Desert Hunter.
A hunter, yet not an ordinary hunter.
Specifically refers to those "hunters capable of hunting Desolate Beasts."
In this world where Fire Mages are revered, civilians are deemed lowly, their status dismal.
Though Desert Hunters can't compare to mages, they're far better off than civilians, whose lives often hang by a thread.
Especially the top-tier Desert Hunters, even mages treat them with respect.
Because no matter how strong a Fire Mage is, close combat remains an unavoidable weakness for them. Rather than being enemies with top-level Desert Hunters and risking assassination, it is wiser to befriend them, sign cooperation contracts, and let them be the mage's guard.
Ivan was such a powerful Desert Hunter who once served as a mage's guard.
Once.
Later, due to certain reasons, his lungs were burned, and the mage who employed him unilaterally terminated the contract.
Like hunters no longer needing a toothless hunting dog.
In this Flame Realm, severe lung burns are incurable.
Even the lowest level Fire Mage can damage a person's lungs beyond repair.
The lowest level of lung damage, yet even the most advanced Fire Mages might not cure it!
They care about damage, not healing, such arbitrary dominance.
"Is this the place?"
Andrew had already reached the outskirts of Wildfire Town.
Here, there were no paved streets; only gravel underfoot. The buildings were almost nonexistent.
Ivan lived in this area, a classic figure in isolation.
Andrew could understand this.
A powerful Desert Hunter, once worth befriending for any mage, reduced to painfully waiting to die due to burned lungs.
This must be extremely painful mentally, becoming melancholic and isolated is normal.
If not for "Water Spirit Technique," perhaps I would experience this dual physical and mental torment?
Thinking this while walking, as he reached the black tent covered with animal skin where Ivan lived, Andrew paused.
Just saw Sofia emerging tiredly from the tent, her face still flushed and slightly panting.
Seeing Andrew at the moment, Sofia was stunned and then terrified, saying, "Andrew, why... why are you here?"
Her gaze instinctively turned to look behind Andrew.
Andrew sighed, thinking there's no such thing as "being nice to me and Mom for no reason" in this world.
Little Sophie only knew her mother traded for food, not knowing what she traded.
Feeling a bit reflective yet outwardly appearing normal, Andrew said, "Don't worry, Sophie didn't come with me. I won't say anything to her."
Sofia visibly relaxed, but remained cautious: "You... you won't say? Then what do you want?"
Andrew shrugged helplessly, "When I ran out of the fire carrying little Sophie, did I ask for anything..."
Sofia then realized, the young man before her was dying, and it was for saving her daughter that he found himself in such a plight.
Thinking further about old mage Hubert's seven-day prophecy, Sofia felt more ashamed about her earlier caution and suspicion.
She gritted her teeth and said, "I won't wait for you to mention conditions. How about this, before you die, I can accompany you once... hmm, make it three times. But no more than that."
Andrew: "..."
Finally understanding where that strange thought process of little Sophie came from.
Simultaneously, he gained direct insight into the world: besides the privileged group of Fire Mages, ordinary civilians really live tough lives here.
The home had just burned down, the daughter nearly perished in flames, yet the pragmatic Sofia couldn't dwell in sorrow and anger, fighting desperately for survival.
Instead of responding to Sofia's words, Andrew softened his tone, saying with a smile, "Well... I need to discuss something with Uncle Ivan, can we talk alone? Little Sophie is alone at the temporary camp, it would be best to hurry back to her."
The latter half of the sentence proved very effective.
Sofia hastily grabbed the food she traded and headed to the temporary camp, uneasy leaving her daughter there alone.
Andrew watched her back, impulsively adding, "You're a good mother."
Sofia's body quivered, turning back to see the youth already lifting the tent flap and walking into Ivan's black tent.
Like her daughter, little Sophie, Sofia too felt Andrew seemed different than before.
But her thoughts were quickly dominated by worries about her daughter alone at the temporary camp, she shook her head and left quickly.
As for Andrew, the moment he stepped into the tent, he froze.
Because a dagger was pressed against his neck.
Opposite him, Ivan held the knife, shirtless, wearing only pants.
A man of massive build, yet pallid complexion.
He grinned at Andrew, saying between coughs, "What were you and Sofia mumbling about outside my tent?
Wow, she actually offered to accompany you three times for free?
Tsk tsk, Sofia's a good woman, why didn't you accept her offer?"
Speaking thus, Ivan disdainfully examined the much frailer Andrew, sneering, "Also, not everyone can just waltz into my tent. You barging in here... well, fine! But don't think about leaving tonight!"
Even as he spoke, lightly coughing, the dagger in his hand never wavered.
Andrew didn't move either.
Silently staring into the man's eyes.
Within them, Andrew saw no lust directed at him.
Thankfully...
At least it meant the so-called "since you entered, don't think about leaving" was mere teasing, not genuine interest in him.
This made Andrew secretly sigh in relief.
Otherwise, if the plot turned into him offering himself to pick up soap, Andrew would rather have died in the sea of flames before! Not out of prejudice, but each to their own ambition, Andrew's choice was: Rather die than bend! Never!
As for Ivan before him...
"Probably shattered mentally after the lung injury, losing hope and going to hell with it, just scraping by?"
Andrew swiftly swept his eyes across the tent's arrangement, analyzing inwardly.
Upon noticing a pile of empty bottles collected in one corner of the tent, Andrew was mostly confident in his deduction.
Suppressing his innate fear—in truth, Andrew's calves were trembling slightly—on the surface, he maintained composure.
Directly meeting Ivan's gaze, who stood a head taller, Andrew said, "I heard you're the best hunter in Wildfire Town?
Ha, I wanted to heal your lungs and have you join me.
But now it seems I overestimated you. You're, already finished!"
Despite the incredibly strong and even harsh wording, Andrew truly intended: not only to heal Ivan's lungs but also to make use of him!
This was the conclusion drawn during the journey here.
At the end of seven days, even if my plan for advancement is correct, it's hard to elevate to a level where I can confront Hubert. He's a seasoned Grand Mage!
And if that level isn't reached, I'll need help.
So Andrew planned to: heal this burly man, validate his Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method, to see if it's truly feasible.
And present a condition: have Ivan assist him in slaying Hubert together!
"W-what? What are you saying?!"
Ivan's eyes lit up at "intended to heal your lungs," bursting with brilliance.
The aura erupting instantly made Andrew glimpse the fearsome Desert Hunter undaunted and domineering before his injury!
Such powerful presence!
Andrew found his breathing slightly constrained.
Yet simultaneously, he knew: his words had taken effect!
The opponent's heart had been struck, and the impact wasn't small.
The evidence was: this still awe-inspiring injured Desert Hunter trembled, and the hand clutching the knife that had been steady as a rock displayed slight but noticeable... tremors!