Chapter 12 — Quiet Moments Before Storms
The moment Lucas stepped outside the evaluation center, chaos erupted.
Reporters flooded the street.
Cameras flashed.
Microphones were shoved forward like spears.
"Lucas! Lucas! Over here!"
"How did you awaken as a Mythic Rank?!"
"Are you joining a guild?!"
"Is it true you cleared an S5 double dungeon alone?!"
Lucas blinked slowly.
"…That escalated fast."
A dozen hunters tried to push through the crowd toward him as well.
Security was already failing to control the situation.
Someone grabbed his sleeve.
Another shoved a microphone near his face.
Lucas sighed.
"…Right."
The air around him twisted slightly.
His body blurred.
Then—
He vanished.
The crowd gasped.
"…What?!"
"Did he just teleport?!"
Lucas reappeared several kilometers away.
Right outside his apartment building.
He looked up at the familiar structure.
"…Home."
For the first time that day, his shoulders relaxed.
He walked upstairs quietly.
When he opened the door—
Sarah and Anya were already inside.
They turned immediately.
And then both froze.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly—
They ran.
Sarah reached him first.
She slammed into his chest and wrapped her arms around him tightly.
Anya followed right after.
Both girls buried their faces into his shoulders.
"…You idiot."
Sarah's voice trembled.
"We saw the broadcast."
Anya nodded against him.
"Everyone saw it."
Lucas gently hugged them both.
"…Sorry."
Sarah sniffed.
"You're a Mythic Rank hunter now."
Anya looked up.
"Sixth in the world."
Lucas shrugged slightly.
"…Still your brother."
That only made them hug him tighter.
---
That night.
Lucas finally slept.
But his mind did not rest.
Inside the darkness of his consciousness—
A vast throne room existed.
Shadow pillars.
Ancient architecture.
A throne carved from black stone.
And sitting lazily across from him—
Arcadrim.
The Demon Lord rested his chin on one hand.
"…You're adapting quickly."
Lucas leaned back slightly.
"…To power?"
Arcadrim shook his head.
"To life."
Lucas tilted his head.
"…Explain."
Arcadrim's crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"Most humans who gain power like yours…"
"They become drunk on it."
Lucas thought for a moment.
"…Seems inefficient."
Arcadrim chuckled.
"Exactly."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"You ruled a world once."
Arcadrim nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas studied him.
"…Did you enjoy it?"
The Demon Lord looked upward thoughtfully.
"…Sometimes."
Lucas waited.
Arcadrim continued.
"Power changes how people look at you."
Lucas nodded slowly.
"I noticed."
Arcadrim smirked.
"But the ones who treat you normally…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…Those are the ones you protect."
Lucas thought about Sarah.
Anya.
His brother.
Then he nodded.
"…Makes sense."
Arcadrim leaned forward slightly.
"You don't crave power."
Lucas answered honestly.
"…No."
"Then why accept it?"
Lucas looked straight ahead.
"…Because it came with responsibility."
Arcadrim laughed softly.
"…You're a strange human."
Lucas shrugged.
"You're a strange demon."
They both sat in silence for a while.
Then Arcadrim smirked again.
"…Your date went well."
Lucas groaned.
"…You watched that?"
Arcadrim grinned.
"I watch everything."
---
Morning came quickly.
Lucas woke to the smell of food.
He walked into the kitchen.
Sarah stood at the stove.
Anya sat at the table scrolling through her phone.
Both looked up.
"…Morning."
Lucas sat down.
"…Morning."
Anya turned her phone around.
His face filled the screen.
Every news station was still broadcasting the story.
THE SIXTH MYTHIC HUNTER.
Lucas sighed.
"…I preferred being unknown."
Sarah placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of him.
"Too late now."
Lucas began eating.
"…Fair."
Anya leaned forward.
"So."
Lucas paused.
"…So?"
"Are you joining a guild?"
Lucas shrugged.
"Maybe."
Sarah crossed her arms.
"Choose carefully."
Lucas nodded.
"I will."
After breakfast—
They went somewhere important.
The hospital.
A quiet room on the third floor.
Machines hummed softly.
A young man lay on the bed.
Still.
Unmoving.
Lucas's older brother.
Still trapped in a coma.
Sarah sat beside the bed.
Anya stood quietly near the window.
Lucas stepped closer.
His brother looked exactly the same as before.
Peaceful.
Sleeping.
Lucas placed a hand on the bed rail.
"…I got stronger."
He said it casually.
But his voice held weight.
"You can wake up now."
The machines kept humming.
No response.
Lucas stayed there for a while.
Then his phone rang.
He stepped outside the room to answer.
"…Hello."
A familiar voice replied.
"Lucas."
Elvanor.
But something about her voice sounded… softer.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"…Morning."
On the other end of the line—
Elvanor sat on her bed.
Her hair still damp from a shower.
A loose robe wrapped around her shoulders.
She had called almost impulsively.
"…I just wanted to remind you."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"…Remind me?"
"Our date."
Lucas chuckled quietly.
"…You think I'd forget that?"
Elvanor's cheeks warmed.
"…Maybe."
Lucas leaned against the hallway wall.
"Hard to forget someone like you."
She went silent for a second.
Then smiled.
"…Good."
They hung up shortly after.
Elvanor placed her phone down.
Then fell backward onto her bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
"…Why do I feel like this?"
She pressed a pillow against her face.
Lucas was attractive.
Ridiculously attractive.
Six foot five.
Built like a living statue.
One of the strongest humans alive.
Yet—
None of that was the reason she liked him.
What drew her in…
Was how normal he treated her.
No fear.
No worship.
No awkward tension.
Just… Lucas.
She sighed into the pillow.
"…Am I weird?"
---
8:00 PM.
A luxury restaurant in downtown Tokyo.
A place reserved for elite hunters and powerful individuals.
Lucas arrived first.
Dressed in a black suit.
Simple.
Elegant.
When Elvanor entered—
The entire restaurant quietly stared.
She wore a long midnight-blue gown.
Her silver hair flowed across her shoulders.
Lucas stood up immediately.
"…Wow."
Elvanor blushed slightly.
"…Too much?"
Lucas shook his head.
"…Perfect."
They sat down together.
Dinner went smoothly.
Conversation flowed easily.
They talked about missions.
Life.
Childhood stories.
Even stupid things like favorite food.
For two powerful hunters—
The night felt surprisingly normal.
By the time they left the restaurant—
The city lights shimmered around them.
They stood quietly on the sidewalk.
Neither spoke.
Then Lucas stepped slightly closer.
Elvanor's heart raced.
"…Lucas?"
He gently lifted her chin.
Then kissed her.
Soft at first.
Then deeper.
Warm.
Slow.
Elvanor melted into it.
Her arms wrapped around his neck without thinking.
When they finally separated—
She looked slightly dazed.
"…When did I become such a bad girl?"
Lucas laughed softly.
"…If that's bad, I'm guilty too."
---
Meanwhile.
At Narita International Airport.
A massive figure stepped off a private jet.
The ground seemed smaller beneath him.
Thomas Andrea.
World Rank #1 Mythic Hunter.
He stretched his shoulders slightly.
"…Japan."
Then he noticed someone nearby.
A woman with long platinum hair.
Calm.
Elegant.
Powerful.
Sophia Laindrith.
World Rank #3 Mythic Hunter.
Thomas grinned.
"Well now."
Sophia looked at him calmly.
"…Thomas."
He laughed.
"You here for the new kid too?"
She nodded slightly.
"They say he ranks above me."
Thomas cracked his knuckles.
"…Then I really want to meet him."
Sophia glanced toward the city lights in the distance.
"I came to test him."
Thomas smiled wider.
"…Hope you get the chance."
He began walking toward the exit.
"…Before I do."
The end...