Scene One – Shibuya Station
The train screeched to a halt at the crowded Shibuya Station.
Its metallic doors slid open with a familiar hiss.
Waves of commuters poured out in every direction, their hurried footsteps echoing across the platform.
Among them stepped out Ren Escarta, calm and composed as always, a small black bag slung over his shoulder, eyes cold and observant.
The sky was bright, the air filled with the pulse of the city — car horns, digital billboards flashing blue and yellow across towering buildings.
Ren's thoughts drifted as he made his way through the crowd.
> "Before anything else... I need a proper weapon.
I heard of a man here — a swordsmith, well-known among hunters and heroes alike."
---
Scene Two – The Swordsmith's Shop
He stopped in front of a small, weathered shop hidden in a quiet alleyway, its wooden frame carrying the scent of years long past.
Above the door, an old sign read elegantly:
"Dragonfang Forge."
As Ren entered, a soft metallic chime rang from the door.
The scent of hot steel and oil filled the air.
Rows of swords lined the wooden walls — some newly forged, others ancient and timeworn.
Behind the counter sat a man in his late forties.
Short gray hair, neatly trimmed beard, calm eyes that spoke of experience.
He looked up and smiled slightly.
> "Welcome."
Ren bowed politely.
> "Thank you."
He glanced around at the blades before speaking in his usual quiet tone.
> "I'm looking for something strong... but light. Easy to handle."
The man nodded confidently, lifting a sword he had just finished polishing.
> "You're in luck. I forged this one this very morning — made from Karazonium, a rare metal, lighter than steel but sharp enough to cut through almost anything."
His eyes studied Ren carefully, then curved into a knowing smile.
> "Judging by your posture... and that silence — you're a close-range type, aren't you?"
Ren's voice was calm and matter-of-fact.
> "Yes. I'm an assassin."
He took the sword and examined it closely.
The blade was slender and balanced, its body a pale silver-white streaked with golden veins, and the handle was wrapped in deep black leather.
> "It's elegant... and powerful."
> "Its true worth," said the smith, "shows only in battle."
> "How much?"
The man thought for a moment.
> "Thirty thousand yen."
Ren nodded without hesitation.
He pulled out his phone, completing the digital transfer swiftly.
The black sheath gleamed faintly as the man handed it over.
> "Take good care of it.
Swords choose their masters, not the other way around."
> "I will. Thank you."
Ren left the shop, the new weapon secured across his back.
A soft wind brushed through his dark hair as he walked away.
> "Good thing I didn't waste the academy's allowance like the others," he thought.
"It was expensive… but worth it. Now that I have a proper blade, next stop— power measurement."
-----
Scene Three – The Road to the Evaluation Center
The city buzzed with life — enormous digital screens displayed faces of famous hunters and heroes, their achievements flashing across the skyline.
As Ren walked, he thought quietly:
> "Power users are ranked by six grades — E, D, C, B, A, and S.
Then there's the Advanced Tier, beyond human comprehension.
Legends among legends."
He exhaled faintly.
> "The gates, though… they were never ranked as consistently.
Yet, no one seems to worry anymore.
It's become normal — part of daily life."
A soft smirk appeared on his face.
> "The evaluation center should be close."
His inner monologue broke when his phone buzzed.
The name on the screen — Kaji.
Ren answered after a few seconds.
> Ren: "Yeah, Kaji. What is it?"
Kaji: "Ren! Where are you right now?"
Ren: "Just bought a new sword."
Kaji: "Wait— you bought a sword before checking your power level?"
Ren: "I needed it first."
Kaji: "Heh, well, I just finished my test!"
Ren: "And?"
Kaji: "Rank D!"
Ren: "As expected.
The academy trains your body — not your energy.
Still, good work. Keep training if you want to stand with the pros."
Kaji: "Should I wait for you?"
Ren: "No. Go ahead. Focus on your first hunt."
Kaji: "Got it. Later!"
Ren: "Later."
---
Scene Four – The Power Measurement Center
Ten minutes later, Ren arrived before a tall, glass building glowing with faint blue light.
The sign above the doors read:
"National Ability Evaluation Bureau."
Inside, bright lights gleamed over marble floors and digital screens displaying maps of active gates across Japan.
At the front desk, a young woman greeted him with a professional smile.
> "Good evening. How may I help you?"
"I'd like to apply for a Hunter License."
> "Of course. One moment, please."
She asked him the usual questions — name, date of birth, academy, graduation year.
He answered each calmly, without hesitation.
A few minutes later, she printed a small ticket.
> "You're number five. Please wait until your number is called."
> "Understood."
Ren sat quietly in the waiting area.
Some people left with pride in their eyes; others, frustration.
He thought to himself:
> "People who score low think they'll stay weak forever.
Those who score high assume they're invincible.
But real strength… doesn't show here.
It's proven in the field — against what you face, how you think, and how you survive."
Then the intercom buzzed:
> 'Number five, please proceed to the testing room.'
Ren stood and entered.
A large crystal sphere sat in the center, glowing faintly.
A technician gestured toward it.
> "Please place your hand on the orb and remain still."
> "Ren Escarta," he replied.
She smiled.
> "Alright, Mr. Escarta. Let's begin."
The crystal pulsed softly as Ren's hand touched its cool surface.
Streams of light climbed upward, data forming rapidly on the digital screen.
After a few seconds, she spoke evenly:
> "Result complete.
Your rank is… B."
Ren withdrew his hand.
> "I see."
> "You can collect your card from the front desk," she said with a polite nod.
"Good luck out there."
> "Yeah."
He retrieved his new license moments later.
---
Name: Ren Escarta
Age: 20
Academy: Shinra High
Certification: Licensed Hunter
Rank: B
He studied the card under the gray sky outside.
Clouds began to gather slowly above the bright city.
Despite the noise of traffic, chatter, and glowing billboards — something in the air felt... subtly different.
His phone buzzed again.
A notification with the Hunters Association's crest appeared.
> [Urgent Notice]
Hunter Ren Escarta,
A Level-4 Gate has appeared in Northern Shibuya.
Your presence is requested for the suppression mission.
Please confirm participation below.
Ren exhaled softly.
> "Didn't take them long, huh... maybe they're testing me."
He pressed Accept and began walking north.
The wind tugged lightly at his coat, and the city around him continued as if nothing was wrong —
though above, faint swirls of gray light began to form.
---
Scene Five – The Gate Site
Soon he reached the designated zone — a quiet roadside lined with dead leaves.
A small Association truck stood nearby, three figures waiting beside it.
One was a man in black combat gear, another a woman in casual attire, and a staff member holding a scanner pulsing faintly with energy readings.
> "Hunter Ren," the staff member greeted, "great — the team's complete. You're the last one."
She gestured to the other two.
> "This is Hunter Hayato, rank C, and Hunter Saki, rank B."
Ren thought silently:
> "Even if a high-rank hunter can enter alone, the Association always sends teams.
Safety over pride."
> "And this," she continued formally, "is Hunter Ren Escarta, rank B.
Complete the raid, and your reward — fifty thousand yen — will be transferred immediately."
> "Understood," Ren said.
"Nice to meet you both."
Hayato smiled confidently.
> "Same here. What's your specialty?"
> "Assassin," Ren replied quietly.
> "Heh, me too," Hayato grinned.
Saki tied her golden hair up and spoke lightly:
> "Then I guess I'm the healer here.
I'll make sure you both come out alive."
Ren gave a small nod.
> "A balanced team."
Saki smiled faintly.
> "Looks like it."
The staff member glanced at her scanner.
> "Energy stabilization at ninety percent. You may proceed."
Before them, the Gate began to ripple and twist — a swirling vortex of green light tearing the air apart.
One by one, they entered.
Hayato first.
Saki next.
And finally, Ren — stepping through the glowing storm without a hint of hesitation.
---
Scene Six – Inside the Gate
Light vanished.
In its place: a dense forest cloaked in mist.
Sunlight barely pierced through the thick canopy, and the damp grass muffled their footsteps.
Hayato drew his twin daggers, grinning.
> "Looks like we'll be hunting for a while."
Saki's eyes scanned the woods.
> "Be careful. We don't know what might come from the trees."
Ren unsheathed his sword — the white blade gleaming faintly under the pale light.
> "Most likely... green wolves."
He thought sharply as they advanced:
> "Predators that stalk from cover and strike fast.
Common in fourth- and fifth-level gates.
If they're here, it means there's a whole ecosystem behind this one..."
His mind worked like a blade — calculating, connecting every sign.
They moved in silence for twenty minutes, surrounded only by the rustle of leaves and the whisper of the wind.
Then — a faint rustle behind them.
From between the trees, shadows emerged — wolves with gray fur streaked by glowing green lines, eyes burning like emerald fire.
Hayato raised his daggers with a sharp grin.
> "Finally, some action."
Saki drew her small blade, a faint green aura swirling from her hand.
> "Let's
begin."
Ren's gaze locked on the beasts, calm as steel.
> "Predicted correctly."
He stood beside Hayato, both in stance, while Saki positioned herself a meter behind.
They exchanged a single look — silent understanding.
Then they moved.
The hunt... had begun.
End of Chapter 2
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> Chapter 3 will be released on Monday.
I released this chapter earlier than planned because I was too excited after reaching 1.5K views in just two days!
Thank you all so much for the support 💫
If you have any suggestions or improvements, please let me know in the comments — I truly appreciate every opinion 🙏