Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 543 122.1 - Fame

<Inside the Dungeon>

The team moved swiftly through the Linear Gate, the dark, winding corridors of the dungeon stretching before them. The atmosphere was tense but focused, with each member falling into their respective roles. It was a stark contrast from their earlier expeditions—now, their movements were sharper, more synchronized, with an unspoken trust beginning to form under Astron's guidance.

The first wave of monsters came quickly—Vaurask Reapers, twisted, wolf-like creatures with glowing eyes and jagged teeth. Their fur was matted, and their bodies exuded a dark, corrupted energy that filled the narrow passage with a foul stench. They were fast and vicious but not overwhelmingly strong. However, their numbers were significant.

Astron signaled to the group without missing a beat, his voice calm yet commanding. "Kurt, Gareth—hold the line at the front. Dorian, Elena—flank them. Lila, keep your golem on defense for now; we don't want to get overwhelmed."

Kurt and Gareth stepped forward, their combined defenses forming a solid wall against the Reapers' initial charge. Kurt's shield absorbed the impact of the creatures' snapping jaws while Gareth's barrier flared up, deflecting their claws.

"Dorian, now," Astron called, his sharp eyes tracking the flow of the battle.

Dorian moved swiftly, his dual swords flashing in the dim light as he slipped around the side of the Reapers, targeting their exposed flanks. His strikes were precise, severing tendons and limbs with efficiency.

Elena was right behind Dorian, her magic already charged. She unleashed a burst of lightning, arcing through the pack of Reapers and stunning several of them. Their bodies convulsed as the electricity coursed through them, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

Meanwhile, Lila stood back; her eyes focused as her golem held the rear, ready to intercept any stragglers. She could see the difference in how they operated now. 'It's subtle,' she mused, watching as the team moved almost seamlessly. 'But there's a rhythm now—a flow that wasn't there before. Astron's control is subtle but undeniable.'

Astron, standing at the back, nocked another arrow and scanned the battlefield. The Reapers were relentless, but their chaotic movements were predictable to him. His [Eyes of Hourglass] allowed him to see the weak points in their formations, the areas where they were most vulnerable. He could see the threads of mana that connected the monsters, and he used that knowledge to direct the team's strikes.

"Kurt, step left! Dorian, cut off the Reaper on the right before it circles back!" Astron's voice was steady, and each command was given with precise timing.

Kurt shifted his stance just as a Reaper lunged at his shield; the force of the creature's impact redirected as Kurt used his bulk to push it off balance. Dorian moved in, slicing through the beast's exposed flank with ease.

The coordination was seamless now. The team had always been competent, but now, under Astron's watchful eye, they were more than that—they were a unit, their movements sharp and efficient, with each member trusting the other to handle their role.

As the last of the Reapers fell, its body dissolving into dark mana, the team paused for a moment to catch their breath. The passage ahead was quiet for now, but they knew more monsters were lurking deeper within.

"Good work," Astron said, lowering his bow as he surveyed the battlefield.

'This team…..They really have quite a potential.' He did not remember their names from the game, nor did he have any information about them. But, one thing was becoming more and more clear as he saw their progress.

While their talent as a singular Hunter or as an Awakened was not top-notch, they were talented at working together.

'They can act as a good proximity.' *******

Liana stood before the team once again, the holographic map of the next gate displayed on the table. The blue and white hues of an icy landscape illuminated their faces, a stark contrast to the fiery Infernal Nexus and dark corridors of the Linear Gate.

"This next gate is known as Frostfang Lair," Liana began, her voice crisp and efficient. "A winter-themed dungeon. Expect low temperatures, ice hazards, and creatures that rely on speed and cold-based attacks. The monsters here are mid-stage-5, mostly Frostfang Wolves. They move in packs like the Reapers, but they're much faster and harder to detect due to their ability to blend with the environment."

She pointed to the final chamber on the map. "At the end, you'll face an Ice Revenant. It's resistant to physical attacks, but vulnerable to fire and earth-based magic. Elena's magic will be crucial here, as well as any fire-based attacks you can use. Don't let the cold slow you down—timing will be everything."

The team listened closely, already mentally preparing for the next challenge. Astron simply nodded. 'Ice environment—easy to predict their movements. Let's see how they adapt.'

<Inside the Frostfang Lair>

The team moved swiftly through the icy caverns of Frostfang Lair. Cold mist filled the air, making visibility low, but the team was undeterred. The Frostfang Wolves attacked in packs, their white fur blending seamlessly with the snow-covered ground.

Astron remained at the back, eyes focused on the battlefield. His green-tinted arrows glowed briefly before disappearing into the mist, taking down wolves before they could even get close. The team followed his cues, moving in sync to take down the fast-moving creatures.

"Elena hit the next wave with fire! Dorian, be ready for flanking," Astron directed.

With each command, the team executed with precision, and soon, the final chamber loomed ahead, the Ice Revenant waiting in the distance.

The battle was intense, the cold biting at their movements, but Elena's fire magic, combined with Astron's pinpoint strikes, quickly shattered the Revenant's icy defenses. Within minutes, the lair was cleared, the cold slowly dissipating as the team gathered near the exit.

Liana met them outside the gate, her eyes scanning the group with satisfaction. "Well done. We'll move on to the final gate of the day."

***********

Liana pulled up the final map for the day. This time, the holographic display showed a dark, eerie forest. "This is Shadowed Hollow," she explained. "It's a stage-5 dungeon, but the main difficulty comes from the terrain and the creatures' ability to cloak themselves in shadows. Expect ambushes from Shadow Stalkers and Wraiths. They're weak to light and mana-infused attacks."

*********

<Inside Shadowed Hollow>

As they ventured deeper into the dense, shadowy forest, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The trees cast long, eerie shadows, and the sound of rustling leaves masked the creatures' movements. Shadow Stalkers lunged from the darkness, but Astron's arrows found them before they could even make their presence known.

"Gareth, reinforce the barriers—Dorian, don't stray too far!" Astron commanded, his tone sharp but calm.

The Wraiths, almost invisible to the naked eye, tried to encircle the group, but Astron's Eyes caught the faint traces of mana they left behind. One by one, he directed the team to their positions, disrupting the Wraiths' attempts at an ambush.

With his arrows glowing faintly in the dim light, Astron took out the Wraiths with precise shots, leaving the creatures disoriented and exposed to the team's attacks. Within minutes, the forest was cleared, and the team regrouped.

Liana appeared at the gate's exit once more, her expression satisfied. "You've completed today's expeditions ahead of schedule. Excellent work."

******

As the day came to a close and the team entered the guild building, their spirits remained high despite the physical toll of the grueling expeditions. The air was filled with the quiet chatter of camaraderie as they moved through the main hall, their confidence bolstered by the success of the day's dungeon clears.

Liana walked alongside them, her expression calm yet focused, a constant reminder of the support and guidance they were receiving from the guild's leadership. She maintained her professional demeanor, but there was a subtle pride in her gaze as she observed the team.

"You'll have a brief rest before tomorrow's assignments," Liana said, addressing the group. "Same format—with five gates this time, increasing in difficulty. Get some rest; you've earned it."

The team dispersed, each member heading toward their respective quarters. As the group thinned, Liana turned her attention to Astron, her voice carrying a sense of purpose.

"Astron," she said, her tone polite but direct. "The Guild Master has requested to speak with you. If you don't mind, I'll escort you to his office."

Astron nodded, his expression neutral, though the slight raise of his brow indicated he wasn't entirely surprised by the request. "Understood."

With a brief glance at his teammates, Astron fell into step beside Liana, and they made their way toward the elevator. The faint hum of activity around the guild hall slowly faded as they moved deeper into the building.

As they walked, Liana turned slightly toward him, her voice softening just enough to convey her sincerity. "You did exceptionally well today, Astron. Your leadership was clear from the way the team performed in the dungeons. It's not easy to maintain such efficiency in back-to-back clears, but you made it seem almost effortless."

"You seem well informed," Astron said, suddenly looking at Liana. His purple eyes contained a certain edge that he did not exclude normally.

As they walked, Astron's gaze shifted toward Liana, his sharp purple eyes locking onto her with an intensity she wasn't used to seeing from him. "You seem well informed," he said, his tone measured but carrying an unmistakable edge.

Liana felt a brief tension rise in the air, and for the first time during their walk, she hesitated. She cleared her throat lightly, her composure briefly faltering. It was clear Astron had picked up on something, something about the footage or the meticulous observations of his performance.

Before she could offer an explanation, Astron continued, his voice cold but controlled. "I allowed the footage to be recorded this time for your analysis. But understand this—if it happens again without my explicit consent, I will not act the same."

The warning hung in the air between them, and though his tone wasn't aggressive, it carried a weight that chilled Liana to her core. It wasn't a direct threat, but the coldness in his words made it clear that Astron had no intention of letting such an oversight slide a second time.

Liana nodded, swallowing the sudden tension she felt. "I understand," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the discomfort that lingered in the back of her mind.

"Good," Astron replied, his tone neutral once again as they stepped into the elevator.

The doors closed, and the soft hum of the elevator rising filled the brief silence between them. As they ascended, Astron's voice broke through the quiet. "Did you contact the media?" n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Liana's eyes widened slightly in surprise, catching Astron's calm gaze as his question about the media hung in the air. "How did you know?" she asked, her voice betraying her surprise.

Astron glanced ahead, his expression unreadable. "It was obvious," he said simply, offering no further explanation.

Liana stared for a moment, digesting his response, before regaining her composure. She realized quickly that Astron had an uncanny ability to piece together the guild's strategies without being directly informed—a testament to his sharp mind.

"We've contacted Rong Shin Media," she confirmed, her tone professional once again. "They're a company with which we have a long-standing agreement. They'll begin the marketing campaign soon, focusing on the efficiency and speed of the dungeon clears."

Astron nodded, his gaze steady as ever. "Good."

The elevator came to a smooth stop, and the doors slid open with a soft hiss. They stepped out into the corridor, the air in this part of the building quieter, more private. As they walked, the imposing double doors to the Guild Master's office loomed ahead.

Liana gestured toward them. "The Guild Master is waiting."

Astron gave a brief nod in acknowledgment before they reached the doors, preparing for the conversation that awaited him with Guild Master Toren.