Inside the A-Rank dungeon of Ravaria Kingdom, the group of hunters faced their first real challenge — 30 high-rank goblins surrounded them. The battle began.
Raiken and the other hunters were struggling. The goblins were stronger than expected, and the hunters were already panting, slashing wildly. Zaren stood behind, watching quietly with a bored look.
"What the hell are they even doing?" Zaren thought, sighing. "This is a piece of cake… I could finish them in seconds." A small smirk appeared on his face.
Eventually, Raiken and the others managed to kill all the goblins. They breathed heavily, but it wasn't over. Deeper inside the dungeon, the real threat awaited.
"Stay behind me, Zaren. I'll protect you," Raiken said, still catching his breath.
Zaren thought, "I guess not yet. But if things get out of control, I'll step in."
They continued deeper. Suddenly, they were ambushed by a pack of hyena-like monsters — much larger, more vicious. Zaren stepped behind Raiken, observing.
"These might be a problem for them," he thought.
Raiken shouted, "Let's kill them all!" The hunters rushed in. Steel clashed, spells flew — but the monsters were faster, stronger.
Suddenly, one of the hyena-beasts lunged and killed the healer, a B-Rank hunter. Blood spilled across the ground.
"RETREAT!!" Raiken screamed. Panic spread.
Everyone fell back. Raiken was injured, breathing hard. Cuts and bruises covered every hunter.
Zaren stood still, calm in the chaos. "I only came here to explore dungeons in another country. Should I step in?"
Before he could decide, a hyena monster leapt at him. In a blink, Raiken jumped in front and took the hit — his arm was sliced clean off, and he collapsed to the ground, barely breathing.
Zaren froze. A flashback struck him — Corvin, his fallen comrade, saving him from the Demon Lord. Rage ignited in his heart.
Zaren walked to Raiken, placed a hand on the severed arm, and calmly said, "Regenerate."
Within 10 seconds, Raiken's arm reformed. Everyone stared in shock.
Raiken looked at Zaren in disbelief. "How… did you do that?"
Zaren's eyes glowed with a deathly blue flame. That stare alone sent chills through the hunters.
Raiken gasped, "I was wrong… You're not just a citizen. You're a hunter… aren't you?"
Suddenly — WHOOSH! — all the hyena monsters' heads were sliced off in a single slash of Zaren's blue flame sword.
"W-WHAAAAAAT!?" the hunters screamed in unison.
Zaren stepped in front of Raiken. "I'm sorry I lied. I'm not a citizen… I'm actually an SSS-Rank hunter. My name is Zaren. The hunter you were talking about earlier? That's me."
The hunters froze. Then, in awe, they all kneeled down.
"Thank you, sir, for saving us," Raiken said, bowing his head.
Zaren smiled. "Don't mention it. But if you really want to repay me… give me a tour of your kingdom."
Raiken grinned. "Why not, sir!"
They walked out of the dungeon, heading toward Ravaria Kingdom. Along the way, the hunters whispered:
"Did you know he defeated Jaxon, the SSS+ hunter?"
"He must be insanely powerful!"
"What if we challenged him…?"
Raiken approached Zaren. "Sir, thank you again. But… how did you even come to our kingdom?"
Zaren hesitated, recalling how he had accidentally teleported here by mistake. He gave a fake smile.
"Uh… I was just walking around," he said nervously.
Raiken stared at him. "What the hell… he just walked into our kingdom like that?" he thought with a funny look.
---
Scene Shift — Ravaria Kingdom
The kingdom gates opened. All the hunters returned safely. Zaren looked around and said to Raiken, "Wanna show me your guild?"
"Of course, sir. Follow me," Raiken replied.
The guild building was massive, but surprisingly empty. Zaren thought, "It's a good guild… but lacks strong hunters."
Raiken looked at him with hope. "If he joins our guild… our kingdom will become legendary." Then he got serious. "Should I… speak to the king?"
Raiken turned to Zaren. "Sir, for now my receptionist will give you a tour. I have an urgent matter. Please excuse me."
Zaren nodded, and Raiken ran full speed to the palace.
People stared. "Why's Raiken running like that?"
---
Scene Shift — The Palace
The king sat on his throne, frustrated.
"I should resign. This kingdom is useless. No money, no power… I'm nothing," he muttered. Jealousy and bitterness filled his heart.
"And now… a new SSS-Rank hunter named Zaren appears in Elyria kingdom…" he growled.
Suddenly the doors burst open. Raiken entered, out of breath.
"YOU IDIOT!" the king shouted. "You can't come in here without my permission!"
"Sir, please listen!" Raiken gasped. "Our kingdom is not lost. We have a new visitor. His name is Zaren!"
The king stood up, shocked. "An SSS-Rank hunter?! In our kingdom?!"
He screamed, "DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO RECRUIT HIM! If he joins, I'll be the most powerful king among all kingdoms!"
Raiken replied, "Sir, two kingdoms already tried. They offered him money — it didn't work. Zaren is loyal to his own kingdom and friends."
The king gritted his teeth. "Then what the hell should we do?!"
He paused… then stood again.
"Offer him MORE money! Status! Whatever it takes!"
Raiken looked uncertain. "Sir… I don't think that'll work either."
(Chapter 30 Fin)