The next day, we went to the Association.
The Hunters Association was the backbone of the hunter world.
The place where chaos learned how to behave, where monsters were reduced to reports, and legends were filed into archives.
Every piece of knowledge flowed through it. Ancient. Forbidden. Dangerous.
Even the royal library was, in truth, only a refined extension of the Association's records.
When monsters first spilled into the world through dimensional rifts, kingdoms nearly collapsed. It was the Association that rose from that chaos, recognized by governments, feared by guilds, and respected by hunters who understood power.
As we walked, I asked the question that had been burning in my mind.
"So… what exactly does the Association do?"
Arthur answered without slowing.
"First, it registers Hunters. When someone awakens, they're tested and assigned a rank, from E to S*. That rank decides their pay, their missions, and how close to death they'll be working."
He raised one finger.
"Second, it monitors Gates and Dungeons. Rift Gates appear without warning. The Association tracks them, estimates threat levels, and sends raid teams before monsters overflow."
Another finger.
"Third, it organizes raid teams. Hunters rarely go alone. Parties are approved here. Large-scale dungeon raids are overseen here."
A fourth.
"Fourth, it controls equipment and resources. Weapons, artifacts, dungeon loot evaluations. Money and power flow through the Association."
A final finger.
"And fifth, it maintains order. Hunters are walking disasters. Someone has to keep them in check."
Elilia added calmly, "And don't forget the people behind it."
She glanced ahead.
"Chival, Chairman of the Voldaro Hunters Association. Elderly in body, terrifying in presence. He understands power better than anyone alive."
"And Association inspectors, analysts, healers, officials. They judge threats and decide who lives to fight another day."
Iris nodded slowly.
"I think… I get it."
I grinned.
"That's the Association? That's awesome."
The building itself rose like a fortress carved from crystal and steel.
From the outside, towering spires reached skyward, engraved with glowing runes that pulsed faintly, reacting to mana in the air. Massive gates stood open, guarded not by soldiers, but by silent enchantments that scanned everyone who entered.
Inside was even more overwhelming.
A cathedral-like hall stretched endlessly, its ceiling suspended by floating sigils instead of pillars. Light refracted through crystal panels, illuminating hundreds of hunters moving between counters, mission boards, and teleport circles.
-The Association-
The air hummed with power.
This wasn't a place of nobility.
It was a place of capability.
Arthur gestured forward.
"Let's get your registration done."
The administration office was calmer.
Behind the counter stood a woman with sharp eyes and silver hair tied neatly back.
"Hello," she said with a polite smile. "If it isn't Princess Elilia and Prince Arthur."
Her gaze shifted to us.
"And who might these three be, gracing us with their presence?"
Arthur cleared his throat.
"My younger brother, Prince Raidan. His friend Mart."
Elilia leaned in, smiling far too sweetly.
"And this cutie is our beloved cousin Iris."
Celia chuckled softly.
"I see. So you're here for registration."
She placed a crystal ball on the desk.
"Place your hands here. This will read your status and
establish your IDs."
One by one, we did.
The crystal glowed brighter with each reading.
Celia's eyebrows rose.
"…Amazing. Prince Raidan, age Ten, level thirty-five."
I heard Mart swallow.
"Princess Eris, level thirty."
Eris looked away, thinking quietly.
It's only thanks to that mysterious boost Raidan gave me…
"And Mart," Celia continued, "level twenty."
Mart slumped.
"I trained like hell for that…"
Celia handed us our IDs.
"Congratulations. You are now officially Hunters."
Finally.
"Do you want to join a guild?" Elilia asked.
Iris tilted her head.
"Is there a benefit?"
"Of course," Elilia said. "Guild raids, access to harder missions, faster growth."
Iris looked at me.
"Let's do it."
I nodded.
"I was looking for difficult quests anyway."
Arthur raised a hand.
"Now, now. Before that, why don't you three take a quest?"
The quest board was massive.
My eyes stopped on one immediately.
D-Rank Quest: Eliminate 30 Infra-Glyzers
Lizard-like creatures. Larger. Tougher. Fire-resistant.
I tore the quest off and brought it to Celia.
"We'll take this."
She frowned.
"You're sure? These aren't normal Glyzers. Infra-Glyzers have hardened scales and extreme fire resistance."
Iris smiled.
"And that's exactly what we need."
Mart clasped his hands together.
"Oh gods please save me from their stubborn hides."
Iris and I turned slowly.
"WHO are you calling stubborn?"
"N-no one, my lords."
The battle was chaos.
Infra-Glyzers surged from the ravines, scales glowing like molten stone.
Iris stepped forward.
"Moonflare."
White-hot flames erupted, an inferno that burned without smoke. Her body glowed silver-gold as the skill boosted every aspect of her being. Speed. Strength. Control.
I activated Shatterspring, fire threading through the lightning as I forced my power into balance.
The ground cracked.
The Glyzer general roared.
Ashia and Allond arrived mid-battle, just in time to witness us clash with the creature.
By the time it fell, I felt my body surge.
Level 45.
Iris collapsed to one knee, panting.
Level 40.
Mart emerged from behind a rock.
"…I killed five."
Level 25.
Celia stared at the loot.
"…This is… nearly one hundred gold coins."
She paid us without another word.
Later, Elilia and Arthur found us waiting.
"You're registered," Arthur said calmly.
Elilia smiled.
"Welcome to The Emberstalkers."
The top guild in the kingdom.
Second place: Moonrend Legion.
Third: Eclipse Wardens.
I couldn't stop smiling.
We celebrated with a feast that night.
At the guild hall, Henro finalized our details, updated our IDs, and assigned us rooms. My door code synced directly to my ring.
As I lay down, exhaustion finally catching up to me, one thought stayed clear.
This wasn't just the start of guild life.
This was the beginning of something much bigger.