Chapter 4: Glocked In

After the incident with the Swipe Foxes, the Kanezuka household erupted into chaos the moment Meisatsu stepped through the door.

His mother was the first to reach him, eyes wide with worry.

“Are you hurt anywhere?” she demanded, her hands flying over his body at breakneck speed, checking every inch of him as if she might discover some hidden wound he hadn’t noticed.

His father loomed behind her, clapping him so heavily on the back the walls rattled.

“That’s my boy!” he bellowed, his voice loud enough to shake dust from the rafters.

Ayame stood a short distance away, gazing at him with a look that was…questionable at best.

Meisatsu rubbed the back of his neck, trying to play it cool.

Ayame stepped forward and tilted her head.

“Little brother, you should check your current level.”

He blinked.

“How’s that work?”

She sighed, as if she’d expected him not to know.

“Remember that space you entered when you closed your eyes at the temple? That’s the key. You should see a scroll floating in front of you. Normally it’s silver or bronze depending on your class. You can ask it to show you any information about yourself.”

Meisatsu gave her a sheepish grin.

“Mine’s golden…and honestly, a bit too bright sometimes,” he said, voice cheeky.

The entire family burst into soft laughter, their tension finally easing.

Ayame wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye.

“Go on. Check.”

He closed his eyes. A heartbeat later, he opened them again, looking a little dazed.

“I saw it—‘GUN HERO Lv. 1.’”

Ayame’s eyes sparkled.

“Perfect. Now we can both join the Explorer’s Guild.”

An Explorer’s Guild too, huh? he thought.
I knew a show about a female explorer who—

“Stop spacing out,” Ayame scolded, giving him a light flick to the forehead. “Go get ready. It’s an hour’s walk to the guild.”

“An hour?”

“You heard me. No teleportation spells. I want to enjoy the time with you.”

Meisatsu sighed but couldn’t suppress a small smile. She really was overprotective.

The walk passed in a blur of conversation and soft morning light. When they reached the guild’s entrance, Meisatsu paused to take in the building.

It was humble but sturdy, the thick beams weathered but solid. Above the door hung a large bronze plaque stamped with the guild’s crest: a silhouette of a person standing atop a mountain, arms spread toward a rising sun.

They stepped inside together, crossing the polished floor to the front desk.

The receptionist was hard to miss. She had a cool, reserved expression—and, to Meisatsu’s dismay, a figure that almost made him choke on his own tongue.

His face flushed crimson as his gaze drifted against his will.

Ayame’s palm cracked down on the back of his head in a flawless karate chop.

“Focus.”

“O-ow…”

The receptionist arched a brow, clearly amused.

“Welcome,” she said, voice smooth. “I’m Akane, receptionist of the Beetho Explorer’s Guild. How can I help you today?”

Meisatsu swallowed, straightening his back. He tried to keep his tone cool and stoic.

“I’m here to join the Explorer’s Guild…and do whatever it is you all do.”

Ayame placed a hand on his shoulder, beaming with something between pride and exasperation.

“He’s…new to the concept,” she explained.

Akane nodded understandingly.

“That’s quite all right. To begin with, the role of Explorer falls under the Commoner Class. Long ago, when this kingdom was under siege by the Demon King, monsters overran the villages and towns. But in the town of Beetho, a single man—said to be the very first Explorer—picked up a bronze sword and rallied the youths to fight back. They saved countless lives.”

Her eyes softened as she spoke, her voice growing reverent.

“Explorers are jacks-of-all-trades. They excel far more in combat than any other Commoner Class and can raise their levels faster. That’s why anyone—regardless of what class they were given—can register as an Explorer. A class doesn’t mean you must follow it strictly…it simply reflects what you’re most gifted at.”

Dang, Meisatsu thought. It’s spot on. If there’s one thing I can do…it’s guns.

Akane continued, her expression earnest.

“There are two requirements to join. One: reach Level 1. Two: spar with a veteran Explorer—Level 5 or above—who will gauge your skills and your resolve.”

She paused, folding her hands neatly atop the counter.

“May I ask what your given class is?”

A small smirk tugged at Meisatsu’s mouth.

“Hero. GUN Hero.”

For a moment, silence swallowed the hall.

Someone from the back finally yelled:

“What’s a GUN???”

Murmuring spread like wildfire.

From the crowd stepped a man who looked like he’d fought a hundred battles—and won most of them.

His brown hair was slicked back, a thick scar slashing diagonally across his left reaching all the way to the right. He wore a rugged, sleeveless black shirt with an open, loose collar—like something a hardened mercenary would throw on without a second thought. The fabric clung to his broad shoulders but hung a little looser around the waist, giving him an air of casual intimidation.

Below that, he wore black trousers, somewhat loose to allow movement, tucked neatly into sturdy black boots scuffed by years of hard travel and harder fights.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his gloved fingers tapping idly against the old scars that lined the fabric.

He regarded Meisatsu with a look of deep skepticism.

“This brat is the new Hero? Gotta say…I’m not impressed.”

He turned to Akane, voice gruff.

“You sure about this?”

Akane raised a hand, gesturing to a young girl in priest’s robes.

“Lysa, if you please.”

The girl stepped forward with a polite smile.

“Hello, I’m Lysa.”

She held out a glassy crystal orb, warm light flickering within.

“Please place your hand here.”

Meisatsu did so with a flourish.

The orb pulsed brilliantly, projecting golden letters in the air:

GUN HERO

Gasps filled the hall. No one moved.

Everyone knew the Hero always joined the Explorer’s Guild to gather a party of trusted allies—a small, elite fighting unit.

The veteran crossed his arms.

“Well, kid. I guess that settles it. I’ll be your examiner.”

He cracked his neck, eyes narrowing.

“Buckle up.”

Meisatsu tilted his head, a slow, confident grin spreading across his face.

“Sure.”

At that, the guild erupted into cheers. Everyone pressed forward to get a better view, eager to witness a duel between a Hero and a high-level Explorer.