The men around the table erupted into laughter, their conversations mingling as intoxication took hold. Bottles and glasses cluttered the table, evidence of their revelry.
"Hey guys, check out that guy over there," one of them slurred, pointing across the room. "Look at his sword!"
The group's attention shifted to the drunken Cain Locke, the massive red sword strapped to his back drawing gasps.
"Wow, that sword looks like a rare item," someone exclaimed. "Is he a hunter?"
"Don't be stupid," a third scoffed. "He looks like a homeless guy."
Slade, an A-rank hunter, suggested, "Why don't we just take his sword?" His eyes gleamed with mischief.
His fellow members started to look at each other with mischief and sly grins.
"Besides, why would a homeless man need a sword?" Slade continued. "I think it would be better in my hands."
The group's smiles grew wider, their faces flushed with alcohol.
One of the men rose from his seat, his movements unsteady. "Let's go get it," he said, his voice dripping with malice.
Cain, oblivious to the danger, continued nursing his drink, his eyes glazed over.
"Hey, man, our captain has taken a liking to your sword," Slade's party member said, his voice laced with menace. "So be the good guy and hand it over before things turn ugly."
Cain ignored him, focused on his drink.
The stranger's friends watched from across the table, their eyes fixed on Cain.
"How dare you ignore me, you stinky bastard?" the stranger snarled, reaching for Cain's sword.
But before he could touch it, Cain swiftly sent him flying.
The stranger crashed to the ground, stunned.
Most of them couldn't catch Cain's movement; it was so fast.
His friends rushed to his unconscious companion, whose eyes had rolled back, and mouth hung agape.
The commotion caught Zarek's attention, along with everyone else in the bar.
"How dare he!" one of the hunters growled. "we're going to make you pay!"
The hunters unsheathed their weapons and charged towards Cain, their faces twisted with anger.
Slade stood back, a keen glint in his eye, eager to see how this would unfold.
Cain sprang from his seat, his movements fluid and deadly.
He grasped one hunter by the neck and lifted him off the ground, while covering another's face with his massive hand.
"I've had a shitty day, and now you're poking at me?" Cain snarled, his voice dripping with venom.
"Who are these idiots?"
The hunters struggled, but their strength and speed were no match for Cain.
"Put him down, you sick bastard!" Slade screamed.
Cain dismissed Slade's plea with a glance.
"As you wish."
With a flick of his wrists, Cain sent the hunters flying in opposite directions.
One crashed into a table, shattering it beneath his weight.
The other slammed into a mirror, the sound of breaking glass and splintering wood filling the air.
"Slade, a one-star A-rank hunter," Zarek thought to himself. "I've never met him, but the rumors... aren't pretty."
Roland's voice snapped Zarek back to reality.
"That kid is dead," Roland said, his tone grim.
"Why?" Zarek asked, confusion etched on his face.
"He's an S-rank hunter," Roland replied.
Zarek's face froze, his thoughts reeling. That can't be.
"He was among the hunters who raided the Disaster Portal," Roland said.
"But I heard no one survived," Zarek replied, incredulous.
Roland's gaze was steady. "That's not entirely true. He alone....survived."
Slade's eyes locked onto Cain, his voice dripping with malice.
"I'm Slade, one-star A-rank hunter," he declared, his voice firm and commanding. "Hand over that sword, and I'll let this slide. Refuse, and you'll suffer the consequences."
Cain yawned, ignoring Slade's threat.
"Sorry, did you say something? I think it's time for my bed."
Slade's eyes widened, his teeth grinding in anger.
The veins on his forehead bulged.
With a fluid motion, Slade unsheathed his polished silver sword and infused it with mana.
The aura surrounding the blade intensified.
Slade swung his sword at Cain with deadly precision.
Cain raised his bare hands, blocking the attack with ease.
Slade's eyes widened in shock – not a single scratch marred Cain's skin.
Cain grasped Slade's sword, his grip crushing.
The sword snapped, its fragments scattered, as if it were fragile glass.
"Cain's blow sent Slade's head crashing into the floor, the impact reverberating through the room. Slade's eyes fluttered back, their irises disappearing beneath pale lids, and his jaw slackened, frozen in a soundless gasp."
Cain took his unfinished liquor bottle and left the bar.
Zarek's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he watched Cain's display. "That's the power of an S-rank hunter," he thought, impressed. "With his help, I might just get my hands on an S-rank crystal."
Determined, Zarek called out, "I'll be seeing you soon, Mr. Roland."
He rushed out of the bar, following Cain.
"Hey, wait a moment!" Zarek called, and Cain turned around.
"What, do I owe you any money? I don't have anything on me; I gave everything at the bar. Come back later," Cain said in his drunken voice.
"No, it's not that," Zarek replied. "I need your help."
Cain's expression remained blank, but Zarek had caught his attention.
"Add me to your party when the Omega Portal opens. I want to—"
Cain interrupted before Zarek could finish. "I think you have the wrong guy, kid. I'm no hunter; I left that field five years ago. Whatever it is, look for another guy. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of hunters who would like to add you to their party. Bye, kid. Get home before it's too late."
Zarek clenched his arm, knowing it wouldn't be easy. He rushed toward Cain, facing him.
"I wish it were that easy, but I'm a D-rank hunter. No one wants to partner with me or add me to their party, so I have no choice. Please..."
Cain broke the bottle in his hand, the remaining liquor spilling to the ground. The sound of glass breaking and liquor oozing out filled the air.
Cain's voice intensified. "I don't know what your deal is, kid. Didn't you just heard what I just said? and besides, did you just say you're a D-rank hunter? That portal you mentioned is above an S-rank level dungeon. A brat like you will be crushed the moment you step inside."
Cain started flexing his mana, the purple aura covering him. The atmosphere began shaking.
Zarek got a reality check; the gap in strength between them was staggering.
"I don't care!" Zarek screamed.
Cain was surprised by Zarek's reaction, not expecting such determination.
"I don't care, even if it's way out of my league. There's someone important to me who needs the S-rank crystal; every moment I stand before you, their time is running out. I know I'm weak; I can barely stand my ground in a D-rank dungeon. I know, even so, no matter what, I'll get that crystal, even if it kills me in the process. So, please help me."
Zarek bowed before Cain.
Cain exploded with laughter
"Very well, then, kid. I'll let you join my party," Cain said. His tone changed as he continued, "But there's one condition: try to land a blow on me. Even if you manage to strike me once, I'll let you join."
Zarek knew it was an impossible task. Even Slade, an A-rank hunter, couldn't land a blow.
"Zarek froze, the weight of the situation settling heavily upon his shoulders."