Arc: Real Friends Powers
Somewhere deep within a dark cave, Hwang, Akanza, and Syiro were on a mission. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows on the jagged stone walls as they moved cautiously.
Everything had been going smoothly so far.
Hwang took the lead, using his Beast Hunter Technique to tear through the Cursed Beings of Grade C and D on the right side. His arms morphed into beast-like claws, ripping through enemies with overwhelming force.
On the left side, Akanza wielded his Iron Sword, cleaving through multiple cursed beings with precise and deadly slashes.
Behind them, Syiro stood in the support role, using his Heal Hunter Technique to restore their stamina and mend their wounds.
The three of them worked seamlessly, eliminating threats one by one as they ventured deeper into the cave. However, as they approached the final path..
THUMP… THUMP…
A deep, earth-shaking vibration filled the air.
Hwang, who was leading the group, suddenly froze. His sharp instincts screamed danger.
As they turned the corner, their eyes widened in shock.
A colossal figure stood before them.
A Grade S Cursed Being.
The creature's entire body was made of dense, layered stone, and its glowing, hollow eyes stared down at them like a merciless executioner. Its massive arms, covered in jagged rock formations, cracked and crumbled slightly as it moved.
Hwang clenched his fists.
"What the hell?! A Grade S Boss?!"
Akanza took a step back, gripping his sword tightly.
"Our intel didn't say anything about a Grade S being here!"
Syiro's face paled. If that thing could manipulate the surrounding stone… they were trapped.
The Stone Cursed.
Without warning, the creature roared, and the entire cave trembled. Huge boulders detached from the ceiling and launched toward them like cannonballs.
"SCATTER!" Hwang shouted.
The battle began.
-
A Long, Desperate Battle
Hwang leaped to the right, dodging a barrage of spiked stones hurled by the enemy. He lunged forward, using his Beast Hunter Technique to enhance his strength, delivering a powerful claw strike to the creature's torso..
CRACK!
The attack barely left a scratch.
"Tch!" Hwang clicked his tongue. "Its defense is insane!"
Akanza moved in, swinging his Iron Sword with full force. The blade slashed against the stone body of the cursed being, creating sparks..
CLANG!
No damage.
Before Akanza could react, the Stone Cursed swung its massive arm at him.
BOOM!
Akanza barely managed to block, but the sheer impact sent him flying backward, slamming into a wall. Blood dripped from his mouth.
"Damn it…" Akanza groaned, pushing himself up.
Syiro ran over, placing his hands on Akanza's shoulder, activating Heal Hunter Technique to mend the wounds.
Meanwhile, Hwang jumped onto a rock platform and charged forward, attempting another strike.
The Stone Cursed suddenly stomped the ground
A wave of jagged stone spikes erupted from below!
"Shit!"
Hwang twisted his body in mid-air, barely avoiding the spikes, but the cursed being had already anticipated it. A massive stone fist came crashing toward him.
BOOM!!
Hwang was sent flying, skidding across the cave floor.
Their situation was dire. They were outmatched.
"At this rate… we're gonna lose," Syiro muttered, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Akanza gritted his teeth. "No… we have to keep fighting!"
But then..
A shadow flickered into the cave.
A strong gust of wind blew through the battlefield.
Hwang's eyes widened.
"…No way."
A familiar figure stood before them.
His black coat swayed in the wind. His cold, sharp gaze locked onto the massive enemy.
"Dzeth?!" Akanza gasped.
Syiro, barely holding himself together, let out a small chuckle. "I thought you were busy with your missions…"
Dzeth didn't reply. His eyes were focused on one thing the Stone Cursed.
-
Dzeth vs. The Stone Cursed – A Long and Brutal Fight
The air grew heavier.
The Stone Cursed, sensing an overwhelming presence, let out a thunderous roar and launched a rain of sharp boulders toward Dzeth.
SWOOSH!
Dzeth vanished.
CRACK!
In an instant, he reappeared on top of the cursed being's arm, his Heavenly Dagger slicing through the stone like paper.
The Stone Cursed howled in pain, swinging its arm violently. But Dzeth dodged every attack effortlessly, moving with precise and fluid motions.
He suddenly extended his hand.
Limitless Hunter Technique – Maximum Negative Reversal!
The air trembled.
A visible shockwave erupted around Dzeth's palm, and with a simple gesture
The Stone Cursed's arm shattered.
The beast stumbled backward, its movements growing frantic.
Enraged, it slammed the ground, sending massive concrete blocks flying toward Dzeth.
Dzeth's eyes remained calm.
Swoosh!
He weaved through the projectiles like a shadow, closing the distance instantly.
With a single motion
SLASH!
His dagger pierced straight through the Stone Cursed's core.
The entire cave rumbled as cracks spread across the creature's body.
It let out a final roar of agony before its form crumbled into nothingness.
The battle was over.
Hwang, Akanza, and Syiro stood in stunned silence.
-
After the Battle – A Short Reunion
Hwang let out a breath.
"You… actually beat that thing," he muttered.
Akanza chuckled. "I'm starting to think you're not even human."
Syiro smiled, shaking his head. "Thanks for saving us, Dzeth."
Dzeth shrugged. "No problem."
For a moment, Hwang wanted to chat with him but suddenly, Dzeth's Hunter Comm rang.
"Dzeth, report to the S-Grade Headquarters immediately. We have a mission for you."
Hwang, Akanza, and Syiro's expressions fell.
"Again?" Akanza sighed.
"It's like we barely see you anymore," Syiro muttered.
Dzeth remained silent for a moment. Then, he glanced at them and smirked.
"Alright… how about we go out for dinner later? My treat."
-
The Academy Library – Discovering Dzeth's Secret
That night, while waiting for Dzeth, Hwang, Akanza, and Syiro sat in the Hunter Academy's library.
They were curious.
"How the hell did Dzeth get that strong?" Hwang asked.
Akanza searched through the bookshelves until he stumbled upon a familiar-looking book.
"Wait… isn't this the book Dzeth always read?"
They flipped through the pages.
Inside, detailed notes were written about every Hunter Technique, every curse, and every secret of the Hunter World.
Then..
Hwang's eyes stopped at a page.
"…Limitless Hunter Technique?"
Their expressions changed.
It was in the Sorcerer category.
Not only that its Rarity was 'Rebirth'.
Their hearts pounded.
"Wait… does that mean Dzeth nearly died before?"
Hwang's mind flashed back to a past mission.
Back then, they had encountered a Grade A Cursed Being in a tunnel. Everyone had escaped except Dzeth.
"…He never came out of that tunnel."
-
The Restaurant – A Rare Moment Together
Later that night, Dzeth finally arrived.
As they ate, Hwang finally asked.
"How did you get your power?"
Dzeth took a sip of his drink and smiled.
"…By accident."
Akanza clenched his fists.
("I need to train harder.")
Hwang and Syiro exchanged glances, realizing just how far ahead Dzeth had gone.
To be continued…»