After carefully checking the hunting jeep and confirming that everything was in order, Kaito turned toward the servant who had been standing nearby. "You don't need to assign a driver," he said calmly. "I'll drive it myself."
The servant looked a little surprised but nodded respectfully.
In this life, Kaito had never actually driven a vehicle, but he had experience from his previous life, and to him that was more than enough. Driving himself would not be a problem. Bringing along a driver, on the other hand, would only add an unnecessary burden to this hunting trip.
In fact, when he had first planned this excursion, Kaito had intended to go alone. He had wanted to head to Grey Stone Mountain by himself, deal with the matter that awaited him there, and return quietly. But after thinking about it more carefully, he decided to take Marcus, Elias, Calvin, and Lucas with him. Moving alone would seem suspicious, and the incident he wanted to prevent would look more natural if they all went together as they usually did. If the trip appeared to be a normal routine, no one would question it. And once the incident happened, Kaito would be there to resolve it immediately.
Originally, this trip had been scheduled later. Kaito had planned to wait until he was stronger before acting. But after practicing the Azure Thunder Meridian Art earlier that day, he had felt his strength rise to a new level. With his current ability, he believed he was already capable of handling what was to come. Waiting any longer would only waste precious time, and he could not afford that. He had only one month before other pressing matters would demand his full attention, and in that time, he needed to concentrate entirely on increasing his family's strength.
Resolved, Kaito climbed into the driver's seat of the hunting jeep.
Although he had experience from his past life, it had been a long time since he had last sat behind the steering wheel of a vehicle. Out of habit, he switched the jeep's controls to manual mode. A sleek steering wheel slid out smoothly from the dashboard, glowing faintly with indicators. He gripped it firmly, the familiarity returning with the touch.
His hand automatically moved toward the ignition point. He reached to press the start rune, the spirit rune interface that in his memory powered the vehicles. But then he froze. Almost instantly, he slapped his forehead with a rueful smile.
Of course this was not the time when spirit runes had become popular.
In his previous life, the discovery of countless ruins, including the treasures from the library ruins had transformed the world. With the surge of spiritual energy across the planet, spirit rune technology had spread into every corner of society. Vehicles, weapons, armor, tools and even the various day to day products, everything had evolved to integrate runes powered by spirit energy.
At that time, spirit-rune vehicles had also become the standard. Hunting jeeps came with defensive runes, offensive runes, and even other customized runes with specialized features depending on one's spending capacity. Some could cloak themselves with concealment runes. Others had enhancements that allowed even weak warriors to hunt rank 0 or even rank 1 monsters without fear with just these vehicles without getting out of it. As with powerful enough runes, the vehicle itself became a formidable weapon.
The price, of course, determined the grade. And the rune masters who crafted those products had become one of the most sought-after professions at that time.
Kaito remembered clearly the most powerful spirit rune master of his past life a Rank 7 master who had built an entire Platinum ranked power around himself, filled with disciples who were also rune masters. Eventually, after that, the man had even created the Spirit Rune Master Association, an organization where rune masters could register, take missions, and receive rewards. The association had become legendary because its greatest prize was the opportunity to be taught personally by the Rank 7 master himself, making those lesser ranked spirit rune masters fanatical about it.
Pulled briefly into those memories, Kaito almost felt as if he were living in that future again. But shaking his head, he returned to reality and looked down at the hunting jeep in front of him.
This was still the present, where spirit runes had not yet spread. The jeep in front of him was powered by traditional Federation technology so he should try to get used to it.
At that moment, the servant returned and respectfully handed him the control master key. Kaito accepted it with a nod. This key was the standard ignition tool for vehicles of this era. Inserting it into the slot, the jeep came alive with a hum. Lights glowed softly across the dashboard, and the vehicle lifted smoothly, hovering slightly above the ground on its repulsor drives.
Even though this was not a spirit rune vehicle, Kaito still felt excitement welling inside him. It had been so long since he last held a steering wheel. The vibration beneath his hands and the low, steady hum of the hover-jeep awakened long-forgotten feelings.
Just five minutes later, Marcus, Calvin, Lucas, and Elias arrived. Each of them was dressed in their training clothes, and each carried their preferred weapons.
Marcus strode forward first, holding his long black staff. He had always preferred fighting without technique, relying instead on sheer strength and aggression. Smashing enemies head-on with his staff gave him a sense of satisfaction nothing else could match.
Elias followed behind, his bow slung casually across his shoulder. He had always been fond of archery. Whenever he wasn't practicing martial arts, he could usually be found at the archery range in the ancestral estate, perfecting his aim.
Lucas and Calvin came last. Both were carrying swords nothing fancy, just the standard weapons of young swordsmen. Neither of them had developed a unique style. Their straightforward approach was plain but reliable.
After they all arrived, they stored their weapons in the equipment box mounted on the jeep. This storage case was designed to make travel more comfortable. Instead of carrying their weapons awkwardly while riding, they could keep them safe and secure inside the case. When they placed their swords inside, they even noticed Kaito's own sword already stored there, Lucas and Calvin checked it curiously for a while before cautiously placing it back, practicing with swords they also knew a little about them which made them realize that this was a Rank 1 sword something that they yearned.
Once everything was packed, the four cousins took their seats in the jeep.
But when they saw Kaito sitting in the driver's seat, their expressions immediately changed. Their eyes widened slightly, and disbelief filled their faces.
Elias was the first to voice what they were all thinking. "Brother Kaito, are you really going to drive this time? If so, can we take another vehicle? We'll follow you in a separate car."
His voice carried both surprise and a little fear.
Hearing this, Kaito laughed lightly. "Don't worry. I took driving lessons before in Silvercrest City."
But even after hearing that, their expressions did not relax. The disbelief remained written clearly on their faces.
They remembered something from their childhood all too well. Once, Kaito had insisted that he already knew how to drive. Confidently, he had gotten behind the wheel of a car at the estate's entrance. But before anyone could stop him, he had driven straight into the massive tree near the gate. The memory was still vivid for them, and it was hard to trust him now, no matter what he said.
Even as Kaito tried to reassure them, Marcus and the others were exchanging nervous looks. They were so unsettled that some of them even began preparing to get out of the jeep, thinking it would be safer to take another vehicle.
Kaito could only roll his eyes at their reaction. Without saying another word, he gripped the steering wheel, pressed down on the accelerator, and started the jeep. The vehicle glided forward smoothly. By acting before they could climb out, he gave them no choice but to stay seated.
The jeep hovered steadily as it carried them toward the estate's exit gate.