The training hall echoed with the clash of steel, bursts of mana, and the ragged breaths of young hunters pushing past their limits. Renji stood at the center, his calm gaze tracking every movement.
"Do-jin, anchor your stance," Renji instructed, his tone sharp but even. The young tank grunted, planting his shield deeper into the ground as Min-seo's blade rang against it. Sparks danced from the impact.
"Good but don't just endure redirect." Renji's own sword flicked out in demonstration, a blur of controlled force that tilted Do-jin's shield just enough to send Min-seo stumbling past.
"Wha! Hyung, not fair!" Min-seo yelped, catching himself before sprawling across the mat.
Renji's lips tugged into the faintest smirk. "In battle, nothing's fair."
On the far side, Hye-rin muttered under her breath, frost condensing around her palms. "Easy for you to say some of us can't swing a sword like a monster." She thrust both hands forward, a wall of ice blooming between Min-seo and Do-jin.
Renji nodded once. "Better but faster. The moment you hesitate, the fight is already lost."
The three rookies exchanged exhausted looks but pressed on. Their clothes clung with sweat, mana still humming faintly in the air from their practice spells and strikes. Despite their complaints, the fire in their eyes grew sharper under Renji's relentless corrections.
"Alright, that's enough for now," Renji finally said. "Catch your breath. We'll go again after lunch."
Do-jin collapsed backward with a groan. "Hyung's version of a break is crueler than the monsters themselves"
"Shut up and drink water," Min-seo snapped, though his grin betrayed his own exhaustion.
Hye-rin dropped to the floor, fanning herself with both hands. "At this rate, the Hunter Festival won't kill us. He will." The doors open revealing Chaewon and called for Renji to have lunch with him
Renji stepped out of the training hall with Chaewon, the muffled groans of Do-jin, Min-seo, and Hye-rin trailing behind. She carried two lunch bags and shoved one into his chest without ceremony.
"Eat," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Before you collapse from overtraining them. You're scarier than any dungeon boss, you know that?"
Renji accepted it with a faint smile. "I thought I was being merciful."
Chaewon snorted and nudged his shoulder as they walked. "Merciful? Do-jin was begging for his ancestors to save him. Min-seo almost called you 'Hyungnim' in tears. And Hye-rin swore you were trying to freeze her instead of the other way around."
Renji let out a low chuckle. "If they can't handle me, they won't last five minutes in the Festival."
They reached the Association's cafeteria, a quiet corner by the window. Sliding into their seats, Chaewon opened her food and peeked at him with a mischievous grin. "You know, you're making history, Mr. First-E-to-A-Rank. If you smile a little, people might even like you."
"I don't need them to like me," Renji replied evenly.
"Of course you don't. But still" she mimicked an announcer's booming voice"'Renji! The Association's miracle returner! Stoic, scary, and single!'"
Renji sighed and gave her a look that only made her laugh harder.
"Relax, I'm joking," she said between giggles. "But seriously I did want to talk to you about the Hunter Festival."
Her voice softened, playfulness giving way to something steadier. She rested her chin in her hand, studying him.
"You know why they hold it every year, right?"
Renji shook his head slightly. "Other than entertainment? No."
Chaewon twirled her spoon idly. "On the surface, yeah, it's for show hunters proving themselves, guilds flaunting their power, the public cheering, it also assures the public that they don't have to worry about dungeon breaks but the truth is" She leaned closer, her tone dropping. "It's a power struggle. Guilds fight to claim dominance. The Association shows it still has authority. And this year? With you in the mix"
Renji's expression hardened. "You think they'll come after me."
Chaewon gave him a crooked smile, though her eyes were serious. "I know they will. To them, you're not a person you're a prize. A returner is rarer than gold, and everyone wants to hold you in their hands. If they can't, they'll break you so no one else can."
For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the clink of utensils in the cafeteria around them.
Renji finally muttered, "Then I'll just have to make sure they regret it."
Chaewon smirked and leaned back, her playfulness returning like a shield. "That's the spirit. Just don't forget you've got me. You don't have to do this alone."
Back in the training hall, the three collapsed in a heap against the wall, sweat dripping down their brows.
Do-jin groaned, clutching his ribs. "I swear Renji hyung is not training us, he's trying to assassinate us."
Min-seo threw his towel at him. "Quit whining. If we survive, maybe we'll actually look good in the Festival instead of embarrassing ourselves."
"Survive?" Do-jin shot back. "I'm already halfway to the afterlife."
Hye-rin sat with her knees pulled up, catching her breath. But her sharp eyes flicked toward the empty doorway where Renji and Chaewon had gone. "You two don't notice it, do you?"
Do-jin raised an eyebrow. "Notice what?"
She tilted her head, strands of damp hair falling loose. "Chaewon and Renji. They're too close to be just friends."
Min-seo scoffed. "What, because she laughs at his stone face? That's just Chaewon noona being Chaewon noona."
"No," Hye-rin said firmly. "It's the little things. The way he softens his tone only when she talks to him or how she doesn't flinch when he stares at her, but everyone else gets chills. They're synced in a way that feels different."
Do-jin let out a low whistle. "Are you telling me Renji hyung actually has a human side? To Chaewon noona of all people?"
"Scandalous," Min-seo muttered, smirking. "Captain and Mr. A-Rank Returner what a pair."
Before Hye-rin could reply, the door swung open.
"Lunch delivery!" Jae-hee skipped in holding a bag of neatly packed meals. Her ponytail bounced as she waved. "Courtesy of Renji oppa. He said you'd probably die if he didn't make sure you eat properly."
Do-jin sat up instantly, eyes wide. "Wait. He bought our lunch too?"
Jae-hee nodded with a bright grin. "Yep said training is pointless if his students faint before the festival."
The three exchanged glances.
"See?" Hye-rin said quietly, almost to herself. "That's what I mean."
Do-jin snorted. "Yeah, yeah. I'll believe it when I see Renji hyung actually smiling at her until then, he's just scary."
Min-seo grabbed a lunchbox and tore it open. "Scary or not, he's still feeding us. That's already more than most captains."
Jae-hee plopped down beside them, unwrapping her own meal. "Well, if you ask me," she chimed in, "Captain Chaewon's been smiling a little brighter lately. Wonder why?"
The three groaned in unison, though Hye-rin's knowing smirk lingered as she unwrapped her food.
The Behemoth Guild's private lounge buzzed with quiet luxury, its dim lighting casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. Seungri sat comfortably at the center, a glass of wine in hand, his expression carrying that familiar mix of charm and menace.
The door opened. Jung Joon-young strode in first, towering like a wall of muscle, followed by Yong Jun-hyung, his twin blades gleaming faintly under the light, and lastly Hyuna, her confident steps clicking against the floor as her eyes darted to Seungri with intrigue.
"You wanted to see us?" Joon-young's voice was blunt, impatient.
Seungri swiped at the tablet in his hand, sliding it across the table. The screen lit up with three faces: Do-jin, Min-seo, and Hye-rin.
"These three," Seungri said casually, taking a sip of his drink, "are entering the Hunter's Festival this year."
Jun-hyung arched an eyebrow. "Rookies?"
"Rookies being personally trained by the Association's newest anomaly," Seungri replied, his smirk widening. "Renji. The hunter who somehow jumped from E-rank to A-rank in a single reevaluation."
Hyuna leaned against the table, eyes glinting. "So that's the one everyone's whispering about. I'm kind of intrigued how he trains them."
Joon-young scoffed. "And you want us to crush them?"
Seungri's gaze sharpened, and he set the glass down with a soft clink. "Not just crush. Humiliate. Break their pride on the festival stage, where the entire country will be watching. If his students collapse under the weight of real hunters, then Renji's credibility collapses with them."
Jun-hyung chuckled lowly. "And if by chance they're stronger than they look?"
"Then we'll see exactly what kind of man Renji is through them," Seungri answered smoothly. He leaned back, his tone chilling despite the relaxed smile on his face. "But either way, the outcome works in our favor."
Hyuna tilted her head, smirking. "The matches are randomized though. No guarantee we'll face them."
Seungri's smirk only grew. "Let's just say Behemoth has influence where it matters. Don't worry. You'll get your chance."
The three subordinates exchanged looks grim, eager, and hungry for blood. The festival wasn't even here yet, but the game had already begun. Later that afternoon, Ma Dong Seok called for a meeting regarding the hunter's festival.
The heavy oak doors of the Association's central conference chamber shut with a resonant thud. Inside, Ma Dong-seok sat at the head of the long table, his massive frame dwarfing the leather chair. On his right, RM leaned forward, hands clasped tightly, while Chaewon sat opposite him, arms crossed and brows furrowed. The air was thick like a storm gathering above them.
Dong-seok's gaze swept the room before he spoke. "The Hunter's Festival is one week away. This year, it won't just be a test of skill it will be a battlefield of influence."
Chaewon leaned in. "Because of Renji."
Dong-seok gave a short nod. "Exactly. His re-evaluation already caused ripples. The Behemoth Guild won't ignore this chance. They'll try to provoke him, or worse, his students."
RM scowled. "They'll use the festival's format against us. The Association can't openly interfere once the matches start, right?"
"That's the problem," Dong-seok rumbled. He rested his arms on the table, muscles shifting beneath his suit. "The festival is meant to be a neutral ground, a celebration of hunters competing in skill. If we intervene, we'll be accused of favoritism, and that's the last thing Renji needs."
Chaewon's tone sharpened, the protective edge in her voice plain.
"So we just let them come after him? Let them target his students until he's forced to act?"
"No." Dong-seok's reply came like a hammer. "That's why I called you here. We can't protect him directly, but we can control how his team performs. If Do-jin, Min-seo, and Hye-rin can rise to the challenge, they'll carry their own weight and keep Renji from being forced into the spotlight."
RM exhaled slowly. "So you're saying the key isn't hiding Renji. It's making sure his students are strong enough to stand on their own."
Dong-seok's eyes gleamed. "Exactly. The festival isn't only about power it's about strategy, adaptability, and teamwork. If his students excel, Renji can stay in the shadows. That's the balance we must strike."
Chaewon hesitated for a moment, her voice dropping softer. "But you and I both know Renji won't stay quiet if they're pushed too far. He protects people, that's who he is."
Dong-seok leaned back, lips pressing into a grim line. "And if that moment comes, it will shake the entire Association. So we prepare his students, we prepare our squads, and we brace for whatever storm Behemoth tries to bring."
Silence lingered, broken only by the faint ticking of the wall clock.
Then RM smirked faintly, trying to cut the tension. "Well, I suppose that makes me and Chaewon the babysitters. Training hell starts tomorrow."
Chaewon shot him a sideways look. "Don't drag me down with your lazy drills. Renji and I will handle the real work."
RM chuckled, but Dong-seok's expression didn't lighten. He stared at them both, voice low and final. "Make no mistake this festival will decide more than trophies. It will decide who controls the narrative around Renji."
Hunter's Festival
The morning of the Hunter's Festival dawned bright and clear, Seoul already humming with restless energy. Around the massive domed stadium, streets overflowed with civilians. Families, students, and tourists pressed shoulder-to-shoulder, waving banners painted with guild emblems and cheering the names of their favorite hunters.
Food stalls lined every block, sizzling meat skewers, rice cakes, and fried dumplings filling the air with their scent. Merchants hawked glowing replicas of mana crystals, toy swords, and even cardboard shields painted after famous hunters' weapons. Music boomed from speakers, mixing with the roar of the crowd as giant holographic screens displayed highlights from past festivals hunters clashing in bursts of flame, ice, and steel.
"Hunter's Festival! Get your Hunter's Festival snacks here! Limited edition badges of the Ironfang Guild!" shouted a vendor, holding up keychains of Suho and Kai stylized as chibi warriors. Another stand sold glowing lightning wands modeled after Seulgi's abilities.
This wasn't just a tournament. For civilians, it was a holiday. A chance to cheer, to dream, to feel part of the strength that defended humanity.
The banquet hall of the Seoul Hunter's Dome was a palace of glass and stone, a room built to impress both politicians and hunters alike. Crystal chandeliers cast warm golden light across the polished floor, while long tables groaned under the weight of rare dishes: enchanted seafood, mana-infused fruits, and wines aged in dungeon caverns.
This was no mere dinner. It was the quiet battlefield before the storm. One by one, the titans of Korea's hunter world made their entrance.
First came Suho, leader of the Ironfang Guild, sharp in a tailored black suit. Behind him was Kai, the vice leader, effortlessly charismatic as he greeted officials with a disarming smile. Ironfang's aura was power and discipline, a guild that prided itself on strength as much as image.
Then arrived Irene, the face of Stormwatch. Her beauty carried the same authority as her voice when she spoke, elegant and poised, with Seulgi at her side — quieter, but with eyes that missed nothing. Where Ironfang embodied raw force, Stormwatch was calculation and precision.
Next, Lee Jong-suk, leader of Lunarveil, stepped into the room. His presence was graceful, almost too perfect, as though he'd walked straight from a screen. IU followed, her voice soft as she greeted those who came near, though her smile never reached her eyes. Lunarveil was artistry given edge, charisma forged into steel.
And then came the Obsidian Guild.
CL, dressed in a daring white suit that commanded attention, entered with the confident stride of someone who owned the room. Her laughter carried like a spark as she immediately drew a small crowd of officials. At her side was G-Dragon, his black coat draped carelessly, but his eyes cold and sharp, always moving. Where CL drew people in, GD unsettled them, reminding everyone why Obsidian was respected and feared.
The guild leaders mingled, circling one another with polite smiles and veiled remarks. The tension was subtle but tangible, like static in the air before a storm.
Finally, the last to arrive Behemoth Guild.
The hall seemed to hush as Seungri walked in, his confident smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. Followed by his silent shadow, Choi Jong-hoon, he moved with ease, as if the banquet had been prepared for him alone. People shifted in their seats, conversations quieted, and more than a few eyes turned sharp.
Especially those of CL and GD.
The moment their gazes met Seungri's, the air thickened. Obsidian and Behemoth had a history Seungri had once stood beside CL and GD, part of their vision but he had left, walking into the arms of Behemoth instead.
CL's lips curved in a smile, but her words dripped with venom. "Didn't think you'd show your face here, Seungri. Behemoth must be desperate for attention."
GD leaned back against the table, voice smooth as silk. "Or maybe he's just here to remind us that even trash floats when the tide rises."
Seungri didn't flinch. His smirk only widened as he poured himself a drink from the nearest table, unbothered. "Funny. Last I checked, Behemoth sits at the top three. Meanwhile Obsidian's still clawing at the glass ceiling."
The crowd around them stilled, sensing the heat. The tension coiled tight, like a bowstring ready to snap. It was Ma Dong-seok who stepped in, his deep voice cutting across the table like a hammer. "That's enough."
The Association Leader's presence filled the space effortlessly, his bulk and authority impossible to ignore. He clapped a heavy hand on Seungri's shoulder, then turned to CL and GD with a smile that was equal parts charm and warning. "This is a banquet, not a battlefield. Save the teeth for the festival floor. Tonight, you drink together as hunters, rivals or not."
CL's eyes flicked to GD, who gave a low chuckle, shrugging off the moment. Seungri swirled his drink lazily but didn't push further. The tension broke on the surface, at least.
But beneath the polite laughter and clinking glasses, everyone knew the truth. The Hunter's Festival would be more than a competition. It would be a reckoning.
The tension in the hall had only just settled when the doors swung open once more.
A hush rippled through the room as Minister Jang entered, flanked by a close aide who carried a folder pressed tight to his chest. The Minister's tailored navy suit gleamed under the chandelier's light, and the sharp cut of his tie mirrored the authority in his stride. Though not a hunter himself, his influence reached farther than most of the guild leaders combined.
Every pair of eyes shifted toward him. Some with respect, others with calculation.
"Minister Jang," several voices greeted, standing in acknowledgment. Even the guild leaders inclined their heads, though some with more reluctance than others.
Jang raised a hand, offering a politician's warm smile as he moved toward the center of the banquet floor. His aide leaned close, whispering, before stepping back into the crowd. Jang's voice carried easily over the low murmur of the hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, honored hunters, and esteemed guild leaders," he began, lifting a glass of wine handed to him by a server. "It brings me great pride to stand here tonight, at the eve of an event that has become not only a tradition, but a beacon of hope for Korea."
The crowd quieted, his words cutting through the air like the toll of a bell.
"The Hunter's Festival is more than a competition. It is proof of our resilience, our unity, and our will to stand strong against the chaos beyond our gates. Every year, our hunters step into the arena not just to fight for glory, but to show the world that Korea breeds strength unmatched, courage unbroken."
He paused, letting the words weigh on the hall. His eyes swept over the guild leaders Suho, Irene, Jong-suk, CL, GD, and finally Seungri each of them knowing he spoke not only to inspire but to remind them: the festival was watched by more than the people in this room.
"Our hunters carry the pride of the nation. And this year, I expect the brilliance we all know lies within you to shine brighter than ever."
Minister Jang lifted his glass higher. "To the hunters may your battles be fierce, your hearts steadfast, and your victories worthy of song."
Glasses lifted across the room, the crystal chime of the toast echoing through the banquet hall.
"To the hunters!" the hall roared back.
The warmth of wine touched every lip, but not every heart. For beneath the cheers, the guild leaders' eyes flickered sizing one another up, measuring what this year's festival would bring. Alliances would be tested, rivalries sharpened, and blood would be spilled.
As the last echoes of the toast faded, Minister Jang's aide leaned into him again, quiet but urgent. The Minister only nodded, his gaze lingering on the gathered hunters a moment longer.
It was the start of the festival