We are now in the golden era of hunters.
Across the capital of Sylvean, dungeons and relics defined power, and countless adventurers rose and fell chasing glory. Among these rising stars stood one man who despite his odd reputation outshone them all.
His name was Hiro Ludin, the Lazy Trickster.This is the tale of how that man somehow became the leader of the top-ranked clan Blazing Dawn and the party that shook the capital.
[Chapter 13 Begins]
Night came quickly as Mia and her party reached the forest route that led straight to the Frostfang Den. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick branches above, and the cold wind carried the faint scent of frost and danger.
But before they could take another step forward a huge shadow leapt out of nowhere, crashing down and blocking their path.
A monstrous roar echoed across the forest, shaking the trees around them.
"A monster!" Billy shouted, pulling out his sword from the strap of his back.
The beast stood tall, covered in jagged black fur, its eyes glowing like embers. But what stunned them wasn't its strength it was the fact that it reached into a pile of debris nearby and picked up a sword and armor.
The monster wore them and prepare for a battle just like a normal human would do.
"W-What the hell?!" George yelled. "Since when do monsters know how to use weapons?!
That's insane!"
The creature let out a metallic growl, the sound of steel scraping against its throat, and charged forward.
"Master, where the hell have you sent us?" Mia muttered under her breath, cracking her knuckles. "This is going to be tough…"
Meanwhile, in the Blazing Dawn Clan, Hiro was rummaging through his collection of artifacts. His office was a chaotic battlefield of glowing relics, half open safes, and papers scattered everywhere.
"I need a lot of artifacts if I'm going to do this…" he said, half-talking to himself and half to Slime-chan, who was lazily sleeping in bracelet form on his arm.
He finally reached a massive steel safe, typed a long password, and pulled out a small container. He kept it separate from the others, eyes sharp.
"This one… just in case things get ugly."
As he stepped out of the room, someone stopped him.
"Where are you going now?"
The voice belonged to none other than Eve.
"E-Eve! N-Nothing," Hiro stammered, trying not to sound suspicious. "I was just… going to pay a visit to Eden."
"Even though you were the one who sent them there, you're still going yourself to check on them, aren't you?" Eve crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes.
"Whatever you mean, Eve," Hiro said quickly, forcing a confident smile. "But as their master, I can't just sit here. I must go and nobody will stop me."
"Well, I wasn't planning to," Eve said, her tone soft but teasing. "But you should know the other members just came back from their holidays."
Her words hit him like a thunderbolt.
Wait, what? The others are back already?!
Hiro froze. He had just bragged about going, and if he backed out now, his reputation as "the Trickster" would crumble to dust.
"Why… why did I even say that out loud?" he muttered under his breath.
"Well then," he said with a forced grin, "I have to go now, Eve. They're probably waiting for me."
He turned away before she could stop him.
"Take care, then. But how are you even planning to get there?" she asked skeptically.
"Oh? Are you doubting me?" Hiro smirked. He snapped his fingers and suddenly, his body lifted off the ground.
"What the—Hiro?!"
He was floating in the air, his cloak fluttering dramatically as faint runes glowed beneath him. Eve stood frozen, her mouth wide open.
Of course, Hiro wasn't really flying on his own. He was using an artifact a very expensive one at that.
Item: Flying Cape
P Used: 5
Condition: Perfect
Note by the Seller: No refunds, no responsibility whatsoever. Not recommended for anyone to used. Used at owner risk.
Eve was completely dumbfounded.
"I've never seen a hunter actually fly before," she whispered.
"I'll be back!" Hiro shouted, trying to sound heroic as he shot up toward the sky. But in truth..
"AAAHHH! It's too fast!" he screamed as the wind nearly ripped his hood off.
From below, Eve watched, blinking in disbelief.
"Didn't he tell me he couldn't fly yet? He said he was still researching it!" She sighed, shaking her head. "No wonder they call him the Trickster."
Then she looked down and noticed something.
"Wait… aren't these his tools?" A small crate full of artifacts sat beside her. "He forgot to take them!"
She facepalmed. "Oh, maybe he doesn't need them…" she said weakly. "I just hope he comes back in one piece."
---
Up in the sky, Hiro clutched the flying cape with both hands as he swerved wildly through the clouds.
"Too fast! Too high! I'm going to die again before I even get there!" he yelled, tears streaming from his eyes from the wind pressure.
Below him, somewhere far away, Mia and her team were fighting for their lives.
Blades clashed against claws. Flames lit up the night. And as the monster roared once more, Mia shouted, "Hold the line! Don't let it through!"
"Master Hiro Ludin," the system's voice echoed faintly in his head,
"your friends are waiting. All hope lies in your hands."
"Don't say that!" Hiro yelled back. "That makes it sound like I'm about to die!"