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Compared to the northern region, the western lands were slightly warmer, but the atmosphere was far more oppressive. The cities had a grim aura—fewer people wandered the streets, thugs lurked in every alley, and the wilds seemed infested with monsters. Though the creatures didn’t attack the towns, their looming presence was enough to keep the townsfolk in a constant state of fear.
Yet, the area surrounding Veledot was surprisingly well-regulated, thanks to the hunters patrolling the region.
After arriving at the first city near the border, the group decided to split up to cover more ground. The other hunters broke off into two teams, heading toward nearby cities to investigate.
Renn, Quin, and Yufi formed the third group. Their destination was Veledot itself. Their mission was to track down Willo, the one who had sent the letter to Tou requesting backup.
For two days, Renn’s group traveled by mana train toward Veledot, staying at inns along the way. Today, they would finally arrive at the capital.
Meanwhile, at the palace in the center of Veledot, the king sat in his grand hall, engaged in conversation. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows cast long shadows over the room, obscuring the figure before him.
“Apologies, your majesty. It seems they managed to cross into our land without permits,” a man reported, bowing low before the throne.
“I see. So you’ve failed me, Theodore.” The king’s voice was youthful, almost unnervingly so for a man of his status.
“But rest assured, sir. The project is progressing smoothly as planned. The hunters are proving very useful to our cause,” Theodore said, lifting his gaze slightly to meet the king’s.
“I see.” The king leaned back into his throne, a smirk curling on his lips. “I certainly hope your plans bear fruit.”
“Do not worry, your majesty,” Theodore replied confidently. “It will heed only your commands. Soon, you will rule not just the western region, but the entire Mainland.”
At that, the king let out a satisfied laugh, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
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Renn’s group finally reached the outskirts of Veledot. As they exited the mana train station, Renn was immediately struck by the stark contrast between this city and the ones they’d passed through along the way. Hunters roamed the streets in large numbers, some even hauling the bodies of slain monsters deeper into the city.
“Are these... underground hunters?” Yufi wondered aloud, taking in the scene.
“Hard to say. You can’t really spot illegal mana weapons just by looking at them,” Quin responded, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
“We’ve got to find Willo somehow…” Renn muttered, her gaze wandering over the bustling city.
“Let’s start by finding the alchemist workshop,” Yufi suggested, and the group set off, weaving through the kingdom of Veledot.
Like other capital kingdoms, Veledot was centered around a grand palace, home to the royal family. Surrounding it was a sprawling, bustling city full of life.
Quin took the lead as they stuck close together, navigating through the winding streets. Veledot was a mix of establishments—shops, taverns, and the mansions of the wealthy. The streets were filled with both townsfolk and hunters, their numbers seeming almost equal.
Unlike the other cities farther from the capital, the people here didn’t appear to live in fear of monsters. The abundance of hunters in the western region made it clear—this city was a fortress of protection, where the threat of monsters felt far more distant than in the surrounding areas.
It was as though every hunter in the west had gathered in Veledot.
After some time, the group spotted a towering green building in the distance: an alchemist workshop, and by far the largest one Renn had seen yet.
Without hesitation, they made their way toward it. As they walked through the crowded streets, they came across another group of hunters transporting a massive slain monster on a wooden cart. The creature was so large that it looked like a bounty target.
“Those have to be legit hunters, right? Underground hunters can’t claim bounties,” Yufi speculated.
“But why are they going that way? The workshop’s in this direction,” Quin pointed out. “Unless there’s another one, but that doesn’t seem likely.”
“Let’s just get to the workshop for now,” Renn said, taking the lead as they continued toward the facility. Quin and Yufi exchanged glances before following her.
The workshop was enormous compared to the one in Alma, where Velle and Mint worked. Inside, hunters filled the tables, though many of them wore grim expressions, adding an air of seriousness to the place.
Renn glanced around, taking in the space. The layout was familiar, just larger. She briefly considered sending a signal to Velle for a quick check-in when she noticed Quin walking ahead, deeper into the workshop. Yufi followed closely behind, so Renn fell in step without asking questions.
As they passed groups of hunters gathered around the hall, a new group came into view across the room. These hunters looked older, likely in their thirties or forties, and one stood out—a man with medium-length silver hair and a big claymore by his side who seemed older than the rest.
Quin led them forward and stopped directly in front of the group, catching their attention.
“Hm? Do you need something, young ones?” the silver-haired man asked, glancing at Quin before shifting his gaze to Renn and Yufi.
“Long time no see, Father,” Quin said calmly.
Renn’s eyes widened in surprise. “Father?! So this is…”
“Yep,” Yufi confirmed. “That’s him—the famous monster hunter of the west. Hard to believe he doesn’t even recognize his own son.”
The man, with silver hair and blue eyes just like Quin’s, looked to be in his late fifties or early sixties. This was Willo, the renowned monster hunter of the western region.
“Oh, it’s you two! Now I remember,” Willo said, finally recognizing Quin and Yufi.
But his tone abruptly shifted, becoming stern and commanding. “What are you doing here? Go home.”
Renn was startled by his sudden change in demeanor, but Quin and Yufi remained unfazed. Quin kept his cool, while Yufi flashed a small smile.
“We’re here to help. As your son, it only feels right to lend a hand,” Quin replied, standing firm in front of his father.
Willo rose from his seat, his imposing figure looming over the trio. “You’re not ready. This isn’t about fighting monsters anymore—we’re dealing with other hunters. And that girl doesn’t even look like she can handle a drink.”
His sharp gaze fell on Renn, and she instantly felt the weight of his scrutiny.
“Come on, didn’t you say you wanted all the help you could get in your letter?” Yufi interjected, her tone light but pointed.
Willo’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. “You know about the letter? There’s no way Tou would’ve sent you three kids to help me.”
“There are other hunters too. They’re covering the nearby cities—” Quin began.
Before he could finish, Renn stepped forward, positioning herself directly in front of Willo. The height difference was considerable, but she looked him square in the eye.
“Tou—Gramps—sent me here to help you, sir,” Renn said, her voice as steady as she could manage under the intense gaze of the renowned hunter.
“…Gramps?” Willo echoed, his disbelief clear.
After a brief explanation, Willo’s stern facade cracked as he came to understand that Tou, long retired from the hunter community, could no longer help him directly.
“I see. I didn’t realize how long it’s been since my last hunt with him,” Willo said, shaking his head. His gaze hardened as he continued, “And you’re not even related to him by blood? Why would he send someone like you to me?”
Willo’s skepticism was clear. Is he just being cautious, or is the situation really that bad? Renn wondered. She felt the weight of her secret. Am I going to have to tell them about my lineage?
“The truth is, I—” Renn began, but before she could continue, a loud shout rang out through the workshop, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Guys, it’s happening again! The arena!” A hunter burst through the doors, panting from exertion.
The entire group abruptly stood up.
“The arena?” Yufi echoed, rising to her feet.
“They’re holding another match,” Willo muttered, already heading toward the exit. He paused, glancing back at the trio. “If Tou really sent you here, you can come with us. But stay close,” he said firmly before leading the way out of the workshop.
Without hesitation, Renn, Quin, and Yufi followed, along with a growing number of hunters heading in the same direction. The streets were alive with the rush of bodies, and the trio found themselves surrounded by an indistinguishable mix of hunters, both legitimate and possibly underground. The atmosphere was tense, filled with a strange energy as they pressed on, uncertain of who was friend or foe.
After some time, they arrived at a roofed entrance with a set of stairs leading underground.
“This is it. Let’s move,” Willo commanded, descending the steps.
The stairs spiraled down, deeper than Renn had anticipated. Dim mana-infused lights flickered on the walls, casting eerie shadows in the narrow passage. Renn tightened her grip on Esperanza, mentally preparing herself for whatever lay ahead.
At the base of the stairs, a dimly lit hallway stretched ahead, the air thick with a mixture of dampness and tension. Without a word, Willo took the lead, guiding them deeper into the labyrinthine underground.
The corridors twisted and turned, creating a disorienting maze of intersecting, empty hallways. Yet, with Willo at the helm, the group moved with confidence. Before long, the faint sound of cheering began to rise, growing louder as they approached the end of the passageway. A bright light spilled into the hallway, signaling their arrival.
They emerged into a massive underground arena. Hunters and well-dressed townfolk streamed in from other hallways, filling the amphitheater’s seats. The arena itself was encased in a steel cage that loomed over the battleground like a protective dome, clearly designed to shield spectators from stray Mana projectiles.
“Whoa! This place is huge!” Yufi marveled, her eyes wide as she followed the group into the amphitheater.
“It was built a few years back,” Willo explained, his voice low but steady. “At first, it was just a normal place for hunting matches. But it’s gotten more brutal recently.”
Willo turned to the group of hunters who had followed them. “Spread out and find your seats. You three, stay with me.”
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“We’re just going to watch?” Quin asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Willo’s gaze swept across the arena, noting the mix of eager spectators and hunters. “Look around. These townfolk aren’t here for a fair fight—they’re here for blood. And we’re outnumbered. Our men are barely a fraction of the hunters in this place. We need to sit tight for now,” he said, leading them to a row of empty seats.
As they settled into their seats, the tension in the air grew thicker. Renn clutched Esperanza, her thoughts racing as she scanned the crowd. The scale of this underground operation was staggering.
Suddenly, a man in a fancy suit wearing a masquerade mask appeared on the balcony above the arena.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! Apologies for the sudden match before lunch, but we assure you, it will be worth the wait!” he announced, his voice booming through speakers around the amphitheater.
As he spoke, two hunters slowly entered the arena from opposite sides.
“This match is between our champion and an outsider who dared to oppose our business!” the announcer declared cheerfully, prompting wild cheers from the audience.
Willo’s eyes narrowed as he recognized one of the hunters. “That’s one of our men. He came to investigate this place yesterday. Looks like they caught him.”
“What’s going to happen to him?” Yufi asked, concern evident in her voice.
“This is how things turned brutal around here. Instead of two hunters fighting for money, it’s one of their fighters punishing a hunter who tried to interfere with their business,” Willo explained, his voice grim. “The match is rigged, a death sentence. They pay to watch a one-sided massacre.”
The trio’s faces turned pale as the reality hit them.
“What?!” Renn exclaimed, horrified. “We’re just going to sit here and watch him get killed?”
“There’s nothing we can do right now,” Willo said, his voice steady but resigned. “We’re outnumbered, and our numbers are dwindling. We can’t act rashly.”
As he finished, a few more masked people in fancy suits circulated through the audience, collecting money before the match began. The group reluctantly handed over the required amount, knowing they had to blend in.
“Every time we come here, we hope to find something useful. But so far, no luck,” Willo continued. “We’ve checked every passage, but none lead to wherever the announcer vanishes to.”
Their eyes turned to the announcer, who was waiting for his men to finish collecting money. Behind him, another dark hallway stretched away, disappearing into the shadows.
After the money collectors vanished into the guarded hallways on either side, the announcer stepped forward. “Thank you for your patronage, as always! And now, without further ado, let the match begin!”
The crowd erupted in cheers as the two hunters charged at each other, weapons clashing. The underground hunter wielded an axe and shield, while Willo’s ally was armed only with a basic sword. It was clear the axe user held the upper hand.
This was Renn’s first time seeing two hunters fight each other with mana weapons, using the same ferocity they would against monsters.
“Just a sword? That’s reckless. Where’s his shield?” Yufi muttered, her eyes glued to the battle below.
“That’s not his weapon,” Willo said, his tone even.
“Eh?” Renn turned to him in surprise.
“They took his gear and gave him a poor substitute. That’s why it’s rigged. That axe user isn’t that skilled; our man would have won easily in a fair fight,” Willo explained, his expression stoic despite the unfairness of the situation.
“A coward’s tactic,” Quin muttered, watching the battle unfold.
As the fight dragged on, the sword user began to falter. Though the blade had a functioning mana core, its power was nowhere near the strength of the axe. He was losing ground, his movements growing sluggish under the relentless assault.
Seizing the opportunity, the axe user charged forward, swinging his weapon wildly. He landed a heavy blow, finally wounding the sword user. Another wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.
Willo’s expression hardened as he watched his ally get cornered. They had once shared a table, working side by side as hunters. Now, all Willo could do was watch him die. It was painful, but he kept his cool. With these youngsters involved, he had to be extra careful.
The sword user, now covered in wounds, dropped to one knee. Despite the axe user’s lack of skill, his flaming weapon was far superior. The sword user’s gaze wandered around the amphitheater, searching for allies. When his eyes found Willo, he knew he had no hope of rescue. This was his punishment for failing as a monster hunter, for being captured and putting himself in this position. He had already accepted his fate.
The crowd’s chants grew louder, filling the arena with a fevered pitch.
“Finish him! Finish him!”
“Oh, it seems the match is already coming to an end!” the announcer called out from the balcony above.
The axe user approached slowly, weapon raised high above the sword user’s head, poised for the final blow.
In the amphitheater, Quin closed his eyes in respect, while Yufi covered her mouth in shock.
Willo’s eyes roved over the arena, searching for anything that might help them. The hallways were blocked, the arena was caged, and the announcer stood on a balcony high above, also protected by the cage. There was simply nothing he could do without taking on the entire stadium full of underground hunters and their organization.
But Renn had another plan.
“Wait!” she shouted at the top of her lungs, her voice cutting through the crowd’s chanting.
Everyone turned in surprise, including Quin, Yufi, and even Willo.
“You idiot! What do you think you’re doing?!” Willo hissed, keeping his voice low to avoid drawing more attention.
Renn ignored him, standing firm with Esperanza in hand.
The announcer, taken aback, quickly recovered. “Uh, is something wrong, young miss?”
“This match is boring!” Renn declared, sparking murmurs among the spectators.
“Because you interrupted the best part!” someone nearby shouted back.
“I thought the fun of these fights was watching ridiculously strong people clash—not two weaklings playing sword and stick to the death!” Renn retorted.
“Weaklings?!” the axe user shouted from the arena floor.
Her words caused a ripple of reactions throughout the crowd. Surprisingly, some seemed to agree with her.
“Now that I think about it, it has been more death matches than real fights lately...”
“And the opponents have had weak weapons too...”
Sensing the crowd’s shift, the announcer tried to regain control. “N-now, now! We’ll have a big match for you soon! We just need some time to prepare—”
“That won’t do!” Renn shot back. “We don’t want to see another guy killed with a broken weapon! Get some real fighters in there!”
Yufi, catching on to Renn’s strategy, stood up beside her. “Yeah! We didn’t pay for this lame show! Bring out the strong ones already!”
The crowd began to rally behind them.
“Yeah! More action!”
“Stronger fighters! We want more action!”
Willo watched in disbelief. Despite her youth, Renn was swaying the crowd with ease. It was almost like she was born for this. Maybe she was telling the truth after all. Perhaps Tou had sent her to him for a reason.
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Afterwards, the match ended without anyone dying, with the announcer promising the crowd a big event later that night. Willo’s ally was thrown out of the arena. Since the audience didn’t want to see him die anymore, there was no reason to keep him. They did, however, confiscate his mana weapon.
Later, at a bustling restaurant in the city, many hunters gathered for lunch. Renn, Yufi, Quin, Willo, and their ally hunters, including the one from the fight, were seated around a large table.
“Thank you, young miss!” Willo’s ally bowed deeply to Renn, his wounds now treated by the alchemists. “You really saved my life back there.”
“I-it’s nothing, sir. It’s what hunters do, right? Save people?” Renn said, brushing off the praise as she settled into her seat.
“How did you know that would work?” Quin asked, looking at her curiously.
“I didn’t, actually.” Renn admitted. “I just said what I thought. Who wants to watch people kill each other? It’s more fun to see hunters take down a giant monster.”
Nearby hunters nodded in agreement.
“In any case, because of your quick thinking, our ally didn’t get killed in front of those people,” Willo said from his seat. “So, thank you, Renn.”
“But now we’ll probably be targeted, right?” Yufi asked, scanning the menu in her hands.
“Not necessarily.” Willo replied. “What Renn did wasn’t trying to stop their business like we’ve been doing. She just refocused the crowd on what they originally came to see. For now, we continue to observe.”
The group nodded in understanding.
Renn posed another question. “We still need to deal with those illegal mana weapons, right?”
“Exactly,” Willo said. “I suspect the underground arena is linked to the illegal mana weapons trade. They might be two separate organizations, though.”
“The arena itself isn’t the issue, but those poorly made mana weapons are dangerous,” Quin added.
“We’ve been trying to find something in the arena that could lead us to the factory producing these illegal weapons, but as you can see, we’ve had no luck,” one of the nearby hunters chimed in.
Silence fell over the group as the first plates of food arrived at their table.
“Have we tried infiltrating their organization?” Yufi asked.
“Yes. That was me,” the hunter from the fight raised his hand. “I was investigating a restricted area and got caught.”
“They patrol the underground passageways when the arena isn’t in use, so it’s hard to move around unnoticed,” another hunter added. “But we know for sure that the money collectors don’t take the cash to the surface, so there has to be a hidden passageway somewhere.”
Then, an idea struck Renn.
“What if we join the arena?” she suggested suddenly.
“Join? As in, fight in the arena?” Yufi asked, eyebrows raised.
“Yeah.” Renn nodded, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“We couldn’t do that before because of the death matches. But now, it might be possible,” Willo said thoughtfully.
“If we do well, we might gain their trust and access to confidential information, like the location of the mana weapon factory,” Quin added.
“It’s a possibility,” Willo agreed. “But keep in mind, the founders of the underground arena were already involved with illegal mana weapons. They might not take kindly to our intentions.”
Renn’s attention drifted to the window, where she noticed hunters transporting a massive monster through the city streets.
“Mr. Willo, where are they taking that monster?” she asked, pointing outside.
Willo glanced out the window before responding. “Probably to the palace.”
“The palace?” Renn echoed, surprised.
“Apparently, the king is buying the bodies of wanted monsters or any strong creatures the hunters can catch,” Willo explained.
“Oh, is he trying to support hunters using illegal mana weapons?” Yufi speculated.
“That’s not exactly the right way to help,” Quin remarked dryly.
“Because of this, the arena has been short on strong fighters, which is why they’ve resorted to more death matches to draw in the crowd,” one of the nearby hunters chimed in. “It used to be hunters versus monsters, but they’ve run out of powerful creatures too. And now, we’re here.”
The group fell silent, each lost in thought. Renn couldn’t help but wonder if the king held the answers she sought. What if he knew about her real parents? Could he even be her father?
She mulled over the idea of going to the palace, but her thoughts were interrupted by the restaurant’s doorbell. A group of people in suits and masquerade masks walked in, immediately recognizable to everyone at the table.
The lead masked man’s eyes found Renn. “Ah! There you are!” he exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of excitement and authority. He approached with a confident smile, his men trailing closely behind.
Up close, the masked leader revealed more of his appearance. With short blond hair and striking green eyes, he looked to be in his mid-twenties. His youthful features contrasted sharply with the black masquerade mask covering part of his face, lending him an air of authority mixed with mystery—an appropriate demeanor for the announcer of the underground arena.
“Apologies for interrupting your meal, but your speech at the arena earlier really inspired me.” He placed a hand over his chest, his tone as polished as his attire.
“What do you want from her?” Willo asked, rising from his seat.
“Oh, we’re not here to start trouble. Quite the opposite, actually,” the man said, raising his hands in mock surrender. “We need your help.”
“Help?” one of the nearby hunters repeated, eyes narrowing.
“Yes. Since I promised the audience a spectacular event tonight, I have to deliver, or our business could suffer,” the man explained calmly. “And seeing you here, with the great Willo himself, I couldn’t help but think—why not ask if you’d like to join us for tonight’s event?”
His proposal drew a mix of reactions—some gasped, while others, including Willo and Quin, remained composed.
Yufi’s eyes darted between them, wondering if this was a new tactic to eliminate Renn.
“She’s too young for this,” Willo said firmly. “Why don’t I take her place instead?”
“Oh, I would be honored! But, sadly, your presence might not draw the crowd we need for tonight,” the man replied, almost regretfully.
“Why me?” Renn asked, leaning back in her chair.
The man chuckled behind his mask. “Because our fighter for tonight is a young lady as well. We haven’t seen her fight, but her attitude is certainly fierce. So we thought, why not give her a perfect opponent? Someone whose strength we’re also curious about. And, of course, this isn’t a death match.”
The group fell silent, the tension palpable. Willo considered the potential for a trap, but before he could respond, Renn was already speaking.
“Sure, why not? Sounds fun,” she said, picking up her fork and resuming her meal.
“Renn, are you sure?” Quin asked, frowning.
“Yeah, it’s not a death match, right?” Renn replied nonchalantly, taking another bite.
The masked man’s smile widened. “Wonderful! I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Miss Renn. We’ll see you at the arena tonight.”
With that, he and his entourage exited the restaurant, disappearing into the bustling crowd outside.
“…Should we follow them?” one of the nearby hunters asked.
“We don’t even know where they’re headed. Leave them be for now,” Willo replied, settling back into his seat. He turned to Renn. “But why did you agree to their invitation so quickly? What if it’s a trap?”
“We were planning to join the arena anyway,” Renn said with a shrug. “I figured I’d gain their trust since they came to us.”
“But what if it is a trap?” Willo pressed.
“I’ll figure it out. And besides, I have you guys,” Renn replied, looking around at the group.
The others exchanged amused glances, some even bursting into laughter.
“W-what?” Renn asked, puzzled.
“Oh, nothing, miss,” one of the hunters said, grinning. “It’s just that you sounded like one of us old-timers for a moment there, despite being so young.”
“R-really?” Renn stammered, blushing slightly.
“Fine then,” Willo said, raising his glass. “We’ll cover as much ground as we can in the arena tonight. If something goes wrong, we strike together.”
The hunters raised their glasses in agreement. “Alright!”
After lunch, the group spent the afternoon exploring Veledot to familiarize themselves with the city. They discovered multiple entrances to the arena, though none provided direct access to the balcony above.
Meanwhile, Willo and the other hunters continued their search for the illegal mana weapon factory but found nothing.
As the sun set and night fell, the city quieted down. Some hunters still roamed the streets, eager to earn the king’s generous bounties for strong monster corpses. But most of the hunters, including Willo’s group, made their way down the winding staircases to the underground arena.
Even though she had accepted the man’s invitation to participate in the main event so easily, Renn couldn’t shake her nervousness. The fact that it wasn’t a death match was a relief, but that didn’t mean she was free of stress. Her confidence stemmed largely from having Esperanza. Since acquiring the staff, she had taken down wanted monsters with ease, almost to the point of overconfidence.
But there was more to consider. The possibility of a trap loomed over her, and she had no idea who her opponent would be. Backing out now wasn’t an option, though. The quicker they could put an end to the illegal mana weapon trade, the sooner she could focus on finding her real parents. She just hoped that the two other abilities of Esperanza would be enough to get her through whatever lay ahead.
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