Early morning.
The sky was a pale, pearly white, and the mist had yet to disperse.
Leon walked along the wooden plank path. A dull ache throbbed in his chest; though his injuries weren't fully healed, the Potion had made him feel much better.
He headed toward the training grounds, checking his status panel along the way.
[NAME: LEON]
[LEVEL: LV.2 (550/1500)]
[HUNTER RANK: NONE]
[TRAIT: LONE WOLF]
Description: Gain 100% increased experience and material drops when hunting alone.
[ATTRIBUTES: STRENGTH 20, AGILITY 21, CONSTITUTION 15, PERCEPTION 14. (UNASSIGNED POINTS: 1)]
[EQUIPMENT: NONE]
[EQUIPMENT SKILLS: NONE]
[QUEST LIST]
Currently no quests available.
He still had one attribute point left. After careful consideration, Leon decided to hold onto it for now.
After all, he hadn't tested the benefits of each attribute yet. Since adding points could restore his status, he couldn't afford to waste it.
Furthermore, Leon was puzzled that the system hadn't issued any new quests since the tutorial ended.
'The system is supposed to guide me...'
'Why are there no quests?'
Perched on his shoulder, Dumpling let out a yawn and complained, "So sleepy... Does the training ground really open this early? I dreamed that an Anjanath was using me as a soccer ball last night, meow..."
"Wake up already." Leon lightly tapped Dumpling's head, his expression calm and focused. "Starting today, we have to train seriously."
When they reached the training grounds, Flora was already waiting at the entrance.
She maintained her usual cold demeanor. Her left arm was wrapped in bandages, but it didn't diminish her imposing presence.
Seeing Leon arrive, Flora said sternly, "You're late. If you arrive after me next time, the training is canceled."
"My apologies." Leon gave a short, respectful bow. "I understand."
Leaning against the wall nearby, Coco lazily opened one eye. "As long as you know. Let's go."
Flora pointed inside. "Go in. We'll start with basic testing today, then you can choose a weapon."
Leon nodded and walked into the training grounds.
There were several young hunters already inside; some were testing weapons, while others were chatting.
At a glance, they were all dressed in standard-issue novice hunter sets, carrying various weapons.
Long Swords, Lances, Hammers, Great Swords...
Leon followed Flora toward the center of the field, the sound of sparse whispering drifting from his surroundings.
"Hey, hey! Look! That's Leon."
"The one who soloed a High Rank Anjanath?"
"He's that strong? Then why is he at the training grounds?"
Flora's sharp gaze swept over the idlers wagging their tongues, and they fell silent instantly.
She turned to Leon and said, "I'll prepare the testing equipment. Wait here a moment."
"Alright." Leon nodded and stood obediently in the center of the field. Suddenly, he felt an unfriendly gaze fixed on him.
It was a young man around eighteen or nineteen with short black hair. He had a lean, athletic build, heroic features, and a sharp aura. With a Long Sword strapped to his back, he seemed like a blade that hadn't yet been sheathed.
"Yo, isn't this the outsider who supposedly soloed a High Rank Anjanath?" The black-haired youth's tone was nonchalant, but it was enough to make everyone stop and look.
'An outsider?'
Leon's brow twitched as he looked at the youth.
Before Leon could speak, the youth smiled contemptuously. "If not for the current manpower shortage, what right would an outsider like you have to stand here?"
"What did you say, meow!" Dumpling poked his head out from Leon's shoulder to retort. "You're the one who shouldn't be here, meow! He might be a rookie, but he's a hunter who held his own against a High Rank Anjanath alone, meow!"
This statement sparked even more discussion among the onlookers.
"Heh, careful you don't bite your tongue with those lies," the youth said dismissively. "Even a five-star hunter couldn't solo a High Rank Anjanath. You expect us to believe he did?"
"You—what did you say!" Dumpling's fur stood on end. Just as he was about to pounce, Leon reached out to stop him.
Just then, Flora returned, having finished her preparations. She issued a cold warning, "Yuri, you'd better shut your mouth and stop picking fights, or I'll..."
A strange look flashed in Yuri's eyes, but he quickly regained his disdainful look. "Sister Flora, I'm not trying to start anything. I just wanted to see what's so special about this outsider that my grandfather thinks so highly of him."
"I'm nothing special," Leon replied, his voice low and firm. "But if you're so eager to be a stepping stone for my reputation, I won't refuse."
"You..." Yuri wanted to say more, but out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Vos entering through the gates and swallowed his words.
He snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Dumpling muttered angrily, "I really want to punch him! He's so annoying, meow..."
"What's there to be upset about?" Coco spoke up as if he had known Yuri for a long time. "Just get stronger and you can shut his mouth. That brat has always been like that, meow."
Watching Yuri's retreating figure, Leon remained calm, but a competitive spark flickered in his eyes.
Flora interrupted his thoughts. "Come with me. We'll start with the physical fitness test."
Leon asked thoughtfully, "Flora, he just called me an outsider. Why did you all..."
"Hey! I'm only twenty years old, and you're calling me 'sister'? Just call me Flora!" Flora didn't answer the question immediately, seemingly more concerned with how Leon addressed her.
Perhaps it was the maturity her cold beauty projected that had led Leon to believe she was older.
Leon, having crossed over, likely retained his original age; having enlisted at eighteen and served for eight years, he was twenty-six.
Leon scratched his head awkwardly and carefully corrected himself. "Flora, I meant to ask... why would you all accept an outsider like me?"
Flora sighed and shrugged. "Yuri is the Sword Master's grandson. He's been incredibly competitive since he was a child. He's likely targeting you because of what he heard."
Leon pressed further, "But... my origins really are unknown. You could have easily sent me away."
Flora tilted her head and looked at him. "The humans in Astera either came from the Old World or were born here like me."
"Even though your origins are a mystery, the Commander judged that you aren't a threat. Combined with several other factors... they decided not to drive you away."
"What factors? Just the hunter shortage?" Leon decided to get to the bottom of it.
Flora raised an eyebrow with a bitter smile. "Shortage is one thing, but ultimately, it's because the Fifth Fleet is busy tracking Zorah Magdaros. We can't just interrupt the mission, and sending you back would be a huge hassle."
She paused and said seriously, "Don't overthink it. Once you've earned your place, we're all partners."
After a moment of silence, Leon asked, "What about you? Do you accept me?"
Flora looked at Leon and answered frankly, "If you mean as a human, I do."
Then, her tone shifted.
She tilted her chin up and pointed toward the training dummies and obstacle courses nearby. "But as a hunter, you're not even close to being qualified. So stop wasting time—we're starting your training now!"