NIGHT OF THE HUNT
In the dead of night, a Grade S Hunter walked cautiously through the abandoned shopping mall, his footsteps echoing against the broken tiles. He was tasked with exterminating the remaining Curses lurking in the shadows. However, what he encountered was beyond his expectations.
Glowing crimson eyes stared back at him from the darkness. A powerful presence filled the air, suffocating and overwhelming. The Hunter's pupils shrank as he realized the terrifying truth this wasn't an ordinary Grade S Curse.
It was a member of the Paladin organization.
The entity before him, a warrior clad in black armor with a crimson glow, lifted its blade. The air trembled as a golden-red slash cut through the silence. The Hunter barely dodged, his breath ragged.
"Crimson Paladin..." he muttered in horror.
-
A BRIGHT MORNING
The sun shone brightly over the academy, casting light on the training grounds where Dzeth was stretching. He had grown stronger, but his journey was far from over. As he finished his warm-up, his communicator buzzed. A message.
Razou: "Meet me at the usual spot. It's urgent."
Dzeth raised an eyebrow. How does Razou even have my number? he wondered but decided to ignore it. He grabbed his jacket and headed toward their meeting place.
When he arrived, Razou's expression was serious.
"Dzeth, last night... a Grade S Hunter was killed."
Dzeth narrowed his eyes. "Killed by what?"
Razou clenched his fists. "Not what. Who. A Paladin Curse."
The name meant nothing to Dzeth. Seeing his confusion, Razou sighed.
"The Paladins... They're an organization of Curses. One of the strongest. And now, they've sent one of their own here."
Dzeth frowned and pulled out his book his personal record of Curses. He flipped through the pages, searching for any mention of the Paladin Curses.
-
A GROWING THREAT
Elsewhere, a survivor from the battle a Grade S Hunter was in a hospital bed. He was one of the few who had escaped from Crimson Paladin, and his report had shaken the higher-ups.
Meanwhile, RenX stood on a rooftop, deep in thought.
"Why now?" he muttered. "The Paladins have never interfered with this country. So why has Crimson Paladin, one of their strongest, suddenly appeared?"
Something wasn't right.
-
THE PLAN
Back at the academy, Dzeth made a reckless decision. "I'll go there now."
Razou grabbed his shoulder. "Idiot! We need a plan first."
Dzeth sighed, realizing Razou was right. It would be foolish to charge in blindly.
Razou thought for a moment. "We should bring a healer with us. If we get hurt"
"I don't need one," Dzeth interrupted.
Razou frowned. "What? Are you insane?"
Dzeth smirked. "I have BDA."
Razou's eyes widened. "You... you have Reverse Cursed Technique?"
Dzeth simply nodded.
That changed everything. If Dzeth could regenerate injuries instantly, it meant they had a much better chance of survival.
-
THE HUNT BEGINS
After receiving permission from his instructor, Razou was ready to go. But Dzeth? He didn't bother asking. He was confident he would win, so why waste time?
The two boarded a vehicle that would take them to the abandoned shopping mall. The ride was quiet, both mentally preparing for the battle ahead.
As they arrived, a cold wind blew through the ruins. The air was thick with Cursed Energy.
Then
SWOOSH!
A powerful force swept through the area.
Smoke and dust filled the air.
Razou's eyes widened in shock. Crimson Paladin was standing right in front of them.
The monstrous swordsman wasted no time.
With a single motion, it swung its glowing blade
SWOOSH!
The energy slash tore through the trees behind them, splitting them in half effortlessly.
Dzeth and Razou exchanged glances.
This was going to be a fight unlike any other.
To Be Continued...