Ironhold City never slept.
Even at night, the streets were filled with people. Torches burned along the stone roads, lighting up rows of shops and taverns. The smell of roasted meat and strong alcohol drifted through the air.
Hunters walked everywhere.
Some wore heavy armor covered with monster scars. Others carried weapons that looked far too large for ordinary humans.
Arin walked slowly through the crowded street, observing everything carefully.
This world was very different from Earth.
Here, strength meant everything.
A hunter dragging the corpse of a giant lizard passed beside him. The creature was easily three meters long.
Several merchants immediately gathered around the hunter.
"I'll give you fifty silver!"
"Seventy!"
"Eighty!"
The hunter grinned proudly.
Arin watched the scene with interest.
"So monsters are basically money here."
The system quietly responded.
[Correct.]
[Monster materials are valuable resources used for weapons, armor, medicine, and magic.]
Arin nodded slightly.
This city clearly revolved around hunters.
Which meant something else too.
If he wanted to grow stronger quickly, this place was perfect.
After walking for several minutes, Arin finally saw the building he was searching for.
A massive stone structure stood at the center of the district.
Above the entrance hung a giant iron emblem.
Two crossed swords.
And a shield.
Large letters were carved into the wall beneath it.
HUNTER GUILD.
The place was huge.
Hundreds of hunters moved in and out of the entrance constantly.
Arin took a deep breath.
"Looks like this is where everything begins."
He stepped inside.
The interior of the guild was even louder than the streets outside.
Hunters filled the massive hall.
Some were drinking.
Others were arguing loudly about quests.
Several groups gathered around a giant board covered with parchment notices.
Quest Board.
Arin's eyes scanned the room carefully.
He could feel powerful presences everywhere.
Some hunters radiated dangerous energy.
Much stronger than the monsters he fought in the forest.
The system confirmed his observation.
[Multiple individuals detected.]
[Estimated Levels: 20–45]
Arin raised an eyebrow.
"So this city actually has strong people."
He walked toward the front desk where a woman sat behind a long wooden counter.
She looked bored.
Until she noticed Arin approaching.
"You here for registration?"
Arin nodded.
"Yes."
She pulled out a small crystal tablet.
"Name?"
"Arin."
She wrote it down.
"Age?"
"Sixteen."
The woman paused.
Her eyebrow lifted slightly.
"Sixteen?"
She looked him up and down again.
"You're pretty young to become a hunter."
Arin shrugged.
"I'm confident."
The woman sighed.
"They all say that."
She slid a small metal badge across the counter.
"Take this."
Arin picked it up.
A simple iron badge.
"Beginner hunter rank," the woman explained.
"Complete quests, gain achievements, and your rank will increase."
Arin nodded.
"Understood."
But suddenly—
A loud voice interrupted them.
"Well, well."
Arin turned slowly.
Three men stood behind him.
The same hunters who had been watching him outside the gate.
The one in the center stepped forward.
Tall.
Muscular.
A long sword hung at his side.
His smile looked more like a predator than a human.
"So you're the kid who confused the gate crystal."
Arin stared calmly.
"You were watching me."
The man laughed.
"Of course."
He leaned closer.
"Power that can't be measured is very interesting."
The guild hall slowly became quiet.
Several hunters watched the scene carefully.
Trouble inside the guild wasn't unusual.
The receptionist frowned.
"Garrick, don't start problems here."
The man—Garrick—ignored her.
His eyes stayed fixed on Arin.
"Tell me something, kid."
He tapped the counter.
"What kind of trick did you use?"
Arin tilted his head slightly.
"No trick."
Garrick's smile disappeared.
"Then prove it."
The hall became even quieter.
Several hunters moved closer to watch.
Arin sighed softly.
"I just arrived in this city."
"And you're already looking for a fight?"
Garrick grinned again.
"This city belongs to the strong."
He pointed toward the center of the hall.
"There's a sparring arena."
His voice grew louder.
"Let's see if you deserve to call yourself a hunter."
The crowd murmured with excitement.
Guild fights were always entertaining.
The receptionist pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You idiots…"
But she knew she couldn't stop them.
Arin thought about it for a moment.
Fighting inside the guild could actually be useful.
It would show everyone his strength.
And hunters respected power more than anything.
Arin looked at Garrick.
"Fine."
The crowd immediately reacted.
"OHHHH!"
"It's happening!"
Several hunters rushed toward the arena area.
A large circular platform stood in the middle of the guild hall.
It was made of reinforced stone specifically designed for combat.
Arin stepped onto the platform calmly.
Garrick followed.
The big hunter cracked his neck loudly.
"You should surrender now."
Arin looked at him silently.
The system activated.
[Analyzing Target…]
[Name: Garrick]
[Level: 22]
[Threat Level: Moderate]
Arin almost smiled.
Moderate.
Compared to the dragon earlier…
This man was nothing.
Garrick drew his sword.
The blade glowed faintly with mana.
"Oh," Arin said softly.
"A magic weapon."
The hunter laughed.
"Now you're scared?"
Arin shook his head.
"Not really."
The crowd stepped back.
The receptionist raised her voice.
"Guild spar rules!"
"No killing!"
"First one unable to fight loses!"
She pointed between them.
"Begin!"
Garrick attacked instantly.
His sword slashed through the air with incredible speed.
Most beginners wouldn't even see the attack coming.
But Arin already moved.
Future Sight activated.
The attack appeared in his vision one second before it happened.
Arin stepped aside easily.
The sword missed him completely.
The crowd gasped.
"What?"
"Did he dodge that?!"
Garrick frowned.
He attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
But every time—
Arin moved just before the strike landed.
Like he already knew where the attack would go.
Garrick's frustration grew.
"Stop running!"
He swung his sword wildly.
Arin finally spoke.
"You're too predictable."
The crowd erupted.
"OHHHH!"
Garrick's face turned red.
"YOU LITTLE—"
He charged forward with his strongest attack.
Mana exploded from his blade.
Arin watched the movement calmly.
Future Sight showed everything.
He stepped forward.
Inside Garrick's attack range.
And punched him directly in the stomach.
CRACK.
The air left Garrick's lungs instantly.
His sword fell from his hands.
The massive hunter collapsed to his knees.
The entire guild hall fell silent.
Arin stood calmly above him.
"Fight over."
The system quietly displayed a message.
[Combat Efficiency: 97%]
The receptionist stared with wide eyes.
"…Well."
She cleared her throat.
"Winner… Arin."
The silence lasted another few seconds.
Then the entire guild exploded with noise.
"WHAT?!"
"He beat Garrick with ONE punch!"
"That kid is insane!"
But Arin barely reacted.
He simply picked up his hunter badge from the counter.
Then walked toward the quest board.
Because he already knew one thing.
This city…
Was only the beginning of his rise.