Chapter 32
The cavern was heavy with silence. The voice that had spoken seemed to linger in the air, like a shadow that refused to fade. The younger hunters of the Obsidian Fang Guild clutched their weapons tighter, sweat already dripping down their brows.
But Hiroto Kenzaki… he laughed.
A low, casual chuckle that echoed through the cave.
"Ohhh… a talking cave?" He stepped forward, his boots crunching against the stone. His long black coat swayed behind him as if the cavern wind itself bowed in respect. "How scary."
His words dripped with sarcasm, his smile calm and easy. The golden gleam that lit his eyes, however, betrayed his excitement.
Aya blinked, watching him with disbelief. He's… laughing? Now of all times?
But before she could speak, the cavern shook again. This time, it wasn't the heartbeat.
It was footsteps. Dozens upon dozens of magic beast
From the crimson shadows between the crystal veins, shapes began to crawl forward. Magic beasts—horned, fanged, with glowing crimson eyes. Their bodies rippled with muscle, scales, and fur, some as large as wagons, others small but deadly fast. Their claws clicked against the stone like marching soldiers.
Dozens turned to hundreds. Their growls rose into a terrifying chorus.
The hunters gasped, backing up into formation. "T-there's too many!" one shouted.
Aya cursed under her breath and pulled her bow from her shoulder. But before she could draw, Hiroto raised his hand calmly.
"Stay back, Aya."
She froze. "…Ah, Hiroto-san. Don't tell me…" Her eyes narrowed, though her lips curved upward despite herself. "You want to show off again?"
The golden light in his eyes brightened, like twin suns piercing through the cavern gloom.
"Of course," Hiroto said, his smile sharp, his voice steady. "After all… I am the strongest SS-ranker."
The hoard roared as one. And then, like a flood, they charged.
The ground trembled under their weight. Claws scraped. Teeth snapped. The air itself shook with their hunger.
But Hiroto… vanished.
One moment he stood before the guild, coat swaying. The next, only wind remained where his body had been.
Then....SLASH.
A flash of golden light tore through the beasts in the front line. Bodies dropped before they even realized they had been struck.
"Wh-what?!" one hunter gasped. "I didn't even see him move!"
Another beast lunged, its maw wide enough to swallow a man whole. Hiroto appeared above it, blade drawn in a reverse grip, and with a single downward arc—SHING!—its head rolled across the cavern floor.
He landed lightly, golden eyes glowing, blade dripping with steaming black blood.
"Too slow," he muttered.
The hoard didn't stop. If anything, they grew angrier. Beasts piled over each other, climbing, biting, snarling. They came in waves, trying to overwhelm him with sheer numbers.
But Hiroto was a storm.
Every step he took, a monster fell.
Every swing of his blade, ten more were cut down.
He weaved through their claws and fangs like water flowing through cracks in stone, untouchable, unstoppable.
Aya stood frozen, her bow lowered, her silver hair glowing faintly in the red crystal light. Her lips parted slightly in awe.
He's toying with them…
One beast, larger than the rest, slammed its claw down toward Hiroto. The impact shattered the ground, sending shards of crystal flying like shrapnel. Hunters screamed, shielding themselves
But Hiroto had already moved.
In the blink of an eye, he was behind the beast, his blade sheathed.
The creature froze.
A faint line of golden light appeared across its body. Then....BOOM!...its massive form split in two, collapsing with a thunderous crash.
Gasps filled the cavern. The guild hunters stared in disbelief.
And through it all, Hiroto never lost his smile.
He turned his head slightly, calling back to Aya. "Still watching? Or are you going to help?"
Aya let out a breathless laugh, finally raising her bow. "Show off."
Mana gathered around her arrow, the tip glowing silver-blue. She smirked. "Don't hog all the fun, Hiroto-san."
The battle raged on. The cavern shook with roars, blasts, and the clash of steel and mana. The Obsidian Fang Guild, inspired by their leader's overwhelming strength, charged in behind him.
For a moment, it wasn't fear that filled their hearts.
It was pride.