At the heart of the continent of Iridian lies the city of Zeralion, a place that never truly sleeps. Its markets are perpetually alive with movement and noise. Golden rays descending from the city's sky scatter through the narrow alleys, reflecting off precious metals and gemstones adorning shopfronts, granting the place an unending shimmer.
Amid this bustling chaos, a girl named Misaki Rina stood frozen in the middle of the market, casting a perplexed gaze at the map of Zeralion clutched in her hands. She was trying to locate the Hunters' Recruitment Center, hoping to register and take the trials—her first step toward joining one of Iridian's Hunter Corps.
The streets surged with sound and motion. Merchants shouted over deals, voices overlapped, and footsteps collided—while she stood at the center of it all, locked in a battle of her own… a battle against directions.
"I think the road is that way… or maybe over there?" she murmured, staring at several branching paths.
"Ugh, where am I really? Everything looks the same!"
She rubbed her blue hair with her free hand, as if trying to wipe the confusion from her mind.
"At this rate, I'll be lost forever!" she blurted out, then quickly caught herself when several hurried faces passed by.
"Ah—now they probably think I'm looking for my parents! Do I look like a lost child?!"
"What if I asked someone?" she thought, then smiled shyly.
"Or maybe not… I don't want to look pitiful on my very first journey."
She was determined not to ask anyone—convinced it would become a joke whispered about in the markets of Mariental.
Still, as time passed, despair began creeping into her heart. She looked down at the map again, tracing her fingers along lines that no longer matched reality.
Then… an image surfaced in her mind—her mother's face, appearing as it always did in moments like this. She remembered the conversation they'd had before she left home to begin her journey:
Her mother had said, placing a small object on the table,
"How about taking a Light Map with you? It'll help you on your journey. Much easier than that paper map."
Misaki had sighed, replying defensively,
"I told you, Mom, I don't want it. A paper map is more than enough. I can read symbols and track routes on my own!"
Her mother smiled calmly.
"Misaki… there's nothing wrong with relying on modern tools. It isn't weakness. The Light Map shows directions in real time—you won't get lost."
Misaki shook her head stubbornly.
"But it makes everything too easy! What's the point of an adventure if something tells you every step? I want to learn from the road—from my mistakes!"
Her mother laughed softly.
"Sometimes, my dear, wisdom isn't about facing hardship—it's about knowing when to shorten it."
Misaki replied with gentle defiance,
"Maybe… but I want to prove to myself that I can do this alone. Without Light Maps or support tools!"
And finally, she remembered her mother's last words as she waved goodbye:
"Remember, Misaki—even a road you know can mislead you if you insist on walking with only one eye."
Those words echoed now amid the market's noise, like a faint whisper in her ear. She muttered with a weary smile,
"She was right… as always."
Misaki felt embarrassed with herself.
"I never listened… I really thought I could manage everything alone."
She took a deep breath. Maybe this map does have what I need. I can still find the way myself.
But with every step, she felt more lost. Frustration boiled inside her chest.
"I should've listened to Mom and taken the Light Map!" she shouted—but her voice was swallowed by the city's roar.
"Hey—you there, girl!"
Misaki heard the call and spun toward it. A wooden stall nestled between crowded alleys, wrapped in the scent of spices and perfume. Behind a worn table sat an elderly woman with thick white hair and a patched brown cloak.
"Yes, you—with the blue hair and eyes. Come here."
After the vendor beckoned her, Misaki stepped hesitantly toward the stall, weaving through the crowd. She stopped before the table, her blue eyes absorbing every detail of the old woman and her patched cloak.
"Do you need something, Grandma?" she asked politely.
The old woman replied with a sudden question:
"Did you say you were looking for a Light Map?"
Misaki froze, then exclaimed excitedly,
"Yes! Do you have one?!"
The old woman smiled.
"How about we negotiate?"
She reached into a wooden drawer behind her and pulled out an object resembling a large golden compass, decorated with sky-blue engravings. She opened it—and a faint glow spilled out, projecting a three-dimensional map of the entire city of Zeralion above the table.
Misaki's eyes sparkled.
"Amazing! The whole city?! This… this is a living map!"
"And finally… fresh air. Do you have any idea how suffocating that drawer was?!"
Misaki looked around in shock.
"W-Who just spoke?!"
A smooth, feminine mechanical voice emerged from the light.
"Me. The map. Is there a problem? Do maps in your village stay silent?"
"AHH!! A talking map?! I—I wasn't prepared for this level of technology!"
The old woman laughed.
"I forgot to mention—it's an old model. They used to talk to their owners to prevent accidents… or scold them."
The map sighed dramatically.
"I once guided kings and legendary hunters… and now I'm in the hands of a lost girl who can't tell north from south."
Misaki put her hands on her hips.
"Hey! I'm not lost—I'm just… recalculating!"
"You've been walking in circles for ten minutes. Even the rats are starting to pity you."
Misaki groaned.
"Great… even the map is mocking me."
The old woman let out a soft chuckle and said,
"Before we discuss the price, would you mind telling me your name—and where you come from?"
Misaki straightened, placing a hand on her chest.
"I'm Misaki Rina. I come from a quiet little city called Rima, far north in Iridian."
The old woman stroked her chin.
"…Rina? From Rima?"
Misaki tilted her head.
"Yes… is something wrong?"
The old woman shook her head and smiled.
"No, don't worry. Why do you want the map?"
Misaki smiled, her eyes shining with determination.
"I want to find the Hunters' Recruitment Center. I want to follow my brother's path—to become a powerful hunter, join the strongest guilds in the world, and have my name written in history."
The old woman smiled carefully.
"A noble goal. Tell me—who is this brother you admire?"
"My older brother—Rain Rina. He was a hunter, but he disappeared years ago. So I decided to walk his path… and become even stronger than him."
The map gasped.
"Rain?! Impossible… I never thought I'd hear that name again."
Misaki raised an eyebrow.
"You know him?"
The map snapped angrily,
"Know him?! Who doesn't know the legendary hunter who saved the continent single-handedly?!"
The old woman showed no surprise—she had expected this, given Misaki's origin, name, and resemblance.
Misaki froze.
"W-WHAT?! Legendary?! Rain?!"
The old woman sighed deeply.
"Rain, my child, wasn't just a hunter. He was among the strongest in the continent. He fought in the Black Valley War, defeated the Eternal Vermis alone, and even stopped one of the Seven Emperors from erasing an entire city—then vanished three years ago. Rumors about him never stopped."
Misaki clutched her head.
"All this—and I never knew?! I thought he was just a strong adventurer!"
The map commented coolly,
"Your confidence makes sense now. Seems hereditary."
The old woman said gently,
"Rima is isolated from world news. It seems your brother protected you—from everything… even his fame."
The map added sarcastically,
"Don't worry. No one will believe you even if you tell them."
Misaki scowled.
"Shut up."
The old woman placed the map on the table.
"I'd normally sell this for one hundred thousand rubies. But… for Rain's sister—fifty thousand."
Misaki trembled.
"F-Fifty thousand?! I don't have that much!"
The number crushed her hope.
"How much do you have?" the old woman asked.
Misaki opened her bag and wallet.
"About… fifteen thousand…"
The old woman laughed softly.
"That wouldn't buy half a compass these days."
Misaki shrank back, shame burning her cheeks.
"I understand…" she said quietly.
"Thank you for your time. I'm sorry for bothering you."
She turned to leave—but the old woman stopped her.
"Wait."
"You resemble him more than you think."
She pushed the map forward.
"Take it."
Misaki gasped.
"I—I can't accept this for free!"
"Consider it a gift for your dream."
The map protested loudly.
"I refuse responsibility for a girl who can't tell east from west!"
"Quiet," the old woman said calmly. "You've found your new owner."
Misaki accepted the map with trembling hands.
"Thank you… truly."
The old woman only smiled.
"I'm sold every time because of emotions… where's my digital dignity?" the map muttered.
"I promise I'll use you for great missions!" Misaki said.
"Fine—just don't drop food on me."
"Deal!"
Suddenly—a soft whistle cut through the market. A shadow slipped between people. The map vanished from her hands.
"W-What?!"
She looked up—seeing a masked figure sprinting away, the glowing map in his grasp.
"You idiot thief! Give it back!"
The market erupted in chaos.
Misaki dashed after him, weaving through narrow alleys—eyes locked on the fleeing shadow.
He wasn't an ordinary thief.
He was a professional.