X The Hunter – Episode 4: "The Class-A Beast"
Cold Open — Dragon's Challenge
Previously on X The Hunter…
Flashes of Xavier's recent victories flickered in quick succession:
His desperate first kill in the subway tunnels.
The rooftop battle alongside rival Kai.
The storm-lit clash with the Class-B Storm Serpent and the birth of Volt Breaker.
Three straight wins — Level 1 to Level 5 in record time.
And then… the shadow.
The cloaked Hunter's cold voice echoed:
"Bring me the Level 5 boy."
The screen faded to a night sky under a blood-red moon.
On a towering skyscraper, the cloaked Hunter rested a gloved hand on the snout of the Sky Tyrant Dragon. Its scales shimmered like molten gold, and its burning yellow eyes reflected hunger.
"Send in the Warlord Beast," the cloaked Hunter said quietly. "Let's see if the boy survives."
Act 1 — Guild Emergency
The Guild Hall erupted in chaos. Sirens screamed as red holographic maps blinked with urgent warnings. In the center, a massive mana signature pulsed like a heartbeat over the financial district.
Guild Master: "All available Hunters, mobilize! This is no drill!"
The hall's heavy atmosphere cracked with tension.
Kai grinned like a predator. "Finally… a real fight."
Xavier tightened his grip on his blade. "If I beat this thing," he muttered under his breath, "I'll close the gap."
Act 2 — Arrival of the Warlord
The city streets were warzones — cars flattened under collapsed concrete, the smell of smoke and ozone filling the air.
Through the dust emerged the Warlord Beast. Ten feet tall, its obsidian-plated armor gleamed under the storm clouds. In its hands, it gripped a jagged greatsword carved from the bone of some ancient monster.
The HUD in Xavier's visor flared red:
Threat Level: 25
Lightning split the sky behind the beast as it roared, shaking nearby glass to powder.
Kai didn't wait. He charged in with a battle cry, blades flashing — but the Warlord swung its monstrous sword once, swatting him aside like an insect. Kai's body crashed into a wall, leaving a deep crater in the concrete.
Act 3 — Shōnen Power Surge
Xavier sprinted in, blade clashing against the Warlord's weapon in a shower of sparks. The impact rattled his bones.
Beast Sense kicked in — weak points flickered across the Warlord's body, but they changed constantly with its shifting stance. Every second, new openings appeared… and vanished.
The Warlord slammed its weapon into the street, sending Xavier flying into the asphalt hard enough to leave a crater. His HUD flashed violently:
HP: 20%
He coughed, blood on his lip. Too strong… I can't match this head-on.
Then, his mentor's voice echoed in memory:
"When brute force fails, change the rules."
Xavier gritted his teeth, channeling everything into his Hunter's Core. Volt Breaker's energy surged — but this time, he forced more power through it, doubling the charge despite the risk.
Electricity whipped around his body in violent arcs. His vision tinted blue.
"Hunter Technique—" he roared,
"Volt Breaker: Overdrive!"
Act 4 — Victory & Rank Up
In a blur, Xavier moved faster than the beast could track. He ran up the Warlord's arm, every slash of his blade detonating with bursts of electricity that shattered armor plates.
The Warlord bellowed, staggering as its obsidian protection was torn apart piece by piece.
With a final leap, Xavier landed on its back and drove his blade straight into its heart. A blinding explosion of light erupted outward, rattling the entire district.
When the smoke cleared, the beast's remains crumbled into glowing shards.
His HUD erupted in brilliant flashes:
LEVEL UP! 5 → 7
New Technique Unlocked: Volt Breaker — Overdrive (Lv.1)
Kai, groaning from the rubble, smirked faintly. "You… insane maniac."
Xavier grinned. "And still alive."
Ending Cliffhanger
The ground trembled again.
From the settling dust, a shadow blotted out the city lights. The Sky Tyrant Dragon descended, each wingbeat toppling skyscrapers as if they were toys.
Beside its massive claw, the cloaked Hunter stepped forward, eyes glowing beneath his hood.
Cloaked Hunter: "My turn."
Xavier tightened his grip on his blade, electricity still crackling faintly around him. His eyes locked on the dragon.
Xavier: "Then let's hunt."