Hunt Race

Kael followed Darius through the guild corridor until they reached the mission hall.

The usual noise greeted them immediately.

Hunters crowded around the large board at the far end of the room, some arguing over missions while others stood in small groups discussing their recent hunts.

Kael glanced around.

"You're actually taking me to the mission board?"

Darius nodded.

"You wanted a mission."

"I thought you were going to choose one."

"I am."

Darius walked toward the board.

Kael followed.

Several hunters noticed Darius as they passed.

The conversations around them quieted slightly before returning to normal.

Kael ignored the attention.

Darius stopped in front of the board and scanned the available missions.

"Too easy."

He moved to another.

"Too easy."

Another.

"Not suitable."

Kael folded his arms.

"You're rejecting everything."

"I'm looking for something specific."

Darius's eyes continued moving across the board.

Finally, he stopped.

Kael stepped closer.

"What did you find?"

Darius pulled a mission notice from the board.

Kael glanced at it.

Eastern Forest — Missing Hunter Investigation

"Missing hunter?"

Darius nodded.

"Three hunters failed to return from the eastern forest."

Kael's expression became serious.

"Three?"

"They were sent to investigate reports of unusual beast activity."

Darius handed him the notice.

Kael read through it.

"There are no confirmed beast ranks."

"Correct."

"So why are you giving me this?"

Darius looked at him.

"Because the mission isn't simply about killing something."

Kael understood immediately.

"You want me to investigate."

"And fight if necessary."

Kael looked at the report again.

"Why haven't they sent stronger hunters?"

"They have."

Darius's answer made Kael pause.

"And?"

"They haven't found the missing hunters."

Kael looked back at the mission notice.

"When did they disappear?"

"Two days ago."

"Any survivors?"

"None reported."

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"Then something is wrong."

"Exactly."

Darius folded the notice.

"This is where your training begins."

Kael smiled slightly.

"You make it sound like a lesson."

"It is."

Darius handed the mission back to him.

"You'll need to pay attention to mana signatures, tracks, environmental changes, and anything that doesn't fit."

Kael nodded.

"And if I find the hunters?"

"Bring them back if they're alive."

"And if they're not?"

Darius's expression remained calm.

"Find out what killed them."

Kael looked at the mission notice once more.

He felt a familiar excitement building in his chest.

Not because he wanted another fight.

This mission was different.

There was something unknown waiting in the eastern forest.

Something that had already defeated hunters sent to investigate it.

Kael folded the notice.

"When do we leave?"

Darius looked at him.

"You."

Kael blinked.

"Me?"

"I'm not going with you."

Kael stared at him.

"Then why bring me here?"

"Because you're going to learn how to investigate without someone standing beside you."

Kael gave him a flat look.

"So you dragged me here just to abandon me?"

Darius's mouth twitched slightly.

"You're a Hunter."

Kael sighed.

"Right."

Darius turned away.

"I'll expect a report when you return."

Kael looked at the mission notice.

"How long?"

"Until you solve it."

Kael smiled.

"That's not a time limit."

"Exactly."

Darius walked away.

Kael watched him leave before looking back toward the mission board.

The eastern forest.

Three missing hunters.

No confirmed beast rank.

And something strong enough to keep experienced hunters from returning.

Kael's grip tightened around the notice.

"Interesting."

He turned toward the guild exit.

It was time to find out what was waiting in the forest.

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