The Weakling Hunter


    The wind whipped through the streets as Beno, the *K-rank hunter*, cycled furiously down the cracked cobblestone road. His face was set in determination, sweat dripping from his forehead, despite the cool breeze. Pedaling faster, his breath came in sharp gasps. The world seemed to blur around him, people giving him strange, almost judgmental looks as he passed. He was used to it by now, the sneers and whispers behind his back. In this world, a K-rank hunter was little more than a joke—weak, pitiful, and often ridiculed.


    But he didn''t care. He had his goal, and he wouldn''t let anything stop him.


    As he neared the **E-rank gate**, his destination, his tired legs began to cramp. He slowed down, breathing heavily, but pushed forward, willing himself to make it.


    There, outside the gate, a small group of hunters had already gathered. The moment he arrived, they turned their eyes on him, the usual judgment and mockery evident in their gazes.


    **Hunter 1** (a middle-aged man with graying hair, wearing weathered armor):


    "Oh, you actually came, weakling." His voice was thick with contempt, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against a nearby stone wall.


    Beno came to a stop, wheeling his bike beside him, his chest heaving from exhaustion. "Yes, sir," he said, his tone weary but steady.


    Hunter 2 (a woman with fiery red hair and a sharp look in her eyes, dressed in a flowing magician''s robe):


    "Eww, you stink a lot," she sneered, waving her hand in front of her face dramatically. "Trash. Don''t you take a shower?" She gave him a disgusted look, not even attempting to hide her disdain.


    Hunter 3 (a young man with arrogance practically radiating from him, his F-rank badge hanging loosely from his shirt):


    "Sick bastard," he muttered, his tone dripping with disdain. "If we had just a little more money, we could''ve hired a better hunter than you."


    Hunter 1 (giving him a hard look):


    "At least he works harder than you. You''re just a brat who thinks talking big makes him strong." His voice was stern, but there was a flicker of something else—a strange respect for Beno, despite the obvious mockery.


    Beno stood there in silence, the weight of their words pressing down on him. He had heard it all before. Weakling, useless, pathetic—the insults came like clockwork. He didn''t flinch. He''d grown accustomed to it long ago.


    The group''s attention shifted as a new figure approached.


    Luna (the party leader, a D-rank hunter, known as the "Beauty Hunter" for her striking appearance and unmatched skill):


    She walked toward them with an air of quiet authority, her expression unreadable. Her long, yellowish hair flowed behind her like a shadow in the wind. Her presence instantly commanded attention, and even the most arrogant of hunters straightened at the sight of her.


    The other hunters fell silent, and Beno''s heart skipped a beat. He''d always admired Luna from afar—not just for her strength, but for her kindness, something so rare in a world dominated by power.


    She glanced at the group, her gaze softening when it landed on Beno.


    Luna. (her voice warm, though her tone still firm):


    "Are you okay?" She asked, her eyes gentle but sharp as she studied Beno''s exhausted state.


    Beno blinked, a little caught off guard. "Yes, I''m used to this." He gave her a small, appreciative smile, though it was clear how exhausted he was. He could feel the burning pain in his legs, but he wouldn''t show weakness now.


    The others exchanged glances, and a few whispers passed through the group.


    Hunter 1 (muttering to Hunter 2):


    "Why does she always favor him?" His voice was low, but loud enough for Beno to hear. "Does she like him? Or does she pity him?"


    Hunter 2 (rolling her eyes):


    "Who knows. Maybe she''s just bored with all the good hunters and needs a project." She scoffed, but there was a strange mixture of curiosity and suspicion in her voice.


    Luna ignored them, turning to face the group with a focused expression.


    Luna (her voice cool, yet commanding):


    "Focus, everyone. We''re here for one reason. The mission. We need to clear the dungeon, and we can''t afford to waste time on petty distractions." She glanced briefly at Beno before continuing. "Let''s get to work."


    The hunters reluctantly nodded, but Beno could feel the tension in the air. It was palpable. As they gathered their gear and prepared for the dungeon, one of the younger hunters muttered under his breath.


    **Hunter 3** (grumbling):


    "Yeah, we don''t want to waste our time on him either." His words were low, but Beno heard them, and they stung more than he cared to admit.


    Beno clenched his fists, taking a deep breath. He wanted to lash out, but he held it in. Luna had always protected him, and that was enough for now.


    He turned to her, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you, Luna. For always protecting me."


    Luna''s face turned pink, her expression flustered as she fumbled with her gear. Her voice dropped slightly, her usual composed demeanor faltering for just a moment. "It''s... It''s okay." She cleared her throat and quickly shifted her gaze away from him, her cheeks still flushed. "Okay, let''s go." She forced a soft smile, and then, almost to herself, she muttered, "I''ll always have your back."


    Beno blinked at her sudden shift in mood, unsure of what to make of it. *Why is she acting like this?* he thought. But before he could dwell on it, the party leader had already begun moving toward the dungeon entrance.


    System Popup:


    Dungeon E-rank start.


    The eerie silence of the dungeon greeted the team as they stepped inside, the cold stone walls stretching endlessly before them. The air was thick with dampness, and the smell of decay lingered in every corner. Beno carried the heavy load of their supplies, his legs burning with every step, but he didn''t complain. He couldn''t afford to. The others would only mock him more.


    The group moved cautiously through the dim-lit corridors, their footsteps echoing in the darkness.


    Beno''s fingers gripped the worn pages of a small pocket diary he always carried with him. Despite his K-rank status, he knew his weaknesses all too well—he wasn''t strong, not like the others. But there was one thing he could do: observe.


    He wrote down every movement, every shift in the goblins'' pattern as they crept through the shadows, hidden by the low lighting of the dungeon. His eyes darted between the creatures, noting their behavior, how they communicated in grunts and gestures. He''d make sure to remember this. One day, his knowledge might be his greatest weapon.


    Suddenly, Luna''s voice cut through the air like a blade.


    Luna (commanding):


    "Formation! Move out!"


    The party swiftly arranged themselves into a defensive formation, their hands tight on their weapons. Beno could see the precision with which they moved, the familiarity between them. In an instant, it was over.


    The goblins never stood a chance.


    The dungeon floor was littered with the bodies of the fallen goblins. Their blood stained the stone, darkening the floor as their lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling. The hunters stood tall, breathing lightly as if they hadn''t just faced a dozen enemies.


    Hunter 1 (grinning, wiping his blade):


    "Pathetic." He kicked a goblin''s body aside. "You trash, pick up all the valuable items. We need to submit this to Noak Guild." His voice was sharp, as though commanding the world.


    Beno''s legs trembled, his knees barely holding him upright after the tension of the fight. His hands were shaking as he gathered the loot, the weight of the equipment feeling unbearable. But he couldn''t stop now. If he didn''t contribute, the others would only ridicule him more.


    His heart raced as he scrambled to pick up the fallen goblins'' belongings. Every breath felt like a burden.


    Hunter 2 (scoffing):


    "Look at him. Can''t even handle a simple task. I swear, they let anyone into these guilds."


    Beno (forcing a smile, his voice quiet):


    "Yes, sir." His response was calm, despite the fear that gripped his chest.


    Hunter 3 (mockingly):


    "Good for you. You''re at least useful for picking up trash." He said, casting a glance toward Beno with a snide smirk.


    Luna (glancing at Beno, her voice soft but filled with concern):


    "Are you alright, Beno?"


    Beno gave her a nod, but his face betrayed the exhaustion weighing on him. He felt like a shell, his body on the verge of collapse. He quickly stood up and continued with the task, pretending to be fine. But Luna noticed.


    She clutched her hands together, the action betraying her usual calm demeanor. Her face flushed slightly, as if she wanted to say something but couldn''t.


    Luna (murmuring to herself, almost inaudible):


    "Take a break when we get to the Guild... you deserve it."


    Beno didn''t catch her words, but the thought of a break filled him with a fleeting sense of relief. He had no idea how much longer he could keep going at this pace.


    The team eventually made their way back to the guild, the weight of their mission settling on their shoulders. As they entered the bustling (Noak Guild), the familiar noise of hunters trading and discussing their latest victories filled the air. Beno felt out of place in this world, surrounded by people who towered over him in every way.


    He found a quiet corner and collapsed onto a nearby bench, his legs finally giving way. His eyes closed for just a moment as exhaustion took over him.


    But the peace was fleeting.


    Hunter 1 (from across the room, shouting):


    "Hey, you shitty head! Who said you could take a break? Go separate this loot and submit it to the reception desk." He waved a hand dismissively at Beno.


    Beno''s heart sank, but he forced a smile as he pushed himself off the bench, the tremors in his legs still lingering. "Yes, sir," he replied, trying to sound more confident than he felt.


    As he walked toward the reception, the Guild News TV hanging from the wall caught his eye. A live broadcast filled the screen, and the image of a young man appeared—Renzo Mark, a name that seemed to echo through the room like a drumbeat.


    The voice on the TV was lively, full of admiration:


    News Anchor (with excitement):


    "Breaking news! Renzo Mark, an S-rank hunter, the youngest to ever achieve such a rank, has been assigned the high-stakes mission to take care of the Violent Gate. This gate is infamous for its catastrophic power, capable of creating black holes, and has been deemed the most dangerous gate in existence. Renzo, at only 19 years old, is the one chosen to lead the operation. Let''s take a look at this prodigy in action!"


    The screen flashed images of Renzo Mark, a handsome young man with striking silver hair and piercing eyes, effortlessly slaying monstrous creatures in the midst of an intense battle. His presence alone seemed to command respect.


    Guild Hunters (cheering, clapping):


    "Yooyoy, Renzo!"


    "He''s a legend!"


    "Such power at his age!"


    The crowd in the guild erupted into cheers and applause, their admiration for the young S-rank hunter palpable. Beno stood frozen in place, staring at the screen.


    ---


    Scene 3: The Guild and the Uncomfortable Truth


    As Beno began to separate the loot in silence, his hands worked mechanically, ignoring the flashing images of Renzo Mark on the Guild News TV. He couldn''t afford to be distracted by the excitement around him. His job was simple: gather the loot and get it to the reception desk. His thoughts were elsewhere, buried under the weight of ridicule and exhaustion.


    On the TV screen, Renzo Mark''s confident face filled the screen again as the camera zoomed in on him. An interviewer, brimming with enthusiasm, stood beside him, holding a microphone. Renzo stood tall, his S-rank status making the world pause to listen.


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    Interviewer (eagerly):


    "Renzo, you''re leading a mission with three other S-rank hunters, and 117 others under your command. This is a high-stakes operation! How do you feel about the responsibility, and what should we expect from you in this all-out mission?"


    Renzo''s voice, calm and caring yet undeniably challenging, echoed through the guild.


    Renzo Mark (with a confident smile, his eyes glinting with intensity):


    "I know you''re watching this. I challenge you—be strong, catch me if you can." His voice rose with pride, daring anyone to doubt him.


    The guild erupted in a flurry of applause. Hunters around Beno started muttering, their voices filled with admiration and envy.


    Hunter 1 (smirking):


    "I want to be like him. He''s everything a hunter should be."


    Hunter 2 (with a wistful sigh):


    "Yeah... he''s got the strength, the charisma, everything. How do you even compete with that?"


    But amidst the noise, Hunter 3 ''s expression turned reflective, a sudden realization creeping across his face.


    Hunter 3 (remembering, with a hint of nostalgia):


    "Wait, Renzo had a brother, didn''t he? An older brother?"


    Guild Hunter (shrugging):


    "Yeah, but it''s been five years... I don''t even remember his name anymore."


    Hunter 3 (frowning):


    "No, no, wait... Beno Mark... isn''t that his name? Yeah, I think I saw some old articles about him."


    The name hit the room like a hammer. The murmur in the background grew louder as everyone turned to look at Beno.


    Beno (shifting uncomfortably, his face going pale):


    "Yes, you called me?"


    A heavy silence fell over the guild. The murmurs grew louder, louder than ever.


    Hunter 1 (snickering):


    "Wait... you''re *his* brother? The *Renzo Mark''s* brother?" His tone dripped with mockery, the words hanging in the air like a cruel joke.


    And then, as if on cue, the entire guild burst into laughter.


    Guild (in unison, mocking):


    "Hahahaha! Trash—you''re Renzo Mark''s brother?!"


    The sound echoed through the guild hall, every hunter around laughing and pointing at Beno.


    Hunter 2 (with a sneer):


    "Yeah right. There''s no way you''re related to an S-rank hunter. You''re more like a punching bag than anything else."


    Beno (forcing a pained smile, his voice low):


    "Well, he''s my younger brother."


    A wave of disbelief swept through the room.


    Hunter 3 (stunned):


    "No way... you''re telling me *Renzo Mark* has a older brother? Are you serious?"


    Hunter 1 (laughing hysterically):


    "Wait, wait! You''re his older brother? This is unbelievable. How could someone so... weak... be related to him?"


    The mockery didn''t stop. Beno could feel the eyes on him, the whispers growing louder, the judgment more cutting than ever. The laughter, the accusations, all gnawed at his spirit.


    Beno (looking down, his voice almost a whisper):


    "No... I''m not sure. Maybe I was adopted." His words hung in the air, hollow, as if trying to mask the pain behind them.


    But before anyone could respond, Luna suddenly slammed her hands onto a nearby table, the sound of the wood cracking under the pressure echoing through the hall.


    Luna (furious, her eyes blazing):


    "Enough!" Her voice was like a crack of thunder. "How dare you mock him like that!"


    She stormed toward Hunter 1 , grabbing him by the collar, her grip tightening as she raised her voice.


    Luna (shouting):


    "You think it''s funny? You think it''s funny to mock someone just because of their rank? You *will* respect him!"


    The room fell silent, all eyes now on Luna, who was shaking with rage. Her normally composed demeanor had shattered in an instant, her concern for Beno showing in the way her fists clenched around the collar of the mocking hunter.


    But just as the tension reached its peak, a calm voice rang out from across the room.


    Guild Master (with authority, stepping forward):


    "Enough, Luna. Step away."


    Luna hesitated, then reluctantly released the hunter''s collar, her face flushed with anger and frustration. She turned to the **Guild Master, her voice shaking.


    Luna (glaring):


    "He''s just a kid... how can they treat him like that?"


    Guild Master (softly, addressing Beno with a knowing look):


    "Beno Mark... how are you? Are you alright?"


    Beno (forcing a smile, his voice strained):


    "I''m fine, Guild Master."


    The Guild Master gave him a sympathetic look but didn''t press further.


    Guild Master (gently):


    "I heard about your brother. Is he doing well?"


    Beno (his face growing somber):


    "Yeah... he''s fine. We haven''t talked since he left home." His words came out heavy, the weight of them pressing down on his chest. He missed his brother. He missed him more than anyone could understand.


    The Guild Master nodded, his gaze thoughtful.


    Guild Master:


    "I see. Well, you look exhausted, Beno. Go home and rest. I''ll send your reward to your bank account." His voice was reassuring, like a distant reminder that, even if the world didn''t understand, someone still cared.


    Beno (nodding, trying to mask the weariness in his voice):


    "Thank you, Guild Master."


    As he turned to leave, Luna walked up to him, her steps slower this time, more measured. She stood in front of him, her expression softer now, though still filled with concern.


    Luna (hesitantly, her voice shaking slightly):


    "I... I''m sorry, Beno. I didn''t want them to... to hurt you."


    Beno gave her a painful smile, the kind that didn''t quite reach his eyes.


    Beno (with a quiet sigh):


    "It''s okay, Luna. I''m used to it." His words were hollow, but it was all he could say. *He was used to it, wasn''t he?


    Luna''s eyes welled up with tears, her hands trembling as she reached for his arm.


    Luna (tearing up):


    "No, it''s not okay. You deserve better than this."


    Beno looked at her, his heart aching for the girl who cared so much but couldn''t fix the world around them. He could only offer a small, bittersweet smile.


    Beno:


    "Thank you... Luna."


    He walked away, the weight of the guild''s judgment on his shoulders, his brother''s name echoing in his mind.


    Scence shift to Beno home


    The Weight of Dreams and Reality


    The moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft, silver glow over the city. Beneath its light, Beno Mark sat alone on the rooftop, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the night. The world below seemed far away, distant, like it didn''t matter anymore. His heart was heavy with thoughts of the past, memories of a time when life was simpler, when the world didn''t feel like it was closing in on him.


    His mind drifted back to the days when he was a boy, and his brother, Renzo, was always by his side. A time when their laughter filled the streets and their dreams were limitless. Renzo, always full of energy, would climb onto Beno''s shoulders, laughing, teasing him to run faster, to play harder. They would roam the town, carefree, as if the world had no worries.


    But that peace was shattered one fateful day.


    ---


    The memory replayed in Beno''s mind like a cruel film:


    Flashback:


    The sky turned dark as the Gate opened, and the monsters poured out—terrifying creatures, their eyes gleaming with hunger. Beno''s parents fought valiantly to protect their children, hiding Beno and Renzo under the bed, telling them to stay quiet, to stay hidden.


    Father (his voice strained with urgency):


    "Stay under here, no matter what happens. Do not come out."


    But it was too late. The monster found their parents. Beno''s heart pounded in his chest as he heard the screams. His parents'' final moments were filled with horror, but somehow, they shielded their sons from the worst. The monster didn''t find Beno or Renzo, but their parents were gone.


    ---


    After the incident, Beno and Renzo were forced to leave their old home. They sold it, bought a new one, and Beno worked every day—any job, any task, to provide for them. Renzo went to school, and despite everything, Beno never stopped caring for him.


    One day, Beno discovered that he was awakened—he had powers. He tried to pass the Guild test, but he failed. Again. And again. But he never gave up. Eventually, he became a Hunter, but his rank was K, the lowest possible, a mark of failure. Despite that, he was still happy. Renzo awakened not long after. He passed the test with ease, becoming a rising star. He was recruited by the prestigious Rose Guild, the top guild in Suzan. He earned a fortune, but for some reason, he never shared it with Beno. Beno never asked why. He didn''t need to.


    One day, Renzo left, leaving only a few words behind:


    Renzo''s note:


    "Big bro, forgive me. I deserve a better place because I''m strong. If you want to stay with me, be strong. Join me."


    And then, Renzo was gone.


    ---


    Now, Beno was 21, still holding on to his memories of his brother. Renzo had climbed the ranks, from **C** to **B** to **A**, and now, at just 19, he had reached **S** rank. And here was Beno, still stuck at the bottom, the weight of his brother''s success pressing down on him like an insurmountable wall. He was nothing compared to Renzo. He was nothing but a K-rank Hunter.


    The tears fell freely now, unbidden, as he sat on the rooftop, looking at the stars, his soul naked in the open night.


    Suddenly, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, still shaking, and his eyes widened as the breaking news flashed on the screen.


    ---


    News Anchor:


    "Breaking news, breaking news—All hunters have vanished.The Gate has closed, and 117 hunters, including *Renzo Mark and other S-rank hunters, are missing. The Gate has disappeared without a trace. We have lost contact with them. We fear the worst. More updates to come."


    ---


    Beno''s heart stopped. His vision blurred as the words sank in, the weight of them crushing him.


    Beno (his voice trembling with panic):


    "No... it''s not possible... my brother... my Renzo... he''s alive, right? He has to be... He has to be!"


    The world around him spun. The sky seemed to tilt, his body trembling violently as the cold, hard truth set in. He grabbed his head, his fingers digging into his hair in desperation, the panic rising in his chest.


    Suddenly, a figure appeared behind him. It was Luna, her expression filled with concern. She had been watching from a distance, her heart aching for Beno, knowing the weight of his pain.


    Luna (softly, her voice trembling with emotion):


    "Beno... it''s okay. It''s okay. Don''t worry, take it easy."


    But Beno couldn''t hear her. His mind was lost in a blur of thoughts, of images of his brother, of his broken dreams. He fell forward, his body crumbling to the ground.


    Beno (with a broken voice, gasping):


    "This can''t be happening... Luna, this... this must be a dream, right? You weren''t here when I was... you must not be real..." His words came out in a frantic rush, his grip on reality slipping further.


    Luna (sobbing, her arms wrapping around him):


    "Hold on, Beno... hold yourself together. Please... don''t do this."


    But Beno couldn''t hold on anymore. His body gave way to exhaustion and pain. His vision blurred, and his mind collapsed into darkness.


    ---


    Luna (desperately, calling his name as he fainted):


    "Beno! Beno Mark!"


    Her voice echoed in the silence of the night, but there was nothing more she could do. She held him close, tears falling as she tried to keep him from slipping further into his despair.


    ---


    And with that, Chapter 1 ended. The weight of the truth had shattered Beno''s world, and with Renzo gone, there was no telling what would come next. But one thing was clear: Beno''s journey was just beginning.