After finishing everything I was asked to write, a strange weight settled on my chest. The words had poured straight from my heart—but that didn't mean they would be accepted.
I gathered my courage and walked toward the employer, where everyone had already gathered. Some had calm expressions, while others exchanged glances and whispers. As for me, I stood frozen, as if my feet were rooted to the ground. Tension crept in slowly, tightening my chest and shortening my breath.
What if they don't like it? What if they laugh? What if I get rejected?
I tried to convince myself: I'm not the only one here. There are people with more skill, more intelligence, more experience…
Minutes passed like molasses, as if time itself hesitated to move. Then, the door to the hunting office opened, and a man I'd never seen before stepped out. His presence alone was enough to make everyone turn toward him. He looked to be in his thirties, tall, with neatly styled black hair. His eyes... weren't sharp, but firm—the kind of gaze that made you feel completely exposed.
Our silence was broken by the employer, who spoke in a slightly scolding tone:
"What took you so long?"
The unfamiliar man replied calmly and evenly:
"My apologies. But your employees had some rather impressive skills."
Those words hit me like a dart. Was he talking about me? No, impossible. There are people here who carry swords, fire guns, have muscles the size of my head. I just… wrote something.
Calm down. Don't overthink. Don't destroy yourself before anything even happens.
The man walked toward us with unhurried, confident steps, as if time bowed to his pace. He looked at each of us in turn, slowly, as if reading each face like a page in an open book.
Then, in a voice of quiet appreciation, he said:
"Nice. Looks like you trained them well."
The employer didn't comment—he simply nodded.
The strange man stood before us, hands behind his back, surveying us with the gaze of an expert:
"One of you submitted something… different."
At that, some people raised their heads with confidence. Others exchanged glances. Some remained still… But my heart? It pounded in a way I'd never felt before. It slammed against my chest like it was trying to escape ahead of me.
"May I know who wrote this paper?"
He held up a single, neatly folded, clean sheet.
A whisper came from within the group:
"Which paper?"
But I already knew.
My heart knew.
---
Then he said clearly:
"Knox Castro, step forward."
What? That's not me...
Relief flooded me. So it wasn't me he was talking about. I turned to see who this Knox person was—only to realize it was the teenage boy. So his name is Knox! But why did the stranger call him?
The boy stepped forward with calm, composed steps. He wasn't nervous like I'd imagined. It was like he was used to being in the spotlight. The stranger stared at him for a moment, then said in a tone I couldn't tell if it was joking or serious:
"You're… shorter than I expected."
I nearly burst out laughing but managed to hold it in. I wasn't alone—others around me held back smiles or bit their lips to avoid laughing. Knox, on the other hand, stood still, unbothered, his expression calm and composed.
The stranger shook his head lightly and said:
"In any case, you have an impressive ability. Why not join our Hunting Office? Or at least find a better place than hanging around with the old man."
The employer's face instantly showed irritation. He said firmly:
"I heard that."
But the stranger didn't back down. He replied smoothly:
"The choice is his... Let him decide."
I didn't quite understand what decision they were talking about. But the only thing echoing in my head was how much this felt like an anime or manhwa scene. Knox standing there, cool and confident, being invited to join a more powerful group… Isn't that exactly how things always go with the protagonist?
My thoughts were interrupted by Knox's voice:
"No, thank you. I'd like to stay with the employer."
He didn't hesitate or stutter. He said it like he was completely certain of his choice.
The stranger gave a faint smile:
"What a shame. But there's nothing I can do."
Before anyone could respond, the employer cut in directly:
"You heard him. Now, back to the main point. Did you bring everything I asked for?"
The stranger raised an eyebrow and replied with a playful tone:
"Yes, yes, you're always in such a hurry."
The employer, without smiling, said:
"Time isn't ours to waste. Every second matters."
The stranger laughed and shook his head:
"Yes yes, you and your new proverbs."
I looked at the two of them and felt something strange. Their conversation wasn't formal—it was friendly, as if they had a shared history we didn't know about. From the way they talked, the tone, even the little gestures… it felt like they'd known each other for a long time.
I thought to myself: What did the employer mean by "everything I asked for"? Who even is this strange man? There are so many secrets the employer's hiding… and I'm starting to sense them.
Then his voice rose again as he turned to everyone:
"Alright, gather up. We're heading to the hunting grounds now. This man will come along to observe any unusual monster movements… and to rescue anyone on the brink of death."
He paused briefly, then asked clearly:
"Are you all ready?"
The group responded in unison, loud and excited:
"YEEEESSS!!"
I couldn't stay silent. I found myself shouting with them without even thinking—as if their voices carried me with them… even though, deep inside, my heart still wished for just one thing:
That nothing dangerous happens.