The forest had long gone quiet.
Only the dragging sound of something heavy echoed behind them.
Kai and Ren walked slowly, their steps uneven, bodies aching with every movement.
Behind them—
The corpse of the cursed wolf carved a trail through the dirt.
Proof of survival.
"…We look like we lost," Kai muttered.
Ren glanced at him. "…Speak for yourself."
"…You're literally limping."
"…Strategically walking," Ren corrected.
Kai let out a tired breath. "…Right."
The guild building came into view.
Relief hit instantly.
They stepped inside—
And everything stopped.
Hunters turned.
Staff froze.
Eyes locked onto the wolf.
"…That's a cursed wolf…"
"…No way…"
"…Those two?"
Kai sighed under his breath. "…Here we go again."
Ren smirked. "…Try not to pass out."
"…I'm fine."
"…You were not fine five minutes ago."
"…That doesn't count."
They reached the counter.
The staff stared.
"…Y-you completed the mission?"
Ren dropped the wolf.
THUD.
"…What do you think?"
Moments later—
An official arrived.
Calm. Sharp eyes.
He inspected the wolf carefully.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
His expression changed.
"…This is a mid-level F-rank beast."
He turned toward them.
"…Explain something to me."
Pause.
"…How did two beginners complete this?"
Kai froze.
Ren answered instantly.
"…Teamwork. And bad decisions."
Kai coughed. "…That's not—"
The official narrowed his eyes.
"…Be serious."
Kai scratched his head awkwardly.
"…We adapted during the fight…"
The official stared.
"…Or got lucky?"
Kai hesitated.
"…A bit of both?"
Ren snorted quietly. "…Mostly luck."
Kai shot him a look. "…You were there too!"
"…Exactly," Ren said calmly. "…which is why I'm surprised you're still alive."
A few hunters nearby laughed.
Kai coughed again, slightly embarrassed.
"…Can we just get paid?"
The official exhaled.
"…Fine."
He straightened.
"…For your knowledge—F-rank missions are divided into three stages:"
Low → basic threats
Mid → requires coordination
High → dangerous for beginners
"…You completed a mid-level hunt."
Kai's expression stiffened slightly.
So we really almost died…
The official continued:
"…You are now officially registered as—"
"…F-rank hunters."
Murmurs spread.
"…That fast?"
"…No way…"
Ren smirked faintly. "…Expected."
Kai let out a slow breath.
"…We actually did it…"
Then—
The official tapped something on his device.
"…Your reward has been processed."
Ding.
Kai's phone vibrated.
He blinked.
"…Huh?"
Ren checked his too.
Another ding.
Kai pulled out his phone—
Screen lighting up.
[Guild Transfer Notification]
+₦85,000 credited
Source: Hunter Guild – F-Rank Mission Reward
Kai stared.
"…Wait…"
"…That's real money."
Ren glanced at his own screen.
"…Same amount."
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
"…We got paid… for almost dying."
Ren shrugged. "…Sounds fair."
Kai laughed weakly. "…I'm not complaining."
Ren smirked. "…Don't spend it all on food.
"…I won't."
"…You will."
"…Okay maybe a little."
The official spoke again:
"…Your current level is still at the bottom of F-rank."
Kai nodded.
That made sense.
They barely survived.
Ren, however, smirked.
"…For now."
The official didn't respond—but watched them more carefully now.
Outside—
Kai exhaled deeply.
"…That was… a lot."
Ren stretched slightly. "…You didn't die. That's a win."
"…Barely."
"…Still counts."
Later…
The door opened.
"…I'm back."
Footsteps rushed forward.
"Kai?!"
His mother stopped when she saw him.
"…What happened to you?"
Kai scratched his head.
"…Training… went a bit far."
She sighed, worried.
"…You look exhausted."
"…I am."
He dropped onto a chair.
For the first time—
He relaxed.
"…But I'm okay."
She studied him, then nodded.
"…Good."
That Night
Kai lay on his bed, phone in hand.
He opened the notification again.
₦85,000.
His first earning.
A small smile formed.
Then—
His eyes shifted.
Another thought.
School…
He hadn't gone in days.
Things would be different now.
Very different.
He locked his phone, placing it beside him.
"…Yeah…"
A faint smirk formed.
"…This is going to be interesting."
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