Leon slowly opened his eyes, feeling a rare sense of peace. He stretched his sore muscles and looked around. The room was quiet, with sunlight streaming through the window. But despite the calm atmosphere, something felt off.
His gaze shifted to the bed next to him, expecting to see Ricardo still asleep. But instead, it was empty.
"Ricardo?" he called out, his voice laced with concern.
There was no response. Leon quickly got out of bed and searched the room. No trace of his friend—only an empty space where his spare sword used to be, and his coat missing from its usual spot.
Rushing out the door, he found Amelia sitting outside, staring into the distance with an unreadable expression.
"Where's Ricardo?" Leon demanded, his heart pounding.
Amelia didn't look at him immediately. She sighed before replying, "He's gone."
Leon froze. "Gone? Where?"
Finally, she turned to face him, her eyes calm but firm. "He didn't say where, but he was determined… to become stronger."
Leon clenched his fists. "That idiot! He just recovered! How could he leave like that?"
Amelia stood up and walked closer. "You know Ricardo, don't you? He won't stop until he's strong enough to face whatever awaits him."
Leon stood there for a long moment, thinking about everything that had happened. Then, with a deep breath, he raised his head with newfound determination. "Fine. If he's going to get stronger, then I won't be the one left behind."
A small smirk formed on Amelia's lips. "So, what's your plan?"
Leon glanced toward the horizon where Ricardo had disappeared. Then, with a confident grin, he declared, "I'll get stronger too."
Joining the Hunter Squad
A few days later, Leon decided he couldn't sit idly by. He needed to fight—to face real danger if he wanted to grow stronger. So, he joined one of the city's most well-known monster-hunting squads, "Twilight Claws." They were an elite team, each member possessing unique abilities and exceptional skills.
The Squad Members:
Jin "The Blazing Blade" – The squad leader, a seasoned warrior wielding a massive sword that could heat up to molten temperatures, capable of slicing through the toughest armor. A strict but caring leader.
Lisa "Storm Arrows" – A highly skilled archer who could manipulate the wind, making her arrows faster and deadlier. Playful but strict when it comes to combat.
Kris "The Silent Shadow" – A deadly assassin wielding poisoned daggers. He had the ability to fade into shadows and move undetected. Observant and calculating.
Rogan "The Iron Beast" – A massive fighter with reinforced gauntlets, capable of crushing boulders with his fists. His body was nearly as tough as steel, serving as the team's frontline tank.
First Mission: The Beast of the Dark Forest
For Leon's first mission with the team, they were sent to investigate a deadly creature attacking merchant caravans in the dark forest. The reports described it as a strange hybrid—part lion, part bat, with venomous fangs.
"Alright, let's keep this simple," Jin ordered. "Lisa and I will engage from the front. Kris will flank it for a killing blow. Rogan, you take the hits. Leon, stay behind me until we see what you're capable of."
Before anyone could react, Leon dashed forward at a shocking speed.
"What the hell is he doing?!" Lisa shouted in surprise.
They watched in disbelief as Leon effortlessly dodged the beast's claws, leaping into the air with agility that seemed almost supernatural.
With a swift, calculated motion, he delivered a powerful kick to the creature's head, causing it to stumble backward. Without missing a beat, he twisted mid-air and slashed deep into its side.
The squad stood frozen. Even Jin, usually unreadable, raised an eyebrow in shock.
"...How is he that fast?" Kris muttered.
Rogan let out a booming laugh. "Kid, what the hell?! I never saw you train in the city!"
Standing over the beast's lifeless body, Leon turned to them with a casual grin.
"Huh? This? It's nothing compared to the three-headed dog I fought in an underground dungeon."
Silence filled the air.
Then—
"WHAT?!!"
To be continued...