The (Un)Divine Hunter

Golden eyes shone through the darkness, tearing through Raziel like a predator watching its prey. The air grew heavier, thick with the figure's divine energy, yet it was different from the overwhelming presence of the Intermediate Gods. This aura was fractured, incomplete.

[Warning: Presence of a Divine Fragment Detected]

[Power Source: Unknown]

[Threat Level: High]

The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be a man draped in a dark cloak, his features sharp yet otherworldy. Despite his human appearance, Raziel could feel the remnants of divine energy clinging to him like a curse, similar to himself.

"So," the man said with amusement, "the infamous Gods' Executioner has fallen to mortality. I expected you to be groveling at the feet of the Gods, not wandering the streets of Los Angeles like a lost dog."

Raziel's eyes narrowed. "And who are you to speak of expectations?"

The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "Just another fodder of the divine, much like yourself. But unlike you, I know my place in this world." His expression suddenly darkened. "The Gods don't forgive their mistakes, Raziel. If you're here, it means they're already watching."

Raziel clenched his fists, his body tense. He had no patience for riddles. "If they are watching, they would have struck me down the moment I arrived."

"Not if they're afraid."

The words were sharp, cutting through the silence of the air. 

The Gods? Afraid?

It was almost laughable to Raziel. But he knew that divine fear was not the same as mortal fear; it was the fear of losing control, of an anomaly that couldn't be predicted—the Divine Bounty System.

The man took another step closer. "Be careful where you tread, Executioner. This world has its own rules. If you make too much noise, you might not live long enough to challenge the ones who cast you down."

Before Raziel could reply, the figure blurred, vanishing into the shadows as if he had never been there. The weight in the air dissipated, but the pressure of his words lingered.

Raziel exhaled slowly, his mind racing. Another castoff? A Divine Fragment?

He had no doubt this encounter was a warning. The Gods had erased his divinity, but something—or someone—was keeping a close watch.

Yet that didn't change his next step.

Shaking off the encounter, Raziel emerged from the alley, stepping into the neon-lit streets once more. He had a plan to set in motion. If he was going to navigate this world, he needed to integrate himself into this society. And the first step was becoming a hunter.

The government-monitored ranking system intrigued him, and he knew he needed to obtain an official hunter license to blend in and gather more resources.

He made his way to the cities local Hunter Guild, a sleek, futuristic building decorated with holographic displays and mana symbols. The lobby was packed with activity, as LA was one of the most populated cities on this planet. Aspiring hunters waited for their evaluations, and screens displayed the latest monster attacks and high-ranking hunters.

Raziel looked through his mortal clothing and found a ID card under his name, just a regular citizen.

Approaching the registration desk, Raziel was greeted by a pretty receptionist who scanned his identification, slightly blushing.

"Welcome to the LA Hunter Guild Center. How can I assist you today?"

"I want to apply for an official hunter license," Raziel replied, his voice steady.

The receptionist nodded and handed him a form. "Please fill out this application and proceed to the evaluation room. You'll need to pass a series of tests to determine your rank, F to SSS. Well, as you probably already know, any rank above A is extremely rare, and only the top 20 in the world are ranked at SSS."

"Thank you, ma'am," Raziel said, making her blush again.

Raziel completed the form and entered the evaluation room after a long wait, where a group of veteran hunters and evaluators awaited. They looked extremely bored and tired after getting multiple F to D ranks with only a singular C rank. The room was equipped with advanced training equipment, mana scanners, and holographic combat simulators.

The head evaluator, a stern-looking man with a scar across his left eye, stepped forward. "Applicant, state your name and background."

"Raziel," he replied, keeping his past as the Executioner of the Gods hidden. "I've recently arrived in the city and seek to become a licensed hunter."

The evaluators exchanged glances and nodded. "Very well. Your first test will be a physical evaluation. Demonstrate your combat skills and physical prowess."

Raziel stepped onto the platform, where a series of holographic targets appeared. Drawing upon his strength from the basic relic, he moved with precision and speed, striking each target with extremely calculated blows. The evaluators watched in awe as he flawlessly completed the physical test.

"Impressive," the head evaluator said. "Next, you'll undergo a mana evaluation. Channel your mana into this device, and we'll access your control and capacity."

Raziel placed his hand on the mana scanner, feeling the device draw upon an energy that was unfamiliar to him. The holographic display showed two numbers:

-Mana Control: 10.35-

-Mana Capacity: 7.45-

These values were above the average applicants, but not yet at the level of seasoned hunters.

"Your mana control is commendable," the head evaluator said. "Finally, you'll face a combat simulation. This will test your ability to handle real-world threats."

The room shifted, transforming into a virtual dungeon filled with holographic monsters. Raziel's instincts kicked in as he navigated the simulated environment, defeating the creatures with a combination of physical prowess and strategic maneuvers.

As the simulation ended, the evaluators conferred before announcing their decision.

"Raziel, based on your performance, we are pleased to grant you a provisional hunter license at B Rank. With further training and experience, you definitely have the potential to advance to higher ranks."

Raziel accepted the license, a proud, accomplished look on his face.

That was fucking pathetic.

He felt like he was going to shed a tear, but controlled his emotions and walked out, head high. With the Divine Bounty System, he could—no he had to use it to get stronger. Raziel knew that the path to reclaiming his divinity and exacting vengeance on the Gods would be long and tedious. But he was determined.

The hunt had truly begun.