Chapter 18: New Hunt

Chapter 18: Chapter 18: New Hunt

If anyone was told that a 7-year-old boy could become a Bronze Rank Dragon Hunter, they would have ridiculed him to death.

​After all, Bronze Rank, though just the beginning, is the equivalent of a Super Soldier. So, imagining a 7-year-old in that position is very funny.

​No one would believe it at all.

​But the myth was real. That monster existed. And now, he was planning to hunt other monsters.

​Since Krono had completed his foundational training, it would be a waste to just sit idly by. He decided to go on a hunt in a nearby forest where wild beasts and monsters frequently roam around.

​"Well, you can go. But don’t go alone. Go with a team," Aurora gave the condition.

​Honestly, Krono thought being with a team would only drag him down, since his devour system had to remain a secret.

​But a Teacher’s words cannot be brushed aside so easily.

​As such, instead of directly heading out, Krono went to the gathering place for horse carriages.

​The Gorak Forest was to the east, in the completely opposite direction of the ocean. It was situated about 10 kilometers away.

​He could easily run there on foot, much faster than the carriages. But this place is also a gathering hub for hunters, be they Demon Hunters or Dragon Hunters.

​After arriving there in the morning, he saw a considerable number of people, young and old, gathered to set out from Dryland Town.

At the same time, a group of two young men and a young woman were seen looking for a teammate.

​"Hello, are there any solo hunters here? We need a frontliner for our mission in the Gorak Forest. You will be paid 10 silver for a day," shouted the tall and confident youth.

​The blue haired young woman beside him frowned, interjecting nervously, "Felix, is this really a good idea? What if this new guy doesn’t live up to expectations and just brings us more trouble? I really think we should wait for Kent to recover from his injuries."

​The third member of the group, a young man with spiky golden hair, let out a cold snort.

"Hmph! And what exactly are we supposed to do until then, little missy? Sit around and pray? Sorry, that’s not my style. Just grab a random meat shield and let’s go. We’ll be doing all the heavy lifting on this mission anyway."

​It was then, amid their bickering, that a little boy suddenly appeared beside them.

​They were confused, thinking a lost child had strayed from his parents.

But Krono’s next words completely shattered their minds.

​"Hello. I would like to join your team for the Gorak Forest mission."

​"???"

​Felix, the young woman, and the spiky-haired youth just stared at him in stunned silence, utterly unable to believe their ears.

​The silence didn’t last long. A second later, the surrounding crowd of rough mercenaries and hunters burst into uproarious laughter.

​"Ahahaha!"

​"Where does this kid think he is? His personal playground?"

​"Haha, my sides hurt! How can he ask that with such a straight serious face? Didn’t his mommy teach him not to talk to strange hunters?"

Felix finally broke out of his stupor, and asked, "Are you okay, boy? Do you know what you’re saying?"

"Yes perfectly," Krono replied without nodding his head.

"Ridiculous!" Arden spat, "Go home, brat. We are looking for a frontliner who can take a hit from a Dire Wolf, not a toddler who will cry the second he sees blood. We don’t have time to play babysitter."

​The young woman, Celine, crouched down to Krono’s eye level, offering a gentle, apologetic smile.

"He’s being mean, but he is right, sweetie. The Gorak Forest is incredibly dangerous. Real monsters live in those woods. Where are your parents?"

​"Hey, I don’t need parents to hunt. I meet the requirements you shouted. You need a frontliner to take the hits. I need a party to enter the Gorak Forest. It is a simple, mutually beneficial transaction," Krono stated like an adult.

​Felix rubbed his temples, letting out an exasperated sigh. The surrounding crowd was still chuckling at their expense, making a scene.

​"Listen, kid. I admire your bravery, but this is official Association business. You need a registered hunter’s license to even step foot past the forest checkpoints. It’s the law. So unless you magically have one—"

​Clack.

​Felix’s words abruptly stopped when Krono casually reached into his coarse tunic and pulled out a polished wooden card, then slapped it onto the side of a nearby carriage.

The emblem of a dragon’s skull was carved deeply into the wood. And it was magically enchanted, which was the official Association mana signature.

​After seeing it, the laughter from the surrounding crowd disappeared instantly.

​"What! A... Bronze Rank plate?"

Felix stammered while Arden’s jaw hit the floor. He pointed a shaky finger at the card.

"That’s impossible! It’s a fake! Or... or you stole it from someone!"

Krono looked at him with mockery.

​"Stole it? It has my name on it. Krono. Now, are you going to pay me ten silver to be your meat shield, or do I need to find a party that doesn’t waste my time?"

Felix sized the boy up one more time. Only then did he truly notice the abnormal density of Krono’s muscles and his perfectly balanced and battle-hardened posture. And the boy’s eyes... they were deep, calm, and completely unfathomable.

​Qualities like those couldn’t belong to just anyone.

Felix instantly mistook Krono for the genius heir of some illustrious noble house, secretly out here in the wilderness to gain practical experience.

​"Alright, we’ll take you in," Felix decided finally.

​Celine frowned, "But Felix, what if—"

​Felix cut her off with a raised hand, "No what-ifs, Celine. Krono is going with us. We don’t have time to dawdle around here any longer."

​Arden sighed, "Since the captain has already decided, let’s just go with it Celine. I just hope this doesn’t turn out to be a total disaster."

​Afterward, they secured their weapons, gathered their gear, and loaded into the waiting carriage.

​The expedition into the Gorak Forest had officially begun.