Chapter 14:The Hunt Begins

---

Scene: The Outskirts of the City, Late Afternoon

The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the landscape as Mordryn and Kang Wo Hu ventured into the designated hunting area on the city's outskirts. The modern world had its own version of wilderness—vast stretches of land where monsters roamed, and hunters like Kang Wo Hu tested their strength. For Mordryn, it was a strange mix of the familiar and the utterly alien.

He walked beside her, his eyes scanning the horizon. There was a faint trace of magic in the air—something unnatural, like a rip in reality itself. His instincts told him that they were close to something, but he had no idea what kind of creatures this world had bred while he had been sealed away.

Kang Wo Hu, on the other hand, seemed at ease. She had been a hunter for years, and these hunting grounds were like a second home to her. But today, there was a different kind of excitement. She wasn't just hunting for herself—she was helping Mordryn recover his lost power.

As they walked, Mordryn's eyes fell on a group of hunters in the distance. They were inspecting the area, preparing for a hunt of their own. He watched them, noting their strange, sleek weapons and the way they moved as a team. It was a far cry from the warriors of his time, who wielded swords and shields. Here, everything seemed more... mechanical.

Mordryn:

quietly

"These hunters... what rank do they hold? I can sense that their power is limited."

Kang Wo Hu looked up from her thoughts, following Mordryn's gaze to the other group.

Kang Wo Hu:

"They're probably C-Rank, maybe B-Rank if they're experienced. Hunters in this world are ranked based on their power and skill. The lowest is F, and the highest is S."

Mordryn's eyes narrowed slightly. He was still adjusting to the idea of a ranked system for hunters, something that seemed foreign to him. In his time, strength was determined on the battlefield—through blood and steel.

Mordryn:

with a hint of disdain

"So, they categorize power now... assigning letters to strength."

Kang Wo Hu smiled a little at his reaction, amused by how out of place he still felt in this world.

Kang Wo Hu:

"It's more organized, at least. You'll get used to it."

Mordryn didn't respond, his attention now focused on the landscape ahead. They were nearing the deeper part of the hunting area, where the atmosphere grew darker, and the air carried a heavier sense of danger. His senses prickled—something was nearby.

Kang Wo Hu suddenly stopped, pulling out a sleek, black device from her pocket. Mordryn watched her curiously as she tapped on its surface, a bright screen lighting up with what appeared to be a map of the area.

Mordryn:

frowning

"What is that...?"

Kang Wo Hu blinked and looked up at him, realizing that Mordryn was eyeing her smartphone with suspicion. She laughed softly, holding it up so he could see.

Kang Wo Hu:

"This? It's called a smartphone. It's like... a map, a book, and a communicator all in one."

Mordryn's frown deepened as he studied the device. In his mind, he tried to make sense of what she was saying, but nothing added up. The idea of carrying all that information in a small, glowing rectangle seemed absurd.

Mordryn:

incredulous

"You're telling me this... object holds all that knowledge? Magic does not work like this."

Kang Wo Hu smiled, shaking her head.

Kang Wo Hu:

"It's not magic. It's technology. The modern world runs on it now. You'll get used to this too."

Mordryn folded his arms, still skeptical. To him, it felt like this "technology" was just a modern form of sorcery. But there was no time to argue about it. He had bigger concerns—like regaining his strength.

Kang Wo Hu turned her attention back to the smartphone, swiping across the screen.

Kang Wo Hu:

"I'm checking the map to see if there are any high-ranked monsters in the area. We'll need something powerful if you're going to absorb its energy."

Mordryn's gaze hardened. Yes, that was what he needed. He could feel the faint stirrings of his power returning, but it was nowhere near enough. His body still felt foreign to him, and the emptiness where his magic used to flow gnawed at him like a hungry beast.

As Kang Wo Hu studied the map, a flicker of movement caught Mordryn's attention. His eyes snapped to the treeline just beyond them, and for a brief moment, he sensed something—a disturbance in the air, a shift in reality.

Mordryn:

quietly

"There."

Kang Wo Hu looked up from her phone, following his gaze. Her eyes widened as she saw it too—a dark shimmer in the distance, like a shadow stretching out of the ground.

Kang Wo Hu:

"A Gate..."

Mordryn's brow furrowed.

Mordryn:

"A Gate? What do you mean?"

Kang Wo Hu's expression turned serious as she quickly slipped her smartphone back into her pocket.

Kang Wo Hu:

"Gates are what we call these portals. They appear randomly in the world, and inside them are monsters—some of the most dangerous ones. This one looks... strong."

Mordryn's eyes gleamed with interest. A portal, just like in the ancient days when rifts between worlds would open, unleashing chaos. This was what he needed. The power inside these creatures would help restore his strength.

Mordryn (thinking):

"This... could be the key."

Kang Wo Hu glanced at him, sensing the shift in his demeanor. She knew what he was thinking, and for a moment, her stomach twisted with worry. Mordryn was strong—stronger than anyone she had ever known—but right now, he wasn't at his full power. And whatever lay inside that Gate might be more than they could handle.

Kang Wo Hu:

"Are you sure you're ready for this? We don't know what's inside."

Mordryn's eyes narrowed, his voice calm but firm.

Mordryn:

"I don't have a choice. This is the only way."

Kang Wo Hu hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She knew there was no stopping him now. Together, they moved toward the Gate, the air growing colder with each step. As they neared the swirling vortex of darkness, Mordryn could feel the raw energy pulsing from it.

His heart pounded with anticipation. This was the first real step toward reclaiming what was his. And whatever awaited them on the other side—he would face it head-on.

Just as they were about to enter, the ground trembled beneath their feet, and the shadows within the portal seemed to ripple.

Something was coming.

---

End of Chapter 14