The sun rose over Etherium, casting its golden light on the kingdoms. Today wasn't just another day. Today, all 66 kingdoms were sending their kings and top hunters to Raro Island—a place known for ancient secrets and powerful decisions.
In Ravaria Kingdom, inside a quiet hotel room, Zaren opened his eyes. He sat up, stretched, and looked out the window.
> "So… today's the day. All the kings and hunters are heading to Raro Island."
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, King Vardis of Ravaria stood next to his grand carriage. Just as he was about to step inside, he noticed Zaren walking by. He smiled and stepped back down.
> "Hey, hunter," King Vardis said. "We haven't met before. So… what have you decided?"
Zaren raised an eyebrow. "Decided what?"
Before he could say more, Raiken, the leader of Ravaria's hunter guild, walked up beside the king. King Vardis gave a fake smile.
> "Didn't Raiken ask you to join his guild?"
Zaren blinked, confused. He looked at Raiken, who avoided eye contact, head lowered. But Zaren quickly realized what was happening.
> "Actually… yeah, he did ask. But I turned it down."
King Vardis paused, clearly surprised. He wasn't expecting that. With a forced grin, he nodded.
> "Oh? If you say so."
He got back into his carriage with a cold expression. Raiken and the other hunters got into the second and third carriages.
As they rode off, Raiken looked at Zaren from his carriage window.
> "Why did you lie for me back there?"
Zaren smiled. "Because I didn't want you to feel embarrassed. It's nothing big."
Raiken grinned. "Thanks, man."
Later, they reached the harbor where a giant ship waited. King Vardis had his own private room inside, while the hunters gathered outside on the deck. Zaren leaned over the railing, watching the waves crash.
He spotted the island in the distance.
> "So… that's Raro Island. Looks bigger than I thought. I wonder how powerful the other hunters are…"
As the ship docked, they saw ships from Velmora, Elyria, Doryos, Dwarvenhold, Emberfall, and many more.
The kings headed toward the palace on the island, while the hunters were led to a separate gate.
Zaren lined up with the others. He noticed a glowing rank measurement device at the front. His heart skipped a beat.
> "Oh no… they're checking ranks?! I just leveled up to SSS+! What if they ask how I did it?! I'm screwed!"
His turn came. A soldier said, "Please place your hand on the device."
Zaren closed his eyes and braced himself.
BEEP!
> SSS+ Rank – Confirmed
The whole area went silent.
> "What the—SSS+?!"
"Didn't he just become SS? Then SSS? And now THIS?!"
"Who the hell is this guy?!"
Even the soldier was shocked. "S-Sir… you may enter."
Raiken stared at Zaren, completely stunned.
In the main hall, the kings sat on golden thrones on the upper level. The hunters were seated below on shining silver chairs. As Zaren walked toward his seat, two familiar faces appeared.
Finn and Jaxon, both SSS+ rank hunters, stepped in front of him.
> "So, Zaren," Finn grinned. "You're one of us now, huh?"
"Yeah," Jaxon added with a smirk. "Care to tell us your secret?"
Zaren gave a half-smile and laughed nervously. Jaxon playfully punched his shoulder.
> "Don't think you're better than me just 'cause you beat me once," he joked. "If I used my full power, you'd be toast!"
Finn laughed. "That's not what the rumors say. People said you were fighting full strength, Jax."
> "Shut up, Finn!"
All the kings watched from above, surprised by Zaren's rising fame.
Among them sat the King of Emberfall, an older man with sharp eyes. He looked at Zaren carefully.
> "So… that's the new SSS+ hunter," he muttered. "These three… Zaren, Finn, Jaxon… they're the strongest now. But once, we had the strongest. Crimson, the Celestis-ranked hunter..."
He paused, remembering.
> "Crimson was no ordinary man. He was human in form… but a monster in power. He walked a path no one dared."
Just then, a wise old man stepped onto the platform in the center of the hall.
> "Silence, please," the man announced. "The meeting of the 66 kingdoms… shall now begin."
Zaren looked up.
> "So… now it begins."
(Chapter 32 Fin)