It was an ordinary afternoon.
Just like any other day, I came to the Monster Store to unload my latest haul of materials when, out of nowhere, a lady government official demanded to see my Hunter License.
"Here, please take this newly issued Hunter License," she said, smiling as she handed me a new card.
After she did this and that with the scanner, I noticed a new line engraved on the front.
"The Heavenly Gifted Hunter…?"
I tilted my head, puzzled. "What's this supposed to mean?"
"Ah, that's what you call a Title," she explained cheerfully. "It's a simplified way to describe your current set of abilities."
"Huh?"
She leaned forward, her tone brightening with pride. "Didn't you bring in Monster carcasses worth twenty-three creatures within your first month as a Hunter, Mr. Walker? Because you satisfied the conditions, a prefix was added to your job description. Overflowing with great talent — that's what Heavenly Gifted means. It's a rare and wonderful Title, you know! You can't receive it if you've been a Hunter for more than six months. And the Knights Orders actually prefer this Title over ones like The Seasoned Pro or The Distinguished Individual."
I nodded absently, showing only mild interest. Honestly, none of that mattered much to someone who could only maintain his Human Form for eighty minutes a day.
"…Thanks, I guess."
"Ah… wait!!"
When I turned around to leave, she suddenly stood up and grabbed my sleeve. I frowned, confused, as she blushed and pushed a folded sheet of paper toward me.
"This… please take a look at this!!"
"…Huh?"
A government official trying to sell me something? I blinked, a little stunned. Still, the way she twisted shyly, her cheeks pink, was… objectively kind of cute.
I glanced at the paper. Public Recruitment for Hunters by the Ironcrest Knights Order.
"What am I reading here?"
She pointed eagerly at the heading. "The Ironcrest Knights Order is a government-owned organization based right here in the city. They're recruiting capable Hunters. Normally, only Mid Tier or higher can apply, but… I'm sure your Title will get favorable consideration! Besides, the plan was to upgrade your ranking to low Mid Tier soon, as soon as you meet the experience quota."
For context, a low Mid Tier Hunter could kill a Low Tier Monster only if three people with similar skill sets worked together. Meanwhile, a low Mid Tier Knight could handle three of those same Monsters alone.
That's why I stood out so much. Hunters usually formed parties. But me? I always came alone, and left alone.
"Well," she continued nervously, "are you… interested in this opportunity? You can apply right now. I'm sure you'll be accepted immediately! Every Hunter with the Heavenly Gifted Title got scouted by major Knights Orders within a year. Some even switched professions and became Knights themselves!"
Her grip on my sleeve tightened slightly.
I was about to say no, but then again… her bright, expectant eyes made it hard to turn her down outright.
A man's worth was judged by his abilities that much was clear. To see a cute government worker acting this earnest toward me… it was unfamiliar. If I weren't half-Monster, maybe I would've been flattered. But because of that condition, I couldn't exactly brag about my success, either.
"…Is that so?"
When I smiled faintly, she thought it meant interest and leaned in further.
"Yes, of course! Hehe… by the way, there's a small favor I'd really, really love to ask you related to this…"
That was the moment my instincts flared up, the kind honed from too many painful lessons early in life. My gut screamed run now.
"So… when you're recruited, could you please mention my name, Hannah Lee. as your recommender? Wait, please, just a second!! Mr. Walker!!"
But before she could finish, I was already halfway out the Monster Store, walking so fast it might as well have been a sprint.
Hunting became a lot easier after my Goblin Form evolved from what I used to think was a useless burden into one of my most valuable assets, all thanks to the Body Strengthening potion.
After doping with that potion, my Orc Form's strength now rivaled an Orc Warrior's. With a steel mace I bought from the Store, my destructive power easily surpassed any Orc wielding crude weapons.
My Grey Wolf Form had also improved dramatically, but it became so fast and strong I couldn't fully control it yet. Until I adjusted, I stuck with the Orc Form, humanoid, familiar and stable.
"Grrraaaahhh!!"
The war cry tore from my throat on instinct as I swung down my mace. My blood boiled with a primal thrill I couldn't suppress. It felt like I was some mythical warrior reborn, unstoppable, wild.
The Skeleton Soldier I faced didn't make a sound. Just bone and Mana, reanimated and empty.
Kwaaang!!
My steel mace clashed with its scimitar, shattering both weapon and skull in one strike. The forest quaked from the sound. Bone fragments scattered like snow. I stood there, breathing hard, savoring the rush of victory.
[Condition Complete: Required Experience Points Attained]
► Trait Level increased to 4.
► All Stats rise by 1. Adjustments applied to all Forms.
A grin tugged at my lips as the translucent window blinked into view. Progress always felt good.
But my smile faded when I heard faint footsteps in the grass nearby.
People.
I immediately shifted back into my Human Form. Out here, the real danger wasn't the Monsters, it was other humans. Knights, especially. A single mistake, and I could end up dead before I could even explain.
Thankfully, my gear changed with my Form, so the transition looked natural enough.
"…Huh, it's just a person?"
I crouched to grab the Mana Stone from the Skeleton remains, just as a group of Hunters stepped through the trees. Four of them. They paused when they saw the mace in my hands.
"Ah, hello there!" the leader greeted.
Hunters rarely used melee weapons which were too dangerous without Knight-level strength. So, they assumed I was a Knight.
He smiled disarmingly and walked over, offering a business card. "We're Hunting Team One from the Silverhawk Knights Order. My name's Thomas Han, upper Mid Tier Hunter. These guys are my team, though they're still new to the field."
The gold-inked words Upper Mid Tier shimmered on the card. He was probably mentoring rookies on a live hunt.
"Is that right."
"Yeah, haha. These kids hit Mid Tier within two years, but they're still hatchlings. Oh, if you don't mind me asking, which Knights Order are you with?"
"…Ah, I think you're mistaken," I said, pocketing his card. "I'm not a Knight."
His expression twisted in confusion. His gaze drifted toward the shattered Skeleton at my feet.
"…So that means…"
"I'm a Hunter. Low Tier," I added, smiling faintly and offering my hand.
He hesitated, then shook it, his disbelief plain. "Ah… good one. You've got a sense of humor. But you know it's not allowed, right? Low Tier Hunters can't hunt solo in Low Tier zones. If you're strong enough to do that, why not just become a Knight, huh?"
"Haha… is that so? But it's true."
I pulled out my license and showed him.
"Uh? This is real, wait…"
His eyes widened as he spotted the golden title.
The Heavenly Gifted Hunter.
He went silent, staring. That Title was rare, one of the highest honors a Hunter could earn, granted only to those who killed over twenty Monsters within six months. Every single one of them ended up scouted by a Knights Order eventually.
He flipped my license over, checking the record: twenty-three kills in a month, all self-disposed and dismantled.
"…This…!!"
His eyes lit up even more when he noticed the Affiliation section was blank.
"You're not affiliated with anyone yet?!"
"Yeah. I like moving solo," I said simply.
He smiled like a man spotting treasure and handed me another card.
This one read: Silverhawk Knights Order.