the plan

Everyone turned toward the hunter with white hair and sharp silver-gray eyes, dressed in a black slim suit unlike anything they had seen before. His build was incredibly refined—every muscle honed to perfection.

Rael noticed the curiosity in everyone's eyes as Orin stood there, silent, making no move to explain himself.

Rael cleared his throat and spoke. "He's not an innate hunter like us. He was born without an energy core, but he's not an earthling either." His eyes gleamed with intrigue. "He has no heart, which makes him unique. His physical strength alone is enough to break any level three defense."

A ripple of shock spread through the gathered hunters, but no one looked more stunned than Maria, the girl in the military outfit.

"How is that possible?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief. "How long does it take for an earthling to reach that level of strength?"

Rael's response came without hesitation. "Maria, that's a good question. The answer? Three hundred years."

Maria's expression twisted in frustration. "Three hundred years?" She couldn't believe it. Meanwhile, Orin's expression changed slightly. Three hundred years? He scoffed internally. It didn't even take me thirty days.

Curious, he turned to Rael and asked, "Interesting. How did you calculate that?"

Rael adjusted his glasses. "Normal earthlings would need centuries to reach this level, but only if they had unlimited potential. Sadly, their lifespans and body strength are limited. At a certain point, their bodies stop improving. The highest rank they can reach is entry-level one hunter."

Orin listened, fascinated. So that's why no one has reached my level before… His mind raced. I have no such limits. My regeneration keeps pushing me forward. I can improve indefinitely.

Rael smirked. "The real question here is—how did you manage to break those limits? But we all have our secrets, and we won't force you to reveal yours."

Maria, however, wasn't satisfied. Her frustration boiled over. "Even with energy cores, we can't reach that level. I refuse to believe it's possible!" She crossed her arms. "Why not prove it first?"

Her anger wasn't without reason.

Innate hunters like her could develop energy cores, but their physical strength remained the same as normal earthlings. In a physical fight, Orin was practically invincible—even against level eight elite hunters. But with their energy cores, his strength became meaningless. They could generate devastating magical attacks and wield specialized energy-powered armor.

Orin wasn't bothered by Maria's doubts. Even he didn't fully understand his own condition. He wasn't interested in making too many friends, and emotions were meaningless to him. But he wasn't stupid, he knew cooperation wasn't a weakness, but a strength.

His silver-gray eyes locked onto Maria with an unreadable expression. "Your name is Maria, right? What you said makes sense."

Without another word, he walked toward the impact machine, a massive reinforced structure designed to measure and absorb the power of level-three empowered attacks.

Under everyone's gaze, he stretched his arms and took out a remote control, adjusting the weight of his suit from 2,000kg to its lowest setting—1,000kg. Immediately, he felt lighter, faster.

He put the remote away and stepped forward. A deep breath. A calm stance.

Then

BOOM!

His fist collided with the machine, and a deafening explosion of metal echoed through the training grounds. The reinforced machine, meant to withstand energy-core-powered attacks, was obliterated in a single punch. Debris flew in all directions, the impact leaving a crater in the steel.

A heavy silence followed and Everyone stared in shock.

The machine wasn't ordinary, it was used to test the raw strength of hunters wearing specialized suits reinforced by their energy cores. For someone without a core to destroy it barehanded was unheard of.

If a hunter had taken that punch directly, they wouldn't have survived unless they had a powerful energy shield or top-tier armor.

Rael clapped, breaking the silence. "I knew those muscles weren't for show." His grin widened. "Even if you've reached your peak and can't grow stronger, you'll still be invaluable in the examination."

Maria, on the other hand, was speechless. She couldn't believe what she had witnessed. A raw physical punch… no energy… no reinforcement… How?

The other hunters had their own thoughts, but there was one among them who simply felt… defeated.

Zera.

She clenched her fists. She had struggled to produce even a weak spark of electricity. Compared to Orin's overwhelming display of power, she felt utterly useless. If I don't find a way to unlock my full potential… I'll be nothing in this competition.

Rael continued, his voice regaining its usual composure. "Now that we understand each other's strengths, our plan remains the same—with one small adjustment." He gestured to the group. "The seven attack hunters will form a team. They'll take one strategist and two healers for support. During combat, the support team will stay back, guarded by two hunters. What does everyone think?"

Maria nodded. "I'm a sniper. I'll provide overwatch and cover both sides. But what about Orin and Zera?"

Rael adjusted his glasses. "Zera isn't combat-ready in her current condition. Orin and the others will be reserve forces. If one of the main team members is injured or disqualified, they'll step in."

Everyone agreed.

Rael concluded, "Alright. Rest well. The strategists will find the best starting point for our first mission."

The group dispersed. Only two remained behind—Zera and Orin.

Orin wasted no time. He increased his suit weight to 3,000kg and resumed his brutal training, pushing his body past its limits. Every movement was slow and exhausting, but he welcomed the challenge.

Zera, meanwhile, stood at the energy manipulation training machine. Sparks flickered weakly from her fingertips as she tried—over and over—to generate a stable current. She needed control. She needed power.

Time passed.

Two hours later, at nearly 11:00 PM, Orin's hunger returned. He frowned. At this rate, I'll run out of food. I need to go hunting tomorrow.

As he turned to leave for the cafeteria, his eyes landed on Zera. As She was still training.

Her exhausted body trembled as she forced herself to continue, pushing beyond her limits.

Then, She collapsed.

Her slender form hit the ground, motionless except for the faint rise and fall of her chest.

For the first time, Orin's expression changed. He didn't feel concern. He didn't feel sympathy. But he recognized something.

Willpower.

Zera was pushing herself to the edge, just like he did, And for that, she had his silent respect.Without making a sound, he walked toward her, his steps measured and calm.