The chapter begins right after the intense Hunter Examination. The masked man leads the newly selected Hunters through the cold stone corridors of the Hunter Mansion—a towering structure where Hunters live, train, and receive missions.
One by one, the new Hunters are given their uniforms—rank-based, tailored to match their skill level. Kyron is soon informed that he'll be working in a trio… with Luca and Ali.
> Kyron (thinking):
This has to be a mistake… right?
Ali, ever so proud, grins. Luca just gives an awkward smile.
Regardless of how strange the trio felt, they had no time to waste. Before they could accept missions, they needed to train—to prepare for whatever Smilers they might face.
They chose a forest near the mansion and sat down to get to know each other first.
---
Ali stood up confidently and said,
> "I use the Bravery Emotion. I don't back down. The more pain I take, the stronger I get. Even if my body breaks, I'll keep swinging. That's how I crush Smilers."
He smirked proudly.
Luca, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, followed,
> "I use Anxiety Emotion... but I'm a bit of a coward. I don't win fights often. I've only unlocked one move, and the second one… yeah, never tried it."
Kyron smiled warmly:
> "That's still cool. You don't have to win to be brave. You tried, and that matters. I use Anger Emotion—Bird Style. I've unlocked three moves so far, and that's been enough to take down what I've faced."
Luca rolled his eyes playfully.
> "Easy for you to say. You hunted down a Beast Smiler that wiped out all of us 🙄."
Kyron replied, chuckling:
> "Hey, I trained hard to get there."
Ali cracked his knuckles.
> "Enough talk! I need to hunt one big-ass Smiler and push my rank. Let's train!"
---
Training Begins
They punched trees, swung wooden logs at each other to build endurance, and meditated for mental clarity. They practiced their Emotion Techniques with wooden swords and tested their speed and swordsmanship.
Hours passed in sweat, effort, and fire.
---
The Mission Board
Back at the mansion, they gathered around the Mission Board.
Ali scanned the board and pointed at the most dangerous-looking assignment.
> "This one! It gives the highest points."
Before anyone could object, he signed them up.
> Kyron: "Wait, did you even read it?"
Ali (grinning): "Nope. But big points, big wins."
The mission? To take down a Crystal Smiler—a being ranked above Beast Smilers—rumored to dwell in a cave near the Frozen Forest.
> Luca: "Is this our first mission… or our last?"
---
The Frozen Forest – Hours Later
Snow crunched beneath their feet. Luca trembled slightly, haunted by the memory of the blue Beast Smiler who tossed him like a ragdoll.
At the cave entrance, Ali charged forward with his sword.
> Kyron grabbed his shoulder:
"Wait! We need holy water in hand—just in case. It heals us during battle."
All three uncorked holy water bottles and gripped their katanas tightly.
Inside the cave, Kyron ignited his sword with his Anger Emotion, lighting the path. The deeper they walked, the more they noticed something…
The entire cavern was filled with glittering, colorful crystals—beautiful yet ominous.
Ali tapped one.
> "Pretty."
Luca joined in.
But Kyron's eyes widened in horror.
> "WAIT! The name of the Smiler—Crystal Smiler—GET DOWN!!"
> Luca and Ali: "Huh?"
Suddenly, the crystals shattered, and with a deafening roar, a monstrous figure burst through the wall of crystals. The Crystal Smiler had arrived.
Its back sprouted jagged, colorful crystals. Its grin stretched unnaturally wide, and its red and pink eyes shimmered with malice.
> Crystal Smiler:
"You accepted the invitation… to your own death."
---
The Battle Begins
Ali charged in without hesitation.
> "Finally, someone worthy to fight me!"
The Crystal Smiler was blindingly fast—but Ali kept pace. Until a crystal pillar exploded beneath him and sent him flying.
> Kyron: "FLAME RUUUUUUUSH!!"
He rocketed forward in a burst of fiery rage, but the Smiler blocked it effortlessly.
> "FLAME SLASH!!"
A wave of burning energy slashed across the Smiler's chest, making it stagger slightly.
Luca, heart pounding, finally stepped in.
> "Electric Falcon TACKLE!!"
A burst of static and speed as he struck the Smiler.
Ali, now back in action after sipping holy water, activated Bravery Emotion: Courage Boost. His strength surged far beyond his limits, muscles glowing faintly with golden intensity.
> Ali (gritting his teeth):
"This might break me... but I'm breaking him first!"
The trio fought together—flames, lightning, and brute force.
And finally—Ali's blade flashed through the air, slicing the Crystal Smiler's head off like it was made of butter.
> Ali (panting):
"Leave the crumbs for the weak."
---
Aftermath
Back at the mansion, they proudly submitted the Smiler's head to the receptionist. Mission complete. First blood.
And they were just getting started.