Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 519

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Chapter 519 117.1 - Second Mission

The night was quiet as I stepped out into the cool air, the city's lights casting a faint glow over the streets. Instead of heading toward the Warp Gate, which would have been the usual mode of transport for an operative on a mission, I made my way to the nearest station.

The choice of a speed train for this journey was deliberate—another layer of discretion in an already covert operation.

The station was nearly empty, the late hour ensuring that only a few travelers were about. I purchased my ticket and boarded the train, finding a seat near the back where I could observe a few other passengers.

The train hummed to life, and the soft vibrations of the engine beneath my feet were a constant reminder of the speed.

As the train sped through the night, the landscape outside the window blurred into a dark tapestry of shadows and distant lights.

I pulled out my smartwatch, intending to extract some details about the mission. But when I requested additional information, the response was immediate and firm:

"Request Denied. Mission details will be provided upon arrival. Maintain discretion and readiness."

I wasn't surprised. This mission was clearly designed to test my efficiency and adaptability. They wanted to see how I handled situations with minimal information, relying on my instincts and training to navigate the unknown.

With nothing more to do, I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes. My thoughts drifted back to the encounter with Varnis. The fight had been quick, brutal, and effective, but there were still areas I could improve upon. Every movement and every decision I made in that battle could be refined and perfected.

I began to replay the fight in my mind, visualizing each step and strike.

It was a habit I had developed—a way to dissect my actions, analyze my mistakes, and ensure that the next time I faced an opponent, I would be even more precise.

The memory of Varnis' desperate attacks, his use of forbidden techniques, and the final moments of his defeat played out in my mind's eye.

I analyzed the angles, the timing, and the subtle shifts in his stance that I could have exploited more efficiently.

Each replay brought new insights and new possibilities for improvement.

As the train sped on through the night, the rhythmic hum of the engine became a backdrop to my thoughts.

*******

Not long after, the train began to slow, signaling the approach of my destination. I opened my eyes, letting the memories of the fight with Varnis fade into the background as I focused on the task ahead. The mission was waiting, and there was no room for distractions.

*******

The train pulled into the station, its lights cutting through the early morning fog that hung low over the tracks. I stood, grabbed my small bag, and made my way to the exit. The city was quiet at this hour, the streets lit only by the occasional streetlamp casting long shadows across the pavement.

I stepped off the train and into Riko City; the air was crisp and cool against my skin.

The city itself was a mix of old and new, with towering skyscrapers casting their reflection onto the older, more worn buildings that lined the streets below.

'Though, this city seems to be more developed than Veilcroft.' From the map on my smartwatch, I could see that [Shange Town] was my true destination. It was a small, slightly desolate town located in the east-southern part of the Federation, closer to the border.

The train didn't go directly there, likely due to the town's remote location, so I'd have to make my way from here.

Without wasting any time, I started walking through the darkened streets. The city was still asleep; the only sounds were the occasional hum of a distant car or the rustle of leaves in the early morning breeze. As I walked, I flagged down a passing cab, the driver's eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror as I settled into the back seat.

"Where to?" the driver asked, his voice rough from what I assumed was a long night.

"Shange Town," I replied, watching his reaction closely.

The driver gave a slight nod, not questioning the destination but clearly noting the unusual request.

"It is my hometown."

"Ah…..Returning to home…..you must be an academy student."

"You are sharp."

"It is my line of work."

"I see."

The driver seemed to relax slightly after I mentioned Shange Town was my hometown. He eased the cab into motion, the quiet hum of the engine filling the silence as we began our journey out of the city.

"I had been away for four years. I really missed my home."

"So, four years, huh?" the driver said, glancing at me through the rearview mirror as we drove along the darkened road. "That's a long time to be away from home."

"Yeah," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "A lot can change in four years."

The driver nodded thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the road. "That's true. Shange Town's a quiet place, though. Not much changes there—at least, not usually."

I picked up on the slight hesitation in his voice, sensing an opportunity to steer the conversation further. "Not usually? Has something been going on recently?"

The driver hesitated for a moment, his expression tightening as if he were weighing whether to speak freely. Finally, he sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You could say that. It's been quiet, like always, but…"

"But?"

"Recently, a plague has been polluting that town." The driver's voice dropped to a near whisper as if even mentioning it might bring misfortune.

"Plague?" I echoed, feigning surprise and concern. "What kind of plague?"

The driver shook his head, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on the road ahead. "It's not a disease, at least not one that affects people directly. It's the land—the crops, specifically. The harvests aren't as good as they used to be. You see, most of the people in Shange Town rely on agriculture to get by. We've got a special kind of fruit that grows well there, the [Moon berry]."