Fifteenth day of Panca’xahr, 4043 AOT.

Elsyon City, Aesbyl Region, Surus

The sound from the motors and gears of the train as it crosses the tracks is playing in the background along with the ringing of her phone. The fabric parts of her light armor flutters with the slight blow of the breeze. Her golden yellow hair lightly flows with the wind. With the use of magic, her spear-like staff and luggage are floating and following behind her every step. Her purple crystalline eyes move around observing the people around her. Her dead emotionless expression gives off an unapproachable aura.

There is still some time before her train arrives. She makes a final check at her surroundings before answering.

“I plan to go to Westar,” she responds with a flat tone. “You don’t have to wait for me. I think I’ll take a short detour instead of directly going there.”

Some adults who look like they are hunters just like her are giving her piercing stares. It seems like they are trying to gauge her abilities by observing her armor and weapon. She does not detect any hostility from them, for now. They are merely curious.

“Fine.” A young boy’s voice replies. “If I continue on my way now then I’ll be in Westar’s border the day after tomorrow. My business will be done in two weeks. If you change your mind and want to hitch, you can join me.”

“You don’t need to make a round trip. Aren’t you just wasting time and money?”

“I heard what happened in your last hunt-”

“My train is here. I’ll call you some other time.”

“Azalea-”

“Bye Qin.”

A few minutes after she ended the call, her train arrives with a slight screeching sound of breaks. She enters the train with a few other passengers. About half of them seems to be a hunters just like her. The reason why they are heading to the country of Surus must be the same as her, to hunt a demon.

The train car that she is in has passengers that can be counted with just the fingers of her hands. Each passenger is taking a seat far from each other. After making herself comfortable in her seat, she thought that it is a good time to rest. By rest, it means that she is going to put her mind in the minimum requirement to sense the surroundings. This is because she cannot sleep unless she is certain that there are no threats around her.

She has a passive spell called “Pulse.” It constantly sends waves of weak mana around her in all directions making it function like a radar. When these waves pass through things, it sends the information back to the source; it functions like a sixth sense that can adjust depending on the task. If something dangerous is ahead or coming, it serves as an early warning. The range of the spell is usually five meters radius but she can also extend it up to fifteen meters if she finds it necessary. She never relies alone on her eyes, she feels her surroundings. However, as much as it is useful, Pulse also has its drawbacks. It is a spell she can no longer shut off on her own, unless she is extremely exhausted. She can only be half-asleep when resting as it continuously senses and analyzes her environment. This state is the result of her training and being constantly subjected to dangerous situations.

She sits by the window silently wishing for a quiet ride. This may be the most rest she can have before the next hunt.

∞×∞

Sixteenth day of Panca’xahr, 4043 AOT.

Ylam City, Aesbyl Region, Surus

Surus is a small country surrounded by larger ones that are almost ten times its size. The advantage of the country that helped it hold itself for hundreds of years is the wealth they gain from different mines. The country is small but the fortune they get from pranite mines are enormous. When the Age of Chaos ended, one of ICA’s Seven Noble Houses took the country under their protection. This act is the reason why the other powerful and larger countries around cannot invade them. They are able to keep their sovereignty until the present time.

Ylam City is the most populated city in Aesbyl region. It is also the oldest city but the most advanced as it is the center of trade in the region. Many modes of transport to deliver and receive goods to and from different places are found here. Despite not owning any pranite mines, the city makes itself stable through commercial trading. It is the most developed which makes it the most habitable city compared to most other cities that are slowly being eaten by the desert.

Azalea arrived in the city at dusk. She is able to find a comfortable hotel before dark completely settles in.

“Cities are great.” She says after closing the door in the room she rents. She puts her staff and luggage in one corner before observing the interior. “Hotels are more secured compared to the inns in the villages. The room is wide enough… I might be able to get some decent rest tonight.”

She strolls to the windows, not to see the beautiful night view of the city, but to check if there is anywhere an attacker could stand on. She then taps the glass and inspects the hinges to check how secure it is. She stares into the mirror for a long while. She opens the cabinets and drawers as if looking for something. She then goes in the bathroom inspecting every nook and cranny. She checks what’s on and under the bed. She casts a spell. A magic circle glows then she steps on it to elevate herself and check the ceiling. She looks into the vents. She tests the electronics.

“Nothing suspicious.”

Finally, she lies on the bed and then lets out a deep breath.

The habit of checking the inside of every room she stays in is something she acquired from her master. When they traveled during the time she was still in training, they often checked all around to make sure the place was safe. Now, even when or especially that she is alone, she does not feel right if she does not go through the same procedure before resting.

“Hm… The bed is soft… waaaay tooo soft…”

She lies while blankly staring on the ceiling. She stays like this for half an hour. Having enough of doing nothing, she stands up to cast a spell in the room. It is a low-tier protection spell that reinforces all sides of the room to be able to absorb mana-imbued attacks. It is enough to give her time to prepare herself in case of an attack.

She takes the phone to call the staff informing them that no one is allowed to disturb her for the rest of the night. She briefly glances at the bed before heading to the side. She curls herself by the wall where she can see the whole room. Behind that wall is the bathroom. This way, wherever someone decides to attack she will have enough time either counter or evade.

The gathering for the hunt is scheduled at nine of the next morning. She wants to rest as much as she wants now because once the hunt starts, getting a rest as comfortable as this is impossible.

The next day, Azalea arrives in the set meeting place five minutes early. In front of the city hall, a dozen other hunters are also waiting. The facilitator of the hunt should arrive just in time as all of the hunters are already in the meeting place. That is how it usually is. There are times the facilitator is late for few minutes due to some circumstances they did not foresee. However, half an hour passes and there is still no sign of the person in-charge. More than twenty hunters have gathered waiting in the city hall’s lobby.

“I’ve been waiting here for almost an hour.” One clicks his tongue while looking at the entrance. “Where’s the bastard who called for this organized hunt?”

The city hall’s employee in-charge of welcoming the hunters comes to him. “I’m sorry, we can’t contact Mister Shilan yet.”

Another hunter scoffs. “Wow, great!”

“So what are we supposed to do here?” The angry hunter responds with a mocking tone. “Take a nap while waiting?”

“I’m very sorry.” The employee humbles himself again. “If you don’t mind we’ll prepare some refreshments for you. How about some snacks?”

“Do I look like a fucking idiot to you?!”

“N-no, no sir. Please a bit of patience.”

“You don’t get it do you?” Another man wearing full plate armor joins in. “When you tell us that the meeting starts at nine, you start it at nine. Simple logic, right? Don’t you find it weird that it’s almost ten and we’re still here bored to death?”

A guy with red hair bursts out laughing. “I don’t know where all of you came from, and like… you gotta understand things are different here. In Surus everyone has their own time. It’s normal to be late.”

“What shit habits you have!”

“Come on.” The red a haired guy lowers his tone. “That habit is the trademark of the powerful.”

Someone sneers at the side. “Powerful, huh?” The middle aged woman looks at the red-haired guy. “Can this powerful person go and kill that demon, then?”

“T-that’s-! You know that’s not what I mean!”

Some of the hunters follows with soft murmurs and grumbles to each other. Now it is easy to pick who are from Surus and those who came outside.

“There are twenty-seven hunters gathering in the lobby.” Azalea tells herself while observing the surroundings. “By the looks of it, fifteen of them are from Surus. Nine are definitely from outside. I cannot tell which country exactly… but by their accent, I’m sure the full-plate armor guy’s group is from Laamhi. The remaining four barely give any reaction so I am not sure where they’re from.”

“Please calm down, sir hunters!” The employee does his best to mediate but his calls fall into deaf ears.

“We should be discussing the details of this hunt but we are stuck her doing nothing!”

“I’d like some snacks. I thought I woke up late and skipped breakfast to come here..”

“Stop whining, it’s just a bit of wait.”

“More than an hour isn’t ‘a bit of wait’!!”

“Your drinks and snacks are here.”

“Nobody cares!”

“I want one!”

“I’ll have water.”

“Y’all’s faces are thick as fuck!”

Three consecutive claps resound while everyone else is caught up in the middle of chaos. A man walks in the middle of the lobby. “Let’s not waste our energy arguing.” His firm voice catches everyone’s attention. His cleanly brushed black hair has streaks of gray due to old age. “If you are that upset about waiting then we should just demand added compensation. Now, quiet down. Let’s not disturb the civilians around us.”

Some clicks their tongue but says nothing. A few grumbles but settles down soon after. At last the lobby no longer sounds like a fish market.

Five minutes before eleven o’clock, that is the exact time of the facilitator’s arrival. Half of the hunters are clearly enraged at the lackluster attitude of the man who just arrived in the city hall. He is wearing a clean white silver suit and sunglasses. Behind him are four bodyguards who are wearing black suits. They march casually in the lobby. The moment they see the hunters, the man in white silver suit waves his hand calling them to follow him. The majority are following without complaint while others are gritting their teeth.

They enter the conference room.

The man in white silver suit leads the way. “Take a seat, all of you. We’ll begin the meeting now.” He takes the front seat facing all of them.

“Aren’t you supposed to tell us something else first?” The middle aged woman asks.

He tilts his head to the side. “Hm?.. Ah-! I have already ordered lunch. It will be delivered soon.”

The grumpy hunter almost lunged at him, or that is what it felt like before the oldest hunter stops him. The vein in the grumpy hunter’s forehead is popping out that they cannot ignore it. He is red with anger and this facilitator’s conduct and response is provoking him more.

“We appreciate your thought of treating us for lunch.” The old hunter says politely.

“Oh, no problem.”

“But. The meeting was supposed to be at nine.”

“Right, right.” He nods. “I overslept, and then got caught up with traffic. I almost forgot that the meeting with the hunters is today. You waited long? Sorry about that.”

The full-plate armor guy clenches his fist. “Let me hit him just one.” He mumbles.

“You’re upset over a little waiting?” He sneers. He then gestures at one employee. “I suggest you shouldn’t. I’ll forgive your impudence for now… since I have not introduced myself yet.”

A woman holding a tablet comes in and then sets up some gadgets.

“So, who the hell are you?” The grumpy hunter asks.

“My name is Brandon Shilan.”

“Shilan?..” They repeat in small voice.

“Yes.” He grins. He snaps his fingers then the big monitor behind him boots up. “I am the youngest son of the only noble clan in-charge of this region.”

The room becomes silent but the visible discontent in the faces of few hunters are not fading away.

“Now that we have settled down… I will present to you the gathered data about the demon you all will hunt, Ur’Yarha.”

The monitor flashes picture of the map with marks, the demon in different angles, and the area around the demon territory.

“Okay,” Brandon clears his throat. “How many are licensed demon hunters here?”

Seven people raise their hand. Brandon looks at them one by one.

The oldest hunter is wearing a light armor and a sword by his side. He has clean cut black hair with streaks of white. His name is Aaron Mandal, a hunter with over thirty years of experience. He seems to have come alone.

The middle aged woman with shoulder length hair is wearing reinforced army suit, two guns, and a hunting knife in her back. She is Cassandra Vasav, originally from Laahmi. After getting her demon hunting license over twenty years ago, she started taking hunting jobs outside her country. A few apprentices are accompanying her.

The man with enhanced full-plated armor is not carrying a weapon; rather a girl in her teens is carrying a spear beside him. By his side are two more teenage boy carrying luggage. They must be his apprentice. He is Gustaf Sinha, a hunter with a decade and half of experience. He started to train and guide young monster hunters five years ago.

A man with brown hair and unkempt beard is wearing a light armor. He is carrying a specialized gun. His name is Fred Dimagapi, a wandering hunter. Beside him is another man with similar armor except for the more defined gauntlets. He is Carlo Garcia. He and Fred have been hunting together for the past few years. They are in their early forty’s and does not have any apprentice as of yet.

Far behind is a man with military-grade suit. His name is Matt and he is a hunter from this country Surus. He is over twenty years old but he is still considered to be quite young as a demon hunter.

Then the last one in the lineup is a teenage blond girl with stunning purple eyes.

“You-!!” He points at Azalea. Everyone’s attention is fixed at her.

Azalea responds with her business smile “Yes?..”

“Are you really a licensed demon hunter?”

“Yes, I am.” She shows them her license as proof. “I got it just this year.”

“What is your name?”

“Azalea Blakewood.”