Alarm rings.
The TV was already on when he walked into the living room. A well-dressed reporter stood before a rotating projection of a massive gate.
"Anyway, in recent gate and hunter news, popular S-rank hunter Tristan was spotted a week ago crying at the S-rank gate in the Carestin District. Gate and hunter analyst Peter McCartney was on the site and proclaims Tristan was supposedly crying whilst begging his teammates to go back and retreat," Susan remarks. "Some suspect he had seen a bleak future with his power of foresight, whilst some believe he was simply scared to challenge said gate. Many were disappointed, and he is constantly receiving backlash from civilians and other hunters."
"Another popular rival S-rank party, 'Gods Plan,' have announced their attempt on the gate raid, with even the leader of their party coming out to say—and I quote—'everyone in the Foresight party are a bunch of pussy ass ni—'"
"I don't think I'm allowed to say that live," Susan says. "Anyway, we have inside news that 'Foresight' are currently undergoing intense training, hoping to challenge the dungeon again after some months. Well, that's all for today, folks. I've been Susan, and thank you for tuning in."
The TV is turned off.
"Hah…" Kade sighs.
"I-it's not… that bad," Mira chimes in.
"It is that bad!" Kade remarks. "I don't know what he saw, but he could've called us or something. Leaving his house in his underwear and crying is a bit… much."
"How long is he even going to be in there?" Jin says. "He's been in the training grounds for a week straight now. It makes me wonder just what exactly Foresight showed to him."
"Well," Mira remarks with a resounding clap, "we'll just have to train hard too. We've known him for years, and not once has he ever been like that. It must mean whatever he saw was that serious."
"We can't be holding him back now, can we?" Mira says while walking toward the training grounds.
"Hah…" Kade sighs. "I guess you're right. Let's go."
---
In the training grounds
Multiple turrets whirr. A series of shots.
He pans his head back, a vertical slash blocking the first three bullets.
"The left—"
His eyes track every projectile. A horizontal slash deflects another four. A step back, dodging a shot coming from above.
His pupils flash.
"Foresight!"
He sees it—the trajectory of the remaining projectiles. He continues his flurry of attacks: diagonal, horizontal, and vertical slashes. He dodges the ones he can't deflect.
"Huff… huff," panting for air.
"No," he mutters. Moments of his deaths flash in his mind. The face of the being resides in his head. "Not good enough yet. AGAIN!!!"
"HAAAAHHH!" he screams.
"He's really going hard," Jin says as they watch him from behind the glass that separates them.
"Look at him," Mira says. "How can he train like someone afraid of his fate, yet look forward with such determination?"
"I need to go," Kade says. "I can't let myself laze around either."
"Hmph," Mira scoffs. "And here I thought I'd need to convince him to train."
Kade's back is all that's seen as he walks away.
I still don't fully understand why Tristan acted that way, Kade thought. But just in case it actually is real, I need to get ready. I can't be a burden… at least not again.
---
Two weeks later — Carestin District
"Good evening, everybody. Welcome back to Hunter News Worldwide. I'm Susan, and today is the raid of the S-rank gate in the Carestin District," Susan remarks. "Today, S-rank party 'Gods Plan' will be initiating their raid on the dungeon, hoping to clear it. I have my partner, gate and hunter analyst Peter McCartney, on the scene to give all those watching some information on the gate and hunters."
"Thank you, Susan," Peter replies. "I'm here at the scene with famous S-rank hunter and the leader of 'Gods Plan,' Big D—"
"…"
"Well, for those who don't know, Big D is a popular S-rank hunter known for his famous staff techniques and his average muscular build. But don't let looks deceive you—despite his physique, he is one of the best hunters when it comes to strength, having an impressive 80 points in his strength stat," Peter remarks.
"Just some weeks ago, S-rank party 'Foresight' retreated before entering the gate. We hope that won't be the same case for 'Gods Plan' here today."
"You don't need to worry about that," Big D chimes in. "We in 'Gods Plan' don't cry in front of gates like pussies because of a bad dream."
"LISTEN HERE!" Big D yells. "'Gods Plan' will clear this dungeon today, and we will no longer be known as the rival of 'Foresight,' but the best! WE WILL BECOME THE BEST S-RANK PARTY IN UNIKA TODAY!!"
"Let us proceed," Big D says.
"Wow," Peter remarks. "What a speech. Will this be the push 'Gods Plan' needs to finally surpass 'Foresight'? Well, we don't know, but as Susan always says—
'Another dungeon will be cleared today'.