The Arcunam Guild was bustling with energy. Hunters filled the grand hall, celebrating the inauguration of their new Guild Master, Maria. Laughter and cheer echoed throughout as drinks were raised in her honor. Amidst the festivities, Zaren approached Maria with a calm yet genuine smile.
"Congratulations, Maria, for becoming the Guild Master of Arcunam Guild," he said warmly.
Maria's cheeks flushed with a slight blush as she hesitated before responding, "Thank you, Zaren."
Zaren nodded, his eyes carrying an unreadable depth. "Sorry, I have to leave for now," he added.
Before Maria could react, Zaren vanished in an instant. Startled, she reached out in an attempt to grab his shoulder, but her fingers grasped at empty air. Her eyes widened as she whispered to herself, "He's growing so powerful... How are you enhancing your strength this much, Zaren?"
---
Meanwhile, in the Kingdom of Dwarvenhold, a group of elite hunters trained rigorously in the vast training grounds of Titan's Valor Guild. The field was filled with S-rank and SS-rank hunters, all pushing their limits under the watchful gaze of their SSS+ rank Guild Master, Jaxon Blackthorne.
Jaxon observed them with a pleased smile before turning to his vice guild master, Selena Graves, a formidable SS-rank hunter.
"Selena," Jaxon called out.
"Yes, Guild Master?" Selena responded, standing at attention.
"I am going to visit a kingdom. Inform King Eldric Stormbane for me," Jaxon ordered.
Selena looked at him in surprise. "Sir, if you leave, who will manage the guild in your absence?"
Jaxon smirked. "I have already decided that. It will be you, Selena."
Selena's eyes widened as a faint blush crept onto her face. "M-me?" she stammered before quickly composing herself. "Yes, sir. I will do my best."
As Jaxon prepared to leave, Selena hesitated before speaking again. "Sir, may I ask... which kingdom are you visiting?"
Jaxon turned to her with a mysterious smile. "Elyria. I want to see the new SSS-rank hunter with my own eyes."
Selena clenched her fists, holding back emotions she had long hidden. "Should I inform the King of Elyria that you're coming?" she asked.
"Yes," Jaxon nodded. "Send a letter ahead of my arrival."
Jaxon then left, his presence radiating power as his blue aura expanded with every step. Meanwhile, in Dwarvenhold's royal palace, King Eldric received the news and was visibly taken aback. "Is this Zaren hunter truly so exceptional that even our strongest guild master seeks him out?" he mused.
---
Back in Elyria, Zaren was at the Arcunam Guild, deep in thought as he examined the mission board. His fingers hovered over two mission listings.
"An S-rank dungeon or an SS-rank dungeon... which should I choose?" he murmured to himself.
Maria approached him with curiosity. "Hey, Zaren. What are you looking at?"
"Oh, Maria," Zaren replied. "I was deciding on a dungeon-clearing job. I only have two choices—S-rank or SS-rank."
Maria gasped. "But Zaren, those are extremely high-ranking gates! Are you sure you can handle them? And remember, you're our guild's vice guild master now."
Zaren smiled confidently. "I know, but I have to train harder if I want to become the most powerful hunter."
Maria was taken aback by his determination. A soft blush dusted her cheeks as she thought, So that's his goal… She hesitated before suggesting, "Let's clear the SS-rank dungeon together. Are you okay with that?"
Zaren looked at her and grinned. "Okay, but only the two of us."
Maria's eyes widened, her blush deepening. "J-just the two of us? But a raid team usually has at least ten members, including a healer..."
She lowered her voice and, with flushed cheeks, whispered, "Okay... as you say so."
Zaren was momentarily surprised by her reaction but then chuckled. "Let's go," he said, grabbing the mission paper from the board.
The adventure had only just begun.
(Chapter 17 Fin)