Chapter 99- Friendly spar~1

The main building of the Japan Hunter Association has numerous indoor gyms, and the one in which all the S-ranked hunters are training as of now is on the eighth floor.

Cha Hae-In accompanied by Baek Yoon-Ho and Min Byun-Gyu entered the gym with the motive of introducing themselves to the Japanese hunters and planning the strategy they would be following tomorrow during the dungeon break.

However, the moment inside the gym they were left astounded by the amount of equipment and technology provided for each hunter to train and polish their skills.

Unlike the training ground back in the Korean Hunter Association, this was longer in comparison with numerous weighted machinery and tools to train one's physique, and also, the short shooting range with training dolls seemed perfect for a mage-type hunter—to practice their precision and skill range.

Baek Yoon-Ho's attention went toward the large arena in the middle of the hall, where a scarred-faced man was currently sparring against a white-haired man with a metallic mask around his mouth.

'Does he also have a sensitive nose?' Cha Hae-In wondered as her eyes then went toward the female warrior fighting with mechanical training dolls, using a bokken.

Her posture and stance qualified for a professional swordsman, however, her technique was a little brutal and took a little more effort than it should have. While Cha Hae-In also still was a student, under Song Chi-Yul, she had enough experience to know what could be done to perform better.

Nevertheless, it wasn't like she was going to correct someone's posture from the get-go—it would be extremely rude.

"Attention, hunters." Suddenly, the man with black hair and domineering presence arrived beside Cha Hae-In and called out for others.

While Cha Hae-In knew that this man was head of the guild and was the strongest hunter in Japan, she didn't think the other hunters would be so obedient to leave their training in an instant and line up in front within three seconds.

"These are the hunters who arrived from Korea for our aid. Please get along with them." Cha Hae-In didn't need a translator to know that Goto Ryuuji was introducing them to the Japanese hunters.

Soon the two translators arrived at the place and Cha Hae-In got to greet the Japanese Hunters one by one.

"...indeed as Ms. Cha said, Hunter Kei has a hyper-sensitive nose; that's why that mask." As Cha Hae-In came face to face with the slightly blushing Kei, she got confirmed about her curiosity.

'Why is he getting embarrassed tho...' Cha Hae-In didn't ask and moved to the others; leaving a disappointed Kei behind, who wanted to talk to her more.

Soon Haru along with Reiji also walked in as Goto extended a proposal,

"Since both sides want to know about each other, why don't we get to see through one-on-one spar?"

It was an ideal way of introduction when it comes to hunters and warriors. Battle always has been the best way of showcasing one's strength and allowing your comrades to know about your skills.

"I agree." Whether Baek Yoon-Ho added his consent just because he purely wanted to know about Japanese hunters or because he was itching for a battle after witnessing those hunters train, remained a mystery.

"But Goto-san...the raid is tomorrow." The Japanese translator Hanekawa raised her concern related to any possible injury in the spar.

While a simple one-on-one couldn't be too much for normal hunters, one shouldn't forget that everyone here, except for the two translators, was S-ranked. And two of them were internationally known famous hunters.

"Umm, Hanekawa-san, did you forget about my existence?" It was the short girl named Shimizu Akari who raised her hand and chimed.

Being an S-rank healer, it was possible for her to even grant limbs to others and bring a person back to life from the brink of death. Naturally, the hunters here wouldn't go to that length, but even in a rare case scenario, in Akari's presence, nothing would affect tomorrow's raid.

"Byung-Gyu can also help, just in case." Baek Yoon-Ho informed as he brought his hand over his friend's shoulder. While Min Byung-Gyu seemed slightly flustered, he nodded in assent.

"But who would go against whom?" It was Kanae who asked—receiving an answer from her guild master.

"Atsushi is clearly not wanting to battle, and Akari is out of the question already...which leaves you three."

Goto directed his gaze at Kanae, the bulkhead—Tanaka Kenzo, and the mask wearer, Kei. He didn't include Hoshino Minoru since after his earlier confrontation with Haruka, Minoru wasn't looking in condition to step on the battlefield. The other three S-ranked Japanese hunters weren't present on this floor, so counting them in was unreasonable.

Without even voicing it out, it was decided who would go against whom. Since Baek Yoon-Ho was a fighter, trained in hand-to-hand combat, he was paired up with Kenzo.

Being both women and trained in Kenjutsu it was given that Cha Hae-In would battle against Kanae Tawata. Although they use swords in real battle, this practice spar only permitted them to use wooden swords—to avoid needless injuries.

And finally, the mage-type hunter, Kei would go against the Japanese native but a Korean hunter, Nanase Haruka.

Haru didn't say anything in support nor against this spar as he stood at a side silently, with his arms crossed on his chest.

'This boy...he sure has become stronger..." Kei once met Haru at the time when Haru was moving to Korea. Compared to that time, Haru has significantly risen in strength, and also his attitude was nothing that of a teenager's.

The way Haru seemed nonchalant about this battle, somehow triggered Kei in a wrong way, however he suppressed his intent and waited for his turn.

Although it would be rude to utterly defeat the son of his vice-guild master, Kei was not going to hold back as well.

Once the talking was done, the group of fourteen moved toward the central arena, which was elevated slightly and had a protective barrier all around. The space for the audience was enough to stand comfortably as Baek Yoon-Ho and Tanaka Kenzo entered the arena.

With a wild grin extending his lips, Kenzo's lips, he provoked, "Come at me with your best."

While folding his sleeves, Baek Yoon-Ho growled, "I would expect the same from you."

And with that, the 'introductory spar' between the two nation's best hunters, began!

*****

A/N:- I will detail Cha's fight and then we will see Haru showing off his skills. Drop a comment if you are excited for the next chapter.