Ray lay in his hospital bed, his body slowly recovering from the brutal encounter with the rabid centaur. His mind drifted between thoughts of his future as a hunter and the recent events that had unfolded. Just as he was lost in his contemplation, the door swung open, and in walked Kevin, a fellow hunter who had crossed paths with him before.
"Ray, my man! You're alive!" Kevin exclaimed, a mix of relief and excitement evident in his voice.
Ray's eyes widened in surprise and asked. "Kevin? Where were you?"
Kevin approached the bed, a sheepish grin on his face. "Well, you see, I was actually tailing you to offer some assistance. But, uh, I got side-tracked by a group of people being attacked by banshees. By the time I managed to save them, I lost track of you."
Ray chuckled, shaking his head. "Considering you aren't in a hospital bed too, it must've ended fine. It's alright, though. I managed to handle things on my own."
Kevin scratched the back of his head, a hint of embarrassment in his expression. "Yeah, well, sorry about that. At least you're safe now. Just remember, I owe you one."
Ray nodded, appreciating Kevin's sincerity. "Thanks, man. I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunities to team up in the future. Let's focus on making the world a safer place."
With a final wave, Kevin bid his farewell and left the room, leaving Ray to ponder the possibilities that lay ahead. Little did he know that his path as a hunter was only just beginning.
Days turned into weeks, and Ray's recovery progressed steadily. Finally, the day came when he was discharged from the hospital, his body strengthened and his resolve unwavering. As he stepped out into the world once more, his phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was the Hunter Association.
"Hello?" Ray answered, anticipation tingling through his veins.
"Ray, it's Daniel. I hope you're feeling better. We've been keeping an eye on your progress, and we think it's time for you to become a Hunter," Daniel's voice came through the receiver.
A surge of excitement coursed through Ray's body. "What do I need to do?"
Daniel arranged a meeting at the Hunter Association headquarters, a sprawling facility that housed both administrative offices and advanced training facilities. As Ray entered the building, he was greeted by Amanda, who led him through the bustling corridors, filled with hunters preparing for their missions.
"Ray, I'm glad to see you're recovering well," Amanda said, a warm smile on her face. "Let's go over your job description and the unique structure of our association."
As Ray and Amanda made their way down the corridor towards the conference room, a commanding figure with a silver emblem on her jacket caught their attention. It was Amelia, the leader of the renowned Silver Fang group. She approached Amanda with a warm smile.
"Ah, Amanda, it's good to see you," Amelia greeted, extending her hand for a firm handshake. "How have you been?"
Amanda returned the gesture with a friendly nod. "Amelia, always a pleasure. We've been busy with new recruits and missions."
Amelia's gaze shifted to Ray; her curiosity piqued. "And who might this young man be?"
Ray took a step forward, feeling a mixture of awe and intimidation in the presence of such a renowned hunter. "I'm Ray. I've been training to become a hunter, and Amanda has been guiding me through the process, it's nice to meet you again."
Amelia's eyes narrowed, a spark of recognition lighting up her face. "Ray, you're the one who took on those Wendigos single-handedly, aren't you? Impressive display of skill and bravery, but you aren't a hunter yet? Does that mean...?"
Ray's cheeks flushed with a mix of pride and humility. "Yes, that was me. I awakened mid crisis, and I ended up in the hospital so I'm only becoming a hunter now."
Amelia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "You mean to say you truly faced those Wendigos having just awakened? That's quite remarkable. You must have some exceptional abilities."
Ray shrugged modestly, not wanting to exaggerate his accomplishments. "I did what I had to do. It was a matter of survival, and I did some training before."
"He faced an injured lizardman and killed it before he even got any abilities, with Ray, expect the unexpected" Amanda smiled.
Amelia's expression softened; her admiration evident. "Incredible! Well Ray, consider this an invitation. The Silver Fang group is always on the lookout for talented individuals like yourself. If you end up looking for a group of hunters to join once you finalise your inauguration, give me a call."
She handed Ray a business card, the Silver Fang emblem embossed on its surface. Ray accepted it with gratitude, feeling a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
"Thank you, Amelia. I'll keep it in mind," Ray replied, tucking the card into his pocket.
Amelia nodded approvingly. "Good. I have a feeling we'll meet again, Ray. Until then, stay safe and make the right choice."
With a final nod, Amelia bid them farewell and continued her way. Ray watched her retreating figure, feeling a newfound sense of purpose and the weight of the choices that lay ahead.
As they resumed their journey to the conference room, Amanda turned to Ray, a hint of excitement in her voice. "You know, Ray, joining the Silver Fang group could open up amazing opportunities for you. They're one of the most respected and accomplished C rank hunter groups out there with the potential to become B rank soon."
Ray nodded.
Amanda smiled, understanding his hesitation. "Take your time, Ray. Becoming a hunter is a personal journey, and it's essential to find the right path that aligns with your goals and values. Remember, we're here to support you every step of the way."
Soon, they entered a spacious conference room, where Daniel joined them, a stack of papers in his hands.