A giant mechanical ship slowly reached the harbor, the place where ships stopped after arriving at their destination.
The ship released loud metallic sounds as it docked. Steam escaped from its sides, and workers moved around the port, guiding travelers to leave.
Among them was a young lady carrying an unbelievable amount of luggage.
She held several bags tightly in her arms, while a giant suitcase rested on top of her head. She walked carefully, almost stumbling with every step because of the heavy load.
She was tall and had long white hair that flowed down her back. Despite her appearance, she looked very young. She wore a priestess outfit—a white gown that was short in the front but had a long flowing tail behind her. On both of her arms were golden bracelets, each marked with a symbol that looked like a family crest.
As she finally stepped off the ship, she looked up at the sky and released a deep sigh of relief.
"The Holy Nation…" she whispered to herself.
"The most respected nation in the entire world and all realms."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I can't wait to join a super awesome guild," she continued quietly. "One that will give me a chance to enter the great Holy Walls and work alongside celestial beings."
---
The Holy Nation was a land blessed by many gods and goddesses.
Celestial beings lived there together with other species, but they did not live as equals. A giant wall separated the celestial beings from ordinary people. Their lives were guided by strict divine laws.
Even in the capital, where many races lived together, laws were strict. No ordinary being was allowed to enter the area beyond the giant wall.
Only two kinds of people were permitted to pass.The first were criminals who had committed unforgivable crimes and were brought there to be judged and eliminated in front of the celestial beings.
The second were powerful hunters—those who had earned the title of Celestial Hunter. These chosen individuals could join the Holy Knights, respected protectors who defended the entire world from darkness.
---
The white-haired priestess stared at the giant wall with wide eyes, completely lost in her thoughts.
Her name was Alice Keys.
She was so deep in her daydream that she did not notice someone standing beside her until a voice suddenly spoke.
"Welcome to the Holy Nation."
Alice turned and saw a young man smiling at her.
He was handsome, with neat black hair and simple clothing—a green shirt, brown trousers, black elf-shaped boots, and a long cape flowing behind him. His smile, however, looked a little forced."The capital is impressive," he continued, "but the true Holy Nation lies behind that wall. Only top criminals and high-ranking Celestial Hunters are allowed to enter."
Alice blinked and stared at him.
"Okay…" she said slowly.
Why does he sound like he rehearsed all of that? she thought.
It feels like he just dropped a lot of information on me instead of letting me discover it myself.
She smiled awkwardly.
"Can you tell me where guild registration is done?" she asked.
The young man brightened immediately.
"Oh! You want to become a Hunter?" he said. "My name is Felix. I'm a Junior Hunter."
Now he sounds more natural, Alice thought.
"Alright," she said. "Just point me in the direction."
Felix shook his head quickly.
"No worries. I'll take you there. It's my job to guide new recruits."
Alice looked at him strangely.
Felix laughed awkwardly.
"Don't look at me like that. I do go on dangerous missions. This is just my punishment for disobeying my squad captain."
Alice nodded slightly.
He doesn't look like someone who disobeys orders, she thought.
He looks more like a coward who really wants to socialize.
"Okay," she said. "Lead the way."
Felix smiled to himself.
Yes! I finally found one, he thought.
If I bring her to my guild, my punishment will be over.
The captain said to bring a powerful recruit…
And those bracelets—those look like the Keys family heirloom.
"I'll help carry your luggage," Felix said.
"No," Alice replied immediately.
But Felix insisted."…Okay," she said at last, handing him the giant suitcase.
The moment he lifted it, Felix fell straight to the ground.
"Thank you," Alice said calmly. "You really helped reduce the weight."
Felix lay on the ground, struggling to breathe.
Yep, he thought. She's definitely strong.
"Are you okay?" Alice asked, worried.
"Yes…" Felix replied weakly.
---
As they walked together, the area became strangely quiet.
Felix felt the silence was awkward.
I should say something, he thought.
"Your bracelet," he said nervously. "It looks like the Keys family heirloom. Am I right? Unless it's a replica."
"It's real," Alice replied. "No one can copy the Keys family design. Even if they copy the shape, the real power lies in the stones—our ancestral stones."
"I've heard of them," Felix said. "The Keys family possesses divine keys that can open gates and summon celestial beings. Is that true?"He really wants to talk, Alice thought.
I'll keep my answers short.
"You could say that," she replied with a polite smile.
She then stopped in front of a massive building.
Hunter Registration Haven was written boldly above the entrance.
"You're no longer needed," Alice said. "I'll take it from here."
She grabbed her luggage and rushed inside before Felix could say anything.
Felix stood there, staring at the entrance.
"…Interesting," he muttered.