Chapter 33
Back at the park it was now more quiet, the evening breeze carrying the soft rustle of leaves.
Renji sat on the bench with Lily at his side, her small hands clutching his sleeve, while Choji leaned against the lamppost with that same lazy grin he always wore.
But Renji's attention was on the stranger who had revealed herself earlier.
Arisa the S-rank hunter from the Bureau.
She had been following them in secret, but now she stood right in front of them, her black hair tied neatly, her coat resting easily on her shoulders.
And her eyes, sharp yet gentle, looked nothing like the rumors he had heard about the Bureau hunters.
Renji tilted his head, almost playfully. "So… stalking people in parks, huh? Is this part of your job?"
Arisa's lips curled into a faint smile, amused at his tone. " Like I said I wasn't stalking. Just… watching. And making sure you weren't in danger."
Choji chuckled from his corner. "That's just a fancier way of saying stalking."
Renji laughed at that, his voice light and genuine. "True, true. But I guess if someone like you is watching me, then I shouldn't complain."
For a moment, silence hung between them. Not tense, not awkward just quiet. Arisa studied him, almost puzzled.
Is this the dangerous boy the bearu were worried about?
Yet the young man in front of her laughed easily, cared for his little sister with every glance, and even joked with strangers.
She tilted her head slightly. "You're not what I expected."
Renji blinked. "Oh really miss hunter and what did you expect?"
Arisa gave him a soft, almost playful look. "A monster."
Lily gasped at the word, clutching Renji tighter. But Renji just chuckled and scratched the back of his neck, embarrassed.
"Well," he said, smiling, "sorry to disappoint. I'm just… me."
That answer simple, almost too simple and it made something stir in Arisa's chest. She wasn't sure if it was admiration, or relief, or something else she couldn't quite name.
Her gaze softened. "You're not disappointing at all."
Renji blinked, caught off guard. For once, words didn't come easily. His cheeks warmed, and he quickly looked away.
Choji noticed instantly, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Oooh… Renji. Don't tell me an S-rank just made you blush?"
Renji groaned. "Shut up, Choji."
Arisa laughed lightly, covering her lips with her hand. "You're funny. It's… refreshing." She glanced up at the sky as if remembering something. "But I can't stay. I have something important to do okay
She turned, her coat swaying with the breeze, but before leaving she looked back one last time.
Her smile warm, bright, and genuine met Renji's eyes. "I hope we'll meet again."
Renji's heart skipped. His lips parted, but no words came.
And then she was gone, her figure vanishing into the night streets.
Choji's chuckle broke the silence. He leaned closer to Renji, his voice dripping with teasing. "You're still red. Should I call you lover boy now?"
Renji groaned again, pulling Lily closer to hide his face. Lily giggled softly, finally feeling a bit of warmth after all the tension.
Meanwhile Deep in the Dungeon another story unfolded.
The Obsidian Fang Guild stood among the fallen corpses of the beasts black Steam rose from the blood that covered the ground, the stench thick but strangely satisfying.
They had won. And not a single casualty.
The hunters looked around in disbelief. Some still panted, clutching their weapons tightly, while others laughed nervously as if to confirm it was real.
"W-we actually cleared them all…" one whispered.
We really did it
Another smirked, pointing at the man at the center of it all. "Not 'we.' Him."
Our guild master
All eyes fell on Hiroto Kenzaki. His blade was still dripping with dark blood, but his coat was spotless, his steps light. His golden gaze glowed faintly, like fire yet untamed.
Aya lowered her bow, her heart still pounding. She had fired dozens of arrows, each precise, but none compared to the sheer overwhelming storm Hiroto had unleashed.
Hiroto stretched his neck lazily and then raised his arms, grinning at the guild. "Don't be scared, my beloved hunters for I am I'm here."
Laughter rippled through the hunters, nervous but relieved. The heaviness of the cavern air lifted slightly.
Aya rolled her eyes, though her lips curved upward. "Show-off."
But their victory was only the beginning.
The cavern ahead loomed darker than before, the crimson crystals pulsing faster, as though alive. A narrow tunnel led deeper, twisting into the unknown.
The guild fell quiet. Everyone stared at the darkness ahead.
The boss chamber.
Hiroto stepped forward, his tone calm but firm.
"Stay sharp everyone this was only the warm-up."
The hunters nodded, their expressions tightening. Their laughter faded, replaced by resolve. And together, they marched into the shadows.
The deeper they went, the colder the air became. The ground shook lightly, as though something vast and ancient stirred beneath their feet.
And then…
The tunnel opened into a massive chamber.
Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble
The ceiling was lost in darkness. Jagged crystal pillars jutted from the ground like broken teeth, glowing faintly. In the center of the chamber, a figure shifted within the shadows a shape too large to be human, its eyes glowing a dreadful crimson.
Welcome Home humans!!