The morning air in the Kingdom of Flaris felt colder than usual as Hiroto stood at the gates alongside Alice and Gilbert. The towering walls behind them offered a sense of safety he knew would soon disappear. Beyond those gates lay the unknown—a place where monsters roamed freely and where a single mistake could cost him his life.
Hiroto tightened his grip on the twin daggers at his waist, their faint dark aura barely visible in the early light. Today marked his first real step as a hunter. Not training. Not preparation. Real experience.
Gilbert stretched his shoulders as if this were just another ordinary outing. "Don't overthink it," he said. "We're not throwing you into anything dangerous. Just a simple hunt."
Alice nodded gently. "We'll stay close and guide you through everything."
Hiroto gave a small nod, though his chest felt tight with nervousness. The memory of the monster he had seen before still lingered in his mind—the way it moved, the way it hunted. But this time, he wasn't alone.
And this time, he wasn't unarmed.
The gates slowly opened, and the three of them stepped outside the kingdom.
Hiroto immediately noticed how quiet everything felt. The wind moved through the grass, and trees swayed gently, but beneath that calm was an unsettling stillness—as if something was always watching.
They walked along a worn path for a while, Gilbert leading the way while Alice stayed close behind Hiroto, carefully observing him. After some time, Gilbert raised his hand, signaling them to stop.
"There," he said quietly, pointing ahead.
Hiroto followed his gaze. At first, he saw nothing.
Then—
Movement.
A creature revealed itself in the grass. It was low to the ground with a hunched posture and rough, dark skin. Its movements were twitchy and unnatural, constantly shifting as if it were on edge.
"A low-level monster," Gilbert said. "Perfect for beginners."
Hiroto swallowed nervously as he stared at it. It wasn't large, but it didn't look harmless either.
"What do I do?" Hiroto asked.
"Observe first," Gilbert replied. "Learn how it moves. Don't rush in blindly."
Alice added softly, "Focus on your breathing. Stay calm."
Hiroto nodded and crouched slightly, keeping his distance as he studied the creature. His heartbeat pounded loudly in his ears, but he forced himself to focus.
Then—
The strange sensation returned.
His vision flickered.
Faint symbols appeared around the creature, hovering in the air. This time, they didn't confuse him. The symbols shifted quickly, forming words he could understand.
Hiroto's eyes widened.
"…I can see it…"
"What?" Gilbert asked.
"…information," Hiroto whispered.
He stared at the creature, reading what only he could see.
"…it's weak… but fast…"
Gilbert raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Good. Then act on it."
Hiroto took a deep breath.
This was it.
His first fight.
He stepped forward.
The moment he moved, the creature's head snapped toward him, locking onto him instantly before letting out a sharp, guttural sound.
Hiroto froze.
For just a second.
Then the creature lunged.
"Move!" Gilbert shouted.
Hiroto reacted instinctively, jumping back just in time as the creature's claws sliced through the air where he had been standing. His heart raced as adrenaline surged through his body.
He quickly drew his daggers.
They felt… natural.
The creature attacked again, faster this time. Hiroto barely managed to dodge, stumbling slightly but keeping his balance.
"Stay focused!" Alice called out.
Hiroto clenched his teeth.
The creature began circling him, searching for an opening. Hiroto adjusted his stance, recalling what he had observed. It was fast—but its movements followed a pattern, attacking in short bursts straight toward him.
"…I can do this…" he whispered.
The creature lunged again.
This time—
Hiroto didn't retreat.
He stepped to the side at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the attack. As it passed him, he swung one of his daggers.
The blade connected.
A shallow cut.
The creature recoiled with a sharp cry.
Hiroto's eyes widened.
"…I hit it…"
"Don't stop!" Gilbert shouted.
The creature became more aggressive, lunging again. But this time, Hiroto was ready. His movements became slightly smoother, his body reacting faster.
Dodge.
Step.
Strike.
His second attack landed more cleanly.
The creature staggered.
Hiroto didn't hesitate.
With a determined movement, he drove his dagger forward.
The creature let out one final sound before collapsing.
Silence followed.
Hiroto stood there, breathing heavily, staring at what he had just done. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to process it.
He had fought a monster.
And won.
Gilbert let out a small laugh. "Not bad for your first time."
Alice smiled gently. "You did well."
Hiroto looked down at his daggers, tightening his grip slightly.
This wasn't a game.
This wasn't a dream.
This was real.
And from this moment on—
He would have to fight to survive.
Gilbert placed a hand on his shoulder. "Remember this. It's your first experience."
Alice nodded. "Every hunter starts somewhere."
Hiroto took a deep breath, steadying himself as his fear slowly turned into determination.
This was only the beginning.
And next time—
He would be ready.