Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

The night was quiet as I stepped out into the cool air, the city's lights casting a faint glow over the streets. Instead of heading toward the Warp Gate, which would have been the usual mode of transport for an operative on a mission, I made my way to the nearest station.

The choice of a speed train for this journey was deliberate—another layer of discretion in an already covert operation.

The station was nearly empty, the late hour ensuring that only a few travelers were about. I purchased my ticket and boarded the train, finding a seat near the back where I could observe a few other passengers.

The train hummed to life, and the soft vibrations of the engine beneath my feet were a constant reminder of the speed.

As the train sped through the night, the landscape outside the window blurred into a dark tapestry of shadows and distant lights.

I pulled out my smartwatch, intending to extract some details about the mission. But when I requested additional information, the response was immediate and firm:

"Request Denied. Mission details will be provided upon arrival. Maintain discretion and readiness."

I wasn't surprised. This mission was clearly designed to test my efficiency and adaptability. They wanted to see how I handled situations with minimal information, relying on my instincts and training to navigate the unknown.

With nothing more to do, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes. My thoughts drifted back to the encounter with Varnis. The fight had been quick, brutal, and effective, but there were still areas I could improve upon. Every movement and every decision I made in that battle could be refined and perfected.

It was a habit I had developed—a way to dissect my actions, analyze my mistakes, and ensure that the next time I faced an opponent, I would be even more precise.

The memory of Varnis' desperate attacks, his use of forbidden techniques, and the final moments of his defeat played out in my mind's eye.

I analyzed the angles, the timing, and the subtle shifts in his stance that I could have exploited more efficiently.

Each replay brought new insights and new possibilities for improvement.

As the train sped on through the night, the rhythmic hum of the engine became a backdrop to my thoughts.

*******

Not long after, the train began to slow, signaling the approach of my destination. I opened my eyes, letting the memories of the fight with Varnis fade into the background as I focused on the task ahead. The mission was waiting, and there was no room for distractions.

*******

Not long after, the train began to slow, signaling the approach of my destination. I opened my eyes, letting the memories of the fight with Varnis fade into the background as I focused on the task ahead. The mission was waiting, and there was no room for distractions.

The train pulled into the station, its lights cutting through the early morning fog that hung low over the tracks. I stood, grabbed my small bag, and made my way to the exit. The city was quiet at this hour, the streets lit only by the occasional streetlamp casting long shadows across the pavement.

I stepped off the train and into Riko City; the air was crisp and cool against my skin.

The city itself was a mix of old and new, with towering skyscrapers casting their reflection onto the older, more worn buildings that lined the streets below.

'Though, this city seems to be more developed than Veilcroft.' From the map on my smartwatch, I could see that [Shange Town] was my true destination. It was a small, slightly desolate town located in the east-southern part of the Federation, closer to the border.

The train didn't go directly there, likely due to the town's remote location, so I'd have to make my way from here.

Without wasting any time, I started walking through the darkened streets. The city was still asleep; the only sounds were the occasional hum of a distant car or the rustle of leaves in the early morning breeze. As I walked, I flagged down a passing cab, the driver's eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror as I settled into the back seat.

"Where to?" the driver asked, his voice rough from what I assumed was a long night.

"Shange Town," I replied, watching his reaction closely.

The driver gave a slight nod, not questioning the destination but clearly noting the unusual request.

"It is my hometown."

"Ah…..Returning to home…..you must be an academy student."

"You are sharp."

"It is my line of work."

"I see."

The driver seemed to relax slightly after I mentioned Shange Town was my hometown. He eased the cab into motion, the quiet hum of the engine filling the silence as we began our journey out of the city.

"I had been away for four years. I really missed my home."

"So, four years, huh?" the driver said, glancing at me through the rearview mirror as we drove along the darkened road. "That's a long time to be away from home."

"Yeah," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "A lot can change in four years."

The driver nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the road. "That's true. Shange Town's a quiet place, though. Not much changes there—at least, not usually."

I picked up on the slight hesitation in his voice, sensing an opportunity to steer the conversation further. "Not usually? Has something been going on recently?"

The driver hesitated for a moment, his expression tightening as if he were weighing whether to speak freely. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You could say that. It's been quiet, like always, but…"

"But?"

"Recently, a plague has been polluting that town." The driver's voice dropped to a near whisper as if even mentioning it might bring misfortune.

"Plague?" I echoed, feigning surprise and concern. "What kind of plague?"

The driver shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on the road ahead. "It's not a disease, at least not one that affects people directly. It's the land—the crops, specifically. The harvests aren't as good as they used to be. You see, most of the people in Shange Town rely on agriculture to get by. We've got a special kind of fruit that grows well there, the [Moon berry]."

"Moonberries?" I repeated, the name ringing a faint bell. I had heard of them before—a rare fruit known for its unique properties, often used in both cuisine and certain medicinal concoctions.

"Yeah, Moonberries," the driver confirmed. "They're the town's pride and joy, really. But lately, the harvest's been off. The berries are coming in smaller and less vibrant. Some of them don't even ripen properly. And that's not the worst of it."

"What else is happening?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

The driver sighed again, his face a mixture of frustration and concern. "Some of the fields have started to rot like the soil's gone bad overnight. It's like there's something in the ground poisoning it. The farmers have tried everything they can think of, but nothing's working. They're losing hope, and if the Moonberry crop fails… well, it'll be the end for a lot of folks in Shange Town."

"Sounds serious," I said, keeping my tone sympathetic. "Any idea what's causing it?"

"Not really," the driver admitted, shaking his head. "Some folks think it's just bad luck, or maybe the weather's changing. Others whisper about curses or old spirits being disturbed. But there's no proof, and without a clear cause, no one knows how to stop it."

The mention of curses and spirits made me wonder if there might be something more to this than just a simple agricultural problem. Shange Town was remote, and small towns like these often had their own folklore and superstitions. But sometimes, there was truth buried in those old tales.

"Has anyone from outside come to investigate?" I asked.

"Not yet," the driver replied. "The town's pretty isolated, and with everything going on in the Federation, we're low on the priority list. But if things don't turn around soon, they'll have no choice but to ask for help. The whole town's livelihood depends on those berries."

I nodded, making a mental note.

As we continued our journey, the town grew closer, the first hints of daylight casting long shadows over the quiet landscape.

The once distant cluster of buildings was now within reach, and I could see the fields surrounding the town—fields that should have been lush and green, but even from a distance, I could tell something was wrong.

Well, at least, I needed to act like something was wrong, just to show that I was a townsfolk before.

"This…."

"Yeah….It is pretty bad, isn't it?"

"It was vibrant."

The driver pulled up to the town's edge, slowing the car to a stop. "Here we are," he said, turning to look at me. "Shange Town. I hope things aren't as bad as they seem, but… well, you can see for yourself."

I nodded, stepping out of the car and onto the rough dirt road. "Thanks for the ride," I said, handing him the fare. "I'll see what I can do while I'm here."

"Good luck," the driver replied, his tone earnest. And then he left.

As soon as the driver left and the dust settled from the cab's departure, my smartwatch buzzed softly, signaling an incoming message. I glanced down, my eyes scanning the screen as the mission details appeared.

The message was brief, as expected:

MISSION UPDATE

Objective: Meet with the Mayor of Shange Town. He has been informed of your arrival.

Instructions: Introduce yourself as Astron Natusalune. The Mayor will provide further details on the situation.

There wasn't much to go on, but that was typical for missions like this—need-to-know basis until you were on the ground.

I tucked the smartwatch away and took a moment to survey my surroundings. The town was quiet, with only a few people out and about, their faces drawn with worry.

The fields, once thriving with the renowned Moonberries, now looked sickly and forlorn, the plants struggling to survive in the poisoned soil. Whatever was causing this, it wasn't just a natural occurrence.

'It seems the Major has some connections in the organization. Or, the organization might own this place….'

Considering that they did not want to waste much resources, that could be the case. After all, even such an organization can't function without money or resources like this.

I began walking toward the center of town, where the Mayor's office was likely located. The buildings here were old, some even historic, their stone walls and wooden beams telling tales of a time when the town had flourished.

I walked up to the entrance and knocked on the door, the sound echoing in the still morning air. A moment later, the door creaked open, and a man in his late fifties, with graying hair and a weary expression, stood before me.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his tone cautious.

I met his gaze steadily, keeping my voice calm but firm. "I'm Astron Natusalune. I've been sent to assist with the situation here. I believe the Mayor is expecting me."

The man's eyes widened slightly at the mention of my name, and he quickly stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter. "Yes, of course. The Mayor has been awaiting your arrival. Please, come in."

I stepped into the building, the interior dimly lit but well-maintained. The man led me through a narrow hallway and into a small office, where the Mayor sat behind a cluttered desk, papers and maps were strewn about.

The Mayor looked up as we entered, his eyes filled with a mix of relief and apprehension. He was a tall, slender man with sharp features, his hair neatly combed back despite the stress evident in his expression.

However, upon seeing me, his face betrayed his emotions as he showed a little bit of disappointment.

The Mayor's eyes narrowed slightly as he took in my appearance, his initial relief giving way to a more scrutinizing look. He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands on the desk as if trying to gauge whether I was really who I claimed to be.

"Are you really sent by 'them'?" he asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

I met his gaze steadily, understanding the weight of his question. "Yes," I replied, my voice calm and confident. "I'm Astron Natusalune, and I was sent by the organization to assist with the situation here."

The Mayor studied me for a moment longer, his eyes searching for any sign of deception. After what felt like a tense eternity, he finally exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly.

"I see…" he murmured, though the disappointment still lingered in his expression. "Forgive my reaction, Mr. Natusalune. It's just… I was expecting someone a bit more, well… seasoned."

It was understandable. The situation in Shange Town sounded dire, and my appearance—young and unassuming—probably didn't inspire the confidence he was hoping for. This wasn't the first time I'd faced such skepticism, and it wouldn't be the last.

But at the same time, understanding did not mean I should look over this matter.

"I suggest you keep your expectations to yourself. Judging someone just by their age can be detrimental if you might not know."

It was a short threat, but a threat nonetheless.

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