We stepped through the gate and found ourselves...
"Alright, the compass shows we're in the world of Teegarden b," said Jing Yao. "Our mission: kill the Elgid Rafthal Xenom."
"Who are the Elgids?" someone from the group asked.
"They're elves. Twice as strong as humans," Yu Rin answered.
"Oh, the ones who took over Australia?"
"No, different people," the only girl in the squad reassured him.
As they spoke, we advanced through the world. Everything here was unlike Earth. The average temperature was around 28-30°C (82-86°F). No trees—just stone valleys, their rocks painted in red-orange hues.
Further in, we spotted a figure. It looked human, but with long, arrow-straight ears and skin so pale it was like someone cranked the RGB values up to 257.
"Alright, our first opponent. First, we dodge his attacks to gauge his strengths and weaknesses. Then we strike," Master Yao instructed.
"What about us archers?"
"You and the mages should open fire as soon as you see him. But for now, let the warriors get some practice."
The white Elgid figure drew closer, and at some point, it spoke:
"Hey, humans. We'll give you your target… if you help us."
Confusion spread across everyone's faces.
"Don't get me wrong. Our settlement's been raided over 50 times. We've lost too many. We'll sacrifice one if you just lend a hand. It's simple—an hour's work, tops. Just till a field."
"Do we trust him?" Yu Rin asked.
"We should be humane. So, yes."
"Hey, Master, we came here to fight," someone voiced the group's frustration.
"Yes, we came to fight. But the greatest victory is the battle avoided."
The elf nodded, and we all followed him.
And so, we grabbed hoes and started tilling the field. Turns out, after a half-hour walk, there were massive stretches of farmland. They gave us one plot.
Almost everyone grumbled about the work, but nobody dared argue with Master Yao.
"Hey, Eden." A man working the field next to me spoke up. "You forgot me? It's me, Wei Li. We studied programming together at uni—OP-47, remember? I was the one always playing Cubic Survival in class."
I was stunned. I really hadn't recognized him. Back in uni, he had a buzz cut—now his hair reached his shoulders.
"Oh, hey." I gave a slight bow. "Didn't expect you to become a Hunter."
"Yeah, life's funny. I was at the military draft, about to enlist as a sailor, when I suddenly awakened. Told them, they didn't believe me, but I begged for a test. Turns out—C-rank. And a Hunter's license gets you out of service. So here I am. You?"
"Worked at a fast-food joint, suddenly awakened. Ended up E-rank. Just got fired."
"Hey, don't sweat it. You can still grind your way up. I'm planning to stick to low-risk missions, stay under the radar. Then, once I hit A+, I'll conquer the heavens."
A+ rank—those were A-ranks who surpassed even S-ranks. Rare as hell.
We talked for a long time, reminiscing about the old days. Made the time fly.
The white elf approached after we regrouped. "Thanks for tilling. So, who's your target?"
"Rafthal Xenom," Jing Yao said calmly, eyes sharp.
"Oh, is that so? Well, thanks again for the field, and—"
The sentence hung in the air.
The elf vanished.
Before I could glance right, blood sprayed in all directions.
When I turned, I saw it—Jing Yao mid-air, blade drawn, deflecting the elf's elongated claws. The other Hunters collapsed, throats and guts torn open.
Yu Rin was unharmed—she'd been standing behind Master Yao. I was on the far right, untouched.
Wei Li, to my left, was a mage—he couldn't block in time. But he was still alive.
I unsheathed my assassin's dagger and took stance.
"Yu, heal the survivor. E-rank, cover her!"
I rushed to the healer as she tended to Wei Li. My focus locked onto our surroundings.
Jing Yao masterfully parried the elf's strikes.
Then—the elf disappeared again.
I spun and kicked at the claws mid-lunge.
He vanished once more. The air grew thick with bloodlust. I looked up—he was already diving at me, claws extended.
Then—Jing Yao yanked me aside and deflected the attack.
The elf backflipped and spoke:
"You're strong, humans. I am Rafthal. Hunter of the 'Infinite Swan' faction. Sent here to protect this planet. Did you think I'd forgive you humans for destroying this world—and hundreds like it?"
"We don't think. But you should've thought before attacking my students. Pity you'll do so in the afterlife."
Jing Yao channeled his aura into his blade. "Fire will judge us."
His sword blazed brighter than any star. The heat was unbearable, the light blinding.
"Healing's done!" Yu Rin shouted.
Like Master Yao, she was dead serious—no fear, no hesitation.
"Thanks."
Wei Li stood, gripping his wand—its tip a flawless yellow gemstone sphere.
Jing Yao clashed with Rafthal, trading blows at lightning speed.
Wei fired a beam of light, piercing the elf's shoulder.
"Good shot."
Master Yao gripped his sword with both hands—and delivered the finishing strike.
"Training's over."
The flames died. He sheathed his blade and lifted the elf's body.
"This is an old friend. Before the mission, I asked him to help test you. In seven missions, you two are the first to pass. The rest died to the first ambush—or froze in fear."
"Congratulations… Though it's a shame I must die. May my sacrifice light your path… across this galaxy's endless expanse."
With those words, Rafthal plunged his claws into his own chest, ripped out his heart—and crushed it. Blue blood splattered across Jing Yao.
"Rest in peace. Let's go. I need to mourn." Master Yao's voice was heavy.
Wei Li was shell-shocked. Everything happened too fast. "Aren't we… burying him?"
"Elgids honor suicide—sending their bodies adrift on cosmic winds. Death by another's hand… they see as disgrace."
"Hey, Wei, this isn't your first raid, right?" Yu Rin asked as we walked back.
"No, my third…" They kept talking. I didn't interrupt.
"E-rank. Didn't expect you to survive. Hope this hardens you—not breaks you. You realize if you'd stood near me, you'd be dead?" Master Yao suddenly addressed me.
"I hope so too."