Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 514

Chapter 514 115.12 - First Mission

<Next Day, at dawn>

The dawn broke with a chilly wind that whispered through the empty streets of Veilcroft. The sky was a canvas of muted grays, the sun still hidden below the horizon, casting long shadows that clung to the city's walls like dark memories.

The streets were silent, more so than usual. Veilcroft had always been quiet at this hour, but today, the stillness felt different—oppressive, almost suffocating. The recent disturbances had driven people indoors, their fear and unease palpable even in the empty spaces they left behind.

I stood beside Warden Shanks, the only other figure in the vicinity. The chill didn't seem to bother him, his imposing form a stark contrast to the cold, quiet dawn. Indeed, it seemed that he was a man accustomed to this kind of tension, his expression set in a cold mask.

'As expected. Becoming a Warden would not be easy.'

While not at the level of Dakota, the strength that Shanks possessed should be similar. That is why a simple plan was devised, though simplicity didn't mean it was easy. It was straightforward because it was better that way.

Jim's team would enter the underground tunnels from one side, leading the initial assault, while Shanks and I would take a different route. Our goal was simple—reach the heart of this operation and dismantle it before it could cause any more damage while the others are causing disruption.

But in reality, Shanks and I were the primary force.

Jim should also have been capable, no doubt, but Shanks was on another level. The title of Warden wasn't just for show; it signified power, experience, and an ability to command the battlefield. And with me acting as the navigator, our duo was designed to cut straight to the core of the enemy's operation.

Why do we do this? This is because if we all enter from the same place, it will be harder to move, and we will be slowed. And if the first entering team is too weak, they can easily suspect that there is another squad here. In the end, neutralizing other threats is also important.

Shanks glanced at me, his eyes sharp and focused. "Ready?" he asked, his voice low and steady.

I nodded, feeling the familiar weight of my daggers at my sides. "Ready."

He didn't say anything more; he just gave a slight nod of approval. We both knew what was at stake, but there was no tension, no anxiety. I was calm—almost too calm, considering this was my first mission of this magnitude.

But I already knew how this would play out.

We stood there in silence for a few moments, waiting. The air was thick with anticipation, the dawn's chill still lingering around us.

I could hear the distant hum of the city waking up, but down here, it felt like we were in an entirely different world.

Finally, Shanks received the signal through his communicator. Jim's team had entered the tunnels from the southern side, just as planned. Shanks nodded to himself, then turned to me. "Let's go."

With that, we moved toward our entry point, located on the opposite side of the underground network from where Jim's team had entered.

It was a calculated decision—by entering from different directions, we could strike from multiple angles, making it harder for the enemy to anticipate our movements and mount a defense.

Our entry point was well-hidden, a narrow passage that led down into the earth, just like the one I had discovered two nights before. The shadows clung to the walls as we descended, the stone steps cold and damp beneath our feet.

I could feel the energy growing stronger the deeper we went, a pulsating rhythm that guided us forward.

As we reached the bottom of the staircase, the passage opened into a wide corridor, its walls lined with more of those strange symbols I had seen earlier. They glowed faintly in the dim light, casting eerie shadows across the floor. The air was heavy with the scent of Earth and something else.

'Blood.'

It was blood.

'As expected.'

Contrary to what one would think, this place did not have even an ounce of demonic energy. In fact, I was expecting a demon to be behind it at first, but that was no longer the case, as there were no traces of them.

The corridor ahead branched into several paths, each one disappearing into the darkness. Shanks paused beside me, his gaze sharp as he scanned the area. "Which way?" he asked, his voice low.

I didn't hesitate, pointing to the passage where I could see the strongest flow of energy. It was as if the very air was being drawn into that direction, converging on a central point deeper within the underground complex.

Shanks nodded, trusting my judgment. We moved forward, our steps silent as we advanced through the corridor. The atmosphere grew more oppressive with each step, the air heavy with anticipation.

As we rounded a corner, I felt it—movement in the shadows ahead. My [Eyes] picked up on the flow of mana, detecting the presence of both monsters and people. Their faces were obscured by masks, their postures tense and alert.

I quickly assessed their strength, noting the level of mana they emitted. They were strong, around intermediate rank-4 to high rank-4—a formidable force. It was clear they had been alerted, likely by Jim's assault on the other side.