The fire crackled softly, casting warm orange light across the clearing. Smoke curled lazily into the night sky, mingling with the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. Hunnt leaned back on a fallen log, Pyro perched comfortably on his shoulder, tail flicking with the firelight reflecting in his small, determined eyes. Kael sat on the boulder opposite them, his bowgun resting across his knees, face illuminated by the flickering flames. The silence stretched long, thick with unspoken words.
Finally, Hunnt broke it. "So… you knew my parents?" His voice was quiet, tentative, almost afraid of the answer.
Kael's eyes met his, a shadow of sadness briefly crossing his features. "Yes," he replied, tone low. "Why didn't your grandparents tell you who they were?"
Hunnt nodded. "They… they did, in part. But only pieces. Little glimpses about them. I only knew that they were hunters… that's all. Nothing else." He sighed, staring into the fire.
Kael's gaze softened. "They must have hidden it away… because of what happened to you."
Hunnt's brow furrowed slightly. "What… what happened?"
Kael paused, watching the flames dance across Hunnt's face. Then he asked gently, "How old are you now?"
"Eighteen," Hunnt answered, voice firm.
Kael's eyes darkened, reflective. "It's been that long, huh… The last time I saw you, you were only three years old. And… you collapsed after that." He shook his head slowly, silence returning like a heavy blanket.
The forest held its breath with them. Only the fire's crackle dared to break the quiet. Kael finally shifted slightly, breaking the tension with a question that had been lingering in his mind. "So… about fighting—why the gauntlets? Why fist style instead of a weapon?"
Hunnt looked down at his hands, resting them on his knees. "Because… when I use other weapons, I get this… lingering feeling. Strange, uncomfortable. With the fists, it feels natural."
Kael nodded slowly, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Huh… I see. That must be because your mind still remembers. When we fought that monster, our weapons… they weren't working at all. It's like… the monster ignored them. No injuries. Your fists—it reacted to you, not the weapon. That must be it…" His eyes twinkled with a mix of curiosity and excitement, the old researcher glinting through. "Hmmm… "
Hunnt arched an eyebrow. "You… look like you know a lot about these things."
Kael chuckled, leaning back, arms crossed. "Well, right now I'm not just a hunter. I'm also a monster ecology researcher. Did this… because of that monster," he said with a laugh, eyes flicking toward the dark forest.
Hunnt's curiosity piqued. "The monster… what's its name?"
Kael's expression hardened immediately. "No. Not yet. It's not safe for you to know."
Hunnt frowned. "But—"
Kael's voice cut sharply through the air. "No buts, Hunnt. You're still young. Let me handle that monster for now. Focus on getting stronger, surviving, learning, high rank perhaps. Maybe one day… when you're ready, I'll tell you its name."
Hunnt blushed faintly, embarrassed. "Ah… about that…"
Kael tilted his head, confused. "About what?"
"I'm not affiliated with the guild," Hunnt admitted quietly. "I… I decided to be a wandering hunter."
Kael froze, eyes wide, jaw dropping slightly. "WHAT?!" His voice rose in a mixture of shock and disbelief. "You… you hunt monsters without the guild knowing? Do you even understand what could happen to you if they found out?"
Hunnt shrugged, a small, confident smile tugging at his lips. "They denied me entry. Said I was too old."
Kael's eyebrows shot up. "Too old? What do you mean?"
Hunnt's smile widened. "They said… I'm already too old at eighteen to join the guild. That's why I left."
Kael's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. Mouth agape, he practically shouted into the night. "YOU'RE SAYING… THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME LEAVING THE VILLAGE?!"
Hunnt laughed softly, shaking his head. Pyro joined in, chirping gleefully, tail flicking in amusement. The sound of laughter cut through the tension, the first lightness in the night since their hunt began.
Kael ran a hand through his hair, still in shock. "You… you've been hunting… monsters… alone? Without any guild support, without anyone knowing?!"
Hunnt leaned forward slightly, eyes glinting in the firelight. "Yes. I want to learn, survive, and grow at my own pace. I want to rely on myself first."
Kael finally let out a long, breathless chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hah… this… this is incredible. You're fearless, but reckless at the same time. I can't believe it. Eighteen years… and your first step outside the village… hunting monsters on your own. I…" His voice trailed off, leaving the weight of awe and disbelief hanging over the campfire.
Hunnt leaned back again, eyes on the flames, Pyro snuggled into his shoulder. "I've learned enough from my grandparents… now I need to see for myself. And maybe, one day, I'll understand why my parents… why they didn't get to see me grow up."
Kael's eyes softened. "I think… they'd be proud of you. Hunnt. You're not just surviving—you're learning, adapting, and taking risks most hunters twice your age wouldn't dare."
Hunnt gave a small, modest shrug. "I just… do what I feel is right. And… I guess I'm glad I met you. You… remind me of them in a way."
Kael's lips twitched into a small, wistful smile. "Yeah… reminds me too." He leaned back on the boulder, staring at the stars above. "But mark my words, Hunnt… the forest is full of things you can't see coming. The monsters, the guild… the past. You need to get stronger, smarter, faster. Then… then I'll tell you everything about that monster."
Hunnt nodded quietly. "I will. I'll get stronger… and I'll be ready."
Kael shook his head again, chuckling softly. "Good. I like your confidence, kid. But don't get cocky. And for the record… this little wandering hunter thing? Not many can pull it off. You're special. Don't waste it."
Hunnt smirked faintly, Pyro chirping in agreement. "I won't."
For a long while, the campfire crackled in comfortable silence, the three of them sitting together—one recalling the past, one learning about it, and one small companion observing the world with unwavering loyalty. Trust, respect, and newfound revelations lingered in the air, like embers of a fire refusing to die out.
The night stretched on, but the bond between them had already begun to solidify.