The cold air inside the dungeon gate buzzed faintly.
Kael's silver eyes scanned the dim dungeon corridor as the girl approached him cautiously.
She stepped forward, her golden eyes steady and calm.
"Wait," she called softly.
"I'm Lira," bowing slightly. "You saved us back there. I owe you my life."
Kael inclined his head, masking the faint surprise that stirred within him.
"Lira," he repeated. "You're a hunter?"
"Yes," she smiled, "and if you want to return to outside ,I can help you pass through this gate safely. It's unstable. Few make it without guidance."
Her offer was genuine, but Kael's mind raced. He needed to know more—about the world he left behind, and about his comrades. But questions about the demon realm or his identity were far too dangerous.
The dungeon's flickering light faded as Kael and Lira stepped through the pulsating gate. The air changed—brighter, less dense. A city skyline stretched before him, taller and colder than he remembered.
Kael narrowed his eyes. Earth… or what it had become.
"You handled that monster like it was nothing," Lira said, glancing sideways at him. "What rank are you? You're ID ? This is an unstable dungeon, other hunters isn't allowed to enter, how did you come here?"
Kael gave a faint shrug, voice calm.
"I lost my ID years ago… I got separated during a raid. Trapped. Only recently found a way out."
Lira blinked.
"You were stuck in a dungeon for years? Damn… You're lucky to be alive."
"Yeah," Kael said with a faint smile. "Lucky."
As they walked the paved streets toward the Association tower, neon signs and holographic boards lit up the sky. Kael's eyes scanned them—noticing faces.
One billboard caught his attention. Seven hunters, standing tall, cloaked in brilliance.
Lira followed his gaze.
"You don't know them?" she asked, surprised. "They're The Seven Pillars—the strongest hunters on the planet."
Kael's heart clenched. He recognized every single one.
"Can you… tell me about them?" he asked casually.
Lira nodded.
"Sure. They're legends."
She pointed to the center figure—tall, with flaming red hair and blazing gauntlets.
1. Aric Blazeheart – "The Infernal Sovereign"
Title: S-Class Flame Warlord Power: Absolute flame manipulation. A walking inferno on the battlefield. "He once turned an entire mountain range to molten ash. Wrath incarnate."
Next, a silver-haired woman with glassy blue eyes.
2. Selene Frostveil – "The Silent Requiem"
Title: S-Class Cryo Assassin Power: Time-fracturing frost magic. Deadly and precise. "People say she can stop a heartbeat with a blink."
Then, a man in obsidian armor, massive sword strapped to his back.
3. Draven Blacksteel – "The Titan's Edge"
Title: S-Class Berserker Knight Power: Dark steel and overwhelming physical strength. "He's fought monsters alone. Came back with their heads and a smirk."
Another was a golden-masked woman surrounded by floating runes.
4. Veyna Aurum – "Queen of Aether"
Title: S-Class Enchantress Power: Mana conversion and spell-forging. "They say she can turn a whisper into a thunderclap."
Beside her, a man with glowing tattoos, eyes closed in focus.
5. Kairo Dusk – "The Tranquil Storm"
Title: S-Class Elementalist Monk Power: Harmonized elemental manipulation. "You never see him move. The elements just obey."
Then a tall man with a confident smirk and two floating blades.
6. Renn Dastel – "The Blade Mirage"
Title: S-Class Dimensional Swordsman Power: Creates sword illusions that can strike from other planes. "Cocky, but terrifying."
Lastly, a cloaked figure, face never seen, but the most feared.
7. "Rael" – "The Silent Warden"
Title: ??? Power: ??? "No one knows what he does, only that when he arrives, silence follows. Monsters, threats… they vanish."
Kael stared, heart heavy. These were his former comrades—the ones who left him behind.
"They've grown… like I knew they would."
The Association was a towering fortress of glass and steel. Inside, it buzzed with officials, scanning hunters, ranking papers, blinking mana readers.
Kael stood calmly in line, Lira by his side.
"They'll have to re-register you," she whispered. "If you lost your old records, they'll run an awakening test again."
Kael nodded.
"Fine by me."
In the testing chamber, he placed his hand on the crystal. Mana flared beneath his skin, but he suppressed it expertly.
[Assessment Complete. Rank: B-Class Hunter.] [Attribute Affinity: Unknown. Magic Signature: Unstable.]
Gasps echoed.
"Unstable mana… but a clear B-class? Rare."
He received his new card. Just like that, he was once again a registered hunter.
Outside, Lira waited. He walked up to her with a nod.
"Thanks. For everything."
"So… what now?"
"Now?" Kael smiled. "I have to find someone."
To be continued__