Hunt Race

The massive gates closed behind the expedition as they finally stepped inside.

For a moment, none of the hunters said anything.

Not because they were afraid.

Not because they were exhausted.

But because there was a certain feeling that came with returning alive.

After days surrounded by danger, the sight of familiar walls brought a sense of relief that words could hardly explain.

The hunters slowly moved forward, leaving the entrance behind as they entered the large courtyard.

Unlike the forest, where every sound could mean danger, this place was filled with ordinary noise.

Voices.

Laughter.

The sound of weapons being repaired.

The movement of people going about their daily lives.

It felt strange to Kael.

He had spent days seeing hunters as warriors constantly prepared for battle.

But here, they looked different.

They looked normal.

The expedition group began separating naturally.

A few injured hunters headed toward the medical hall, still arguing about whose wounds were worse.

"Don't forget that you almost lost your arm."

One hunter looked annoyed.

"I didn't lose it."

"You almost did."

"Almost doesn't count."

The others laughed as they walked away.

Some hunters went toward the main hall to submit their expedition reports, while others headed toward the dining area, already discussing what they wanted to eat after days of travelling.

The group that had fought together in the forest slowly returned to their own routines.

Kael watched them leave.

It was strange.

Not long ago, they had been standing together against a beast that could have killed them.

Now they were simply returning to their normal lives.

"You look surprised."

Kael turned toward Darius.

"I guess I expected something different."

Darius raised an eyebrow.

"Different how?"

"I'm not sure."

He looked around the courtyard.

"I thought hunters would be more..."

"Serious?"

Kael nodded.

Darius gave a small laugh.

"They are serious when they need to be."

His eyes moved toward the hunters around them.

"But surviving doesn't mean you stop living."

Kael stayed quiet.

The answer was simple, but it made sense.

The hunters weren't fearless people who never felt fear.

They were people who understood the danger and still chose to continue.

Darius continued walking, and Kael followed beside him.

The deeper they went, the more Kael noticed the differences between this place and the village he grew up in.

The buildings were larger.

The streets were busier.

Everywhere he looked, there were signs of the hunter life.

People carrying weapons.

Travelers preparing supplies.

Workers repairing damaged equipment.

Everyone had a purpose.

Darius noticed Kael looking around.

"First time in a hunter guild?"

Kael nodded.

"It is."

"Then don't try to understand everything in one day."

Kael looked at him.

"There is that much?"

Darius gave him a serious look.

"More than you think."

For a moment, Kael thought he was being serious.

Then Darius added:

"And if you walk around staring at everything, someone will probably charge you for getting in their way."

Kael looked confused.

"That happens?"

"No."

A small smile appeared on Darius' face.

"But it teaches you not to walk around like a lost child."

Kael looked away.

"I wasn't doing that."

"You were."

"I wasn't."

Darius shook his head.

"You really are terrible at lying."

For the first time since returning from the forest, Kael laughed.

It was a small moment.

But it reminded him that life outside the battlefield was still possible.

Eventually, they reached a quieter section of the building.

"This is where you'll stay tonight."

Kael looked at the room in front of him.

"What about the others?"

"They have their own places to go. Some are reporting, some are resting."

Darius looked at him.

"Everyone has done this before."

Kael nodded.

He understood.

The hunters had returned home.

And now he was standing at the beginning of his own path.

Darius turned to leave.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow will be busy."

Kael looked back at him.

"Captain."

Darius stopped.

"Thank you."

The captain remained silent for a moment before giving a small nod.

"You survived. That's what matters."

Then he walked away.

Kael watched him disappear into the halls of the Guild.

For the first time in days, there was no beast nearby.

No danger.

No need to hold his weapon.

Only the unfamiliar feeling of being somewhere new.

And tomorrow...

Everything would begin.

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