, Lady Agentress?"

Overwhelming enough to make elves stutter. Now do you get it? Why demon hunter was once popular with players, even briefly. Why Akkshan once buzzed with them.

'No wonder they called demon hunters wolf tamers instead.'

Most players who picked demon hunter wanted the Akkshan wolf. If they could command it, they'd endure the lame skills, weird growth, and grindy quests.

But.

'Talk about false advertising, Akkshan...'

I was stunned inwardly. Now I saw it wasn't just hype. Remember the demon hunter class intro video! Recalling how I acquired Akkshan's Guardian.

This unique skill was essentially the reward for Class Quest: Good and Evil. A necessary intermediate reward to reach the next goal.

The problem?

'How many eons to get here?'

Bluntly.

'...Skip the process anyway.'

I'm overwhelmingly ahead of other players. In levels, actual power, gear quality. Even my hidden tricks. I'm steps ahead in everything.

Yet even I skipped countless steps, radiated Claudy's halo, and barely reached Sisli to get this skill.

'I swore not to overuse it, but.'

This time, I can confidently say: If Arcana were still a game, no one could acquire it! The difficulty is insane.

Realizing that, Akkshan seniors' faces came to mind. When players asked about the wolf.

'They'd dodge with "You'll know when the time comes," right?'

Our seniors couldn't tell the truth, or everyone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠would've bolted. Of course, players fled before learning the awful truth.

But now, after a decade-plus hiatus, I was back.

'...Too long, maybe?'

The Akkshan wolf stared blankly at me. Naturally, I—Grandfell—never avoided a gaze. Meeting its eyes let me take in its full form.

Simply put... if hell had a gatekeeper, it'd be this wolf. As its title "Akkshan's guardian" implied, it looked extraordinary. Its fierce, handsome face lived up to "pretty face."

Players would've fallen for that look. Elves gulped audibly. Suddenly wondering what was happening, no doubt. But no worries. Just a staring contest. Might seem like an eye fight, but unlike cats, I and Grandfell like dogs.

"I know your feelings."

See?

"You must have been endlessly lonely."

The mercy opposite what he gave the Tower Master. But not just a happy greeting. Akkshan knew better than anyone how it ended.

So this was closer to comfort than hello. Clop—did it sense my voice? It approached and nuzzled my head. I placed a hand on its head.

Stroke—lightly petting, I continued.

"With me here, no more sorrow."

...Had I ever said such warm words? It made me reflect. The Tower Master would've freaked seeing this. Complaining he was worse than a dog.

But not so strange. Back at my first rift, dimly remembered now.

—"Seems it lacks discipline."

I was kind even to the goblin dog-man.

'Kind enough to punish personally.'

Especially merciful to puppies.

'Technically a wolf, but.'

Did the Akkshan wolf sense my dog love? Its tail began wagging. Elves, including Agentress, relaxed.

By the way... Akkshan was too consistent.

'Never caught them off guard.'

The touching reunion was brief. The Akkshan wolf sniffed. Tracking the demon scent. Toward where the World Tree had stood. Agentress asked.

"......May I ask what happened?"

Properly resolved, Agentress? Her polite tone showed decorum. Then I'd answer personally.

"The primordial evil that fled the fallen World Tree."

"......!"

"From this moment, I shall pursue that sinner."

New class quest goal.

No coincidence it gave Akkshan's Guardian now. As expected. The Akkshan wolf threw its head skyward and howled.

Awooooo—!

It caught the scent. Primordial evil. Grand name, so no easy find expected. Sounds like a final boss. But no matter. This is Arcana continent. With Last Adventurer effect, even if I die a hundred times.

In Arcana time, four days later. Real time, 24 hours.

I'll return tirelessly.

"Like the dawn rising daily, driving back the dark."

...Poetic as ever, Grandfell.

'...Anyway!'

My pride will follow you to hell. I know how tenacious pride is, tormented by it most.

Then.

"Then I shall join you."

For real, Agentress?

'Well, elves are sturdy, minus the temper. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Second to dragons.'

Like how Elcidoir wrecked Rackid. Problem is the filthy personality... Sublime effect? Agentress's eyes were different. No scheming glint.

Even if she did, with Blessed Hierarchy.

'No issue.'

Grandfell's lofty pride wouldn't drag others into danger. But Agentress requested willingly.

So.

"Cannot ignore your pride."

"......Pride?"

"I permit your company."

"Thank you."

...More than that. Don't overthink pride, Agentress. Pride isn't grasped by deep thought.

But she asked anyway.

"May I ask what pride is?"

Define pride verbally? Most awkward request. Made me curious too. How would Grandfell define it? Expectantly, my mouth opened.

"What you see and feel."

"What I see and feel...?"

"That is pride."

No, that's brazen beyond! Thought prickly Agentress wouldn't buy it. But that unexpected reaction...?

Laughing at this answer?

"I see. That 'something' was pride."

...What's 'something'? Overthinking loses. I'll get pride-infected...!

So no more delay.

"Depart before the scent fades."

Agentress agreed.

"Ensure no one approaches ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Sisli."

She ordered the elves. 'Can't risk leaks.' Sisli needed tighter security now. Elves bowed briefly. She added.

"But... dragons are exempt."

Lizard to dragon. Mention furrowed brows, but progress.

'Better than my "nemesis."'

Anyway. Time to go? As I stepped, like waiting.

Awoo—!

The Akkshan wolf crouched. Realizing Akkshan's hype. Bittersweet. I reached for the wolf.

Without prep, couldn't mount. Rough wind on arrival. Speed even elves noted.

'Near max level, probably.'

Without high mount skill, balancing impossible. But who am I? Skipper of steps, king of tricks.

No hesitation. Fluidly, flawlessly, I mounted the wolf's back. Then eyed Agentress.

What're you waiting for? Honor your words. Of course, Grandfell wouldn't backseat anyone. Simple reason. Might wrinkle his pristine jacket.

'...So me.'

Anyway, mount a deer or something, Agentress...!

*

Shadow Mercenary leader Kichi lowered her hand from her nose onto the rock. Tingling from palm to fingerprints.

Soon.

Rumble!

The rock shifted, growling as it revealed the hideout entrance.

Kichi's pupils scanned the dark swiftly. No intrusion signs. Finally, she released her nose.

"Who'd comb this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dump anyway."

Unnamed corpses. Or ones that must stay unknown. Dozens dumped daily in Forgotten Ones' Gorge. Shadow Mercenary hideout was gorge bottom, hidden. No sun, vultures eating corpses, not even rats.

"Rotten stench vibrating as ever."

Kichi sniffed, advancing into dark. Job made her night-eyed, but this was home. She knew layout blindfolded.

'Basic for a leader.'

Leader position demanded it. Seemed sloppy outside, but not really. Bore heaviest burdens.

Swoosh—parting wall curtain revealed rock. She reached again. Tingling, hidden space opened.

Shadow Mercenary's accumulated wealth stash. Even vice-leader Wolf unknown. No ledger checks, naturally.

"Ugh, dust everywhere."

Kichi blew, dusting the ledger. Opening it showed requests from past to present. Brutal even now.

"Lived rough, everyone."

Bitter smile reading. Then her lips stiffened. Low voice leaked.

"......Suspected, and wasn't wrong."

Kichi pressed finger on entry, rereading. Unchanged.

The request, in red ink.

Clearly marked.