CHAPTER 106
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the outskirts of Tokyo. The Obsidian Guild's raid party had assembled at the foot of the S-rank dungeon, the faint hum of mana radiating from the blackened gate. Eight hunters stood together, tense but ready.
Hiroto Kenzaki, the SS-ranked hunter and guild leader, stood tall at the center, a commanding presence beside his trusted companion, Anya, the S-ranked hunter with keen senses and a stoic aura.
"Oiii, Hiroto, where's the new recruit?" Anya asked, her sharp eyes scanning the group.
Hiroto smirked lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Relax. He'll be here."
Arisa, standing quietly to the side, shifted slightly, still replaying the events from her previous conversation she spoke with renji earlier..the words Renji had spoken, the subtle tension in his gaze, and the date he had proposed. She shook her head vigorously. "No… no… no… no…"
Anya noticed her movements immediately. "Arisa, are you okay?"
"Huhhh…?" Arisa replied, voice cautious. "Y-yes… yes, I'm fine… just… a little flustered, that's all."
Anya nodded slowly. She's tense… she's definitely tense… she thought inwardly.
From a distance, a figure began to emerge. The crowd of hunters turned as one.
"Oooo… he's here!" Hiroto exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of relief and excitement.
Renji approached the party—not in any traditional armor, not in shining or protective gear. Instead, he was clad in plain, black clothing: a black zipper hoodie, black T-shirt, black trousers, and simple black shoes. No armor, no weapons, nothing to indicate his status as a hunter of renown just him.
He ran until he reached the Obsidian Guild, slightly gasping for breath. "I'm sorry I'm late, everyone…" he said, looking around. Then his gaze settled on Arisa.
"Uhhh… Arisaaa ,you're already here…" His voice faltered for a moment, and Arisa's head immediately turned red.
"Ye… yes…" she stammered, flustered beyond reason.
Renji cursed under his breath, eyes widening. "Shittt… it means I'm really late."
The other raid members stared, whispers flowing among them.
"Is he… our new member?" one of them asked casually. "He's not wearing armor… doesn't even look like he can fight…"
Anya, her gaze narrowing, felt a chill run down her spine. Is he stupid? No armor in an S-rank gate… not even a weapon? she thought, her senses screaming that something was far from normal.
Hiroto strode up to Renji, a smirk on his face. "Ooii, Renji! You're late."
Renji's face fell. Shittt… I'm in trouble…
But Hiroto laughed, and the tension broke slightly. Renji chuckled nervously in return.
Hiroto clapped him on the shoulder. "Let me introduce you to my woman, Anya."
"Who's your woman?!" Anya exclaimed, crossing her arms.
Renji's lips curled into a grin. "Nice to meet you. I'm Renji Kurogane." He stretched forth his hand in a formal handshake.
Anya extended her hand, saying, "I'm Anya K…" Her words caught in her throat. Her senses had flared, and the aura emanating from Renji's mana pool was… incomprehensible. It pressed against her mind like death itself staring back.
GBIM… GBIM… oooi… impossible…
Renji snapped her out of it by calling softly, "Ehh… Anya-san? Are you okay?"
She blinked, grounding herself. "Ehh… y-yes… I'm fine… Nice to meet you."
Renji nodded politely. "Thank you."
He then moved forward, greeting the remaining raid members alongside Hiroto. But Anya's face still trembled inwardly. Impossible… his mana pool… it's on per with the eight pillars combined. How is this possible?
Anya are you okay arisa asked ?
Huh .. Anya chuckled hmm..yes I'm fine let's go!!
But Arisa noticed her reaction, understanding the truth. Anya was well known for her high sensory magic meaning Anya's sensory magic had felt Renji's overwhelming presence. I'm sorry, Anya… I wish you could know the truth.
Renji addressed the remaining raiders. "Ooooo… are you serious? We're clearing an S-rank gate?" His voice carried both awe and scrutiny as he felt the pulse of black mana emanating from the gate.
He stepped closer, hand brushing the air as though tasting the magical energy.
Hiroto frowned. "Renji, are you okay?"
Call of the raid hiroto Renji said with conviction...
Huhh are you crazy?? What are you talking about Renji
But Renji's eyes stayed focused on the gate. His voice dropped, quiet but deadly serious. "I don't know if it's because of the Gealgilmesh Gate incident, but… my perception has gotten way higher."
Hiroto tilted his head, skeptical. "And… sooo, what are you saying?"
Renji's voice carried the weight of certainty. "I'm saying… this isn't an S-rank gate. It's SS-ranked. The gate's power is being suppressed from what's inside."
Hiroto froze. And renji spoke again
"Call off the raid?"
"Huh… you are serious aren't you?" Hiroto muttered, disbelief shadowing his features.
Renji's eyes glowed, sweeping across the gathered members of Hiroto's squad. His gaze pierced, calculating, powerful. " Hmmm...A-rank… but Anya and Arisa are S-rank."
He turned to Hiroto, voice sharp. "Call it off, Hiroto. Or they'll die. This is an SS-ranked gate—S-rank monsters, unknown boss strength."
Hiroto exhaled, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "I understand…"
"But I won't call it off. We raid it together—as rivals."
Renji tapped his head lightly. "Ehhh… are you stupid, Hiroto?" Then he sighed. "Alright, we'll do it your way."
The other raiders, overhearing the conversation, immediately voiced their disagreement.
"No way we back down!" one shouted. "We're hunters! S-rank or SS-rank—we die like hunters!"
"Exactly! We trained for this! We're not quitting now!" another added, anger and pride flashing in their eyes.
The argument grew heated. They shouted over one another, each defending their stance. Hiroto held up his hands, trying to calm them.
"Wait, everyone… calm down! I understand your concerns, but listen! This isn't a drill—this is SS-rank danger!"
"We don't care! We're with you till the end, Hiroto!" they shouted back in unison, determination blazing.
Hiroto's shoulders slumped slightly, but he nodded in admiration. They won't back down… damn it… they're truly hunters.
Renji stepped forward, voice calm yet commanding. "You might not know me, but I'm also an SS-ranked hunter."
Murmurs rippled through the raiders. SS-ranked? He's SS-ranked? Impossible… look at him—no armor, no weapon…
Renji bowed his head sincerely. "I promise… I'll do my best to protect all of you."
Arisa smiled softly, relief washing over her. Anya stepped forward, still slightly shaken but resolute. "Alright… let's get the job done."
The raiders raised their voices, a single roar of determination echoing through the district.
"Yessss!!!!!"
The sound reverberated, filled with anticipation, resolve, and the unyielding spirit of hunters.
Together, the Obsidian Guild ventured toward the gate, stepping into the swirling black mana, ready to face whatever awaited them inside.
The sun dipped lower, casting the gate in ominous shadow. The storm of battle was about to begin.