✦✦✦━━━━━━✦✦✦
A New day comes. But it is not an ordinary day; it is different. It is the first day of the New Era. An Era where only the strong will be respected, an Era where humans won't just chase after money, they will chase after their survival and strength.
In this New Era, Hao-Yun, Joo-na, and Evelyn wake up, have breakfast, and watch TV. For the time being, Evelyn decided to live at Hao-Yun's place. Her hotel building was destroyed yesterday. She insisted on living in another hotel, but Hao-Yun requested that she live here.
He didn't want her getting beaten up by Monsters or possessed by her own Job. Evelyn agreed to stay for a few days, since there's no place safer than Hao-Yun's. She had already told her Aide to buy a house for her as soon as possible in this area, if possible, close to Hao-Yun's.
The two of them had strange feelings inside their hearts. Hao-Yun didn't know why he panicked yesterday to protect Evelyn, and he couldn't just leave her alone. On the other side, Evelyn didn't know why she always ends up accepting or believing in Hao-Yun; she doesn't know the reason why she trusts him so much. They barely know each other for 2 weeks.
While their mind were trying to learn what these feelings are, Joo-na's favorite cartoon was delayed for a bit; instead, a special news program aired.
[Good evening, This is Hana Lee, reporting live from Korea News. ]
[In response to the escalating crisis triggered by the global monster outbreaks and the influence of the Civilization Advancement System, the world leaders have come together to build a global organization.]
[The International Hunter's Association. The Association will act as a governing and regulatory body. It will assign missions, maintain discipline among the Individuals, and ensure peace is maintained among the nations.]
[Already, high-tier individuals are being scouted and invited. But registration will open to the public starting next week, everyone is invited to visit and get an evaluation of their strength and to which rank they belong.]
[While the Hunter's Association will act as a new government body, it will assign and also manage the distribution of work through subsidiary organizations.]
[The Hunters Guild. These guilds will be run by strong people whose overall power exceeds 1500. They will serve as an elite alliance of awakened individuals, those chosen and empowered by the System, tasked with protecting humanity from sudden monster attacks, completing high-risk System Tasks, and maintaining regional stability.]
[Unlike independent people who have operated solo until now, guild members will receive official recognition, government support, and a good amount of payment, along with many benefits. In other words, they won't be fighting alone anymore.]
[And one last thing, The Individuals whose strength exceeds 100 will be called Hunters from now on.]
[If you have already changed your Job… if you possess even a flicker of power… your chance to stand among the elite and protect the world begins now. ]
"Did you see that, Evelyn? We are called Hunters from now on."
"Yeah, I heard that Hunter Hao-Yun."
"Don't call me that, it sounds a bit weird."
"Pfft..."
Ring-Ring... Ring-Ring...
"Hello, is this Mr. Hao-Yun?"
"Yes...?"
"Mr. Hao-Yun, our country's President wants to have a talk with you."
"What? Korea's President wants to talk with me? Why?"
"I don't know that, but I'll hand over to the President. You could ask them?"
"Hooooh... Suddenly, I'm feeling way too nervous!"
"The word 'President' has so much pressure to it."
"I'm also a President, you know?"
"You're different, Evelyn."
"I'm different... He said... Hmmm..."
"Hello, Mr. Hao-Yun. I'm Jun."
"H-H-Hello... Mr.P-President... It's such a pleasure for me to have a conversation with you..."
"Ha-Ha-Ha, don't be so nervous, I'm also a human, and way weaker than you, you know?"
"Ha-Ha-Ha... President must be joking..."
"No, I'm not, we have a hunch of your powers Hao-Yun, we already saw your fight with that large Dragon looking Monster."
"Huh? How? When? What? I made sure there was no one around, so how?"
"I think you probably forgot about CCTV, right?"
"CCTV! Oh shit! How can I make such a careless mistake?"
"Heh-heh... So what does a President want to do with a poor person like me?"
"Don't pretend, Hao-Yun."
"Ah... Okay! I'll stop! So, hurry up, and tell me, what business do you have with me?"
"Hmm... That suits your personality. I'll be straightforward with you, the government wants you to become the Chairman of the Hunters' Association of Korea. We can negotiate about your payment as you like."
"What do you say? Becoming the Chairman of this Association will give you more authority than I, the President, in the future."
"Huh... even if you say that..."
"You know, these things like handling a lot of documents, working overtime, overseeing everything, it's against my rules, I can't sacrifice my freedom."
"Even if it's for the country?"
"Hey, now it's emotional blackmail, you know? It's not like I don't care about my country, but I really can't handle these things."
"Is that so? Then how about you just take the position, and all the work will be done by your assistants, you can just do anything you want, but still have to protect people in case of an emergency."
"Hah! You know what! Your offer is good! But I still refuse!"
"How can you be so cold..."
"Listen to me first before talking. So, instead of this, allow me to establish my own Hunters Guild. I can still protect people, help in the country's Task, and other things all without handling those difficult things."
"Hmm... That's also a good idea."
"Well then, Hao-Yun, I'll permit you to establish a Hunters Guild; you can do the formalities in the Hunters Association Tomorrow or whenever you like."
"So, what did you think about the Chairman's position? Who are you going to assign?"
"Well, regarding that, you'll learn tomorrow."
"Huh... Sure..."
(Call-cut)
"Evelyn, did you hear that? They allowed me to open my own Guild."
"Idiot... If they won't allow you, then who else is eligible for it?"
"Anyways, are you interested in it? Will you become the first member of my Guild? I can let you take the position of Vice President."
"Hmm... It's not that bad... I'll accept, if you agree to my 1 condition."
"Condition? Listen, girl, I'm just inviting you, you know? Don't get ahead of yourself!"
"You... that's why you're not popular."
"Huh... I don't want to be popular, I just want to live a peaceful life."
Evelyn was a bit sad to hear that; she wanted to hear him say "It's okay, I'll agree to your any condition," but he didn't.
"Hngh... Now don't make that expression!"
"Haaa... Okay, I agree, tell me what's your condition."
"You owe me a favor. If you agree to that, I'll join your Guild."
"Just that, sure!"
"What a weird girl... Can't understand what she's thinking..."
█▓▒░ TASK RECEIVED ░▒▓█
[TASK (Legendary): A lifeform from a Higher Plane of Existence has descended. It is currently sealed inside an egg, hidden within Earth. The entity is neither Monster nor human. It is a Unique species, a being whose evolution may determine the planet's future. ]
[Hint: Start where the highest peak once fell. The flame that burns backward leads the way forward."]
[Time Limit: 45 Days]
[Penalty: Depends on the Situation.]
[Rewards: Telepathy, System Sync, Soul Link, Random Stat Increase, Hidden Trait: Seed of Dominion, Passive Skill: Intimidation Overdrive, Access to System Store.]
"My first Legendary Task!! And it also comes with a Hint. But, what's with this Unknown Penalty?"
✦✦✦━━━━━━✦✦✦