In the eastern part of Thallerion, the sun rose like a powerful ruler, slowly conquering the cold shadows of the night. A white sphere, shimmering like glass, glowed in the heavens—that was the Crown-Shield. From afar, it looked like a giant crown dropped by the gods. As the sun peeked over the horizon, the entire architecture of Thallerion gleamed, like swords raised in a tall, majestic salute. However, as the morning heat intensified, crowds began to gather in the spacious plaza of Betelgeuse City.
Cheers and roars of support echoed as King Zerceux arrived, riding his flying Auriga pulled by four golden horses. The trumpets blared magnificently as he stepped down from the glowing chariot. He smiled and waved to the crowd, then gripped his arm and rotated his golden bracelet. In an instant, the Auriga vanished like stardust swept away by the wind. The hem of his black jacket danced, accentuating his muscular physique. His heavy boots thudded firmly against the ground as he stepped toward the center, lost in deep, solemn thought.
"To rise in this world, one must cling to the Celestial Gene. Without it, Thallerion is nothing but a rat in the eyes of monsters. But these days, so much has changed. Everyone is anxious, fearing that tomorrow... the Celestial-guardian they once boasted of may no longer exist."
The King sighed as he saw a desperate man trying to show off his strength. No matter how hard he squeezed his arm, and no matter how much he struggled to manifest his power, it resulted only in blue stardust glimmering on his trembling hands. "Thallerion has long been abandoned by the Celestial-guardian. The guardian who was meant to protect our families and our nation. Yet, they taught us how to fight and how to stand our ground."
The live broadcast, composed of blue energy, spread across the walls of Thallerion's buildings. King Zerceux stood at the forefront, scanning the faces of his people. His prominent chest rose as he took a deep breath, raising his massive arm; his weary fingers pointed aggressively at the sky like a sword.
"Look up!" His voice was deep, slow, but steady, as if the very air were listening. "Behold the shimmering barrier they have piled in the sky like a white shroud over a coffin." The veins on his forehead bulged, his aura radiating heat. "That is the National Threat Security Shield sent by the Cepheus Sovereign under the Crown-System!" The people's eyes darkened at the sight of the glowing shield bearing the Sovereignty's logo. "One hundred years have passed since they installed that thing. Luxurious, isn't it? But to me, it is called—a Hunters' Prison! Everyone thinks it's for safety? Others think it's freedom!? But with every breath we take, they steal our rights."
The citizens' resentment resonated with the King's sentiment. "They are chaining our nation! This isn't true safety! It is oppression!" The King clearly heard the clanking of weapons forged from celestial energy. The firing of low-tier guns left a tremor in the air.
"You are right! All they talk about is 'peace.' 'Ordinance.' 'Mandate.' And the cruelest part, they gave us a Sovereign shield... we pay for it, but 'they hold the remote.' This is our prison!" The King's fist hammered the podium, smoke rising from his arm. His blue eyes blazed as he stared at the populace.
"When Thallerion's Celestial-guardian vanished, the country was imprisoned for a long time. Because they look at us as weak; as if we need to rely on their protection." King Zerceux struck the podium, causing it to crack as he roared passionately. "Ha! We are not sheep needing to be guarded by their shepherd. Have they forgotten!? We know how to wield weapons!"
"We are Hunters! We don't need to depend on them!" the crowd shouted. A mass awakening occurred in the midst of the speech, as they demonstrated their support for the King.
"I am with you. The forests, the mountains, and the oceans are extensions of our lives. That is where we belong. Not inside the shield of false protectors!" The King's face flushed red, his neatly cut gray hair trembling. As the citizens listened, their eyes lit up like stars, and from their hands, energy materialized, shaping into sharp weapons. "But they caged us like birds in a cage, never giving us the chance to fight!"
The Heated Encounter
In the middle of the King's monumental speech, the ethereal screens around the plaza suddenly glitched as if there were a system anomaly. A red ethereal screen appeared, looking like the muzzle of a gun pointed at his face. "What is this!?"
Streamlined System Interface
[ SYSTEM NOTICE: CEPHEUS SOVEREIGN HIGH-PRIORITY BOUNTY ]
Phenomenon: Biopunk Infestation & Feral Bio-Trafficking
Source: Unauthorized Underworld Laboratories
■ INTEL REPORT
The Crown-System has detected an exponential surge in illegal biopunk facilities along the frontier. These dark sectors are mass-producing illicit genetic catalysts.
■ MISSION PARAMETERS
Objective: Destroy all 10 illegal laboratories consecutively
Time Quota: 2 Months (60 Standard Days)
Target Species: Unknown / Rapidly Mutating Mutagens
Estimated Forces: ~1,000 Biopunk Entities per sector (Continuous release)
Lethality: UNQUANTIFIABLE (Extreme Threat)
Location: Eastern Thallerion Border (Marshy Terrain)
■ BOUNTY POOL
Reward: 25,000,000,000 Astral-Coins (AC)
Creditor: Cepheus Sovereign Ledger Account
[ SYSTEM QUEST: DO YOU ACCEPT THIS TASK, AWAKENED OF THALLERION? ]
[Yes] [NO]
"The Cepheus Sovereign?" His jaw tightened upon seeing the screen from the Sovereignty. Yet, it was replaced by curiosity. "Illegal laboratories?" He whispered, reading every letter that appeared on the screen. "25 billion—billion? That's massive!?"
"Ms. Ruvensent, please confirm the mentioned reward." Red heels clicked on the stage as the secretary approached, wearing a striking purple dress that reached her thighs.
"Yes, my King, I will contact the Sovereignty office." The secretary stood elegantly, her presence catching the eyes of everyone.
"Do you think we can still trust the Sovereignty?" A man approached slowly, his voice hoarse. He tapped his cane against the stage. To his right followed a female servant with a sharp, wicked smile. "My gut says... this is a scheme."
"Good morning, Head Minister," the secretary greeted, bowing.
"Gaverdric." King Zerceux turned to the minister's calm face, his jaw hardening at the sight of the scar between the man's eyebrows and forehead. His bald head gleamed, framed by gray hair on the sides. Zerceux noticed Gaverdric's bodyguards standing at a distance. "I will handle this. Do not interfere."
Gaverdric stared at the King coldly, pretending not to hear. "I know what you're thinking." Gaverdric's voice sounded like it came from a deep well filled with bitter poison. "Do not push this upon Thallerion. The dignity of Hunters is already dead."
The King's vision dimmed, shadows masking his face, and he clenched his fist tightly. Gaverdric stepped to the side and looked coldly at the people below the stage as if they were ants. Each tap of his cane was an insult to the King. "If you fall for the Sovereignty's tricks, you are basically saying that Hunters only live by bribes. An ugly ideology that is slowly erasing Thallerion's image."
"Hunters don't need a pretty image." The King's cheeks tightened, his gaze still fixed on the ethereal screen. "What my people need is support and work. Look at them closely. Do you have no compassion for the poor who are starving?" The King's voice broke like a lion's roar.
"Starving?" Gaverdric laughed sarcastically. "Why not blame the Sovereignty?" He adjusted his ring and looked at the King's face again. "They grew rich because countries have long been shackled by their offer of the Crown-Shield. Every year we pay 500 million in astral currency. Now, I understand why you want to accept the 25 billion? For what?" He smiled sharply, staring at the King. "So the Sovereignty can laugh at us? So everyone can mock us and say: 'Where are the once-famous Hunters? Is Thallerion struggling?' Ha!?"
"Is that your way of worrying for the nation!?" The two stared at each other like cannons with fuses about to burn out. The King's face turned red while Gaverdric silently gripped his cane and gritted his teeth in rage. However, the secretary broke their mounting animosity.
"My King and honorable Minister. Please, stop this!" She touched King Zerceux's shoulder. "That is enough, Head Minister, please do not argue about this." But he only snorted, chin held high.
The King's face calmed, and he slowly exhaled. "Gaverdric, do not interfere. Have you forgotten your sin?" King Zerceux stared at Gaverdric's scar, which seemed like a nightmare returning to his mind. "Do not worry. The decision will not come from me."
The King picked up the microphone, which echoed throughout the area, and faced them with a renewed sense of resolve. "Wake up, awakened warriors, hunters, and healers. This is the opportunity we have been waiting for—the key to our freedom is within our grasp."
"The Cepheus Sovereign has now called for the destruction of every laboratory. The emergence of these biopunk-prototypes has become the root of the evolution of monster-men." Rumors spread among the people during the King's speech.
"However, Hunters live to kill fierce monsters, bloodthirsty demons, and blood-thirsty biopunks! Their lives are in our hands." The people shouted enthusiastically and confidently, the air vibrating with the echo of their support.
"So today, I ask for your decision. Will we accept this mission to fight and stand our ground, or will we remain cowards in the eyes of the world forever?" The plaza filled with noise as everyone debated.
"Thallerion is the home of hunters," said a brave awakened warrior. He squeezed his fist tightly, sparks of energy dancing around it. "We agree, warriors."
"Are you the only ones who will fight?" shouted an ordinary person holding a low-tier sword. "My King, what about us, the non-awakened? We don't have enough money to buy celestial power. We want to help, too." Gaverdric frowned, swallowing hard. Meanwhile, the King gazed at the people's faces with compassion.
King Zerceux heard Gaverdric's side remark. "The weak are useless in this fight. Why not just put them to work on the farms? Their lives are a waste."
"Then... go to the Rigil District. Register as an auxiliary hunter," the King ordered. "Do not be reckless; wait for the command of the elites."
"Thank you, my King." He noticed men trying to level up their rookie blades, only for them to flicker briefly. He sighed while watching them.
The King reflected in his mind. "No king would refuse a 25-billion offer from the Cepheus Sovereign, especially when the citizens are in need of money and food. But I know this mission is not easy." He wiped his brow from exhaustion. "But because of the disappearance of our guardian entity, the abilities of many are weakening. The number of Awakened-Hunters is decreasing, too. I just hope the rookies and non-awakened won't become a burden in this mission," he whispered before taking a deep breath.
King Zerceux looked at the minister who was still standing on the stage with a stormy expression. "What now, Gaverdric? There is nothing you can do... this is everyone's decision."
"Ch!" Gaverdric's nose flared in anger as he stormed off with his bodyguards and his servant.
King Zerceux pressed the 'YES' button. A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd as they supported his decision. The beginners and the citizens slowly began to move toward the Rigil district to register.