— That's what we have to face? These weird creatures look like greyhounds, but on two legs and with more fur… said Jean, staring at the three monsters standing in the arena.
— Don't look at them like that, be wary of their appearance. Some of them are even capable of killing a D-rank hunter with no trouble, replied Allende, fixing his gaze on Jean. Then he added:
— These are the Killers. During battles, they capture the weaker ones to help us in the admission tests.
Igris observed the creatures, then the people who were about to fight. He took on a concentrated look and thought:
"Alright, they're about to start... I'll watch and see if I can memorize their techniques just by looking."
Suddenly, without warning, the demons attacked everyone on the battlefield. Each fighter quickly took a combat stance. The three monsters charged diagonally toward the team's tank, who struck his shield using a technique to draw them in. The three demons roared before rushing at him at incredible speed.
The team's mage brought his hands together and cast a fire attack: a blazing sphere shot forward at tremendous speed. When it struck one of the Chimeranes, it shone intensely before collapsing to the ground.
Igris, stunned by such a display of power, thought:
"Wow… They're so strong, it looks like they've been fighting these creatures forever."
He looked around at the others, but no one seemed impressed. They all acted as if this was completely normal. After realizing this, he concluded:
"So, if I understand correctly, for them, having combat skills is just something completely ordinary…"
He took a thoughtful expression and murmured:
— I see… They were born with marks. I remember that Sempai often used his assassin skills when we played hide and seek, and that my mother uses her mage abilities for daily chores…
On the battlefield, the two remaining Chimeranes relentlessly attacked the tank, gripping his shield between their jaws. He retaliated by sweeping them away with a powerful hammer strike. As soon as the monsters were pushed back, the team's warrior charged at them.
The two creatures rushed at him, but with a swift movement, the warrior slashed the right leg of one of the Chimeranes. Then, leaping backward, he immediately dashed forward again and, with a clean strike, cut off the monster's second leg before brutally decapitating it.
Igris carefully observed every movement of the warrior. To him, they were easy to follow. He thought while watching the fight:
"Wow… It's fast, but I feel like I've memorized his entire way of moving. And on top of that, every time one of them makes a move, it's like it gets engraved in my mind…"
As he continued watching the fight, he unconsciously mimicked the gestures with his fingers and the kunai he had tied to a rope. Erica, who was observing his movements, wondered to herself:
"Why is he moving like the shadow demons before they attack?"
Igris suddenly stopped, and his eyes began to glow with a strange light. His gaze started moving in sync with the warrior's.
The warrior delivered a final attack aimed at the creature's heart, thus ending their evaluation.
The glass walls slowly lowered, and then the Killers walked out. Allende announced:
— Congratulations! You are now almost hunters. But before that, you will need to complete a training course in three days. You will find all the details on the sheet you will receive, as well as on your trainee hunter card.
He pointed to a door on his right and added:
— Go see the secretary in that room.
The three young boys then entered the room, and the door closed behind them.
Allende looked at his sheet, then said:
— Alright, next.
He called out:
— Erica!
Erica, Igris, and Jean stepped forward. He told them:
— Enter the arena.
But as Igris walked past him, his heart skipped a beat. He stared at him and thought:
"This boy... He gives off a demonic aura. It's not even an incredibly powerful one... but it emits two opposing things: fear and, at the same time, benevolence."
He narrowed his eyes and thought:
"I need to keep an eye on him."
Igris and the others entered the arena, the glass walls rose, sealing them off from the others. Three crates suddenly emerged from the ground.
Jean grinned as he unsheathed his sword and said:
— My dear friends, I have only one wish: that you give it your all!
Erica, a little terrified, stammered:
— D-Don't worry... I-I'll give it everything I've got.
Igris, smiling as he looked at the crates, added:
— This might not be the best time to say it, but... I don't know how to fight.
Jean and Erica froze for a moment, staring at him, before Erica screamed:
— WHAT?! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIGHT?!
— Nope, Igris replied with a carefree smile.
Erica held her head in despair and muttered:
— Ah... Mister Boubou, if you don't know how to fight, we're doomed...
The crates suddenly exploded, and three Chimeranes emerged.
Jean raised his sword and declared:
— Alright, three important things here. First: these monsters in front of us. Second...
He struck an overly dramatic pose before adding:
— I am the most handsome!
Then, with a provocative smile:
— And third... I'll be the one to win Erica's heart!
Igris, slightly puzzled, responded:
— You... you're a really weird guy. And since when do we fight for her heart?
Suddenly, the demons charged at full speed.
As Igris watched their movements, a memory of the shadow demon that killed Sempai flashed through his mind. An uncontrollable rage surged within him. Staring at the creatures, he thought:
"These demons... it's because of them that Sempai lost his life... and now, there are three more..."
Jean gripped his sword, and a golden aura rose around him.
— Alright, let's crush these demons!
But then, the creatures stopped dead in their tracks. They seemed to fear something. Everyone watching the fight was stunned.
Allende, narrowing his eyes, immediately understood:
— They stopped because of that boy... His aura is terrifying them...
Igris's anger flared even more. His eyes turned gray, and his aura grew visibly stronger. The ground began to tremble. Panic spread through the room, and even the demons instinctively backed away.
Erica and Jean looked at Igris, whose body was radiating a formidable demonic pressure. Terrified but worried, Erica slowly approached him and asked in a trembling voice:
— M-Mister Boubou... are you okay?
Igris froze instantly. He snapped out of it and thought, slightly out of breath:
"I was losing control... My demonic side was taking over."
He calmed himself and smiled:
— Don't worry, I just got a little angry seeing those demons.
Erica let out a sigh of relief:
— Oh my God... I've never been so scared in my life.
Jean, on the other hand, burst out laughing:
— Wow, man, I love you! You have one hell of an aura! We should train together more often.
Igris smiled and replied:
— Thanks, but for now...
He turned his gaze to the demons and declared with determination:
— We have demons to kill.
They resumed their combat stances. The demons hesitated for a moment, then charged at them.
Erica slammed the ground, and plants shot up at high speed. One of the Chimeranes was ensnared by the vines, but the other two dodged.
Jean seized the opportunity to dash toward the immobilized monster and cut it down in one swift stroke.
Igris, meanwhile, thought:
"Alright, let's see if I memorized that guy's technique correctly..."
He rushed toward the second demon. It tried to claw at him, but Igris dodged with surprising agility. He pulled out a Swiss knife, spun it in his hand, and slashed the demon's back.
The creature let out a howl of pain.
Igris bounced off the ground and, with a powerful kick, sent the Chimerane flying toward Jean, shouting:
— Hey, K-pop singer, catch!
Jean sliced the creature mid-air and replied with a grin:
— Thanks for the compliment!
Meanwhile, Erica struggled to catch the last Chimerane—it was too fast.
Igris pulled out a kunai tied to a rope, spun it around, and launched it with precision. The weapon pierced the creature, and Igris yanked the rope hard, shouting:
— GET OVER HERE!
The Chimerane was violently dragged toward him.
As soon as it was within reach, Igris delivered a powerful punch to its side. The demon's jaw shattered under the impact.
Allende, stunned, watched the scene in disbelief.
Igris grabbed the creature by the tail and hurled it toward Erica, saying:
— Your turn, Erica!
Erica clasped her hands together and launched a fire attack, engulfing the demon in flames.
The glass walls slowly began to lower.
Still in shock, Allende muttered:
— That boy has incredible power...
He quickly regained his composure and announced:
— Erica's team, you have passed the test.
Erica, overjoyed, jumped up in excitement.