Arc: Mission To Pass
Classified Meeting at the Presidential Office
Inside a grand and highly secure meeting room, several high-ranking officials sat around a long conference table. The President himself was at the center, surrounded by intelligence officers, scientists, and elite Hunter professionals responsible for the nation's security.
On the massive screen before them, footage of the battle between the mysterious figure and Hydro Paladin played repeatedly. However, there was one major problem—the warrior's face remained unclear, as if something was deliberately preventing the world from seeing his identity.
"No data at all?" the President asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
A bespectacled man, an expert in the Hunter tracking system, stood up and shook his head. "That's correct, Mr. President. We've searched through thousands of records. No registered Hunter has ever used techniques like the ones seen in this battle."
"This is impossible," a military general remarked. "Someone capable of defeating Hydro Paladin should, at the very least, be listed as Grade S or EX. Yet, his name isn't on any list?"
A white-haired scientist sighed, adjusting her glasses. "We also attempted to analyze the technique used, but it does not match any known Hunter Techniques in existence. The energy emitted was… completely abnormal."
The President tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought. "So, we are dealing with an unregistered Hunter?"
An intelligence officer pressed a few buttons on his tablet. "It gets even stranger, sir. Every time the warrior's face is about to become visible, the footage distorts. This is not a simple recording error. It's as if something is intentionally blocking the world from recognizing him."
A tense silence filled the room.
Finally, the President spoke in a serious tone.
"I want every possible resource dedicated to finding out who this individual is. If he was able to defeat Hydro Paladin, he is either the greatest hope or the greatest threat to this nation."
-
At the Academy Cafeteria
Dzeth sat alone at one of the cafeteria tables, deeply engrossed in a Hunter Technique book. His focus was unshaken, his mind absorbing every piece of information.
But his peace was about to be disturbed.
A group of three students the so-called 'Gang Bully' walked toward him with arrogance. Their leader, Guoi, a tall and muscular young man with short brown hair, smirked as he approached Dzeth.
"Well, well… what do we have here?" Guoi mocked, slapping Dzeth's shoulder.
Dzeth didn't even look up. He simply continued reading.
"What kind of Hunter just sits around reading books? Shouldn't you be showing off your skills or something?" another bully sneered. Several students around them chuckled.
From another table, Syiro and Akanza immediately stood up.
Syiro walked toward Dzeth with a tense expression. "Dzeth… if you stand up now, they're done for."
Dzeth exhaled slowly and placed his book down. He turned his head slightly toward Syiro and Akanza. "Sit down. Let them talk to themselves."
Guoi's expression darkened. He grabbed Dzeth's collar and yanked him up.
But in the blink of an eye
Dzeth let go of his book and stood up on his own.
Guoi flinched, his eyes widening in shock.
Dzeth's cold gaze pierced straight through him.
Without warning Guoi threw a punch!
But Dzeth effortlessly caught Guoi's fist mid-air.
One of Guoi's lackeys lunged in with a kick but Dzeth dodged with minimal effort, causing the attacker to lose balance.
"You better back off before I start taking this seriously," Dzeth warned in a calm yet terrifying tone.
Guoi, fueled by his bruised ego, refused to back down. He took a step back and pointed at Dzeth.
"If you're so tough, fight me in the field! Show everyone you're not just some coward!"
Dzeth shook his head. "Not interested. I have more important things to do."
Guoi's rage exploded. He swung another punch
But in an instant, Dzeth vanished.
BAM!!
Before Guoi could process what happened, a powerful punch struck his stomach from behind.
Guoi collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.
Dzeth looked down at him and said just one word: "Weak."
Guoi's friends, now filled with rage, charged at Dzeth together
But within seconds, Dzeth struck both of them on the head with lightning-fast precision.
THUD!
They dropped unconscious.
The entire cafeteria fell into complete silence.
Syiro and Akanza exchanged glances before letting out small chuckles.
"Told you not to mess with Dzeth."
-
In the Classroom
Their instructor, an older man with short gray facial hair, stood at the front of the room, holding a sheet of paper.
"Today, we'll be reviewing your mission point totals for this month," he announced.
The students began murmuring among themselves.
"A score of 15 or higher means you pass."
The instructor started reading the results.
Akanza: 17 points [Pass]
Syiro: 16 points [Pass]
Hwang: 19 points [Pass]
Guoi: 15 points [Pass]
But then
Dzeth: 4 points [Fail]
The entire class erupted into laughter.
"Haha! Dzeth failed! And here I thought he was strong!"
"So much for being a so-called 'Hunter.' Can't even complete missions properly?"
But Hwang, Syiro, and Akanza did not laugh.
Hwang slammed his fist on the desk and stood up.
"Teacher! Why did Dzeth fail? Don't you see what he's done for us? For the city? For the nation?"
The instructor furrowed his brows. "Why? There's no official report stating that Dzeth participated in any mission."
Akanza got up, his gaze sharp. "Teacher… please correct Dzeth's real score."
Syiro, eyes filled with emotion, spoke in a trembling voice. "Why… why are you doing this to our friend?"
The instructor looked confused. "What are you all talking about?"
Hwang, his eyes burning with determination, stepped forward.
"The truth is… Dzeth is the one who defeated Hydro Paladin and Crimson Paladin."
The instructor froze.
The classroom fell into complete silence.
-
To Be Continued…