Chapter 3: First Mission as a Hunter
The city gates loomed before him, tall stone walls lined with guards. Haruto pulled his hood low, carrying three goblin corpses bound in makeshift vines. The stench turned heads as he passed, but nobody questioned him. In this world, carrying monster corpses only meant one thing—a hunter's work.
Inside, the streets bustled with merchants, mercenaries, and carriages. Haruto's first destination was obvious: the large stone building with a wooden sign that read Hunter's Guild.
The moment he entered, the air smelled of sweat, blood, and alcohol. Adventurers in leather and iron sat at tables, laughing, boasting of kills. Behind the counter, a receptionist eyed the corpses Haruto dragged in.
"I'd like to… sell these," Haruto said.
The woman wrinkled her nose at the smell, but quickly appraised them.
"Three goblins. Average size, one pierced through the heart, the others in fairly good condition… four copper coins."
She placed the dull metal coins on the counter. Haruto blinked. "…That's it?"
"Goblins are the weakest monsters. Be glad they're worth anything at all," she replied flatly.
Haruto sighed and pocketed the coins. Guess I'm not rich yet.
With his earnings, he bought a simple loaf of bread from a street vendor. It was hard and stale, but it filled his stomach. Instead of an inn, Haruto spent the night wandering the city streets, memorizing alleys, markets, and main roads. Sleep came lightly on a stone bench under the stars.
The next morning, he returned to the Hunter's Guild.
"I'd like to register," he said firmly.
The receptionist looked him up and down. "First time, huh? You'll start as F-Rank. Bring proof of kills back here, and your rank will rise."
A bronze badge was pressed into his palm.
[Hunter Rank: F]
Then she slid a parchment across the counter. "Here's a beginner's mission. Kill six goblins and bring their ears as proof. Reward: ten copper coins."
Haruto smirked. "Goblins again, huh? Fine by me."
Returning to the forest, Haruto tried something different. Instead of wasting mana on endless chains, he summoned Ruler Authority. With a thought, chunks of stone and broken brick scattered across the forest floor rose into the air.
The first goblin shrieked as a floating stone slammed into its head, crushing it instantly. The next two tried to run, but Haruto raised both hands, sending bricks flying like arrows through their chests.
One by one, goblins fell under the barrage. This time, Haruto conserved his mana, only summoning chains when necessary to finish kills cleanly.
By dusk, six goblins lay dead. Haruto collected their ears, shoving them into a sack, and marched back to the guild.
The receptionist checked the sack with a disgusted look. "…Six goblin ears. Mission complete. Fourteen copper coins, as promised."
She slid the coins across the counter. Haruto picked them up, feeling the weight in his palm.
It's not much, but it's a start.
As he stepped outside, the Demon God's voice rumbled faintly in his head.
"Good… you are learning. Hunt, sell, grow stronger. But remember, child… the Gods will not remain silent forever. Sooner or later, your defiance will draw their gaze."
Haruto smirked, tossing one coin into the air and catching it.
"Let them look. By the time they notice me… I'll already be out of their reach."
Haruto stood at the edge of the forest, his hood drawn low, staring into the shadows where goblins, wolves, and lesser monsters roamed.
"Right now, I'm no different than a 15 or 17-year-old boy with a sword," he muttered. "Too weak. If I want to survive… I need more."
Seven Days Later
The forest that once terrified him was now a graveyard of his enemies. Broken trees, splattered blood, and shattered monster crystals marked his path. Each day, Haruto hunted, absorbed shards, and tempered his control over both Chains of Imprisonment and Ruler Authority.
His body hardened, his reflexes sharpened, and his mana core grew more stable.
By the end of the seventh day, his system screen flickered:
[Anti-God System Status]
Level: 9
Strength: 32
Speed: 28
Stamina: 29
Mana: 39
Haruto clenched his fist, feeling the raw strength coursing through him.
So this is the difference seven days can make… I'm not the same boy who stumbled here.
Mastering Authority
Ruler Authority had once drained him after minutes of use, but now Haruto could keep dozens of stones floating at once, weaving them into whirling shields or launching them like bullets.
When a pack of wolves tried to ambush him, he simply raised his hand—stones formed a dome barrier, blocking their fangs. With a flick, they launched outward, crushing bones and scattering corpses.
Chains of Imprisonment – Evolved
The skill that had once bound only a single goblin now carried a far darker weight. Each chain he summoned was four times stronger than before, their metal links radiating with crimson light.
One night, a hulking horned boar charged at him, its size dwarfing any goblin. Haruto didn't even flinch—five chains erupted from his arm, wrapping around the beast's limbs and throat. The final chain speared through its chest, tearing out its heart in a spray of blood.
The Demon God's voice hummed approvingly:
"Good. Chains are not just for binding… they are for judgment. The world will learn to fear your shackles."
By the time Haruto returned toward the city, his cloak was torn, his hands scarred, but his eyes burned with confidence. He wasn't the frightened boy anymore—he was a predator who had carved power out of the wilderness.
Standing at the city gates, he muttered:
"Alright… it's time. No more hiding. I'll take on something bigger."
End of chapter 3