《F Rank Hunter But A SSS Fisher》


 Whats The Catch?

    ¡°This year¡¯s winner of the Annual Fishers Salmon Tournament is Yuki!¡± The host announces, pointing directly at me. The crowd bursts into applause, their eyes shifting to me as they eagerly await my reaction.


    I stand up, brushing the dust off my jeans, and make my way to the podium. With each step, camera flashes go off in rapid succession, capturing every moment. As I glance up, I spot her ¡ª Ms. Akira. She¡¯s standing off to the side, her presence almost imposing. An S-Class Hunter and the Guild Master of the prestigious Luna Guild. What¡¯s she doing here? My mind races with curiosity, but I push the thought aside for the moment.


    I reach the podium, giving the crowd a wave before speaking into the microphone. ¡°I¡¯d like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career. As many of you know, I¡¯m a world-class fisherman. I travel the globe, collecting fish, monsters, and food, all while competing in tournaments. Without your support, none of this would be possible. It¡¯s because of you all that I¡¯m able to continue doing what I love ¡ª searching for new and exotic fish to catch, and of course, to taste.¡±


    I pause for a moment, pulling out a Caiman Crocodile Card from my pocket, its edges slightly worn from years of handling. The crowd murmurs in recognition. ¡°While I may be a F-Rank Hunter,¡± I continue with a grin, ¡°I¡¯m an SSS-Rank Fisherman.¡± I gesture toward the massive pile of freshly caught Atlantic Salmon on display, its shimmering scales reflecting the light. ¡°It¡¯s a privilege to have been part of this tournament. This is what I do. And I¡¯m proud of it.¡±


    The cameras continue to click as the crowd erupts in applause once again. I give a modest bow and step away from the podium, my heart still racing from the excitement. My prize ¡ª 15,000 Yen ¡ª is handed to me, and I make my way down the aisle, still basking in the glory of the win. But then, I notice Ms. Akira moving toward me.


    ¡°Fisherman Yuki,¡± she calls, her voice calm yet firm, instantly grabbing my attention.


    I stop, surprised to hear her address me by name. ¡°Yes, Ms. Akira?¡± I ask, trying to mask the surprise in my tone. She¡¯s one of the most renowned Hunters in Japan ¡ª why would she be looking for me?


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    ¡°We¡¯d like to recruit you to the Luna Guild,¡± she says, her expression unreadable. ¡°But there¡¯s something we need to discuss in more¡­ private quarters.¡± She glances around at the crowd, the murmurs of curiosity echoing in the air as onlookers try to understand what¡¯s unfolding.


    I blink, caught off guard by her words. ¡°Wait, what?¡± My voice rises in disbelief. ¡°Recruit me? To the Luna Guild? You do realize I¡¯m only an F-Rank Hunter, right?¡± I ask, struggling to comprehend the offer. The Luna Guild is one of the top guilds in Japan, known for its elite members and powerful Hunters. I¡¯m barely scraping by as an F-Rank ¡ª there¡¯s no way they¡¯re interested in me.


    ¡°There¡¯s more to it than that,¡± Ms. Akira responds, her voice taking on a more serious tone. ¡°We can explain everything in detail, but we¡¯ll need to speak in private. There are matters you¡¯ll need to understand before you can make an informed decision.¡±


    I hesitate, a frown forming on my face as I consider her words. What could possibly require a F-Rank like me? I can''t shake the feeling that something major is at play here. ¡°Alright¡­ I¡¯m listening,¡± I say, trying to keep my voice steady, though I can¡¯t hide my confusion.


    Ms. Akira leads me to a black car waiting by the lake¡¯s edge. The engine purrs as she opens the passenger side door for me, allowing me to climb in before she walks around and slips into the driver''s seat. The car pulls away, leaving the tournament grounds behind us.


    The landscape blurs past, and for a few moments, I lose myself in the scenery. But soon enough, Ms. Akira speaks again, breaking the silence.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re wondering why we want to recruit you,¡± she says, her eyes on the road ahead. ¡°You¡¯re aware, I¡¯m sure, that the dungeons opened up about a year ago, and with them, the emergence of Hunters¡ªpeople who¡¯ve gained powers to clear dungeons and capture escaped monsters. But there¡¯s something we never anticipated. Sea monsters.¡±


    I blink, my curiosity piqued. ¡°Sea monsters?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Until recently, the focus of most Hunters has been on land and air-based dungeons and monsters. But now, rumors are swirling that the Ichthyes have appeared off the coast of Syria. You¡¯ve heard of them, I assume?¡± she asks, glancing at me briefly before returning her attention to the road.


    ¡°The Ichthyes¡­¡± I mutter, piecing it together. ¡°They¡¯re the twin fish from Greek mythology ¡ª said to have rescued Aphrodite and Eros from Typhoeus, and helped Aphrodite rise from the ocean¡¯s foam.¡± I pause, the weight of the implications settling in. ¡°If what you¡¯re saying is true, this could mean the appearance of other mythical creatures as well¡­ gods, perhaps?¡± My voice drops lower as I consider the gravity of the situation.


    Ms. Akira nods, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. ¡°Exactly. And who better to catch mythical fish than you?¡±


    I blink in surprise at her words, and for a moment, everything goes silent as the implications of her statement settle over me. It¡¯s not just about fish anymore. If this is true, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. But what¡¯s the catch?

 Liability

    We sat in silence as I processed Ms. Akira''s words, my gaze fixed on the scenery passing by outside the car window. The countryside blurred into the edges of the city, a transition I barely noticed. The weight of her offer hung heavily in the air. Why would a guild like Luna, renowned for its elite Hunters, want someone like me¡ªan F-Class Hunter with little more than a reputation for fishing?


    The car hummed steadily along the road, the soft sound of the engine filling the quiet. Every so often, Ms. Akira would glance at me, her expression unreadable, but I didn''t dare ask any more questions just yet. I needed time to think.


    After a while, the city gave way to an industrial district. The buildings grew taller, more imposing, and the streets less familiar. Eventually, we reached the edge of the district, where the Luna Guild''s headquarters loomed ahead¡ªa massive, sleek structure that stood in stark contrast to the surrounding buildings. It had the look of a fortress, and it made me feel incredibly small as we pulled up in front of its grand entrance.


    The car came to a stop, and Ms. Akira stepped out before walking around to open my door. I hesitated for a moment, still trying to process everything she had said about the Ichthyes and the mission to Syria. But I followed her, stepping out onto the pavement and looking up at the towering building.


    Inside, the Guild headquarters felt like a world apart. We walked through the grand double doors and into the lobby, which was vast and elegant. The high ceilings stretched above us, with polished marble floors reflecting the soft glow of hanging lights. The reception area stood at the far end, and on either side of the desk, glass spiral staircases led up to the second floor.


    There were a few Hunters and civilians scattered around the lobby¡ªsome chatting quietly, others on their phones, likely waiting for meetings. But all their conversations fell silent as Ms. Akira and I passed. Her presence commanded attention, and I couldn''t shake the feeling that I was far out of my depth.


    We moved toward the staircase on the left side of the reception desk, and as we got closer, the receptionist looked up, her gaze immediately drawn to me.


    ¡°A new recruit?¡± she asked, her voice full of curiosity. She eyed me, clearly trying to gauge what was going on. "I¡¯ve never seen Ms. Akira scout someone herself before. He must be important."


    ¡°Yes. We¡¯ll work out some details and send him with us to Syria for the Ichthyes mission,¡± Ms. Akira replied without missing a beat, her voice calm and detached. ¡°It¡¯ll be a test to see if he can adapt and cooperate with the guild.¡±


    I followed her, bowing slightly to the receptionist as I hurried to catch up with Ms. Akira, who had already begun ascending the stairs.


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    ¡°The Ichthyes mission and a new recruit Ms. Akira scouted personally?¡± The receptionist muttered to herself, clearly intrigued by the situation. Her eyes followed us as we moved past.


    "Sorry about Sora," Ms. Akira said over her shoulder, her tone a bit apologetic. "She¡¯s a very talented receptionist, but she¡¯s curious... a bit too much for her own good sometimes."


    "No worries," I said, feeling a little awkward as I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn¡¯t find Sora rude¡ªjust a bit too interested in what was happening.


    We climbed the glass spiral staircase in silence. Each step felt heavier, as though I were walking further into something far bigger than I could grasp.


    At the top of the stairs, Ms. Akira led me down a long corridor, the walls adorned with portraits of renowned Hunters and framed accolades of the guild¡¯s many triumphs. We finally reached a large, oak door. Ms. Akira pushed it open, and we entered a spacious office, the floor-to-ceiling windows offering a sweeping view of the city skyline.


    The room was minimalist but elegant, with a large wooden desk at the center. Behind it, a tall, imposing figure sat¡ªKazuto, one of the guild¡¯s most trusted S-Class Hunters. His cold, calculating gaze locked onto me as I entered.


    ¡°Ms. Akira,¡± Kazuto said smoothly, his voice laced with authority, "We have a problem."


    Ms. Akira didn''t look up from the map she was unfolding on the desk. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Kazuto didn¡¯t mince words. "The reports from Syria are not what we expected. There¡¯s something else¡ªsomething we hadn¡¯t anticipated." He paused, his eyes narrowing on me, sizing me up. "I trust you¡¯ve brought someone capable?"


    Ms. Akira didn¡¯t flinch. ¡°He¡¯s capable. That¡¯s why he¡¯s coming with us.¡±


    Kazuto¡¯s sharp gaze flicked toward me, his brow furrowing as if something didn¡¯t sit right. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice growing colder. "What exactly qualifies this... F-Rank fisherman for such a mission?"


    The tension in the room was instant, and my heart skipped a beat. F-Rank. He¡¯d noticed.


    I stood tall, trying to mask my surprise. "I may be F-Rank," I said, my voice steady, "but I¡¯m no rookie when it comes to fishing. I can handle myself."


    Kazuto didn¡¯t seem impressed. ¡°F-Rank?¡± he repeated, his tone dripping with skepticism. ¡°And Ms. Akira wants to send him to Syria with us, on an S-Class mission?¡± He glanced at Ms. Akira, his voice carrying a note of disbelief. ¡°I¡¯ve worked with seasoned Hunters on high-risk assignments before. I¡¯m not sure this... recruit fits the profile.¡±


    Ms. Akira¡¯s eyes flicked up from the map, locking with Kazuto¡¯s. "He¡¯s here because he¡¯s different. We¡¯ve had our eyes on him for a while. I trust him."


    Kazuto''s expression darkened. "Trust him?" he asked, his voice sharp with frustration. "With all due respect, Ms. Akira, F-Ranks like him barely make it through a simple dungeon raid, let alone something as dangerous as this. He¡¯s a liability."


    I felt the sting of his words, but I refused to let them show. "I¡¯m not here to be your liability," I said firmly, meeting Kazuto¡¯s gaze with determination. "I¡¯ll prove I¡¯m more than just an F-Rank."


    Kazuto eyed me for a long moment, the silence between us thick with tension. Then, with a cold smirk, he finally spoke. "We¡¯ll see about that." He turned to Ms. Akira. ¡°I¡¯ll work with him, but don¡¯t expect miracles. If he can¡¯t keep up, we leave him behind. Simple as that.¡±


    Ms. Akira gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. ¡°Understood.¡±


    The tension didn¡¯t lift as Kazuto walked out of the room, leaving me and Ms. Akira alone. I could still feel the weight of his words pressing down on me. I knew I had to prove myself, but the thought of being seen as a liability¡ªespecially by someone as powerful as Kazuto¡ªstung.


    Ms. Akira turned to face me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about Kazuto,¡± she said, her voice calm. ¡°He¡¯s just protective of the team. He¡¯ll come around.¡±


    I nodded, but doubt still lingered in my chest. What if I couldn¡¯t keep up? What if my F-Rank status was more than just a number¡ªit was a wall I couldn¡¯t climb?


    Before I could voice my concerns, Ms. Akira spoke again. "We leave for Syria tomorrow. Pack your things. You¡¯re coming with us."


    And just like that, the reality of what I was about to do hit me again. This wasn¡¯t just some fishing expedition anymore. The guild had entrusted me with something far bigger than I could have ever imagined.


    And would I be able to meet their expectations? Or be a liability?

 Leviathan

    I look at the map on the desk and point to the Euphrates River running through Syria.


    ¡°The Ichthyes are considered freshwater fish, but they helped Aphrodite form from ocean foam. The only salty water that leads to the ocean near the region and matches the mythology is the Persian Gulf. However, there are only a couple of freshwater sources that flow into the Persian Gulf. One of the most common and well-known is the Euphrates River. If the rumors in Syria are true, I think they originated from fishers at the Euphrates River and spread from there,¡± I say, looking at Ms. Akira.


    Ms. Akira¡¯s eyes narrow slightly as she processes the information. Her bright white hair falls over her shoulder as she leans forward, her hand resting thoughtfully under her chin. The soft hum of the projector fills the room, casting a bluish glow across her sharp, calculating expression.


    ¡°Interesting,¡± she finally says, her voice low. ¡°I knew your knowledge as a fisherman and a retired history professor would come in handy.¡± A small, fleeting smile touches her lips, but it¡¯s gone almost as soon as it appears. ¡°You might have saved us some time and put us ahead of the other guilds. Most of the other guilds are heading toward the Mediterranean Sea,¡± she adds, glancing back at the map.


    I feel a small sense of satisfaction at that. Ms. Akira wasn¡¯t one to hand out praise lightly, and being able to give the guild a strategic advantage meant that my research hadn¡¯t been for nothing. Still, that satisfaction is quickly overshadowed by the weight of what this could mean. The Ichthyes were not just creatures of legend ¡ª their appearance often signified something much larger at play.


    ¡°However,¡± Ms. Akira continues, her tone hardening, ¡°just like Kazuto said, there have been reports of something dark lurking in the Mediterranean Sea. Do you know what it might be?¡± Her gaze sharpens, pinning me in place.


    I take a breath, piecing together the fragments of history and myth that have been swirling in my head for days.


    ¡°If we''re talking about mythical creatures, it¡¯s most likely Leviathan,¡± I say slowly. ¡°A water dragon that God defeated in Christian texts. In Greek mythology, it was called Typhon ¡ª a monstrous serpent-like creature that even the gods feared. According to the myths, Typhon was the creature that the Ichthyes helped Aphrodite and Eros escape from when they jumped into the river.¡±


    Ms. Akira¡¯s expression darkens. ¡°A water dragon? And one powerful enough that it was sealed by the gods?¡±


    I nod. ¡°Yes. It was sealed away on Mount Etna, and it¡¯s said to be the source of some volcanic eruptions, according to Greek mythology.¡± I pause, feeling the weight of the revelation settle heavily in my chest. ¡°If Leviathan is stirring¡­ it¡¯s not just the Mediterranean that¡¯s in danger.¡±


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    Ms. Akira stands, crossing her arms as she begins to pace in front of the desk. The sound of her heels clicking against the marble floor echoes through the room.


    ¡°This changes things,¡± she says. ¡°This mission was classified as an S-Rank, but if what you¡¯re saying is true, it might be upgraded to an SSS-Rank mission.¡± Her lips press into a thin line. ¡°An ancient water dragon stirring beneath the Mediterranean¡­ that¡¯s not just dangerous ¡ª that¡¯s catastrophic.¡±


    My mind races as I consider the implications. Leviathan was a force of chaos, capable of reshaping the seas and the land itself. If it truly was awakening, then it wouldn¡¯t stop with the Mediterranean. Ocean currents would shift, tsunamis would follow, and coastlines would be swallowed whole. Entire cities could disappear overnight.


    ¡°We know how it was defeated, though,¡± I say, forcing my voice to remain steady. ¡°If we have someone who can use strong electric attacks ¡ª like lightning ¡ª we might have a chance.¡±


    Ms. Akira¡¯s gaze sharpens. ¡°You¡¯re talking about Kazuto.¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    Kazuto was one of the strongest electric-type fighters in the guild ¡ª maybe the strongest. His control over lightning was unmatched, but even he had his limits. If Leviathan had regained its full strength, Kazuto¡¯s lightning might not be enough.


    ¡°Still,¡± I add, ¡°if Leviathan is stirring, we need to figure out why. It¡¯s been sealed for centuries ¡ª why now?¡±


    Ms. Akira stops pacing and turns toward the map. Her eyes narrow as she scans the Mediterranean coastline. ¡°What¡¯s changed?¡±


    I step toward the map and study the region more closely. The Mediterranean Sea had been relatively stable for centuries. Aside from minor natural disasters and the occasional magical disturbance, there hadn¡¯t been any signs of such large-scale activity ¡ª until now.


    ¡°Perhaps someone is trying to wake it,¡± I suggest.


    Ms. Akira¡¯s eyes darken. ¡°If that¡¯s true, then this is no longer just a hunting mission. This is a containment mission.¡±


    ¡°And if we fail?¡± I ask.


    Ms. Akira meets my gaze. ¡°Then we better not fail.¡±


    I let out a slow breath, the tension in my chest coiling tighter. ¡°If the rumors about the Ichthyes are true, then there¡¯s a chance they might lead us to Leviathan¡¯s resting place.¡±


    Ms. Akira nods. ¡°We¡¯ll need to move fast. If the other guilds are already focused on the Mediterranean, they could interfere. Or worse ¡ª they could wake it up before we get there.¡±


    ¡°If Leviathan wakes up, the Mediterranean isn¡¯t the only place that will suffer,¡± I say quietly. ¡°Its influence could spread through the ocean currents ¡ª even as far as the Atlantic.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not all,¡± Ms. Akira says, her voice lowering. ¡°If Leviathan truly awakens, it will throw the entire magical balance of the world into chaos.¡±


    Silence stretches between us, heavy and oppressive. The hum of the projector seems louder now, vibrating beneath my feet.


    ¡°Then we stop it,¡± I say finally.


    Ms. Akira¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°Are you ready for that?¡±


    I hesitate, the weight of the question settling in my chest. This wasn¡¯t just about securing a mythical creature ¡ª it was about facing something that could rival the gods themselves. But I had faced impossible odds before.


    ¡°I¡¯ll need Kazuto,¡± I say. ¡°And anyone else we can spare.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll put a team together,¡± Ms. Akira says. ¡°But this mission just became top priority. If we¡¯re going after Leviathan, we need to be prepared for the worst.¡±


    I nod, feeling the tension in my shoulders harden into resolve. ¡°Then let¡¯s get to work.¡±


    Ms. Akira¡¯s expression hardens. ¡°We leave at dawn.¡±


    As she strides toward the door, I remain at the map, my gaze lingering on the dark expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. Somewhere beneath those waters, something ancient and powerful was stirring ¡ª something older than gods and far more dangerous.


    And soon, we would be face-to-face with it.