Chapter 6

They had arrived in Klaudstion. No one spoke until they reached the dragon hunting organization's office.

They mourned the deaths of Hunters and Magic Hunters.

40 Hunters entered the forest, never expecting that only 23 Hunters would return to Klaudstion alive.

The 12 Hunters trapped in the circle of fire suffered burns that were not too serious, and their wounds had been healed by Magic Hunters, who had healing magic.

They were used to losing a large number of party members, but seeing 17 people burn to death at the same time shocked them.

The dragons in the forest weren't to be overlooked. They were unlike the dragons in other forests, which 20 Hunters could kill. To this day, no one has been able to kill the dragons in that forest.

The 23 Hunters were grateful to be alive despite having to leave their companions who had burned to death.

The Hunters who joined to find treasures and magic crystals could only take deep breaths. It was a pity they could not take the black dragon's magic crystals.

Many Hunters wanted to be known as Magic Hunters since magic allowed them to attack dragons without using their power.

Unfortunately, only lucky people could absorb magic energy from magic crystals.

The Hunters, who have tried holding magic crystals but whose bodies cannot absorb magic energy, never give up, and they believe that everyone can absorb magic crystals. They just needed to try to touch all the magic crystals they found.

In his previous life, Alexander really wanted his body to be able to absorb magic energy, but now he wasn't really interested because he has a strength of 1.000.400.

Alexander was already checking the status on a transparent blue window floating in his view. His strength, speed, and intelligence increased by 500 points.

Recovery was a reward for his success in completing the task assigned by the unfamiliar voice.

Alexander was happy that he was able to save Francis from death even though he would never be able to forget the memories from his previous life when he watched Francis die horribly in front of him.

He was, nevertheless, deeply saddened as to why the 17 Hunters were burnt to death. He then consoled himself by saying it was their fate to die because of the dragon's fire.

“But the story is different. In the previous life, only Francis died, and we fought for 2 days to kill all the dragons in that forest.” Alexander's brow furrowed; he tried hard to dig up memories from his previous life.

“We found a large cave with lots of treasures and magic crystals. I keep dozens of magic crystals for collection and hope that one day my body can absorb magic energy.” Alexander leaned his cheek against his palm, and his fingers tapped on the table.

“Why does the story change just because Francis didn't die? Why did the black dragon suddenly gain the stamina to get rid of the Hunters on its body and spit out flames fiercely?” Alexander was perplexed, and unfortunately, no one could answer his question.

The green-eyed young man was confident that it would be difficult to find someone who believed what he stated. It was unheard of for someone to go back in time a year before his death.

"Hey." Francis hit Alexander on the back, who was monologuing beside him. He was enjoying spicy grilled corn. He didn't hear Alexander's mumbling, but he was sure his best friend said his name.

"Why, before we went to the forest and while we were there, did you repeatedly say I would die?" Francis pointed at himself. "Look at me, I'm fine."

“Alexander said something strange like that?” Luca, eating beef soup, and sitting across from Alexander and Francis, looked at his two friends alternately.

“You're right, he's bizarre!” Francis banged the table, making the Hunters and Magic Hunters, who were eating and discussing, turn to look at him. “He held my hand very tightly, and he forbade me from attacking the dragon!”

Luca was surprised. He and Francis looked at Alexander, who had not yet awakened from his reverie, so deep in thought.

"Alex, what's wrong with you?" Luca waved his hand in front of Alexander's face.

"I shudder in horror that he cares about me." Francis stroked his hand, the hairs on his neck standing up again.

Alexander's concentration was broken; his two friends were boisterous. “Am I wrong to worry that he will die?” Alexander pointed at Francis with a cold gaze.

“Look at his gaze.” Francis pointed at Alexander's green eyes with his grilled corn. "I don't have goosebumps anymore because he's back like the Alexander I know."

Alexander snorted, and then he looked at Luca, who looked suspicious about his answer. “You once said that Francis didn't care about his life.”

Alexander didn't know when and where Luca said that to him; he couldn't remember clearly, maybe because he never cared about anyone before.

“Did I ever tell you that?” Luca stroked his chin. He failed to remember because there were too many things he said to Alexander. Finally, he realized he was very talkative and often advised his best friend.

***

Klaudstion has an enormous number of Hunters because 55 percent of its population is made up of Hunters and Magic Hunters.

Everyone was obviously interested in being a dragon Hunter. If they successfully killed a dragon, they could make much money by selling its heart, eyes, and skin.

Moreover, those who could kill all of the dragons defended the cave, which contained treasure and hundreds of magic crystals.

However, the number of Hunters and Magic Hunters who returned home with treasures and hundreds of magic crystals could still be counted on one hand. As a result, the price of magic crystals is exceptionally high, and only people with a lot of money can afford them.

Since hundreds of dragons have unitedly attacked humans worldwide, every chief of organizations from all countries has resolved to ban the licensing of Hunters and Magic Hunters who wish to hunt dragons in forests far from their home countries.

They didn't know if the dragons would attack them again. Therefore, to anticipate the arrival of the dragons, each country had to restrain many Hunters and Magic Hunters from going hunting.

Hunters and Magic Hunters who successfully killed the dragon that attacked the country would receive money from the kingdom.

The Hunters and Magic Hunters didn’t object to the policy, but they didn’t enjoy waiting for the dragons, who had no idea when they would attack their country.

"I'm one hundred percent sure you'll pass, Alex." Francis patted Alexander hard on the back. “You can shoot the red dragon until it dies. Your arrows can penetrate all dragons' necks!” Francis said excitedly.

Luca nodded his head. "I believe you, your arrows always hit the target."

“You'd be cool archery on top of the tower.” Francis pointed to the 30-meter-high tower.

“Thank you for believing in me,” Alexander said.

For 50 years, the 30-meter-high tower was used to ring a large bell every time they held a festival, but now the tower had transformed; they took and kept the giant bell, replacing it with a giant bow and arrow to kill dragons.

Alexander was the youngest participant in the competition to find an archer to shoot in the tower.

The other participants looked at Alexander with disdain because he had only graduated from the Hunter Academy about 2 weeks ago, even though the news about him killing the red dragon with his arrow had already spread.

Others whispered about Alexander, who would pass the competition because he was the son of Rowan, the chief of the dragon hunting organization.

Alexander never cared about other people's opinions about him. In his previous and present lives, people didn't like him just because he was Rowan's son.

Alexander confidently stood on a pile of stones one meter high; he had to imagine he was on a tower 30 meters high.

Five people sprinted around Alexander at a 15-meter distance, carrying dragon images above their heads.

Each contestant is given only five arrows and must shoot at least three dragon pictures to win the competition.

Alexander focused his vision and blocked out the sounds around him. In his previous life, he could shoot 4 dragon images, and what about now?

Alexander's archery performance has been affected by strength and speed, each with 1.000.400 points. He shot 5 dragon images quickly and easily, and his arrows even got lodged in multiple branches, nearly injuring someone's shoulder.

Everyone was stunned and amazed. Meanwhile, Alexander shuddered with horror at its power.

“I wonder if I can kill someone with my fists.” Alexander smiled crookedly.