X The Hunter – Episode 3: "The Class-B Monster"
Cold Open — The Hunt Escalates
Previously on X The Hunter…
Flashes of Xavier's early battles streaked across the screen:
The desperate clash in the subway against the Mana-Leech Beast.
The brutal rooftop fight against the Ironhide Ogre.
The smirking face of rival Hunter, Kai.
And, looming over it all — the endless, menacing shadow of a dragon gliding above the city.
The vision snapped into the Guild War Room.
Dozens of holographic maps hovered over a circular table, glowing red with pulsing mana spikes. Alarm klaxons screamed in the background.
The Guild Master stood at the center, voice heavy with urgency:
"A Class-B beast has breached the central district. Evacuate civilians and neutralize if possible."
"I'm in," Kai said instantly, resting a hand on the hilt of his twin blades.
Xavier stepped forward. "I'm coming too."
The Guild Master's glare was like a weight. "You're Level 3. You'll die."
Xavier smirked. "Not if I level up first."
Act 1 — Class-B Threat
The city was chaos.
Flames licked the sky from overturned cars and shattered storefronts. Glass crunched underfoot. The air buzzed with static — not just from the destruction, but from the monster itself.
From the smoke emerged the Storm Serpent — its body long and coiled, plated with steel-like scales, each one flickering with arcs of blue lightning. Its eyes glowed like twin storm clouds.
The HUD lit up in Xavier's visor:
Threat Level: 12
Kai grinned. "Don't slow me down."
Xavier returned the smirk. "Just don't get fried."
Act 2 — Shōnen Chaos
The serpent struck first. Its tail slammed into the street with a crack like thunder, the impact shattering a bus into smoking fragments.
Kai was already moving, blades flashing in a silver blur. He clashed against the serpent's scales, sparks flying — but a surge of lightning blasted him backward into a storefront, shattering the glass.
Xavier dove behind an overturned taxi as Beast Sense flared to life. In the chaotic flow of battle, his mind picked out something — a faint blue glow deep under the serpent's jaw.
That's the mana core… but it's wrapped in pure electricity.
Lightning arced across the battlefield, slamming into a nearby building. Xavier's HUD screamed:
HP: 35%
Pain scorched through his body, but he forced himself upright. His hand clenched around the warm, pulsing Hunter's Core embedded in his chest.
Act 3 — First Special Technique
A voice echoed in his mind — a memory of his mentor's words:
"The Core reacts to willpower. Focus, and you'll forge your own technique."
He gritted his teeth, letting his focus sharpen to a razor's edge. The Hunter's Core responded, heat rushing through his veins. Electricity crackled down his arm, spiraling around his blade.
"Hunter Technique—" Xavier's voice rose over the storm, "Volt Breaker!"
He sprinted forward, each step leaving sparks in his wake. The serpent lunged with fangs bared, but Xavier vaulted upward, twisting midair. His blade found the gap under its jaw — and he drove it in with all his strength.
The mana core shattered.
A shockwave of lightning erupted outward, engulfing the street in a blinding flash. Both Hunters were thrown back, skidding across the pavement.
Act 4 — Victory and Rank Up
When the light faded, the Storm Serpent's massive body began to dissolve into shimmering shards, scattering into the wind.
The HUD lit up with a triumphant chime:
LEVEL UP! 3 → 5
New Technique: Volt Breaker (Lv.1)
Kai staggered to his feet, panting. "Not bad… for a rookie."
Xavier smirked. "Told you I'd catch up."
Ending Cliffhanger
Back in the Guild War Room, alarms screamed once more. But this time… the holographic map wasn't red in one place.
It was red everywhere.
Multiple Class-A threats detected — all moving toward the city center.
Somewhere far above, on the rooftop of a highrise, the cloaked Hunter stood with the dragon looming behind him.
"Bring me the Level 5 boy," the cloaked figure commanded.
Down below, Xavier stared up at the moving shadow of the dragon, eyes narrowing. Determination flared within him like a second heartbeat.
If you're coming for me…
…I'll be ready.