Chapter 32: S-Rank Greeting

At first light, Y, L, and Ash stood before the towering gates of Mond Kingdom.

The calm morning breeze barely brushed past them before two figures stepped into their path—each radiating an overwhelming aura of strength.

The first man was tall and dark-skinned, his physique honed like a seasoned warrior. A tight black vest clung to his body beneath a leather jacket, and in his hand rested a long spear, as though it were a natural part of him.

The second had long golden hair flowing over a full suit of gleaming silver armor. A massive shield rested firmly on his right arm, while a polished short sword glimmered in his left.

Ash (quietly): Who are they?

L: S-Rank hunters.

The armored one is Zeral.

The spearman… Phoenix.

Y: Were you waiting for me here?

Phoenix: I was. This was the easiest way to catch you.

(He twirls his spear effortlessly—then lunges suddenly at Y, swift as an arrow.)

But L appears in a heartbeat, blocking the strike with her scythe in a burst of force.

L: Brother or not… I won’t let you lay a hand on him!

Phoenix: Oh? Then prove it.

Before anyone could move, glowing magic rained down on Phoenix like falling comets.

Phoenix stepped back, and Zeral leapt ahead of him, raising his shield.

Every blast collided with it—only to vanish on impact.

Ash: He absorbed my attacks…

Zeral: Why do you always insist on starting trouble?

Phoenix: Admit it. You enjoy this too.

Zeral: No. That’s just you.

(turning toward Y)

So that’s him?

Phoenix: Careful. He’s on our level… maybe stronger.

Ash: So this is Phoenix… he really does look powerful.

Y: Phoenix. I’m glad you’re doing well.

Phoenix: Same here. How long has it been since we last talked? Four? Five years?

Ash: Five years?!

Phoenix: We’re men. Talking every few years is enough. Bonds don’t fade that easily.

Everyone has their own life… their own struggles.

Zeral (mock clapping): Didn’t think someone who loves fighting could sound so wise.

Phoenix: I simply choose not to show my brilliance.

(looking at Y)

Seems like you’ve built yourself a solid team.

Y: Yes. L and Ash… they’re the best partners I could ask for.

Ash raises an eyebrow at Phoenix, giving him a sly grin.

Phoenix: What’s with that smile? It irritates me…

Phoenix: Y, who would you choose as your partner? Me… or the girls?

Y: Obviously… Ash and L.

Ash’s grin widens.

Phoenix: I feel betrayed…

Y: You’re the last person who should talk about betrayal. You became an S-Rank hunter long before I even arrived in this world.

Phoenix: Only because you took two years to show up. If you hadn’t disappeared… we’d be no match for you now.

Zeral: Two years? So he arrived recently?

Phoenix: Yes. Only six months ago… yet he already reached S-Rank level.

Zeral: And he still hasn’t used magic? Even now he’s this strong? Hard to believe.

Phoenix steps forward and raises his spear.

Phoenix: Then Y… we challenge you.

Zeral: Two against one? Is that fair?

Phoenix: It is—because that’s how much I trust his strength.

Y draws his weapon, advancing lightly, confidence gleaming in his eyes.

Y: Show me why you two carry the S-Rank title.

Suddenly—

The air grows heavier.

Pressure ripples outward, as though some immense force had just awakened.

Zeral (tensely): This sensation… I haven’t felt it in years.

Phoenix: Don’t lower your guard. Let’s begin.

L: A strong start… they already understand Y’s power.

Ash: Look at him… thrilled as always.

Ash: Should we interfere?

L: No need. He’s enjoying this.

The clash begins —

Y and Phoenix lunged toward each other, their weapons colliding with a thunderous crack that echoed across the training grounds.

Phoenix: I’ve waited two whole years for this!

Y: Good thing you didn’t neglect your training.

A relentless flurry of blows erupted between them. Their movements were so fast that the eyes could barely follow their silhouettes.

Zeral: Is this supposed to be a friendly match?

The two pulled back for a brief moment—then Y dashed forward again with fierce momentum.

But Zeral suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking the strike with his shield, counterattacking with a sharp thrust of his sword.

Y twisted away with fluid agility, slipping past the blade.

Zeral: This won’t be an easy fight.

— Half an hour later —

A crowd had gathered around them, shouting with excitement.

Ash: Come on, S-rank hunters! Show me more!

L: Aren’t you on Y’s side?

Ash: Always. But… I want to watch him fight a little longer.

L: I understand… I feel the same.

Zeral increased his speed, using his shield not just to defend but to strike.

He swung it up toward Y’s face—

—but Y slipped past it with effortless motion.

Suddenly, something glinted behind the shield—Phoenix’s spear, thrusting straight for Y’s chest.

Y: The shield was a distraction…

He dropped his body backward, letting the spear fly above him, then kicked Phoenix upward with a powerful strike that sent him soaring.

Phoenix: Are you a ninja or what?!

Zeral rushed in, but Y struck the side of his sword at a precise angle, diverting the attack.

He leaped high, kicking Phoenix’s spear mid-air and sending it spinning back toward them.

Zeral managed to intercept it—barely.

Zeral: What…? It’s two against one, and he’s still not winded!

Phoenix retrieved his spear as Zeral glanced briefly toward Ash and L.

Zeral: And the worst part… his team hasn’t even moved yet.

Suddenly, Y appeared right behind Zeral.

Phoenix darted between them just in time, blocking the attack.

Y: Why aren’t you using your magic, Phoenix?

Phoenix: I want to see the difference in raw strength… without magic.

Y: There are others besides me who don’t rely on magic.

Phoenix: Maybe so… but you’re the best among them.

Suddenly, a sharp voice sliced through the air like a whip:

Jean: Stop!

The three froze instantly, as if the echo of her command held more power than any magic on the field.

Y turned toward her—a girl with short golden hair, dressed in clothes that blended elegance with simplicity, a sword resting at her waist.

Even the air around her felt slightly different.

Phoenix (letting out an annoyed sigh): Come on, Jean… let us fight just a little longer.

Jean approached with firm steps, her expression stern and unwavering.

Jean: I leave you alone for half an hour, and you start a full-blown battle?

Besides, Y isn’t a hunter—and as the leader of Mond’s Hunter Organization, it’s my duty to stop a fight between a hunter and an ordinary citizen.

Zeral raised an eyebrow, his tone dripping with sarcasm:

Zeral: An ordinary citizen? If that man is ordinary… then I am a humble farmer in Mond! Phoenix and I are S-rank hunters—and the fight was even!

Jean: Fine… he’s not ordinary. But he isn’t a hunter either.

Phoenix: You really know how to ruin the fun…

Jean: It’s part of my job.

Y stepped forward calmly, wiping the light sweat that had gathered from the intense battle.

Y: How have you been, Jean?

Her expression softened slightly, and her voice grew gentler.

Jean: I’m well. And you? Your team?

Y: We’re all fine.

Jean: I’m glad to hear that… by the way, can you visit Sarah?

Phoenix planted his spear into the ground with a faint grin.

Phoenix: She’s been waiting for you for a long time. You know how she is… she never changes.

Y: I was planning to stop by today.

Jean: Excellent. We’ll talk after you see her.

Y: I’ll meet you there.

Phoenix: See you at the Hunter Organization, then.

Phoenix, Zeral, and Jean walked away in steady steps, while L and Ash remained beside Y.

A gentle silence settled over the area after the clash of strength and noise… until Y broke it:

Y: What do you two plan to do for now?

Ash: Just… a bit of training.

L: I might go visit my sister, Lin. What about you?

Y drew a deep breath, as though aligning the threads of his next plan.

Y: Can you stay with Lara for a short while? I need to confirm something about the letter.

Ash: I don’t mind.

L: Me neither.

Y: Thank you… I’ll see you later.

With a calm smile from Y, the group dispersed—each carrying within them their own expectations for what was yet to come.

Amid the fading breaths of battle and the settling echo of clashing steel, the world grew quiet again… leaving room for a new step to unfold.

Y walked through the peaceful streets of Mond, lost in thought, until he finally reached the headquarters of the Hunter Organization.

He pushed the heavy wooden door open, and a wave of familiar scents washed over him—old timber, aged leather, and the faint trace of ancient gunpowder.

He paused at the entrance for a moment, his eyes automatically analyzing the hall.

He saw hunters celebrating their achievements, others gathered around tables cluttered with maps, and a few entirely absorbed in their meals.

The grand wooden hall was decorated with old hunting equipment—silent relics that spoke of hundreds of past missions.

Y stepped further inside, his eyes tracing every detail: the mission board, the information counter, the faces of the hunters.

Y (softly):

“This really is… the home of every hunter.”

From behind the reception desk, a familiar voice called out:

Sarah:

“You’re still analyzing everything you see… even after all these years.”

Y lifted his gaze with a faint smile.

Sarah stood there in her guild uniform, her outfit blending perfectly with the hall, her short black hair giving her a calm, composed presence.

Y:

“It’s good to see you, Sarah.”

She smiled back, tilting her head slightly toward him.

Sarah:

“You finally decided to show up… I’ve been thinking about you a lot.

So—how’s my little brother doing?”

The moment she said it, a strange silence fell across the entire hall.

At a nearby table, one hunter whispered to another:

Hunter 1:

“Did she say… little brother?”

Hunter 2:

“Yeah… I heard it too.”

A bald hunter sipping his drink lifted his head, staring intently at Y.

Bald Hunter (muttering):

“He looks familiar somehow…”

Before he could finish, a sudden surge of powerful aura shook the cups on the tables.

A sharp flash shot from behind Y—yet Y moved lightly, dodging the attack without effort.

Y:

“You’ve grown addicted to fighting, Phoenix.”

Phoenix:

“Told you he’d dodge it.”

Zeral:

“I lost..”

Sarah (astonished):

“Were… you betting on that?”

Jean:

“Phoenix, fighting is forbidden here.”

Phoenix:

“We know, we know.”

Phoenix offered an overly dramatic apology, and the conversation returned to normal, though the bald hunter remained deep in thought.

Bald Hunter:

“I know that name… I’m sure of it. But from where…?”

Sarah turned back to Y.

Sarah:

“I heard you arrived in Mond about four months ago… why didn’t you visit me then?”

Y:

“I heard about you from Anna during my trip to the Magic Academy.

And you? Why didn’t you show yourself, knowing I was here?”

Sarah lowered her gaze for a moment before answering softly:

Sarah:

“…Because I wanted you to look for me.

Just like you did with Anna and Aris, isn’t that right?”

Phoenix:

“Women… and their complicated thoughts.”

Y chuckled lightly.

Y:

“I have something for you.”

He took out a small box and set it gently on the counter.

Sarah opened it slowly…

Inside was a finely polished silver hair clip, set with a crystalline gem that shifted color with the surrounding air—

a cool blue in the cold, a warm gold at the touch of a gentle hand.

A simple piece… yet filled with a quiet, soothing magic.

Sarah’s voice rose with soft wonder:

Sarah:

“It’s beautiful…”

She placed it in her hair.

“What do you think?”

Jean:

“Stunning.”

Sarah:

“I’ll wear it every day.”

Y:

“I’m glad you like it.”

At that moment, the bald hunter jolted to his feet, pointing directly at Y:

Bald Hunter:

“I remember now! That’s the guy who tied with King in arm wrestling four months ago!”

Chaos erupted instantly:

Hunters:

“Tied with King?! Impossible!”

Phoenix:

“Alright, everyone! Since Y’s back—drinks are on me!”

A wave of loud celebration filled the hall.

Jean:

“Follow me. There’s an empty room we can use.”

At the same time, on the other side of Mond…

Inside Lara’s house, L and Ash were sitting with her, discussing the complicated situation she was facing.

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening cut through the silence.

Diona’s voice echoed:

Diona: “Mom, we’re back!”

Lara: “Diona, Leona—welcome home.”

Diona stared at Lara, examining her new appearance.

Diona: “What happened to your hair?”

Lara: “Don’t you like short hair?”

Leona stepped in, answering in her mother’s place.

Leona: “Mother is being targeted. She had to change her appearance—at least a little.”

Diona: “Oh… right, I forgot. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you!”

Lara smiled, placing a gentle hand on Diona’s head.

Lara: “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Leona: “Mom, we have guests.”

Lara: “Let them in.”

Leona: “Please, come in.”

Klee and Angela stepped forward.

Angela: “We apologize for the intrusion.”

Lara: “There’s no need for that. Treat this place as your home.”

Lunaria entered next, bowing slightly.

Lunaria: “I’ll be under your care again.”

Lara: “Don’t say that. Just relax.”

Leona began introducing them.

Leona:

“Let me introduce you. The beautiful woman with short hair is my mother—and Y’s older sister—Lara.”

Lara: “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Leona:

“And the silver-haired girl sitting in the back, next to Ash… that’s L. She’s Y’s very first companion.”

L stood up, offering a polite bow.

L: “I’ve heard a lot about you. You’ve all done well.”

Angela returned the bow courteously.

Angela: “My name is Angela, and this is Klee. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Diona then grabbed Lauma’s hand and pulled her forward.

Diona: “And this is Lauma!”

Lauma: “Diona… I can introduce myself, you know.”

Lara gently patted both girls’ heads.

Lara: “Welcome to our home, Lauma.”

Lauma: “I feel… strangely comfortable.”

Everyone stared at her.

Lauma: “…Did I say that out loud?”

Ash: “Don’t worry—none of us will laugh.

By the way… you arrived pretty quickly.”

Leona:

“We used Lunaria’s magic to create a huge sword that could fly through the air—then enhanced its speed with Lecht’s magic.”

Diona: “It was such a fun ride!”

Leona clapped her hands together.

Leona: “Alright, let’s begin the evaluation. First—Lunaria.”

A faint glow surrounded Leona’s eyes as she observed her.

Leona:

“Lunaria… your magic has evolved. Your aura has changed slightly.”

Lunaria:

“Yes. I’ve learned a lot during my time with you. And… I’ve mastered a new spell.”

Diona:

“That’s right! Leona, I want to learn Lunaria’s spell too. Is that possible?”

Leona: “Let me see it first.”

Lunaria extended her hand and formed a glowing paper-like charm.

Lunaria:

“With this talisman, you can teleport to any location—as long as it exists there.”

Leona:

“It’s something you can learn… but it will take some time.”

Diona nearly jumped with joy.

Everyone’s eyes then turned toward Leona.

Leona: “I know what you’re thinking.

You’re wondering how I can tell all of this, right?”

She didn’t explain further. Instead, she moved on.

Leona: “Next—Angela.”

She observed her quietly.

Leona:

“Your aura is very distinct… but still unstable. With time, you’ll be fine. Or you can ask Ash—she’s the best magic controller I’ve seen.”

Ash:

“I didn’t expect you to actually compliment someone.”

Leona:

“It’s just the truth.”

Leona:

“As for Klee—she’s in excellent shape. She doesn’t need anything.”

She turned last toward Lauma.

Leona:

“Lauma… your magic is quite special.”

Lauma:

“My magic is just… reflecting or repelling magical attacks.

It doesn’t help much against someone who knows its nature.”

Leona:

“On the contrary. Your magic may be one of the most important among us.”

Lauma:

“How…?”

Leona:

“I’ll explain later. For now, get some rest.

I’m going to train for a bit.”

Lunaria, Klee, and Angela said at the same time:

“She really is just like Y.”

Lara:

“You think so too?”

Inside the organization room, everyone sat down.

The atmosphere felt like an old reunion finally coming together.

Jean:

“We can speak freely here.”

Y:

“I didn’t expect you to be the leader of the Hunter Organization.

The position suits you.”

Jean:

“I only took the position to reach information about my father…

But that’s a topic for another time.”

She turned to the others.

Jean:

“I didn’t expect you to know Sarah and Phoenix as well…

That leaves Zeral, right?”

Zeral:

“Right. A hunter from another continent.

A pleasure to meet you.”

Y:

“Likewise.”

Phoenix:

“We can begin now.”

Sarah:

“I heard your story from Anna… but I want to hear it from you.”

Y began recounting everything that had happened six months ago…

When he finished:

Phoenix:

“I see… But this is strange. Why did you appear two years after us?”

Y:

“Maybe I was here two years ago… but something must have delayed my appearance.”

Sarah:

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is… you’re here now.”

Jean:

“Alright. Based on what we know… what do you want to learn?”

Y:

“I want information about the Hunter Organization…

and about the letter—its contents and its sender.”

Jean:

“The sender… was someone named Valdrin.”

A brief silence fell.

Zeral:

“I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”

Y adjusted his posture slightly.

Y:

“Go on.”

Zeral:

“It’s a well-known story among hunters.

Valdrin was loved by the people of this kingdom—always standing up for them, never tolerating injustice.

But four years ago, he disagreed with the former king.

The king secretly exiled him.

Valdrin accepted the decision quietly… and vanished. No one knew where he went.

And from that day on… Mond began to suffer.”

Everyone focused as Zeral continued calmly:

Zeral:

“Rumors say he settled in the Outlaw Kingdom.

But no confirmed information exists.”

Jean:

“And recently… there have been many suspicious movements.”

Phoenix:

“They were searching for… someone.”

She looked directly at Y.

Every gaze turned toward him.

Zeral:

“There’s a high chance… you’re the target.”

Phoenix:

“Knowing Y… yes.”

Y (quietly):

“That’s correct. They were looking for me before…

But now, Lara is their primary target.”

Everyone nodded, as if they had expected this.

Zeral:

“You don’t look surprised…”

Sarah:

“We already knew Y and Lara were wanted.”

Y:

“Yes. I saw the bounty board earlier…

But why aren’t there many listings here?”

Sarah:

“Because of your team. Especially L—

She completed a huge number of missions in a short time.”

Jean:

“I wanted to promote her and Ash to Rank S, but due to the kingdom’s secret plan, all promotions were frozen to avoid complications.”

Y:

“It’s fine. I’ll handle it myself later.”

Jean:

“We need an S-rank hunter to deceive the other organizations.”

Phoenix:

“Which is why I’m here, right?”

Y:

“What’s the mission?”

Sarah:

“Our most dangerous mission right now… a mine.

But not an ordinary one.”

Jean:

“The air inside is poisonous.”

Y:

“Poisonous air? What kind of creature does that?”

Jean:

“We don’t know. No one comes out alive.

And the survivors… never got past the entrance.”

Zeral:

“There was one person who saw the monster.”

Everyone looked at him.

Zeral:

“In the past… there was a team renowned among hunters.

They entered the cave once—

Only one girl returned.

She said the problem wasn’t the monster…

It was the air itself.

Air that mixes poison with paralysis.

Our arrogance and overconfidence… destroyed us.”

Y became fully focused.

Phoenix:

“You really know a lot.”

Sarah:

“Be quiet… Y is thinking.”

Y closed his eyes for a moment.

Y:

“A cave… poisonous air… paralysis…”

He took out the Hunter’s Codex and placed it on the table.

Y:

“I know the creature. It’s mentioned on the last page.”

Sarah (shocked):

“Impossible… I’ve memorized the Codex by heart!”

She flipped through it—then gasped.

Sarah:

“This… is an extremely old edition! Where did you get it?”

Y:

“I found it when I woke up.”

Magic began gathering around Sarah’s hand, forming a glowing book.

Sarah:

“This is the current Hunter’s Codex.”

She placed it beside Y’s copy and opened the final page—

It was blank.

Y:

“Which means…”

Jean:

“It means the mystery behind your appearance… is far greater than we thought.”

Phoenix:

“What does the book say about the creature?”

Sarah began reading:

Sarah:

“The monster…

An ancient Queen of Worms, commanding countless offspring.

Her poison can kill or paralyze even the strongest dragons through the air alone.

Even her blood and corpse become toxin…

And some of the young explode upon death.

They always move in swarms.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Phoenix:

“Well, Zeral… what do you think?”

Zeral:

“The book matches the girl’s description… but with even more detail.”

Jean:

“This is extremely dangerous information.

By the way, there’s a secret meeting in the royal palace tonight.”

Y:

“I see… It seems I need to think more about my appearance in this world.

But for now, I have something to take care of.

I’ll see you later.”

Y left the room, the sound of celebration fading behind him.

Phoenix:

“Satisfied now, Sarah?”

Sarah:

“Who wouldn’t be happy… to see Y again?”

While the conversation continued inside the room, the sound of familiar footsteps echoed…

Aris and Kaguya stepped inside.

Aris:

“We’re back.”

Jean:

“Aris… Kaguya… welcome home.

How was the mission?”

Kaguya:

“Aris handled almost all of them by herself.”

Aris:

“I heard what Y did… and I got a little excited.”

Sarah:

“He was here just a few minutes ago.”

Aris:

“Really? Where did he go?”

Sarah:

“I think… to the royal castle.”

Phoenix:

“I was hoping to fight him with our full power before he vanished again.”

Aris:

“I don’t think you’d win.”

Phoenix:

“We’ll never know unless we try, right?”

Zeral:

“He hides his magic well… you should be careful.”

A short silence followed—

Then the entire room burst into laughter.

Zeral:

“Why are you laughing?!”

Phoenix (crying from laughter):

“I can’t—!”

Sarah:

“Forgive us… but Y doesn’t hide his magic.”

Zeral:

“What?!”

Phoenix:

“He doesn’t have any magic… at all.”

Zeral:

“…No magic?

And he tied with King?

And he’s wanted by the black market?

And he has such a strong team?

And he fought two S-ranks evenly?

All of that… without magic?

What would he do with magic? Fight an ancient dragon?!”*

Everyone exchanged looks… then stared at Zeral.

Zeral:

“…Don’t tell me he fought an ancient dragon.”

Aris:

“He didn’t just fight it… he matched it.”

Zeral raised both hands in complete surrender.

Zeral:

“Alright… fine… I really am a farmer from Mond.”

⸻

Later, as the celebrations roared throughout the hall…

Phoenix and Zeral sat aside, watching the noise in heavy silence.

Phoenix:

“Hey… I have a question.

What happened to that girl after the mission?”

Zeral:

“I heard from some people that she quit… left the Hunter Kingdom entirely.

Went somewhere far to live her own life.”

He exhaled softly.

Zeral:

“I wonder what she’s doing now…”