Kensu couldn't help but curse his luck and fate for being so cruel. "Screw a Green Level Hunt; this is a freaking Light Indigo Level Hunt! Even most elites would tuck their tails and run. I can't believe the old geezer agreed to this." The Old geezer he was referring to was the vice executive director of Orion Corporation Mr Navaida.
Before he started on the hunt, Kensu thought Navaida would wish him luck or at least send him off with a farewell. However, he was disappointed to find out that Navaida had gone off again on one of his expeditions, and no one knew when he would return. Supposedly.
Kensu finished reading the hunt report on his Hunter's Tab and stored it away. A Hunter's Tab is a sleek, portable device issued to every licensed hunter by the Orion Corporation. This advanced tool serves as a central hub for hunters to access vital information, receive mission updates, and track their progress.
Kensu Hashimaru trudged through the scorching desert sand, his eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. He was a skilled hunter, but this place was different. The Korvus Desert, one of the Death Havens, was home to some of the most deadly beasts in the world.
The group had traveled for weeks to get to this place, with all expenses paid by the Corporation, as with all hunts. They also received an allowance of Snells to improve or acquire additional equipment. Kensu decided to repair and improve his uniform first, as it was his lifeline.
Kensu's hunter uniform was a customized, high-tech ensemble. The dark gray and silver outfit featured intricate patterns that amplified his spiritual energy and helped direct it. As mortals, they could not control the Spirit Essence flowing through their bodies without external assistance.
Articulated joints and retractable armor plating provided flexibility and protection. His hunter insignia, a stylized curved blade, adorned the left sleeve, symbolizing his status as a licensed hunter affiliated with the Orion Corporation.
With the allowance, Kensu managed to increase his uniform's protective function to withstand a Prime Orange attack, and maybe even a Light Yellow. He felt happy, knowing that even with a year's savings, he wouldn't have been able to afford this.
Kensu adjusted the large pack on his back, wincing as the straps dug into his shoulders. The three hunters he was with, Kevin, Heath, and Eva, had insisted that Kensu carry the pack, which was supposedly filled with supplies.
A strange, chaotic energy permeated the desert, making dimensional storage items ineffective. As Kensu walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The other hunters were treating him with contempt, labeling him "deadweight."
Eva, a petite, agile woman with short dark hair and piercing amber eyes, used her spirit art to camouflage their presence from potential threats. Niamh, a tall, imposing woman with long silver hair, sensed living beings, making their route safer.
As they walked, Zara moved unseen, her spirit art weaving a subtle spell of concealment around the group. Arin, a tall, lean man with short, spiky black hair, called out to Kensu, his voice dripping with disdain.
"How's the pack? Is it too heavy for you?" Kensu gritted his teeth but said nothing, knowing that engaging with Arin would only lead to trouble.
Kaid, the oldest member of the group, watched Kensu with a neutral expression. His eyes seemed to bore into Kensu's very soul, but Kensu didn't feel any contempt from him, just a distance.
As the day wore on, the sun beating down on them like a hammer, Kensu surprisingly proved to be an asset to the hunt. His knowledge of the desert, accumulated over time, made even the Enlightened hunters take notice.
Whenever they faced a Demonic Beast, Kensu would tactically tell the team the easiest way to kill it. Sometimes, he would use himself as bait, annoying the beast by attacking it with his curved short daggers.
The other hunters' eyes widened in shock at Kensu's bravery, but they understood why he was doing it – to help them preserve their Spirit Energy. The mission could last days, and they had to replenish their energy from Spirit Crystals, as the desert was thin with essence.
After a few hours of non-stop fighting and traveling, they located a nearby ruin structure and decided to rest. Niamh scouted ahead, finding a small cluster of Golden Desert Scorpions, which were only Prime Yellow breakthroughs to the next realm.
The group managed to clear them and stopped to rest. They sat in the shade, exhausted, especially Kensu, who had carried the pack throughout. Despite being the weakest, he had managed to keep up, barely.
Kensu looked up, seeing that everyone was staring at him. "Why is everyone staring at me?" he asked, feeling self-conscious.
Arin snorted. "We're just surprised you managed to keep up," he said, his tone dripping with disdain.
Kensu's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Kaid intervened. "Enough, Arin," Kaid said, his voice firm but calm. "Kensu's done well considering his... limitations."
Kensu felt a surge of gratitude towards Kaid, but it was short-lived as Eva chimed in. "Yeah, he's been useful, but let's not get too comfortable," she said, her eyes glinting with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "We still don't know what we're up against."
Niamh nodded in agreement. "Aye, let's not forget our mission. We're here to retrieve those artifacts, not to coddle our mortal friend."
Kensu felt a sting from Niamh's words, but he knew she was right. He was here to do a job, and he needed to focus.
As the group continued to discuss their strategy, Kensu couldn't help but feel like an outsider. He was the weakest link in their chain, and he knew it.
But as the discussion went on, the ground started trembling, and Niamh shouted, "Oh Shit!!!"
The group's eyes snapped towards her, and Kensu's heart sank as he saw a massive, serpent-like creature emerging from the sand.
"It's a Sand Wraith!" Niamh shouted, her eyes flashing with fear. "We need to get out of here, now!"
As the Sand Wraith burst from the sand, its massive jaws open wide, Arin charged forward, his spirit art flashing with a fierce light.
"Arin, wait!" That's a King Sand Wraith Kensu shouted, grabbing his arm.
But Arin shook him off, his eyes blazing with confidence. "I've got this," he sneered, striking the Sand Wraith with a powerful blow.
The creature let out a blood-curdling scream, its body shuddering with agony. But to Kensu's horror he knew what that meant, the scream seemed to echo across the desert, calling out to something else.
"Reinforcements!" Eva shouted, her eyes scanning the horizon. "It's calling for backup!"
Kensu's heart sank as he saw a swarm of smaller creatures emerging from the sand that were under their King, their eyes fixed on the group with deadly intent.
"Arin, you idiot!" Kaid growled, grabbing Arin's arm. "What have you done?"
Arin's face paled as he realized his mistake. "I...I didn't think it would..."
But it was too late. The smaller creatures closed in, their jaws snapping with deadly precision.
The group prepared to defend themselves, but Kensu knew they were in grave danger. They were outnumbered, outgunned, and out of options.
And as the creatures attacked, Kensu realized that this might be the end.