The low rumble of a motorcycle echoed through the street before gradually dying down as Kael pulled into the Hunter Association’s parking area. The bike rolled to a smooth stop directly in front of the association building, and after switching off the engine, he removed his helmet before climbing off.
Just as he was about to put the helmet away, his eyes caught sight of a familiar figure standing near the entrance.
Director Ferris Newman.
Kael couldn’t help narrowing his eyes slightly.
’What’s he doing out here?’
The director wasn’t standing there speaking to anyone nor did he appear to be waiting for another visitor. He simply stood quietly near the entrance, occasionally glancing toward the road as though expecting someone’s arrival.
Meanwhile, the moment Ferris spotted the familiar black motorcycle entering the compound, he unconsciously let out a long breath of relief.
’Finally...’
He had been waiting outside for quite some time now.
Not because the Scarlet Fist had ordered him to.
In fact, she hadn’t said anything.
The reason he came outside was much simpler.
He couldn’t stay inside that office any longer.
Ever since the Scarlet Fist arrived, the atmosphere inside had become unbearably heavy. She wasn’t intentionally releasing her aura, yet merely sitting there was enough to make the room feel several times smaller than it actually was. Every passing second inside that office felt like sitting beside a dormant volcano that could erupt at any moment.
Unable to endure that pressure any longer, Ferris had simply excused himself and come outside to wait.
Fortunately...
The person he had been waiting for had finally returned.
Kael stored his helmet inside the motorcycle’s compartment before locking it. Without wasting any time, he began walking toward the entrance.
As soon as he got close enough, Ferris smiled awkwardly.
"Oh."
"You’ve returned."
Kael looked at him with slight confusion.
"Have you been waiting for me?"
Ferris scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Yes."
"The examiner has already arrived."
Kael frowned.
"I thought you said headquarters would need around an hour."
Ferris gave a helpless smile.
"That’s what they told me as well."
"But..."
"She arrived much earlier than expected."
Kael simply nodded.
"I see."
"That works too."
"I won’t have to waste any more time waiting."
"Let’s get it over with."
Ferris stared at him for a brief moment.
His expression became increasingly strange.
’What is wrong with this kid...?’
Anyone else who heard they had accidentally kept an S-rank hunter waiting would probably panic.
Yet Kael...
He didn’t look guilty.
He didn’t look nervous.
He didn’t even seem concerned.
It was almost as though keeping an S-rank waiting wasn’t worth thinking about.
Even stranger, he was about to fight an S-rank.
Yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of anxiety on his face.
It was as if today’s schedule simply consisted of running another ordinary errand.
’Why do I feel like he’s treating this entire thing like it’s just another normal day...?’
Unfortunately, nobody answered the question forming inside Ferris’ head.
By the time he snapped out of his thoughts, Kael had already entered the building.
Realizing this, Ferris hurried after him.
The two quickly entered the elevator before heading straight toward the highest floor of the association building.
Neither of them spoke during the ride.
Soon...
The elevator doors slid open.
Ferris stepped out first before leading Kael through the quiet hallway.
After walking a short distance, they stopped before a large office.
"This way."
Ferris pushed the door open before stepping inside.
Kael followed closely behind.
The office was spacious and elegantly furnished.
Rows of bookshelves lined one side of the room, filled with neatly arranged records and documents accumulated over many years.
A decorative fireplace occupied another corner, adding warmth to the otherwise professional atmosphere.
Near the center stood a massive office desk.
Behind it sat a woman with striking crimson hair.
The moment Kael entered the room, his senses instinctively swept over her.
His expression remained calm.
’Strong...’
No.
Strong wasn’t enough to describe it.
Although she wasn’t deliberately releasing her aura, merely existing within the room created a pressure unlike anything he had felt from an A-rank hunter.
There was no doubt.
She was an S-rank.
Which also meant, she was today’s examiner.
While Kael was quietly observing her, the woman turned her head toward the entrance.
The instant her eyes landed on him, they visibly brightened.
For a split second, Kael could have sworn stars flashed inside her crimson eyes.
The next moment, she shot to her feet with an excitement completely unlike what he expected from an examiner.
"Finally!"
"You’re here!"
Kael blinked before slightly furrowing his brows.
The excitement in her voice sounded like she recognized him, as though she had been waiting to meet an old acquaintance rather than someone she had never seen before.
"I’m sorry," Kael said calmly.
"But..."
"Have we met before?"
The red-haired woman shook her head.
"Not directly."
"But I know about you."
Seeing the confusion on Kael’s face, she immediately continued.
"The beast horde."
"I was originally assigned to lead the reinforcement team heading there."
"But by the time I arrived..."
"It was already over."
She folded her arms while smiling confidently.
"I became curious, so I looked into the reports."
"Imagine my surprise when I discovered the person responsible was supposedly an F-rank hunter."
She tapped the file resting on Ferris’ desk.
"I knew something didn’t add up."
"So..."
"You’ve been hiding your true rank this whole time, haven’t you?"
She smiled brightly, clearly pleased with the conclusion she had reached.
Kael looked at her for a moment before giving a small nod.
"I suppose you could say that."
Meanwhile, standing quietly at the side, Ferris felt his entire brain freeze.
’The beast horde...?’
His eyes slowly widened as realization dawned upon him.
’Wait...’
’He’s the one who dealt with that beast horde?’
He felt his thoughts explode.
Naturally, he knew about the incident.
In today’s era, large-scale beast hordes had become increasingly rare, so whenever one appeared, it immediately became major news.
The horde Kael had encountered was especially notorious due to its unusually high threat level.
The association had even mobilized S-rank reinforcements.
Yet before those reinforcements could arrive, it had already been resolved.
And now...
He had just learned the person responsible had been standing right beside him this entire time.
Ferris suddenly understood why headquarters had granted Kael VIP clearance without hesitation.
The Scarlet Fist, on the other hand, looked thoroughly satisfied.
"I knew it."
"I wasn’t wrong."
She cracked her knuckles before grinning.
"Well then."
"As your examiner, I’ll personally be assessing your combat ability."
"I hope you’re ready."
Kael met her gaze without hesitation.
"I’ve been looking forward to it."
The smile on the Scarlet Fist’s face immediately widened.
There was excitement in her eyes.
Pure excitement.
Ferris watched the two of them in silence before rubbing his temples.
’I thought Kael was a normal young genius...’
’Turns out he’s a battle maniac too.’
One battle-crazed monster was already enough to give him headaches.
Now there were two.
Letting out a helpless sigh, Ferris turned toward the door.
"This way."
"I’ll take both of you to the underground reinforced combat arena."
"Battles at this level are much safer there."
Both Kael and the Scarlet Fist nodded.
The Scarlet Fist stepped forward first, her grin never leaving her face.
"Perfect."
"Lead the way."