Saturday. A day without classes.
Instead of spending it cooped up inside the academy, I found myself standing at the railway station, the faint hum of chatter and the distant whistle of trains filling the air. Normally, I would use the portal for travel—faster, more convenient, far less hassle. But today, I wanted something different. After all, as a hunter, you couldn't always rely on portals. Better to be accustomed to every form of travel.
The tiled floor echoed beneath my boots as I made my way to the ticket counter. Behind the glass sat a woman, likely in her thirties, her posture straight and professional. She looked up with a practiced smile as I approached.
"What can I do for you, sir?" she asked politely.
"One ticket to Raizan Mountain, please," I replied.
Her fingers danced across the keyboard with mechanical ease, the soft clatter blending with the station's background noise. A moment later, a small slip of paper slid across the counter toward me.
"Here's your ticket, sir. Please head to platform number five. The train will be arriving in ten minutes."
I gave her a short nod and accepted the ticket, the paper crisp against my fingers. For a brief second, I glanced at the neatly printed words Raizan Mountain and allowed myself a faint smile.
Ten minutes. Just enough time to gather my thoughts before the journey began.
I walked toward the platform, the steady clatter of footsteps and the low hum of conversation echoing off the station walls. Porters hurried past carrying luggage, while hunters in light armor leaned against pillars, chatting idly as their weapons glinted under the hanging lamps.
The train stood waiting on the tracks, its presence commanding attention. Sleek lines of polished steel ran across its body, the faint shimmer of engraved mana circuits pulsing along its frame. It was more than just a machine—it was a product of harmony between magic and technology, a symbol of the civilization humanity had built in this fantastical yet dangerous world.
A faint whistle sounded as the doors slid open with a smooth hiss. Passengers began boarding, their movements practiced and orderly. I stepped inside, the cool air of the cabin greeting me immediately. The interior was simple yet refined—rows of cushioned seats, reinforced windows wide enough to give a clear view of the landscape beyond, and faint runes carved discreetly into the walls, likely for stabilization during long journeys.
'Seat 38, here.'
I placed my bag beside me and settled in my seat. Thankfully it was window seat.From here, I could see the platform clearly—the mix of ordinary civilians, academy students, and hunters all weaving together, each with their own destination. The murmur of voices grew softer as more passengers boarded, the atmosphere shifting into quiet anticipation.
'This will take a while.'
The train wasn't the one with high speed, so it would take a while.
Leaning back in my seat, I allowed my thoughts to wander.
Now the reason I'm going to the Raizan mountain is because of my system.
[Host, you need to go to Raizan Mountain as soon as possible. I can sense a powerful presence of lightning energy there. It must be connected to the lightning attribute you now possess.]
That was what it told me yesterday. Vague but urgent.
And so, here I was, sitting on this train bound for the mountain range. The system had never spoken idly before, and I had no reason to doubt it now.
And yet… something about this unsettled me. In the original game, Raizan Mountain had never been mentioned—not in the main story, not in the side quests, not even in obscure dialogue from minor characters. Neither the protagonist, nor the villains, nor any side character had ever set foot there.
' Was it because non of them had the lightning attribute.'
Well whatever it is, it doesn't matter. If something truly related to my lightning attribute awaited me, then it could very well become a turning point in my growth.
"Dear passengers, this train is bound for the Raizan Mountain Range. Please ensure you have your tickets ready at all times…"
—TOK! TOK! TOK!—
The steady rhythm of the wheels against the tracks echoed through the cabin, a sound both soothing and commanding. Slowly, the station faded into the distance, swallowed by the clamor of steel and smoke.
Outside the window, the bustling city began to shrink from view. Towering buildings gave way to high, fortified walls that lined the railway, built to shield the tracks from the chaos of city traffic and the occasional wandering beast. Beyond those barriers, glimpses of crowded streets and darting carriages flickered past, but they grew smaller and smaller until they disappeared altogether.
With each passing moment, the world outside changed. The mechanical hum of the cityscape softened, replaced by stretches of open fields and scattered woodlands, bathed in the pale glow of the afternoon sun.
I leaned back against my seat, my gaze fixed on the shifting scenery beyond the glass. The city had been left behind, and before long, only wilderness would remain between me and the looming silhouette of the Raizan Mountains.
-----------------
"We have arrived at the Raizan Mountain Range Station."
The announcement rang clearly through the carriage, followed by the familiar hiss of the train slowing to a halt. After about an hour of steady travel, the journey had come to an end.
I rose from my seat, stretching slightly before making my way toward the exit. Around me, passengers shuffled through the aisles—some chatting idly, others moving with hurried steps as if eager to get on with their business.
Stepping out of the train, I was greeted by the crisp mountain air, cooler and fresher than the city's. The platform bustled with activity: travelers disembarking with tired but eager expressions, and others waiting in neat lines for the next departure. The sound of footsteps, rolling luggage, and the occasional call from the station attendants filled the space, blending into a constant hum of movement.
I adjusted the strap of my bag and started walking across the platform. The further I moved, the thinner the crowd became, until I finally passed through the station gates and stepped outside.
Beyond the station, the silhouette of the Raizan Mountain Range stretched across the horizon, its peaks rising high against the sky. A faint veil of mist coiled around the slopes, giving the mountains an otherworldly presence.
"Well… I guess it's time for some mountain climbing."
Haaah… Haaaah…
My breath escaped in heavy bursts as I trudged up the rugged trail. I had been climbing for nearly an entire day now. For an awakened, walking for eight hours straight was usually nothing more than a warm-up, but this was different. The steep, uneven paths of Raizan Mountain drained my stamina faster than I had expected. Each step demanded focus, balance, and endurance.
The silence of the mountains pressed in around me, vast and unyielding. The only sounds that reached my ears were the crunch of loose gravel underfoot, the occasional snap of a branch in the wind, and, every so often, a chilling cry from a beast somewhere in the distance. The stillness wasn't comforting—it was oppressive, as though the mountain itself was watching me.
"Hey, System… how much further do I have to go?" I muttered, dragging a hand across my forehead to wipe away the sweat.
[Don't worry, Host. The presence is growing stronger. Just a little more and even you should be able to feel it yourself.]
I groaned under my breath, irritation bubbling up with my fatigue. "Haa… seriously, how much more fucking climbing do I have to do?"
Another hour passed, my legs aching and my patience fraying, when the voice of the system cut through the silence once again.
[Host, stop here.]
I froze mid-step.
[This is the place. The source of the presence lies ahead… inside that cave.]
I lifted my gaze to where the system indicated and noticed a narrow opening carved into the rocky cliffside. At first glance, it was little more than a shallow dent in the mountain wall—easily overlooked by anyone passing by. The gap was just wide enough for a single person to squeeze through.
"So whatever I came for is in there huh…?" I muttered under my breath, eyes narrowing at the shadowy maw of the cave.
A faint grin tugged at the corner of my lips.
"I don't know what's waiting inside…" I muttered, my gaze fixed on the cave's shadowed entrance. "But after all the climbing I just did, it damn well better be worth it."