Zerak looked like a man caught between a spiritual crisis and a tax audit.
As the tall figure stomped closer, Shen Hao finally got a good look at him.
The man was massive — not in a monstrous way, but in that broad-shouldered, built-like-a-wall kind of way. His combat uniform was a dark grey with faint crimson lines running along the seams, matching the hunter's crest on his chest. His face was sharp, with a grin that could probably talk down an angry warlord… or make Zerak's life miserable for weeks.
Trailing behind him was a group of five more hunters, each wearing similar combat gear.
At the front was the tall woman Shen Hao had noticed earlier — dark armor, long black hair tied back, a calm expression that hinted she could probably kick you across the city without breaking a sweat.
Beside her walked a slim swordsman with silver hair tied in a short knot, his expression unreadable, eyes sharp like polished steel.
Behind them stood two more — a massive beast-like man with thick arms and tusks, and a thin, short figure wearing a mask that glowed faintly with shifting colors.
And standing casually at the very back… arms crossed, watching quietly… was the examiner.
Shen Hao blinked.
"…Of course. Why wouldn't he be part of this circus?"
The captain marched straight up to Zerak, jabbing a finger at him.
"You had one job — submit the mission reports before the week ended. What happened?!"
Zerak let out the world's most painful customer service laugh.
"Technical difficulties?"
The captain gave him a flat look.
"Your technical difficulty is laziness!"
Shen Hao tried — and failed — to hold back a grin.
Just as the captain turned slightly, his gaze fell on Shen Hao.
The captain's expression shifted instantly… from stern commander… to curious surprise.
He leaned slightly toward the woman in black armor.
"That's him?"
The woman nodded once.
"Yup. That's the one who went against the examiner and survived."
The captain let out a low whistle.
"Well… guess I better see this for myself."
He started walking toward Shen Hao — the rest of the squad following naturally.
Shen Hao squared his shoulders slightly, standing his ground as they approached.
From behind the team, the examiner gave him a faint nod… as if saying, "Relax. You'll be fine."
Mo Han's voice echoed softly in his mind.
"Looks like your new family has arrived."
Shen Hao smirked faintly.
"Yeah… they sure know how to make an entrance."
The captain stopped a step in front of Shen Hao, arms crossed over his broad chest, giving him a long, appraising look.
"So… you're Shen Hao."
It wasn't a question. More like a statement mixed with curiosity… and just a dash of amusement.
Shen Hao gave a small nod.
"Yeah… that's me."
The captain chuckled.
"The one who took on the examiner and lived to tell about it."
Shen Hao hesitated.
"Uh… I didn't really win—"
The captain waved a hand.
"Details. You stood there. You survived. You passed. That's enough for me."
He held out a large hand.
"Name's Dren Korran. I'm the leader of Hunter Squad Seven."
Shen Hao shook his hand — the grip was firm, solid, but not crushing.
Dren grinned.
"Welcome to the team, rookie. We're a weird bunch… but we get the job done."
Shen Hao raised a brow. "Is that your official team slogan?"
Dren snorted. "Something like that."
At that moment, the tall woman in black armor stepped forward.
"I'm Vira. You probably noticed me watching earlier."
Shen Hao nodded.
"Yeah… figured you were scouting for potential recruits."
Vira gave a faint smirk.
"More like checking if the city administrator was about to vaporize you."
Shen Hao chuckled. "Fair enough."
The silver-haired swordsman gave a short nod.
"Ren Kael."
Shen Hao blinked.
"Wait… Kael?"
The swordsman gave a faint, knowing smile.
"Not the same Kael. Common name."
Shen Hao shook his head with a grin. "Figures."
Vira added,
"Ren's our squad's close-combat expert. Don't let the quiet face fool you — he's a walking meat grinder in a fight."
Ren gave a small shrug. "She's exaggerating."
Vira smirked. "Not really."
Shen Hao glanced between them.
"Nice. So… this is like the 'welcome to the family' moment?"
Dren clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"Pretty much. Seven main hunter teams in Void Gate — we're one of them. Now… you're part of ours."
Shen Hao blinked.
"Just like that?"
Dren grinned.
"Just like that. You passed the hardest test this city's got. You've earned your spot."
Dren motioned for the rest of the team to relax, folding his arms with a grin still on his face.
"You'll get used to us," Dren said. "We talk a lot, fight a lot… and somehow don't get fired for it."
Vira smirked. "Mostly because the captain talks faster than the complaints come in."
Shen Hao shook his head with a quiet chuckle.
"Looks like I landed in the right squad."
Dren gave him a playful shove on the shoulder.
"You'll fit right in."
Then, as if remembering something, he glanced over his shoulder.
"Oh — right. You've met our 'friendly neighborhood executioner' already."
Shen Hao turned to look as the examiner stepped forward with slow, steady steps.
Same calm eyes. Same silent presence.
The examiner offered a faint, respectful nod.
"Jorin. That's my name."
Shen Hao blinked.
"Jorin…? No title? No 'Examiner Supreme of Doom' or anything?"
Jorin's lips tugged slightly — almost a smile.
"I like to keep things simple."
Dren chuckled.
"He's been with this team longer than I have. And before you ask — yes, he really does both jobs. Squad member… and the crazy guy they send to break newcomers."
Shen Hao crossed his arms.
"Isn't that a conflict of interest?"
Jorin shrugged lightly.
"I separate business and personal life… with a sword, if necessary."
Vira added, deadpan, "And yes… he's always this cheerful."
Shen Hao smirked.
"Great. I've got a walking death machine as a teammate."
Jorin gave him a look.
"You'll get used to it."
Mo Han's voice hummed in Shen Hao's mind.
"I like him."
Shen Hao thought back, "Of course you do."
Dren clapped his hands together.
"Alright! Enough standing around. Let's give our rookie the tour… or at least introduce him to the next disaster waiting for us."
Just as he turned toward Zerak's desk, a sharp BLARING ALARM exploded through the hall.
A flashing red light pulsed above the mission counter.
Zerak jolted upright — all four of his arms scrambling over buttons, floating screens popping open like a storm.
"Oh no… no no no…" Zerak muttered, tapping wildly.
"Not now. I just finished my reports."
Dren spun around.
"What is it?"
Zerak squinted at the screen, then groaned.
"Monster activity — outer perimeter. Southern sector. Looks like a mid-scale incursion. Probably a raiding pack."
Shen Hao blinked.
"…A what?"
Jorin answered calmly.
"Monster packs that gather near the city's outer forests. They test the defenses… probe for weak spots. If left unchecked, they swarm in."
Dren cracked his knuckles.
"Well then… sounds like a warm-up session."
Vira gave a sharp grin.
"Finally. I was getting bored."
Ren calmly drew his blade halfway from its sheath.
"Let's move."
Zerak leaned over the counter, calling after them,
"Your mission parameters are simple! Kill or drive off the monsters before they reach the barrier zone. Standard bounty rates apply!"
Shen Hao gave him a thumbs-up.
"Thanks, Mr. Zerak."
Zerak sighed.
"At least someone respects my title…"
Dren turned toward Shen Hao with a grin.
"Rookie. You ready for your first official run?"
Shen Hao took a slow breath… then nodded.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Dren gave a sharp nod.
"Good. Let's hunt."
The squad exited through the side gates of the Hunter's Palace — the city's high walls gleaming in the distance.
As they passed through the southern checkpoint, the vast wilderness opened before them — thick forests stretching out under the sky.
Vira smirked, glancing back at Shen Hao.
"Hope you're fast on your feet."
Shen Hao smirked back.
"Hope you're fast enough to catch up."
Jorin gave a faint chuckle behind them.
Dren raised a hand as they reached the forest edge.
"Alright — you know the drill. Split up, cover more ground, eliminate everything you find. Don't stray too far from your group."
Shen Hao raised a brow. "Wait… group?"
Dren grinned.
"You're with me, rookie."
Shen Hao exhaled, cracking his knuckles.
"Let's see what I've signed up for…"
And with that — they charged into the forest.