Chapter 18: The Mind of a Hunter

HAP Training Ground – The First Test

The training hall of the Hunter Association Philippines (HAP) was filled with murmurs. A group of hunters, mostly D and C-Ranks, had gathered around the sparring area. The reason?

An E-Rank hunter was about to fight a C-Rank combat specialist.

Mon stepped into the ring, calm and composed. His opponent, a muscular man with short hair and a confident smirk, cracked his knuckles.

"You sure you wanna do this, rookie?" the man taunted. "I don't hold back, even against weaklings."

Mon didn't respond. Instead, he extended his hand forward—then clenched his fist.

Suddenly, a chain from the weapon rack floated into the air. The crowd gasped as it moved like a snake, wrapping itself around the dummy at the corner of the ring.

The opponent's smirk faded.

"Telekinesis?" someone muttered.

Before the C-Rank fighter could react, Mon flicked his fingers. The chain shot toward his opponent's feet, forcing him to jump back.

"Not bad," the man admitted. "But let's see how well you fight without tricks!"

He rushed forward, fists glowing with aura-enhanced power.

Mon remained still.

As the punch was about to connect, four knives shot forward—floating mid-air—blocking the attack! The force sent the man sliding backward.

"What the—?!"

Mon wasn't done. He raised his hand again, and ten handguns floated into the air. The barrels all pointed directly at his opponent.

A bead of sweat formed on the C-Rank's forehead.

"This guy… he's controlling all of them at once?!"

The spectators held their breath. Was Mon really an E-Rank?

The Aftermath – A Rising Star

The fight ended with Mon's victory. He never fired a bullet. He didn't need to. The sheer control he displayed was enough to prove he was on a different level.

As Mon left the training area, he noticed a figure watching him from the upper balcony.

Chief Inspector Choks Go.

Mon knew that kind of stare. It wasn't just curiosity—it was interest.

---

HAP Headquarters – A Special Offer

Mon was wiping sweat off his forehead when a voice called out:

"You're Mon, right?"

Mon turned and found himself face-to-face with Choks Go, the second-in-command of HAP.

"The chairman wants to meet you."

Mon raised an eyebrow. "Chairman Don Sy?"

Choks nodded. "He's read your report on the Double Dungeon. Now, after seeing your training, he's even more interested in you."

Mon crossed his arms. "Why?"

Choks smirked. "Because your skills are… unique. If you keep leveling up, who knows? You might develop even more dimension-related abilities. And we can help you get there."

Mon stayed silent for a moment. He knew that accepting meant getting involved with the politics of HAP. But rejecting could mean losing access to high-level dungeons.

"I'll think about it," Mon finally said.

Choks nodded. "Take your time. But don't take too long. We might have a mission soon."

---

At Home – A Brother's Advice

Back at their small apartment, Mon found Bert still in bed, snoring.

Mon shook his head. "You really don't care about leveling up, huh?"

Bert yawned. "We just killed an Orc Lord. I deserve a break."

Mon sat on the couch, deep in thought.

Bert noticed. "What's wrong?"

Mon sighed. "HAP wants me to join them officially. They think my skills might evolve into something even stronger."

Bert smirked. "So you're basically an anime protagonist now?"

Mon chuckled. "That's what you got from all that?"

Bert stretched. "Look, I get it. You don't want to be controlled by some big organization. But you also want access to stronger dungeons, right?"

Mon nodded.

Bert grinned. "Then do what you do best—stay one step ahead. Use them before they use you."

Mon leaned back, staring at the ceiling.

"Yeah… that might be the best way."

---

Unknown Location – A Watchful Eye

Across the city, near a sealed dungeon gate, a figure in a dark hood stood in the shadows.

He had been watching.

Mon and Bert.

The Double Dungeon.

And now, HAP's interest in them.

A quiet chuckle escaped his lips.

"Things are getting interesting."

His eyes, hidden beneath the hood, glowed faintly before he disappeared into the night.