Riku stepped out of the cab. The borrowed clothes didn't fit right. The Serenity Brew Cafe stood there, familiar. He took a deep breath, ready for his uncle's questions.

The bell chimed as he pushed open the door. The warm aroma of coffee and fresh pastries enveloped him, a comforting embrace after the chaos of the Hollow.

"Riku? That you?" His uncle's voice called out from behind the counter.

Kazuya emerged, wiping his hands on the blue apron. His eyes widened, taking in Riku's appearance.

"What happened to you? Those ain't the clothes you left in this morning."

Riku's mind raced. He knew this moment was coming, but he still felt unprepared.

"I... had some trouble in the Hollow," Riku said, his voice hesitant. He hated lying to his uncle, but the truth was too dangerous, too unbelievable.

Kazuya's brow furrowed with concern. He ushered Riku to a quiet corner, away from the few customers.

"Tell me what happened," Kazuya said, his tone gentle but firm.

Riku swallowed hard. "I was hunting Jackrabbits," he began, sticking close to the facts. "Went fine at first. I took down a few."

"But then?" Kazuya pressed.

"Then I ran into the Hare Elder," Riku continued. He described the battle, the elder's fierce attacks, the rallying pack. With each word, he could see the worry deepen in his uncle's eyes.

"I beat it," Riku assured him quickly. "But... it was close. Too close."

Kazuya nodded, relief and pride warring with concern. "And your gear?"

Riku looked down, ashamed. "Destroyed. All of it. The Elder, the swarm... nothing left by the end."

It wasn't a lie, just not the whole truth.

"These clothes," Riku gestured, "I had to... borrow them. After I got out. I'll return them, I promise."

Kazuya's expression softened. He placed a hand on Riku's shoulder. "I'm just glad you're safe. Gear can be replaced. You can't."

Riku felt a lump in his throat. The guilt weighed heavy. But how could he explain the truth?

"I'm sorry, Uncle," Riku whispered. "I should've been more careful. Pushed too far."

Kazuya shook his head. "You're learning, Riku. Every hunter has close calls. What matters is you're here now."

He squeezed Riku's shoulder. "Go rest upstairs. I'll close early, and we'll talk over dinner. Blueberry muffins."

Riku managed a small smile. "Thanks, Uncle Kazu."

As Riku turned to go, Kazuya called out, "I'm proud of you, taking down that Elder. Not easy for an F-rank."

Riku nodded, wishing he could share the whole truth. If only his uncle knew.

Here is the text rewritten in the style of Ernest Hemingway:

Riku climbed the stairs, his body aching. The day had taken its toll. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, catching his breath. He needed a shower. Riku stripped off the borrowed clothes, wincing as he moved.

Under the hot water, the steam filled the small bathroom. Riku's mind drifted back to the Hollow. It had started simply enough - the Horned Jackrabbits were quick, but manageable. He'd even felt a spark of pride when he took one down.

Then came the Horned Hare Elder. Riku shuddered, remembering its fierce attacks, its cunning. He'd barely survived that encounter. It was only the beginning.

Toweling off, Riku pulled on clean clothes, the familiar fabric a comfort. Exhausted, he collapsed onto the bed, staring up. The cave. The Mana Hopper swarm. His heart raced just thinking about it. He'd never run so fast, never felt such primal fear.

Riku's hand went to his waist, but the Gaio Driver was gone, hidden away. He could still feel its power, an echo of the strength it had granted him. His arm had healed, no scar to show where it had been cut off. He'd thought his hunting days were over. Then the buckle changed everything.

Stolen novel; please report.

Riku let his arm fall back. Questions swirled. What was the buckle? Where had it come from? And why was it in that cave?

He remembered the battle, how effortlessly he'd moved in the armor. For the first time, Riku had felt truly strong, truly capable. But with that power came fear. Fear of what it meant, of what he might become. Fear of the responsibility.

Riku rolled onto his side, curling up. He thought of his uncle, the pride in Kazuya's eyes. The guilt gnawed at him. How long could he keep this secret?

The smell of baking muffins drifted up from the cafe, a reminder of the normal life waiting. Riku closed his eyes, trying to reconcile the ordinary with the extraordinary power he now possessed.

Exhausted and anxious, Riku knew one thing for certain: his life would never be the same.

...

Riku stirred with a groan, his body aching from the previous day's ordeal. As he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, the events in the Hollow felt like a distant dream, but the reality of his situation quickly settled in.

He needed new equipment. His gear, destroyed in the fight, had to be replaced before he could even think about venturing into another Hollow. Riku sighed, knowing this meant a trip to the mall, a place he'd rather avoid.

After a quick breakfast, he headed out. The squat, utilitarian building came into view, catering to hunters on a tight budget. Riku's hand instinctively went to his pocket, searching for the crystals he'd normally have after a hunt. But there was nothing. Those had been lost, along with his equipment, souring his mood. No crystals meant no easy cash, and he'd have to dip into his meager savings, a thought that made his stomach churn.

Inside the mall, the smell of leather and metal filled the air as Riku made his way to the hunting supply store. Racks of basic, functional armor lined the walls, and display cases showcased an array of practical weapons. It was all standard fare, nothing fancy, but it would have to do.

A bored-looking clerk behind the counter asked, "Can I help you?"

Riku nodded. "I need to replace my gear. A full set, please."

The clerk's eyebrows rose slightly. "Rough hunt?"

"You could say that," Riku muttered, unwilling to delve into the details.

He started picking out items. A new leather vest, reinforced at the vital points. Basic arm and leg guards. A sturdy pair of boots. Each item he selected felt like a weight on his shoulders, a reminder of his failure to protect his previous equipment.

When it came to weapons, Riku hesitated. His old dagger had served him well, but it hadn't been enough against the Mana Hoppers. He settled on a short sword.

At the counter, Riku watched as the clerk tallied up his purchases. The total made him wince. It was most of his savings, hard-earned crystals from countless F-rank hunts.

As he handed over the money, Riku couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment. If he'd had the Gaio Driver with him from the start, he might not have lost his equipment. He might have even ranked up and earned enough to buy better gear.

But he pushed the thought away. The Driver was a secret, one he couldn't rely on. For now, at least, he had to continue as if it didn't exist.

Riku left the store, his wallet lighter but arms full of new gear. It felt like a step back. He'd worked hard to save, now back at square one.

The setback stung. Life as an F-rank hunter was precarious. One mistake could erase all progress.

Yet he felt relieved. He could hunt again. Next time, he'd be more careful. He had to be. He had more than his rank to protect now.

Riku gripped his gear tighter, resolve growing. This was just a setback. He'd overcome it, like everything else.

Riku left the mall, his arms full of new gear. He checked his phone, searching for a quiet place to test the Gaio Driver. Finding a secluded spot, he opened the HHB app. The notice board flickered to life, a list of available Hollows scrolling across the screen. His eyes scanned the entries, looking for something suitable.

Most of the Hollows were in populated areas or had already been claimed by other hunters. Riku's heart sank as he scrolled through page after page of unsuitable options. He needed something remote, something other hunters would overlook.

Just as he was about to give up, a new entry appeared at the bottom of the list. An F-rank Hollow, recently discovered in the outskirts of the city. Riku's pulse quickened as he read the details. The location was isolated, far from the usual hunting grounds. The reward was minimal, barely worth the trip for most hunters.

It was perfect.

Riku tapped the screen, accepting the mission before anyone else could claim it. A map appeared, showing the Hollow's location. It was a good distance away, but not impossibly far. He could make it there and back before nightfall if he hurried.

With a sense of purpose, Riku gathered his new equipment and headed for the nearest train station. As he walked, his mind raced with possibilities. What would the Gaio Driver do this time? Would he be able to control its power better now that he knew what to expect?

The train ride to the outskirts was uneventful. Riku used the time to check and double-check his gear, making sure everything was secure. He couldn't afford to lose this equipment too, regardless of what happened with the Driver.

As the train neared his stop, Riku felt a mix of excitement and apprehension building in his chest. This was it. A chance to really understand what had happened to him, what he had become.

The station at the outskirts was small and nearly deserted. Riku stepped off the train, adjusting the straps of his new armor. The air here was different, cleaner somehow. The sounds of the city faded away, replaced by an eerie stillness.

Following the map on his phone, Riku made his way towards the Hollow's location. The path took him through overgrown fields and past abandoned buildings. Nature was reclaiming this area, slowly erasing the signs of human habitation.

After about twenty minutes of walking, Riku felt it. The telltale pressure in the air that signaled the presence of a Hollow. He slowed his pace, senses alert for any sign of danger.

The entrance to the Hollow was hidden behind a cluster of wild bushes. Riku pushed them aside, revealing a shimmering portal that pulsed with an otherworldly light. This was it. His chance to test the Gaio Driver in relative safety.

Riku took a deep breath, steadying himself. He reached for the buckle, feeling its weight materialize at his waist. The power thrummed through him, familiar yet still exhilarating.

With one last look around to ensure he was alone, Riku stepped through the portal and into the Hollow.