In the Main Quarter of the Fox Guild, Juang Han sits in his office and stares out the window in a daze.
"It's been Seven years since Leo Howard died but I'm still not satisfied. I want James Howard to suffer even more."
[Juang Han _ Guildmaster of the Fox Guild. Ranked:#5]
A Woman with red velvet hair, wearing glasses walks into the office with Documents in hand.
"Sir!"
"Aisha, What is it? You're breathing so hard."
"Look at the news sir."
"The News?"
Juang Han switches on the TV and puts on the news.
"Ladies and gentlemen, The Dungeon that remained uncleared for Seven years finally opened and it was cleared by a mysterious man with brown skin and brown. It remains to who the man was." The News reporter said.
Juang switches off the TV and starts to pant hard.
"Brown hair and brown skin, it can't be..."
"I also thought the same thing sir." Aisha said.
"But an F-Rank Hunter can't clear an S-Rank Dungeon all on his own, even if he's with a party."
A Man in a black suit walks into the office.
"Sir Han, You have a visitor."
"Who is it now?!"
"A man named Leo Howard. He'd like to meet with you."
"Leo?"
"Don't try to turn me away because I'm already here."
Leo walks into the office and his aura intimidates Aisha and the man.
"Leo, it's been Seven years. I'm glad you're still alive." Han said.
Leo:...
"You two, would you mind giving us a moment."
Aisha and the man walk out of the office leaving Leo and Han all alone.
"Please, take a seat."
Leo grabs a chair and takes a seat, then stares Han dead in the eye.
"So what brings you to my office." Han asked.
"Mr. Han, Just how much did my father owe you?"
"Oh, he owed 10 Million Telz. But you can still be working to pay it o--."
Leo places the briefcase on the desk.
"There it is, 10 Million Telz Complete."
"But how did you make that much money fast?"
"I am not obliged to answer you."
"I see. But never forget, I still hold the reigns."
"Not anymore."
"Huh?"
"I know my father wasn't owing you anything, one of your men spilled the beans. He was the former Child of the Fox Guild right? He was better than you in many things and you resented him for that."
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Bastard, How dare you use me as a tool for revenge."
{Intimidation Skill Activated}
Leo blasts away his aura at Han and Han starts to shudder and sweat buckets.
"You can keep the Guild, I don't care about it but I'm quitting. I ain't your lapdog."
Leo stands and turns to walk away.
"You Bastard! Don't forget who took care of you for the past years your father died and your mother ran away! The one who gave you a reason to live!"
"Huh?"
Leo walks toward Han and grabs him by the collar, lifts him, and pins him against the wall.
"You call that taking care of me? Sending me to Death's door multiple times. I'm sick and tired, I'm done playing games."
"You'll rue this day."
"I am no longer a member of your Guild. Stop treating me like I'm still your Damn Hunter."
Securities come rushing in and point Leo with guns.
"..."
"If you don't unhand me I'll order them to shoot." Han said.
"**Smirk** You think bullets like that will leave a dent on me."
Han flinches and Leo drops him on his butt and walks out of Han's Office.
"Leo...Howard."
Leo leaves the Fox Guild building and walks home. Everyone in the street keeps looking at him and muttering amongst themselves.
Leo arrives at his apartment but it is no longer his apartment.
"What's going on?"
"No one has been living here for Seven years so I rented it out." The Landlady said.
"And what about the young lady that used to live here?"
"After hearing the death of her brother, she's been crying countless nights. She's now living with her boyfriend." The Landlady said.
"I See."
"And who might you be? Her ex? You're too old to be dating such a young girl."
"I'm Leo Howard, I'm her older brother."
"Leo?! You're still alive?! No way!"
"..."
"I couldn't recognize you, you look completely different. The last time I saw you, you had short and a frail body. But now you're shredded with so much hair and a cool beard."
"It's all part of growing ma'am."
"Sorry, I got carried away."
"It's okay."
"So are you going to tell Sherry you're still alive?"
"I've always been a nuisance to her so I'm fine like this."
"You're wrong."
"Hmmm."
"She made it look like she didn't care but she actually did. She was just trying to get you to quick such a dangerous job even if she knew why you were doing it. You should know teens like her can't confront their feelings directly."
"I See."
"You take care of yourself. Don't worry, I'll forget about all the rent you owe me."
"About that... Inventory."
A Bag of money comes out of the inventory and Leo hands it over to the landlady.
"That's Five Million Telz."
"How did you make this much money?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll be leaving now."
"Yeah, you take care of yourself. I hope you can find a place for rest."
Later at night, Leo has rented a hotel room. He sits at his bed and stares out the window.
"Status."
A Red Status Window appears before him.
{Status Window}
{Name: Leo Howard}
{Age: 25}
{Race: Human}
{Job: Demon Slayer}
{Title: Master of Swords}
{Class: S+}
{Level: 140}
{XP:24,000/39,000}
{HP:10,000/10,000}
{MP:10,000/10,000}
{Strength:2,820}
{Agility:2,811}
{IQ:3,000}
{Skills:
Active Skills:
Spatial Manipulation (LV.90) Speed Cutting (LV.91) Shadow Manipulation (LV.90) Elemental Manipulation (LV.99) Magnetic pull (LV.71) Instant regeneration (Lv.66) Commander's Voice (LV.70)
Passive Skills:
Environmental Adaptation (LV.80), Super Jumping (Lv.80) Enhanced Hunting Skills (Lv.70) Shapeshifting (Lv.70) Illusion (L.70) Dream Manipulation (Lv.60) Resistance (Lv.80) Longevity (LV.50) Super Stamina (LV.58) Super Speed (LV.60)
{Items}
Leo's Lightning Sword (LV.100), Demon Lord's Bow and Arrow (LV.80) Demon Blade Yagura (LV.60) Sol Ring (LV.40) Barrier Stone (LV.48) Unlimited Healing Potion ( LV.50) Unlimited Mana Potion (Lv.50)
===============================
"I Still can't believe I made it to S-Rank. I'd love to quickly test out my new strengths in more Dungeons. But I should shop for clothes first."
The next day, Leo goes shopping for clothes. He buys different types of men's clothing. He then bought an apartment in a skyscraper.
"The view up here is amazing. So this is how S-Rank Hunters live their lives."
Leo hears a knock on his door. He opens the door and sees a man in a suit.
"I finally found you. Greetings Mr. Howard, My Name is Kyouko Aoki and I'm the Right-hand man of the Shakunetsu Hunters Association's Chairman. If you may please spare me some of your time so we can talk."
"Sure."
Leo lets Kyouko in and both take a seat in the living room.
"So what brings you here, Mr. Kyouko?" Leo asked.
"Witnesses claim that you are the one that cleared the S-Rank Dungeon, but others are not convinced."
"So..."
"They need proof you cleared the Dungeon or you'll be known as a fraud. If you do manage to clear the Dungeon you'll be known as a Faker which would get you in trouble with the government."
"I See."
"A Gate has spawned in the east and you're going to participate in it. The Ravens Guild will be in charge of that raid."
'I did want to test my new profound strength in a Dungeon and not a video game simulation made by a Demon Emperor. If I clear it I'll be in trouble with the government for being a faker.' "Very well, When is this raid taking place."
"I'll let you know, Mr. Howard."
(Great, Time to see how much stronger I've gotten.)
{Stage 2 of Quest Birth of the Strongest Hunter: Road to Orc Slayer}