The driver-less busses came to a halt in front of a pair of large iron double gates, a concrete pathway surrounded by greenery and the sounds of nature led to a massive dome-like structure in the middle.
"Alright! Listen up kids!"
Deung Mal-chin's voice came through the intercom inside of the bus, calm and gentle as ever.
"You can go ahead and explore, you'll be handed a few manuals so read them if you want, and no fighting with other students. Good luck."
Sae Jaehyun was sitting besides Ji Won—the latter sitting with his eyes closed, the hood of his hoodie set over his face.
"Oi, idiot. Wake up. What are ya doing?"
Ji Won didn't reply immediately, instead he took in a deep breath—before instantly pushing Sae Jaehyun out of his seat.
"I was trying to sleep asshole."
Sae Jaehyun blew a raspberry, getting up from the ground and dusting himself off. Annoyed at Ji Won—but also a bit entertained.
"Well, lets get off. Our bus is empty anyway... Barely anyone came for some reason."
Ji Won let out a loud—uncouth yawn. Rising from his seat, joints cracking and creaking like he was an old man.
"Yeah yeah.."
They both got down from the bus, the vehicle driving itself away—leaving them and the club leaders standing in front of the gate of the Hunters Ground.
"Sae Jaehyun."
Someone called out from behind and when Sae Jaehyun turned around to face who it was—an excited smirk spread across his face.
"Oh? The kid I knocked out?"
The Archer Club leader stood before him, a hardened expression on his face. Showing no emotion—but Sae Jaehyun knew he was thinking about revenge or at least. A rematch.
"You defeated me the last time—you won't win this time,"
Sae Jaehyun put his hands inside of his pockets, tilting his head from one side to another before letting out a small chortle.
This kid was determined like no other even after getting thrown around like a ragdoll by the senior.
"Tell me your name first. And we can't fight here. Wait until the tournament, its tomorrow after all."
The archer who was basically just a few inches away from Sae Jaehyung glared at the latter's word, before reluctantly calming down. Taking a step back,
"Byeon Min-ki. Call me whatever you want.."
Ji Won was standing a bit away from the action, instead—looking up at the gates.
"Hey. Sooyin, that was your name right?"
Soo-jin was startled—she was texting someone on her phone, almost dropping it.
"Oh.. Soo-jin. That's my name.."
Ji Won hummed, approaching Soo-jin with his hands inside his pockets, stopping a few feet away.
"Well, do you know what the Hunter Ground is in the first place?"
Soo-jin pocketed her phone, fiddling with a loose thread on her coat. Not looking at Ji Won.
"Well, the best way to sum it up is basically that a hunter can upload their techniques and skills—and anyone with a similar class can just try to copy. Also, it can create simulations for people to analyze and strategize."
Ji Won chuckled—looking up at the sky as he thought of someone that would really take advantage of this area.
"Yoosung would get high of this place.. Damn copying machine.."
Soo-jin stood awkwardly before Ji Won, eyes unable to peel away from the ground. Indifferent to her shyness—Ji Won walked away. Pushing open the gates with a small creak.
"Alright.. Lets head in I guess."
As they all silently traversed the pathway—they noticed that the weather was getting worse and worse, rain getting heavier and more stormy by the second.
"What the hell? Why won't this pathway end? The Hunter Ground seems to be even farther away."
Ryong Il grunted in frustration—putting his coat over his head, using it as a makeshift umbrella in hopes of keeping himself dry.
"Well.. I've got a rough idea.."
Pan Sooyun looked behind them all—a man in an all black tracksuit, looking more like a normal teenager instead of a feared hunter and teacher.
"Who the hell is that Sooyun?"
Ji Won took off his suit's jacket, throwing it onto the ground before he unbuttoned the buttons of his cuff, rolling them up to his sleeves.
"Um.. Isn't that Sir Dae-sik? Doesn't he teach the third years?"
Han Dae-sik was untouched by the rain, it seemed to be avoiding him completely. His black hair was slicked back messily—a pair of sunglasses worn over his eyes.
"So, these are the kids of the Eighteenth generation? Don't seem that impressive, I guess it'll be quick..."
Sae Jaehyun stepped forward, calm and nonchalant as ever—but his eyes flickered with a rare sense of unease.
"Sir.. I thought no one was going to accompany us students? Why are you here."
Han Dae-sik pulled out a cigarette from his back pocket, the tip instantly igniting seemingly on its own.
"Well, right now. I'm operating as a Hunter, not as your teacher... Because I was told your head was getting too big, I think we need to deflate it a bit shall we?"
Ji Won ran a hand through his hair, standing in front of Soo-jin, calmly gazing at Han Dae-sik.
"Oh? I see.."
He mumbled under his breath, taking off a silver necklace and crushing it in his hand—the pattern of the curse reappearing on his hand, now having evolved—going up to his elbow now.
He remembered what was said to him by Byeon Kyung-mi, the old woman that was in charge of creating artifacts for the students and teachers. In order to prevent mishaps.
"Young man, most blood elves curses are easy to deal with—but this one has hate like no other stored inside, it emits Chaotic Mana like one would expect from an SS-rank curse. I've managed to create a few necklaces in order to contain it for now.."
Byeon Kyung-mi spoke to him through a curtain but it was evident that she was disturbed by Ji Won's curse. But it didn't matter—he was growing faster because of it.
Han Dae-sik looked at the curse pattern. A frown on his face. Not only was he surprised he was strangely annoyed
"A cursed child.. You siblings really are strange, one is chasing perfection and has failed—and one is cursed. Cursed hunters are the least fun to fight.."
Han Dae-sik took a puff from his cigarette—finishing it in one breath, tossing the butt away into a trash can off in the distance.
"Now.."
He trailed off—eyes roaming across each of their faces. A sadistically excited grin plastered across his face as he opened his arms up. An invitation for them to attack.
"Begin!"