Leaning casually against a luxury red sports car, Snow looked like he had stepped out of a fashion shoot. A simple grey sweatshirt, black pants, and sleek black sneakers framed his tall figure. What caught the eye most, however, was the dazzling two-tone earring on his left ear, glittering like a subtle defiance against the bright morning sun.
His hair—now longer than it had ever been—was neatly tied back, giving him a more mature, almost regal look. He looked less like a hunter and more like a celebrity or a high-end model. Naturally, his presence didn't go unnoticed. A crowd of female hunters had gathered at the entrance of the dungeon gate, some waiting for their party members to return, others simply too mesmerized by his appearance to walk away.
Though many recognized him from the broadcast made a month ago—none dared approach him. There was an air around him. Not arrogance. Distance. And something colder than before.
Then, as if to pierce through the crowd's expectations, a new presence made her entrance.
Clad in sleek, black glossy pants and high combat boots, a striking woman strode forward. She wore a pristine white and gold uniform unique to her guild, the insignia shining proudly on her coat. What turned the whispers into silence, however, was the small creature curled on her shoulder.
A baby dragon.
Its scales shimmered faintly under the sun, resting calmly against her neck.
"Snow," a familiar voice called.
Snow, still leaning against his car, straightened slightly as his gaze landed on her—Ruciel.
She wasn't alone. Four others walked behind her, all wearing the same guild colors. He recognized a few of them, but his gaze locked onto one man in particular—Kyle Fredhind. The way Kyle stood a little too close to Ruciel didn't go unnoticed.
"I'm glad you're okay... and well," Ruciel said with a soft smile as she approached.
Snow said nothing at first, his eyes drifting to the small dragon on her shoulder. "What did you name her?" he asked after a pause, his voice cool and unreadable.
"Scarlet," she replied.
To everyone's surprise, the dragon's eyes widened. In a blink, it leapt off Ruciel's shoulder and flew straight into Snow's arms, nuzzling into his chest with a delighted chirp.
"You've grown," he said gently.
"Geww!" the dragon squeaked, clearly pleased.
Snow chuckled softly and stroked her head, engaging in a quiet, affectionate play with the young creature.
"Be sure to protect her always, alright?" he said, his voice sincere.
"Kyuu!" Scarlet responded with a proud chirp, as if taking a solemn oath.
"I didn't know Scarlet could be this friendly," one of the women behind Ruciel said, blinking in surprise.
"Same here," added the man next to her.
Ruciel cleared her throat slightly. "Allow me to introduce you, Snow."
She gestured to the others. "This is Lucy," she said, motioning toward a mature woman with sharp features and short black hair. "And beside her is Alfred," she added, indicating the green-haired man with glasses and a calm demeanor.
"Nice to meet you," they both said politely.
"The pleasure is mine," Snow replied without much interest, still petting Scarlet.
"And this is—"
"Kyle Fredhind," both Ruciel and Snow said simultaneously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kyle said with a polite smile, extending a hand.
Snow's expression didn't shift. But after a brief pause, he reached out and shook the hand firmly.
"Likewise."
Then, without warning, Snow gently pulled Ruciel closer by the wrist.
"You... never mind," he murmured, releasing her before she could respond. Whatever he was about to say, he swallowed it. Now wasn't the time. He didn't want to darken her mood.
Ruciel stared at him, puzzled by his sudden shift, but said nothing.
"How was the dungeon?" he asked with a faint smile.
"It went well. We managed to clear it faster than expected," she answered.
"That's good to hear," Snow nodded. "Let's go somewhere."
As he leaned in—intending to kiss her—Ruciel instinctively raised her hand between their lips.
"Sorry," she said with an awkward chuckle, "I feel a little... dirty. How about I clean up first?"
"...Alright." Snow didn't press the moment. Instead, he quietly opened the car door for her.
Once she was seated, he turned back to her teammates and flashed a gentle smile, his eyes lingering on Kyle.
"See you around."
"Sure," Kyle said, offering a smile of his own.
They watched silently as Snow entered the car and drove off with Ruciel.
A few hours later, the two sat across from each other at a rooftop restaurant. The sun was setting behind them, casting warm gold across the open-air dining space. It was a place designed for moments like these—quiet, romantic, intimate.
Ruciel had taken time to freshen up. Now, dressed in an elegant black gown that shimmered faintly under the fading sunlight, she looked ethereal. Her earrings sparkled like tiny stars, her necklace catching the light as if in rhythm with the orange sky.
Snow sat across from her, one hand resting lightly on his glass, the other on the table.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, neither spoke.
"You look exceptionally beautiful tonight."
Snow's voice was calm, yet distant. His gaze lingered on Ruciel as she sat across from him, her silhouette softly lit by the warm glow of the sunset. Despite the compliment, his heart felt heavy. His mind had been in knots all day, and even now, something gnawed at him. Why was the system still giving him trivial quests? Simple tasks—like gifting her potions to boost dexterity and strength—despite everything he'd been through?
"I know," Ruciel replied casually, her smile graceful but unmoved.
There was no fluster in her cheeks, no shift in posture. Just an effortless confidence as she reached for the menu and scanned through it.
Snow watched in silence. He had spent the entire day listening—truly listening—to her words, her tone, her gestures. And in doing so, he came to a quiet realization:
She no longer reacted to him the way she once had.
She gestured lightly toward a waitress, who quickly approached to take her order. Snow didn't register the moment until she tapped the table lightly with her fingers.
"Snow," she said.
He blinked, then smiled faintly, embarrassed. "Ah... I apologize."
He turned toward the waitress, now patiently awaiting his response.
"I'll take whatever she recommends," he said smoothly.
"Are you sure about that?" the waitress asked with a polite tilt of her head.
"Of course," he replied with a smile.
The waitress returned the smile and jotted it down before leaving them.
Snow reached into his coat pocket and produced a small vial filled with a faint blue liquid, pushing it gently across the table.
"A potion?" Ruciel asked, raising a brow.
"Yes. I should've given this to you sooner, but... I lost too much time while I was unconscious," he said quietly.
"It's fine," she replied. "I can get as many as I want now—they're all over the market these days."
"I see," Snow nodded slowly, his tone unreadable. "Even so... this one's different. It's important that you drink it."
Ruciel paused. She had been casually refusing his goodwill all day without even realizing it. But now, faced with his expression—calm, but tinged with something deeper—she didn't want to reject him again.
"Alright," she said softly.
She snapped the vial open and drank. Her eyes briefly glowed a faint hue, a sign the potion was working.
"Wow... this feels different from what's available from Hephaestus," she murmured, feeling refreshed.
"Well, you're my woman," Snow said with a soft smile. "Of course, I want to treat you to the finest things."
"..."
She almost spoke—but held it back. Her smile returned, delicate as ever, though her heart stirred with a quiet tension.
"I noticed you formed a team," Snow said.
"Yes. It happened faster than I expected," Ruciel replied.
"I suppose the guild's gotten more generous now that you're officially S-rank," he added with a faint smirk.
"You're right."
Her responses were short, polite—but distant. Snow felt the subtle wall between them. And though he wanted to bridge it, he also knew he had been cold to her lately... too wrapped up in his doubts, his silence, the storm in his chest.
Just as he was about to say more, their food arrived.
The waitress carefully placed the dishes—spicy chicken soup and seasoned rice—on the table, bowing slightly before stepping back.
Snow turned to Ruciel and, for a moment, simply stared.
She looked radiant. Not because of what she wore—but because of how she smiled. A quiet, natural joy bloomed on her face as she adjusted her spoon and gently blew on the hot soup before taking her first bite.
Snow didn't move. He just watched.
So beautiful, he thought. And yet... this might all be temporary.
"Enjoy your meal," the waitress said as she stepped away.
Ruciel, halfway through another bite, finally noticed his gaze.
"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Watching you eat is enough for me," Snow said, a rare softness in his voice.
Her cheeks flushed. "Yeah, right," she said, giggling despite herself. "You really know how to tease."
A comfortable silence returned for a moment—this time, lighter.
"By the way," she asked, "are you free lately?"
"I'm always free when it comes to you," he replied without hesitation.
"Then let's hang out," she said with a gentle smile. "Like we used to. Before the dungeon."
"As you wish."
The tension between them began to ease. With every shared word, every light smile, the distance melted. They joked, they laughed, and after their meal, they took a quiet stroll together beneath the dim city lights.
That night, they returned to Snow's apartment—together.
And just like that, the day passed.
By morning, the apartment was bustling. Both were up early, preparing for the Hunter Summit.
But unlike the previous gathering, where many renowned hunters had been absent—this time, the summit was at full capacity.
The reason?
The Fallen Flame.
Once dismissed. Forgotten. Rumored to have lost everything.
Now reborn as an S-rank hunter—and with a dragon by her side.
Hunters from all regions gathered not just to network, but to see her. They wanted to understand how a dungeon egg could become such a powerful companion... and how they might acquire such a creature themselves.
Groups formed quickly, old acquaintances laughing and sharing stories. Some reminisced about past hunts, while others boasted about their recent triumphs.
And among the crowd, all eyes searched for two things:
The flame that had risen again—
And the man always standing quietly at her side.
"Wow, Ruciel, you look fabulous."
Maria's voice rang out the moment she spotted them entering the grand hall. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she made her way over to where Snow and Ruciel stood. Just behind her, Silvia followed, her arms crossed but her eyes scanning sharply.
Both women embraced Ruciel, their energy lively and warm. Snow stood silently beside them, quietly observing.
"You," Silvia said flatly, her gaze locking onto Snow with a frown.
( He really did help her level up. Does that mean he has some ability that can push hunters forward? ) Silvia thought, eyes narrowing. Snow in a tailored suit didn't help her suspicions—he looked the part of someone far more dangerous than he let on.
"C'mon, guys. Don't start," Ruciel said, trying to ease the tension with a small laugh.
"Well, it's not really our business, but still..." Silvia said with a slight smirk. "I'm just surprised. You're usually attached to your childhood sweetheart."
"What do you mean?" Ruciel asked cautiously.
"You know exactly what I mean. You're always with him," Silvia replied, gesturing vaguely. "Didn't he return just for you?"
"Hey—don't say things like that," Ruciel warned, tone shifting.
"Hahaha, what's there to hide?" Maria chimed in playfully. "Everyone's known since forever. You two have been close since childhood."
"He did come back for me," Ruciel admitted quietly, "but that's not what this is."
She tried to steer the conversation away, but controlling Maria and Silvia had always been difficult, even on a good day.
"Forgive us, Snow," Maria said suddenly, turning to him with an apologetic smile. "It's not what you're thinking."
"It's fine," Snow replied with a faint smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "It's normal."
But inside, something cracked. Her words hadn't denied the feelings her childhood friend had—only redirected the context. And that vague response twisted in his chest like a knife.
Still, he didn't let it show.
"Anyway," he said, glancing toward the far end of the hall, "isn't the summit starting soon?"
As if awakened from a daze, both women looked around—and realized the place had nearly emptied, most attendees already inside.
"Crap! You're right!" Maria said. They grabbed Ruciel's arm without another word, dragging her away in a hurry.
"Talk soon," Ruciel called over her shoulder.
Snow smiled back softly.
But once she was out of sight, the mask dropped.
"Childhood sweetheart, huh..." he murmured. "I guess I've been a fool all along."
DING!
=========================
PATHFINDER HAS DETECTED A BROKEN GEM
=========================
DING!
=========================
SYSTEM UPDATE COMPLETED
=========================
DING!
=========================
2 SYSTEM FUNCTIONS ADDED
=========================
Snow blinked.
The notification interface shimmered before him—but this time, it wasn't the usual blue or red. The borders glowed gold.
Gold? Since when...?
Before he could make sense of it, three figures walked past him. At the center was a woman who drew everyone's attention with ease. Known throughout Europe as the Ice Queen, her presence was undeniable. But what truly made Snow pause was the small, glowing icon hovering above her.
DING!
=========================
QUEST
DESCRIPTION: Your unique skill, PATHFINDER has detected a pathway, walk it and claim your reward
CLEAR CONDITION: Make the broken gem aware of you
REWARD: ZERO BLADE
PENALTY: -80% REWARD DEDUCTION
=========================
Snow stared at the penalty line.
-80% reward deduction?
No death penalty?
What changed...? he wondered, eyes narrowing. Is it connected to the new functions just added?
But there was no time to dwell on it. The large entrance doors ahead were already closing. He broke into a light jog, slipping through just in time.
Inside, the massive summit chamber was packed.
It was as large as a football field, easily accommodating the hundreds of notable hunters from across the world. From S-ranks to elite guild leaders, the atmosphere buzzed with energy.
Then, the noise faded.
A single figure made his way to the center podium, flanked by high-ranking officials. Every head turned in his direction.
The man needed no introduction.
Johan Williams—President of the World Hunter Association.
He was aged, his grey hair neatly slicked back, but his body was still as disciplined as a warrior's. He had the bearing of a man who had seen the world torn and rebuilt, someone who stood beside past heroes.
Some even whispered he had ties to the Seer—or as others called her, the Oracle.
With just one touch to the mic, the entire room fell into silence.
Snow, seated at the edge of the crowd, felt a chill run down his spine. That kind of presence... It wasn't just strength. It was authority.
Someday, he thought, I want to stand like that too.
"Hello, everyone," Williams began, his deep voice resonating clearly throughout the room.
"I'm sure you're all aware of why we've called this special summit."
He let the silence settle before continuing.
"Today, we gather to officially acknowledge the rise of a new S-rank hunter—Ruciel Faithhood—and to address the unusual reports surrounding another: Snow Quincy and his rumored mapping abilities."
Snow's eyes widened slightly.
Me...?
A few murmurs passed through the crowd, but William raised a hand, and they stopped.
"First," he said, "let us honor the woman of the hour. Ruciel Faithhood—please come to the podium."
A wave of applause erupted, echoing across the hall.
Snow turned toward the center just in time to see Ruciel walking up the steps to the stage. Her presence was calm and composed, her S-rank badge already gleaming under the overhead lights.
She was awarded a finely crafted brooch—an official insignia of her new rank. One that could be worn anywhere, at any time, to signify her new place among the world's strongest.
And as she turned to face the crowd with a soft, proud smile...
Snow remained seated in the back—quiet, unseen—watching
"I won't say much," Ruciel began, her voice confident as it echoed through the massive summit hall, "since I'm sure everyone here already knows who I am."
She stood centered beneath the soft spotlights of the stage, the S-rank brooch gleaming on her lapel.
"But I would like to thank everyone who's supported me on this journey," she continued, "my friends, my family... and you."
Her gaze swept across the room—landing in the direction where Snow sat.
For a moment, hope flickered in his chest.
But then he saw it.
She wasn't looking at him.
Her eyes were locked onto someone just a few seats ahead—Kyle, a fellow hunter and someone who had returned into her life a month ago.
"Having you in my life has been the strength I needed all along. So... thank you."
She smiled, radiant and composed, a picture of grace on the world stage.
"And I hope we can all work together and support each other in the days to come."
The room erupted into applause. Thunderous claps, whistles, cheers.
She waved modestly, descending from the podium with elegance, completely unaware of the storm brewing quietly in one particular corner of the hall.
Snow didn't move. He didn't clap. He simply watched her walk away with a calm expression that belied the weight in his chest.
So that's how it is...
Even now... I'm still hoping things will change—if I just try harder.
Back on the stage, President Johan Williams returned to the microphone.
"Now that you've had the chance to meet Ruciel Faithhood officially," he said, his deep voice commanding the room once more, "I trust you'll all agree that the world becomes just a little safer with each new S-rank among us."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.
"However, let us now turn to the second reason this summit was called," william continued. "The emergence of a rare skill that has caught the attention of several high-ranking officials and guild leaders: the mapping ability."
Before he could go further, a voice spoke out from the crowd—deep, steady, and unmistakably firm.
"Wouldn't it make more sense to hear from the skill holder himself first?"
Heads turned instantly.
Seated comfortably in the front row was a striking African man, skin dark as obsidian, with sharply cut features and braided hair adorned with ornaments. A long scar ran across his nose, and his body radiated the energy of someone who had conquered countless dungeons.
He wore earrings, rings, and other accessories that shimmered with mana—rare dungeon items he wore openly and proudly.
Ibrahim Ishaq.
williams smiled faintly. "Ibrahim. Your opinion is valid—and I was going to invite him up shortly."
He turned to address the hall again. "But first, I wanted to pose a question—whether others might possess skills of similar nature. Skills that could benefit not just individuals, but the entire hunter community."
Ibrahim leaned forward slightly. "We all know why you're hesitating, president williams. The complaints from some guilds, the fear of 'support skills' being overlooked... But shouldn't we listen first—really listen—before deciding how to ensure such talents aren't left in the shadows?"
The room fell into thoughtful silence.
"You have a point," williams conceded.
He nodded once, and then spoke clearly into the mic.
"Then without further delay—let us welcome Snow Quincy to the podium."
The air shifted.
Snow blinked, slowly rising to his feet.
He moved quietly, the sound of his footsteps nearly lost beneath the low murmurs and whispers.
People turned to look. Some chuckled. Others whispered behind their hands.
That's the one?
He doesn't look like much.
Wasn't he the guy standing with Ruciel earlier?
His appearance was far from flashy—no branded equipment, no aura of dominance, no presence that screamed power.
Yet he walked forward without hesitation.
Step by step, eyes trailing him like daggers, Snow climbed the steps to the stage.
"Hello, Mr. President," he said with a respectful nod, extending his hand.
Williams took it with a warm smile.
"Welcome, Snow Quincy."
That smile held something deeper—recognition, perhaps. Or curiosity. As if williams already knew that beneath the quiet shell, something was stirring.
As the two stood together under the bright lights, the sound of camera shutters filled the hall.
Unlike the brief applause Ruciel had received, Snow's appearance sparked a flurry of activity among the press—more cameras, more clicks, and a wave of sudden, sharpened interest.
Snow didn't flinch.
He looked out at the sea of eyes before him—and waited to speak.
--------------------------------------
to be continued...