Hunt Race

Three days had passed since Kael and Leon returned from the Shadow Wolf hunt.

The wound across Kael's side had almost completely healed.

Almost.

A dull ache still lingered whenever he moved too quickly.

The guild had already returned to its usual rhythm.

Hunters crowded around the mission board.

Some laughed.

Some argued over rewards.

Others searched for teammates.

Life had moved on.

Kael walked through the crowd in silence.

His eyes moved across the requests.

Escort missions.

Herb gathering.

Iron Beast extermination.

He ignored them all.

Then his gaze stopped.

A newly posted request hung near the center of the board.

He stepped closer.

Subjugation Mission

Location: Blackstone Forest.

Objective: Hunt as many hostile beasts as possible.

Verification: Submit beast cores upon your return.

Reward: Payment determined by the number and rank of beast cores submitted.

Kael read it once.

Then tore it from the board.

A few nearby hunters glanced at him before returning to their own requests.

He walked toward the reception desk.

"I'd like to register."

The receptionist accepted the request.

Her eyes briefly scanned it before lifting to meet his.

"Solo?"

Kael nodded.

"Yes."

She wasn't surprised.

She wrote down his name before stamping the request.

Just as she was about to hand back his guild badge...

She paused.

"One piece of advice."

Kael waited.

"The mission area isn't exclusive."

"You won't be the only hunter in Blackstone Forest."

"There'll be guild hunters..."

"...independent hunters..."

"...and people who care more about profit than rules."

She slid the guild badge across the counter.

"Some will congratulate you on a successful hunt."

"Others will wait until you're exhausted before trying to steal your beast cores."

Her expression turned serious.

"And some..."

"...won't hesitate to kill another hunter if they think no one will ever find the body."

The surrounding chatter suddenly felt distant.

Kael clipped the badge back onto his belt.

"I'll remember that."

The receptionist nodded.

"Good."

"Out there..."

"Don't just watch the beasts."

"Watch the people."

Kael gave a slight nod.

"Thank you."

He turned and walked away.

Back in his room...

He packed only what he needed.

His sword.

Fresh bandages.

A whetstone.

A waterskin.

Dried rations.

Nothing more.

He slung the bag over his shoulder and stepped outside .

He walked through the gates alone

The guards barely spared him a glance before returning to their conversation.

Kael continued down the open road.

He never looked back.

Ahead of him...

Blackstone Forest waited.

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