Chapter 14 : The Hunter's Reward
In novice village 666, countless players had spawned, just like Axton did.
Many of them had already formed parties that grew into guilds, or something close at least.
The announcement about Axton's recent feat, however, sent shockwaves across the entire village.
A solo player had done something that most groups couldn't manage even with numbers and resources on their side.
The guild-affiliated players who had invested time and effort into teamwork, resource-sharing, and boosting their strongest members were left dumbfounded.
Some had gone as far as giving rare items to their best fighters just to help them climb the ladder faster.
Yet, all of that planning was now being overshadowed by this lone figure.
And if there was one thing that guilds hated more than competition, it was humiliation.
"Khan," muttered Silva, clenching his fist tight enough that his knuckles whitened. "There's no way a single player achieved such a thing."
Silva, a branch leader of the powerful Grand Nexus Guild, couldn't wrap his head around it.
A solo player killing a Level 4 monster on his own?
It sounded absurd!
"Perhaps he just landed the killing blow among a horde of players," Silva reasoned out loud, nodding firmly to himself.
"Yes, that must be it. That's the only explanation. No way he soloed that beast. Definitely not!"
Grand Nexus wasn't just any guild.
Their stated goal was to dominate New Eden's rankings and claim the number one spot, no matter what it took.
The guild master had carefully selected his players, recruiting only those he had fought alongside in other games.
They had a strong history of synergy and teamwork, a well-oiled machine meant to outclass every rival.
To ensure their dominance, the guild master ordered all branch leaders to maintain absolute control over their assigned novice villages.
Every branch had to rise to the top, securing resources and fame.
Now, thanks to Axton's sudden rise to prominence, Silva's careful groundwork was starting to crumble.
One man was threatening to throw the guild's entire plan into chaos.
"Tch!" Silva grit his teeth, spitting the name like poison. "Khan."
Silva, however, wasn't alone in his anger.
Other team leaders across the village had also set their eyes on Axton, each determined to cut down this anomaly before he grew too strong.
Of course, none of them realized the truth.
Axton — or Khan as they called him — was already unmatched for them at this stage.
And even if he had known that envy and hatred were festering behind his back, he wouldn't have cared.
Axton never once tried to hide that he was Khan.
Why would he? Fear wasn't in his dictionary now.
If players wanted to challenge him, then let them come.
For him, the more enemies, the merrier.
Because strength and cowardice could never walk hand in hand.
******
(The hunter's shack)
Axton returned to the hunter's place after completing his mission.
*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*
He tapped the wooden door three times, then waited.
Five minutes passed, far longer than the last time he visited.
The silence gnawed at him.
"Don't tell me something happened to him…" Axton muttered under his breath.
He leaned over, peering through the narrow windows, scanning the interior for any sign of movement.
Just as he lifted his fist to knock again, the door creaked open.
*Thud*
Jackal stepped out, his boots slamming against the floorboards, his sharp gaze stabbing straight into Axton.
The hostility in his eyes was so suffocating that Axton instinctively took a step back.
"Tch! Why the hell did you waste my time then?!" Jackal snarled.
The hunter's voice was thick with anger, but the reason behind it was unclear.
Axton, caught off guard, blinked several times in a second.
He turned slightly, half-expecting that Jackal was shouting at someone else but the hunter's fury was directed solely at him.
"You encountered the Great Wolf, didn't you?" Jackal roared. "And then you ran back with your tail tucked between your legs after promising me reven—"
*Cough* *Cough*
Jackal's rage was cut short by a harsh cough.
He covertly glanced down at his palm, and his expression darkened when he saw blood.
Quickly, he wiped it away and tried to conceal his slightly trembling hand from Axton.
His condition was worsening.
The wounds he had suffered from the battle were catching up with him, and he could no longer maintain his tough façade.
"Just leave," Jackal muttered hoarsely, turning to retreat back into the house.
But Axton's voice stopped him.
"You wanted this, didn't you?"
Axton reached into his satchel and, with a flick of his wrist, tossed something onto the ground.
*Thud*
The object rolled across the dusty floorboards until it slightly touched by Jackal's feet.
The hunter froze.
Slowly, his eyes trailed downward… and widened in disbelief.
The severed head of the Great Wolf stared back at him, its lifeless eyes still carrying the weight of its menace when it was alive.
Jackal's body trembled violently.
"Th-That's…!" His voice cracked.
His mind flooded with memories of his own battle against the beast. The fear, the desperation, the scars… both physical and emotional.
To see the creature's head lying there, so casually tossed at his feet, was almost unreal.
"That's impossible… It's only been half the time I gave him," Jackal whispered in disbelief.
He stared at Axton, then back at the head.
His knees weakened, nearly buckling under the shock.
"H-How? Even with the pack of wolves guarding it…"
Jackal's heart raced.
He knew Axton had come alone.
That meant… he had faced everything — the wolves, the Great Wolf itself — without any assistance.
Axton broke the silence with a calm, almost casual tone.
"If you're wondering how I did it…"
Jackal's head snapped toward him.
"The pack of wolves were nothing more than distractions. They were weak, annoyingly so. The real danger wasn't them. They were designed to waste a player's time. Anyone foolish enough to fight them all would never have the strength left to finish the mission."
Axton raised a finger, as though giving a lecture.
"The key was simple. Kill the Great Wolf. Once it falls, the rest scatter. That was all there was to it."
Jackal's lips slowly curled into a smile.
His body relaxed, and for the first time, his eyes softened.
"Forgive me," he said with sincerity. "I underestimated you."
Then, to Axton's shock, the proud hunter dropped to his knees and bowed deeply, his forehead touching the floor.
"Accept my gratitude, great warrior."
Axton nearly recoiled.
The gesture felt unnatural, making his skin crawl.
The hunter then reached into his robe and pulled out a small, wrapped parcel.
He tossed it toward Axton.
*Ding*
A clear notification rang in Axton's ears.
[Congratulations!]
[You have completed the quest]
[Reward : Eligible to acquire a beast of up to Grade 4]
[100x Critical Hit initiated!]
[You are now eligible to own a beast up to Grade 5. Additionally, you gain 100% of the chosen beast's attributes.]
'A Grade 5 beast as his companion?'
The thought alone was exhilarating.
He had no idea what kind of creature awaited him, but whatever it was, it would certainly boost his strength by leaps and bounds.
"See you soon, great warrior," Jackal said, rising shakily to his feet before turning back inside.
The door shut behind him.
Inside his shack, Jackal staggered to his bed and collapsed onto it.
His breaths came in heavy heaves.
He knew the truth.
His life force was draining fast, and the wounds he carried had already sealed his fate.
But at least, he could die with peace in his heart.
His vengeance had been delivered, even if not by his own hands.
He smiled faintly.
And with that, Jackal closed his eyes, surrendering himself to the silence of his final rest.