The morning air in the village felt colder than usual.
I was standing near the stable when Robert walked toward me with a serious expression.
"Kazu."
"Yeah?"
He crossed his arms and looked toward the village gate.
"The adventurer squad wants you to come with them today."
My eyebrows rose.
"Me?"
Robert sighed.
"They said they want to see your hunting skills."
I scratched my head.
"That sounds like trouble."
Robert nodded slowly.
"It probably is."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then Robert stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"Kazu… be careful around them."
I looked at him.
"What do you mean?"
Robert glanced toward the tavern where the adventurers usually stayed.
"They're strong."
"But strength doesn't always mean kindness."
I stayed silent.
Robert patted my shoulder.
"Just don't trust them too easily."
Before I could respond, a familiar voice shouted from the road.
"Hey!"
I turned around.
The adventurer squad was already waiting.
The leader, Darius, stood at the front with his sword resting on his shoulder.
Behind him were the other members.
Garrick, the tall brute who loved insulting people.
And Mira.
She gave me a small wave.
Darius smirked.
"So the village hunter finally showed up."
Robert frowned slightly.
"Don't push the kid too hard."
Darius laughed.
"If he can kill a disaster beast, he can handle a little hunting trip."
He turned and started walking.
"Move."
"We're heading into the forest."
---
The deeper we walked into the forest, the quieter everything became.
Darius suddenly stopped and raised his hand.
"Alright."
He looked at me.
"You know what we're hunting today?"
I shook my head.
He grinned.
"A **B-rank monster**."
My stomach tightened slightly.
Mira stepped closer to me.
"Don't worry."
She spoke quietly.
"We're not letting you die."
I forced a small smile.
"That's reassuring."
A loud rustling sound echoed through the trees.
Everyone immediately became alert.
Then something massive burst out from the bushes.
A gigantic boar.
Its body was covered in dark metal-like fur, and its massive tusks curved forward like blades.
Darius smiled.
"There it is."
"The **Ironfang Boar**."
The monster roared and slammed its hoof into the ground.
The impact shook the dirt beneath our feet.
Garrick cracked his knuckles.
"Finally something fun."
Darius pointed forward.
"Positions."
Garrick rushed from the left.
Another member circled behind the monster.
Darius charged straight ahead.
I stood there for a moment.
This was nothing like hunting small animals.
This was a real battle.
The boar suddenly charged.
Straight toward me.
"Oh shi—"
Before I could react, Mira grabbed my arm and pulled me sideways.
The boar crashed past us, smashing a tree trunk in half.
Mira sighed.
"You need to move faster."
"I noticed."
Darius jumped onto the monster's back and drove his sword down.
The blade barely pierced the thick fur.
"Damn it!"
The boar spun violently, throwing him off.
Garrick slammed his axe into the monster's leg.
The boar roared in pain.
I grabbed a fallen spear from the ground.
My hands were shaking.
But I couldn't just stand there.
I rushed forward.
The monster turned toward me.
Too late.
Its tusk slammed into my side and threw me across the ground.
The world spun.
Pain exploded through my ribs.
Before the monster could attack again—
A blade flashed.
Darius sliced across its neck.
Garrick followed with another heavy strike.
Mira raised her staff.
"Minor Heal!"
A faint green light surrounded my body.
The pain eased slightly.
I forced myself to stand again.
The fight continued for several more exhausting minutes.
Finally—
Darius drove his sword straight through the monster's eye.
The Ironfang Boar collapsed with a heavy crash.
For a moment, the forest was completely silent.
Then Garrick laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"That was a good hunt."
Darius wiped the blood from his blade.
Then he looked at me.
"You didn't die."
I gave a tired smile.
"That seems to be my special ability."
Mira laughed quietly.
"You did better than I expected."
I looked at the massive corpse on the ground.
A B-rank monster.
And somehow… we actually killed it.
Darius clapped his hands.
"Alright."
"Let's bring this back."
He looked at me again.
"Good work today, rookie."
For the first time since meeting them…
I felt like maybe I was finally starting to belong here.