Inside the Hunter's Guild, the tension was heavy.
Vice Guild Master Armand stood at the center, his sharp gaze scanning the group. Around him, five C-rank hunters stood ready, weapons strapped, armor fastened, determination etched on their faces. At his side, Aldric Veynor adjusted his gloves, waiting for orders.
"Is everyone here?" Armand asked, his voice low but commanding.
"Yes, sir," Aldric replied firmly. "All C-rank hunters have gathered."
Armand gave a short nod, his expression grim. "Good. Then we depart immediately. The market won't hold much longer."
Without another word, the group turned and moved out together, their footsteps echoing against the guild's stone floor as they left for the battlefield.
The market was in ruins. Stalls lay shattered, fruits and fabrics scattered across blood-soaked cobblestones. Screams filled the air as the last of the civilians fled.
Six D-rank hunters stood in a ragged circle, their bodies trembling, blades dull from overuse, armor dented and torn. Their breaths came out ragged, each swing of their weapons slower than the last.
And then—
KRRROOOOARRRR!
From the gate, a massive shadow emerged. A beast nearly three times the size of a horse stepped out, its crimson eyes glowing like molten embers. Its fur was dark as midnight, and each step made the ground tremble.
The Wolf King.A C-rank boss monster.
The six hunters froze, their faces pale. They were barely standing. Now, with the boss out, their fates seemed sealed.
"It's… it's the boss…" one whispered, despair creeping in.
"If it moves… we're done for…" another muttered, their sword slipping from their hand.
At that moment—
Jun's vision blurred, and his body suddenly shifted. A flash of light enveloped him, and when it faded, he was standing on the edge of the ruined market, just far enough to see everything.
His eyes widened. Those hunters… they won't last another minute. If I don't step in, they'll die right here.
But his jaw tightened. I can't reveal my identity here.
And then—
[PLAYER CAN BUY A BLACK MASK FROM THE SYSTEM SHOP.]
[THE BLACK MASK CAN HIDE YOUR IDENTITY.]
Jun blinked. The system shop?
Oh yeah… I got a notification about that earlier. So I can actually buy items with coins, huh?
"Open the system shop," Jun thought firmly.
A translucent panel appeared before his eyes, rows of strange items flashing by with glowing prices. Weapons, potions, tools… more than he could glance through now.
There are too many things here. I'll check them later. For now… the mask.
His finger pressed on the glowing icon.
[ 200 COIN HAS BEEN CONSUMED. ][ YOU'VE BOUGHT: BLACK MASK. ][ BLACK MASK. ][ IT WON'T CHANGE YOUR APPEARANCE. ][ BUT AFTER WEARING THE BLACK MASK, NO ONE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU UNLESS YOU REVEAL YOUR IDENTITY YOURSELF. ]
Jun pulled the mask from the system's glow. It was simple, featureless, black as shadow itself. Without hesitation, he slipped it on.
A cold wind brushed past. His presence… shifted.
Back in the market, the Wolf King lunged forward, its claws raised high. The six hunters braced themselves, eyes filled with despair.
And then—
SHHHHHHHK—!
A figure stepped out of nowhere, masked, silent, and clad in shadows. His sword gleamed with an unnatural darkness.
"Shadow Sword Art—First Form."
SLAAAASHHH!
A wave of black energy tore across the market like a storm. The ground split open in its wake. The Wolf King froze mid-roar, its massive body cleaved apart in an instant.
BOOOOOOOM!Blood sprayed across the cobblestones as the monster collapsed, lifeless.
[YOU'VE SUCCESSFULLY KILLED THE WOLF KING.]
[EXP +5000.]
[EXP +5000.]
The hunters' eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the—?!""Who… who is that man?!""Did he just kill the boss… in one strike?!"
But the masked figure didn't answer.
Jun sheathed his sword silently, turned his back on the stunned hunters, and vanished into the chaos—leaving only the corpse of the Wolf King behind.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed as Armand, Aldric, and five C-rank hunters rushed into the devastated market. Weapons drawn, mana flaring—they were ready for battle.
But what greeted them was not a raging fight.
It was silence.
The ground was soaked with blood. Broken stalls littered the square. And in the center, the massive corpse of the Wolf King lay sprawled, its body split wide open as if torn apart by a blade of darkness.
The hunters froze.
"…It's already dead?" one muttered in disbelief.
Armand's sharp eyes swept across the scene. He turned to the six exhausted D-rank hunters, who were still barely standing, their faces pale and confused.
"Did you… kill the boss monster yourselves?" he asked, his voice low, testing.
Alex, panting heavily, shook his head."No… Vice Guild Master. It wasn't us. A young man wearing a black mask appeared out of nowhere… He killed the Wolf King with a single strike. And then… he just left. Didn't even say a word."
The C-rank hunters exchanged glances, murmurs spreading.
Armand's expression hardened. A young man… black mask?
He turned slightly, his gaze sharpening as he muttered under his breath."So… another hunter has been born, huh."
His eyes glinted as he looked at Aldric."We need to find him. I want the identity of this black-masked hunter. Investigate immediately and report back."
Aldric straightened, bowing his head."Yes, Vice Guild Master."
Armand gave one last glance at the Wolf King's corpse, a faint, almost predatory smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Whoever you are… you've just caught my attention.
---
Jun moved swiftly through the darkened outskirts of Handol, far from the ruined market square. The cries of the hunters faded behind him until silence remained. He finally slowed his pace, breathing evenly.
"That was very easy," he murmured to himself. "Compared to the Spider Queen… that so-called C-rank boss monster was nothing."
His hand brushed the black mask still covering his face.
So… at least by power, I should already be considered a C-rank hunter now, Jun thought, his steps carrying him toward home. But none of that matters. I wonder what Jina is doing right now. She's probably mad at me again…
A small smile flickered across his lips, warm but fleeting, as he vanished into the night.
—
At the same time, deep within Handol village—
A cloaked figure stood in the shadows, his presence almost blending into the night. His hood concealed most of his face, but his sharp eyes gleamed with malicious intent as they settled on the small house in front of him.
Inside, Jina could be seen moving about, her faint silhouette outlined by the lamplight. Innocent. Unaware.
The figure's lips curled into a wicked grin."Hehehe… at last… I found you… Lukas family."
The night air grew heavier around him as his whisper slithered into the darkness, carrying with it the promise of danger.