Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 550

Chapter 550 123.4 - Rank-6 Gate

As the team settled down, the weight of exhaustion slowly giving way to a more relaxed atmosphere, the biting cold still lingered, but the break offered a much-needed reprieve. For a few moments, there was silence, with only the howling wind and the occasional crackle of ice breaking the stillness. Then, as they warmed their hands and rubbed their tired limbs, the conversation shifted to something lighter—dreams, goals, and the unexpected changes in their lives.

Dorian, as usual, was the first to break the silence, stretching his arms above his head with a yawn. "Man, it's been wild, hasn't it? A few months ago, we were just another team scraping through rank-5 dungeons, and now we're about to clear a rank-6 gate, with cameras following us around like we're celebrities."

Kurt nodded, a rare smile crossing his usually serious face. "Yeah, it's a bit surreal. I always knew I'd push myself to get stronger, but I didn't think we'd be getting this kind of recognition so soon. Feels like everything's happening fast."

Elena leaned against a large rock, her staff resting beside her. "We've earned it, though. We've worked hard, and we've grown a lot in a short time. The media attention is strange, but it's also a sign that we're on the right track. We're finally making a name for ourselves."

Lila, who had been quietly recharging her mana, nodded in agreement. "I never thought we'd be getting this kind of exposure so soon. I always wanted to be a successful Hunter, but I didn't expect it to feel like this."

Dorian smirked. "Yeah, fame's a funny thing. One day, you're just another guy swinging a sword, and the next, people are recognizing you in the street. But you know, I'm not complaining." He winked. "Who knows? Maybe it'll help me finally get a girlfriend."

Lila, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow at Dorian's comment. "A girlfriend, huh? I thought you had one when you first joined the team. What happened with that?"

Dorian chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, well, let's just say things didn't work out. She wasn't too thrilled about me constantly running off to fight monsters in dangerous dungeons. Can't blame her, though. It's not exactly a stable lifestyle."

Lila smiled faintly. "That makes sense. Being a Hunter isn't for everyone. It's hard to maintain relationships when you're constantly risking your life."

Dorian sighed dramatically. "Yeah, that's the problem. But still, I wouldn't trade this life for anything. We're chasing our dreams, pushing ourselves to be the best we can be. That's what it's all about, right?"

Kurt grunted in agreement. "That's the goal. We all want to reach our full potential. Becoming stronger, achieving our dreams as Hunters—that's why we're here."

Elena glanced at the others, her expression thoughtful. "For me, it's always been about proving myself. I want to be one of the best battlemages, to show that I can stand on my own in the Hunter world. Fame is nice, but it's not the end goal. Strength is."

Gareth, who had been sitting quietly, finally spoke up. "Same here. It's not just about fame or money. It's about pushing yourself to the limit, seeing how far you can go."

Lila nodded, her eyes distant for a moment as she reflected on her own journey. "I want to protect people. That's always been my goal. Becoming a successful Hunter is just part of that. If we can grow stronger, we can save more lives."

Dorian grinned. "Well, I'm all for saving lives, but I wouldn't mind a little romance along the way. Maybe once we clear a few more dungeons, I'll find someone who doesn't mind dating a guy who's constantly fighting off monsters."

The team chuckled at Dorian's comment, the air between them lightening as they relaxed, even if just for a moment. Lila shook her head, smiling softly. "Always chasing something, aren't you, Dorian?"

"Hey, I've got priorities," Dorian replied, winking playfully. "Saving lives is great and all, but a little romance never hurt anyone."

Kurt, who had been quietly watching the banter unfold, finally cracked a small grin. "You're not wrong. Life's short, especially for Hunters. Might as well enjoy it when you can."

The conversation flowed naturally, the team enjoying the brief reprieve. But after a while, the conversation turned quiet, and one by one, their gazes shifted to Astron, who had remained silent, standing guard and watching the frozen landscape with his usual calm demeanor.

Dorian, never one to let silence linger for too long, raised an eyebrow and smirked. "So, Astron, you've been pretty quiet. What about you? What's going on in that head of yours?"

Kurt leaned back, his arms crossed as he added, "Yeah, you're younger than most of us, but you've already got the skills of someone who's been in this for years. What do you think? About… everything, really."

Astron's gaze shifted from the horizon to the group, his expression unreadable for a moment. He hadn't expected the conversation to turn toward him, and the question wasn't immediately clear. Were they asking about relationships or being a Hunter? The two topics were so intertwined in their conversation that it left him momentarily unsure.

After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice as calm and measured as always. "What exactly are you asking?" he said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "Are we talking about relationships or the life of a Hunter?"