Hunter

Above the town of Velard, the sun rises as residents open their doors and begin their daily activities. The streets quickly fill with people - merchants, wives, and farmers alike.

In a particular inn, sunlight streams through the window on the second floor. Inside, a man awakened from his slumber, instinctively raising his hand to shield his eyes from the light.

Zhen Qi stood and stretched his body, taking in the lively scene outside his window. The streets bustled with activity, a stark contrast to the ghostly quiet of nighttime. He felt a surge of vitality coursing through him, finally able to think clearly and calmly. Making his way to the lobby, he decided to grab something to eat.

Last night, knowing he couldn't afford to stay on the streets, Zhen Qi decided to sell his distinctive clothing to a bard who was intrigued by its uniqueness. He received one gold coin for it, giving him enough money to buy cheaper clothes and secure a place to stay.

Now that all his basic needs were secured, Zhen Qi resolved to set his plan in motion. 

In all his life, Zhen Qi had never entertained the idea of becoming a god, so understanding what gods do and how they gather faith was a challenge for him. However, drawing from his life experiences, he recognized that people operate on a principle of exchange - you give them something, and they give something in return. 

He looked outside, noticing that the sun was still shining brightly. He knew he just had two days until the protection barrier expired. He intended to return to his territory after gaining a faith and establishing himself. He couldn't leave his altar unattended because its power was so important to him.

With that thought in his mind, he was about to eat his last meal when a familiar voice reached his ears.

"Good sir, my friend from a faraway land, how are you faring?"

He saw a young man entering the inn, smiling at him. Unlike his attire from the previous night, he was now dressed in a black suit and black pants. The outfit suited the bard perfectly, though it seemed a tad too large for him. With a few adjustments, he could easily pass for a true rich young master, complete with the demeanor of someone from a wealthy family.

"How does it look? When I wear these, ladies come flocking to me. I even managed to woo a noble daughter. I believe these clothes amplify my charm. I'm grateful to you, my friend. Without this treasure, I'd probably be single for life," the bard said with a warm smile as he sat beside Zhen Qi. "If you need anything, you can always ask me!"

Single, huh? Zhen Qi thought to himself as he observed the bard's handsome features. With a face like his, he'd probably be a top model on Earth.

Without hesitation, Zhen Qi addressed the bard's enthusiasm. "Do you know of any jobs here? Preferably ones that would help me gain knowledge about this place?"

Using the term "world" might seem odd, as it could potentially make the bard think he was some kind of alien who knew nothing about their society. Zhen Qi understood the importance of being cautious, especially since he didn't fully trust the bard yet. Revealing too much about himself was out of the question until he felt stronger and more secure. Therefore, he decided to tread carefully for the time being.

"Oh, I know one, come with me!" Elandir led him outside. 

… 

The duo stood before a board in the central plaza of the town. It was adorned with numerous papers, each containing different types of content.

"This is the mission board," the bard explained, gesturing towards a nearby notice board adorned with various requests and notices. "People post their requests here for assistance with tasks that are often difficult to handle alone. It's the perfect place to gain more knowledge, as you'll meet new people and explore new places while completing these tasks."

Elandir was explaining that if Zhen Qi didn't know he was a bard, he would guess he was a guide explaining to tourists. Suddenly, he whispered and patted Zhen Qi's shoulder. "Do you know that guy?"

Zhen Qi followed Elandir's gaze and saw a muscular man wearing black chain armor, with two swords strapped to his back. The man had long black hair tied into a ponytail, and scars ran from his eyes to his mouth. However, what caught Zhen Qi's attention the most were the man's eyes - they were a striking blue, reminiscent of the ocean, with black pupils.

---

Name: Thorne 

Race: Magically Alter Being 

Level: Rank 2

Skills: Rune - Fire (E), Rune – Strengthening (F). 

Description: A man whose dream was to provide a good life for his family found himself forced into a life of solitude and constant guilt due to a certain accident. He was compelled to become a hunter, forsaking his previous aspirations. Now, he lived with the weight of regret, longing for the chance to find peace and redemption. His only remaining dream was to find a good family, settle down, and finally rest until his last breath.

Danger: 50% (don't provoke)

---

"They're hunters," Elandir said cautiously, mindful of the possibility that the nearby hunter might overhear. "Their tasks involve hunting monsters and some... less savory endeavors. If you're seeking assistance from a hunter, you'll need to approach them with caution and respect."

You can't really judge a book by its cover. Zhen Qi sighed, looking away. He had finally seen what a hunter looked like. They were different from the people he typically encountered in this place - large, muscular men with a vibe that reminded him of an old, retired marine who had been through countless wars and taken countless lives. Despite their outward appearance, he couldn't help but wonder about the struggles they might be facing internally.

However, it wasn't his business to meddle in the affairs of others.

He refocused his attention on the tasks posted on the board, temporarily setting aside the quest to find the "hunter who lost his emotion." He reassured himself that there was no immediate need to worry about it, as the quest had no time limit. Besides, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

'I'm looking for a missing cat named Daisy. She has white fur and black eyes. Please come to house 12353 beside the Golden Bakery to find me. Reward: 1 silver and 10 copper coins.'

He doesn't have an interest in finding a cat.

'My mom has been sick; I need someone to take care of her. Reward: 1 silver.'

'I need someone who can read and write, but don't worry, this is not dangerous. Come to the Temple of Eternal Eyes right now, I'm waiting. Reward: 3 gold coins.'

"Wow, three gold coins for a job that supposedly isn't dangerous. I don't trust people who make offers like this. Something smells fishy here. I wonder who would be naive enough to fall for it."

The bard noticed a hand tearing at the notice, and as he followed the hand's movement, he found Zhen Qi looking at him blankly. 

"O-oh, I... I mean, who would be naive not to accept this!" the bard stammered nervously. "This is clearly a generous reward. Three gold coins could afford you a life of luxury for a month!"

Zhen Qi ignored the bard's nervous rambling and focused on the quest. It seemed suitable for him as he met the requirements. Despite the language difference, he could understand what was being said and was able to read it. He even realized that he could write in this language, even though he had never formally learned it. He supposed it might be a perk of becoming a god.

"Shut up and let's go."

"Where?" 

"To the Temple of Eternal Eyes, you led the away."

"You are not mad at me, right?"

"Shut up."

…

The Temple of Eternal Eyes was one of the largest organizations in Aurorith, with branches spanning almost half of the world. While some of these branches existed in rural villages, the organization faced backlash due to its promotion of hatred towards non-human beings and the idea of human supremacy. Although the backlash they received was diminishing, they still maintained a bad reputation.

At the entrance stood a duo: a young man who constantly patted his clothes to remove dust, and a silent figure who stared blankly at him.

"Oh, finally someone accepts my request. Thank you, Panoptes. May I know the names of you, sir, and young sir?"

It was a man with glasses and silver hair, wearing a long robe and carrying a book in his hand.

"Elandir the bard." 

"Zhen Qi," Zhen Qi shook hands with man. 

"Zhen Qi," the man repeated the name, looking at Zhen Qi with interest in his eyes and a smile. "Where are you from, sir? I've never heard a name like that before."

"From faraway land, I tell you if you pay me." 

"Oh," the man seemed to lose interest. Zhen Qi wondered how wealthy these people were. He hadn't expected his tactic to work twice, but now he knew what to reply if someone asked about his origins.

"Anyway, let's get down to business. Have you heard of the Ruin of Demetius of Knowledge?"