Leonar followed Selena through the bustling streets of the city, noticing how the lively chatter of hunters contrasted with the calm he'd felt back at the office.

The mage stopped in front of a restaurant with a lit sign that read 'Maria’s Rose.'

It was a fairly large place, with wide windows revealing a cozy, vibrant interior.

Leonar let out an impressed whistle.

“Wow, this place looks great.”

Selena smiled faintly and opened the door to step inside.

“It’s a favorite among hunters. Plus, it’s close by. This is where they usually gather to exchange information and strike deals. But personally… the food here is amazing.”

Leonar nodded and followed her inside. The aroma of spices and grilled meat instantly surrounded him, and his stomach growled, reminding him just how much he needed this meal. They took a seat by a window, where they could watch the ebb and flow of the customers.

As they waited, a waiter handed them menus. Leonar scanned the list of dishes, carefully weighing his options.

“I think I’ll go for the large plate of herb-crusted beef with rice. And… an extra side of fries.”

Selena raised an eyebrow, amused.

“That hungry?”

“You have no idea. Feels like I haven’t had a proper meal in days,” Leonar said with a grin, folding the menu.

Selena opted for something lighter: a fresh vegetable salad with a small cup of soup.

When the waiter left with their orders, she pulled out her phone and began scrolling through her messages, her face glowing from the screen.

“Do you have a phone number?” she asked suddenly, not looking up.

Leonar leaned back in his chair, scratching the back of his neck.

“Uh… no, I don’t have one right now.”

Selena frowned and looked at him.

“What do you mean you don’t have one? Practically everyone has a phone.”

“Things happened,” Leonar replied evasively, fiddling with the napkin in his hands.

She sighed, pulling a contact card from her pocket and sliding it across the table to him, her tone more serious.

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“If you ever decide to join a guild, call me. My number’s on there.”

Leonar took the card, giving it a brief glance before tucking it into his pocket.

“Thanks. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“No problem. Got any questions about how guilds or dungeons work?”

Leonar shifted in his seat, thinking for a moment before speaking.

“Yeah, actually. What happens if someone doesn’t leave a dungeon before the portal closes?”

Selena set her phone aside, crossing her legs and leaning her elbow on the table.

“It’s simple: they get stuck in that world. The portal loses its connection to this planet, and there’s no way to open it again. That’s why people are registered going in and out—it’s a safeguard against someone vanishing without a trace.”

“So… there’s no way back,” Leonar muttered, lowering his gaze.

“No. That’s why the timing is strict. If a hunter is late, it’s on them,” she said firmly.

Leonar pondered her words before asking another question.

“Do you think I could go back to the dungeon I was in?”

Selena straightened up, arching an eyebrow at him.

“Why would you want to do that? Is it because of the treasure your teammates talked about?”

‘Oh, so they mentioned it too?’ Leonar thought, surprised.

He nodded, his expression showing a flicker of interest.

She sighed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“I wouldn’t recommend it. From what I heard, your teammates’ guild confiscated everything they brought out of that dungeon. Those contracts always have clauses letting guilds keep the loot, especially if it’s from simple gatherers. Besides, they’re probably already squeezing every last resource out of it before the portal closes.”

Leonar clenched his teeth in frustration.

“Is that even legal?”

“It is… technically. That’s why it’s important to read contracts carefully before signing. And it’s no secret that gatherers are treated like dirt. They’re easily replaced compared to a rank F or E hunter.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of their food. Leonar looked at his enormous plate with excitement. The fluffy rice was perfectly paired with a beef fillet drenched in a rich green sauce, infused with garlic and rosemary. The crispy, golden fries completed the feast.

Selena’s meal, in contrast, was a modest salad and a small cup of soup.

Before digging in, Leonar broke the silence.

“Is rank D any good?”

Selena offered a small smile.

“Of course. Rank F is for people who’ve just awakened basic powers and have no experience. Rank E is for those with some practice and a few training duels. But starting at rank D, you need real merit. In your case, you survived and saved several people in a dungeon alone. Honestly, I think your rank should be C, maybe even B.”

Leonar raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“And how good are the higher ranks?”

“You mean the rank S hunters?” Selena asked, leaning slightly toward him.

He nodded, taking a big bite of his food.

“They’re… something else. Their abilities are almost godlike. A single attack from an S-rank hunter can destroy an entire city. That’s why they’re always the first to be called in to secure the most dangerous dungeons. Once they stabilize the area, lower-rank hunters move in to gather resources.”

Leonar nodded, processing her explanation.

“That explains why they asked if I closed the dungeon I was in…”

Selena frowned slightly.

“That’s something to think about carefully. Dungeons aren’t just sources of income for guilds; they also provide essential materials for upgrading equipment. If a portal closes unexpectedly, the losses can be huge. It’s no wonder guilds get upset about it.”

Selena looked at Leonar curiously as she sipped her soup.

“By the way… were you the one who triggered the dungeon to start closing?”

Leonar chuckled softly, shaking his head.

“No, it wasn’t me.”

Selena studied him with narrowed eyes but didn’t press further.

“Well, for now, just enjoy your food. You look like you need it more than anyone.”

Leonar smiled, raising his fork in a gesture of thanks before diving back into his meal.