His whole body was burning.
Tino let out a small groan as he twisted and writhed in response to the dull pain that shot through his body upon awakening.
The softness of the bed surrounding her body did nothing to ease the pain. As he stretched his neck and looked out from under the covers, he could vaguely see his room that he had rented on the side of the clan house.

You can't do in real life what you can't do in training, can you?

That's what Tino's mentor used to say.
On the verge of death. To become accustomed to and able to control the power that surpasses the limits allowed only between life and death. That seemed to be his goal, and every time he took a kumite, Tino would have a hell of a time.

It's been a long time since his first real combat training, but he shows no signs of getting used to it.

Tino managed to get up on the bed, keeping the screams of his body inside his face.

The portrait in the room showed a grim-faced girl with a shaggy haircut and disheveled clothes.

Probably, after the training, she was so exhausted and damaged that she was on the verge of death and could not move, and her master had washed her in water, dressed her in some clothes that had turned to mush, and thrown her into bed.
At first, I was left alone in the training ground without even that, but Master, who couldn't bear to see me being treated so badly, came to do the bare minimum for me.
The cleanup was rather rough, but it was much better than being left in the presence of the clan members for hours.

The reflection of Tino's body in the mirror was unblemished. Her pajamas were wide open and her skin was white and smooth, as if she hadn't been doing rough work for a living.
Perhaps she had recovered spontaneously while she was unconscious, or perhaps she had been soaked in a potion before being washed in water, or perhaps her master, who was not good at taking it easy on her, had finally mastered the art of hurting people without revealing it.

In any case, I am grateful for the fact that there are no scars left on the surface.
The pain that remains will disappear in the near future. To the extent that this is possible, Tino has also absorbed the mana material.

His body was still heavy and tired, but he went to the bathroom and took a shower of water over his head to awaken his consciousness.
The cold water awakened his feverish body. He squinted his eyes at the pleasant sensation of cooling the dull pain, and at the same time, he checked the condition of his body.

Managing physical conditioning is an essential skill for hunters. Especially since Master imposes his training without considering Tino's condition, he naturally pays attention to it. Tino rubbed his arms from his shoulders as water slid down his shoulders, and let out an exasperated mutter to himself.

'As expected of a sister ...... who doesn't have a single bruise ......'.

In the past, thieves had a low attack power. But for Tino now, Liz's blow is so heavy that even if he guards it, he will not be safe.
It's better because he doesn't use weapons, but he also throws kicks as well as thrusts, and he targets your joints without hesitation. It's a lethal blow if you're wrong. Several bones must have been broken. I wondered why there was no internal bleeding.

My memory was foggy. I meditated, trying to remember the scene during the training, but I could barely remember anything, probably because my consciousness was jumbled. But I must have done well. He must have fought off the attack with all his might.

Otherwise, he would not have woken up alive like this.

There are many places in the Imperial City where you can learn combat skills. There are many places where retired hunters serve as masters. There are even schools.
Most hunters of level 3 and above have been trained in some kind of training institution.

But do other hunters also undergo such harsh training?
They lick the ground, vomit blood, break bones, and are bombarded with an unbelievable amount of deadly energy that can only be taken seriously.

It was Tino's own decision to study under Liz Smart.

Tino wanted to, and Liz initially refused. She said she didn't have time to teach others. The fact that Tino is now Liz's only apprentice is a result of sheer luck.
If it weren't for the Master who happened to be nearby at the time and convinced him, Tino wouldn't be a hunter now.

Strong, they say. They admire him for studying so hard at his age.
Before he knew it, it had become a matter of course for him to do everything in his power to the death.

Although it is deathly hard, and is sometimes referred to as torture, Tino has no intention of quitting his apprenticeship. He often feels like failing, but he never has. Not so far.
But is he really reaching the goal his teacher has set for him?

His shoulders shuddered at the question that suddenly came to mind, and he turned off the shower with a trembling hand.

§§


After getting ready, Tino went to the Clan House as usual.

It was only a short walk from the house he had rented because of its proximity to the clan house.
The clan house was much taller than the surrounding buildings, so Tino could see it if he poked his head out of the window of his room. Although Tino's eyesight doesn't allow him to see it at all, his master says that from this room he can see the top floor of the Clan House in the Footprints - the Clan Master's office.

This was one of the reasons why Tino rented his current house.
Some hunters don't set up a base and stay at the inn all the time, but Tino has no plans to leave the Imperial Capital for now, so renting a house is more convenient for him.

Tino is still a half-human hunter. He has a level of 4, which means he is a mid-level hunter or above, and he sometimes explores the treasure house, but Liz does not approve of this.
The reason why Tino rarely leaves the imperial capital, and the reason why he is a solo hunter who is usually recommended to join a party, is because he is still in training.

For Tino, all of his life is devoted to training.
Lies is both a master and a hunter. In fact, he doesn't have a lot of time to learn from the bored, free-spirited "big sister.
It is not uncommon for her to disappear without saying a word. Therefore, when I knew for sure that my master was in the Imperial Capital, I tried to be near him as much as possible.

There were several carriages parked in front of the clan house.
They were large carriages that could hold several people. Unlike the carriages owned by the nobility, these iron carriages were not decorated and gave the impression of chariots.
Connected to it, a strong horse, specially bred to run through lands where demons and illusions appear, is scratching the ground in frustration.

Inside the clan house, dozens of hunters were gathered in the lobby.
Perhaps they were on an expedition? The usually spacious lobby looks cramped with this many people.

The hunters, who varied in profession, appearance, and level, had only one thing in common: they belonged to this clan, the Footprints.

Each of the armed treasure hunters gathered together looked as if they were about to go to war.

Tino frowned at the scene.

The number of hunters belonging to Footprints is one of the largest among the clans that exist in the Imperial Capital. However, it is not often that many hunters who belong to a clan gather in one place like this.
Originally, a clan is like a mutual aid society. It does not bind the actions of the hunters who belong to it.

Even the power of the clan master, who is placed at the top for the sake of convenience, is not that strong.
It is said that the rules differ from clan to clan, but in "Footprints of the Beginning", the master did not have any authority to give orders to the hunters. This is one of the reasons why "Footprints" has developed.

Tino, who has been a member of the clan since its inception, knows the hunters who belong to the clan.
He asks a nearby hunter who is a swordsman.

'What's going on?

'...... Ah, Tino. Haven't you heard? We got called in yesterday. They're going into the White Wolf's Den for a joint operation with the Searchers.'

'...... with this many people?

My eyes widened at the familiar name of the treasure house, but I looked around the lobby again.
The lobby was filled with distinguished members. Even if you only count the number of people, half of the footprint is gathered. There are many members who have been on expeditions, so perhaps most of the members who are staying in the Imperial Capital have gathered there.



You don't have the right to give orders, but you're able to collect so many. .......
Even with this in mind, the question remains.

It is true that the White Wolf's Lair was troublesome, but the members of the Footprints are elite. There are many members who are more senior than Tino.
I had heard that there would be a survey, but this was not a survey. With this many hunters mobilized, how much trouble could it be?

The boss is taken care of. He'll be resurrected as soon as he has enough mana and materials, but a phantom that powerful won't occur that often.

At Tino's quizzical expression, the hunter man's voice became overtly hushed.

'Between you and me, ...... it seems that Master said he would send Ark-san at first.'

'......What?

What is this guy ...... saying?
Tino forgot to even blink and stared at his face, but there was no sign that he was joking.

The man's lips twisted into a grin as if he understood what he was saying, and he laughed.

It's a joke, isn't it? I'm not going to ask the top hunters in this clan to help me conquer a treasure hall that's only level 3.

'......'

'But Ark-san isn't here right now. We've gathered him here instead of .......''

With these words, Tino realized why the hunters gathered here were somewhat tense.

They were members of the same clan, so there was not even a quarrel, but their expressions conveyed a sense of urgency as if they were exploring a treasure house, even though they were still in the safety of the Imperial Capital.

Ark Rodin. He is one of the most famous hunters in the Imperial City.
He is a man who was blessed by all the gods in the heavens and was promised the status of a hero.

An all-powerful hunter who has mastered all magic and technology. His sword flashes are said to cut through the world like ten thousand thunderbolts.
He is the most perfect hunter, the star of the next generation of hunters.
He has a strong following in the upper echelons of the Empire and even within these footsteps. He is also the rival of Tino's mentors.

He is not a man who should be moved by anomalies in a level 3 treasure house.

There is a proper way to deal with things.
The Association of Explorers stipulates that hunters should search the treasure house of the appropriate level.
If high-level hunters raid low-level treasure halls, killing illusions and stealing treasures, low-level hunters will be in trouble.
There is even a possibility that high-level hunters will be unable to move when the time comes.

Of course, there is no way the master doesn't know that.

In other words, it meant that there was an anomaly in that treasure house that required Ark Rodin to be moved.

Tino, who is not a god, cannot even imagine what is happening, but if he were in the same position as the hunters here, he would have written his will with the same grim expression.

At the very least, it is certain that it is more than just a phantom that Tino encountered during this time.

No, if I met your sister now, there is a possibility that I would be beaten into this place.

'...... can you manage with so few people?

'Oh, come on, don't be ridiculous. I'd say, hey ......'.

The swordsman scratched his chin in response to Tino's words as he shook off his anxiety and asked.

Ark Rodin is one of the strongest hunters in this imperial city that no one even suspects.

Magic and swords. One can become a top-notch hunter just by mastering one or the other, but the man who is also called a hero has combined both at an extremely high level.
His power is such that even Tino's master, who prides himself on being the strongest, recognizes him.
If the other members of his party, the Ark Brave, were even 70% as powerful as Ark, he might have been the strongest of the young party.

Individual differences among treasure hunters are great. There is a limit to how many people can make up for it.
But the man gave a smile that made his cheeks twitch. I can see a strong will to fight and a little bit of fear.

'Well, we'll make it. I've heard that parties other than the Footprints are coming...''

Just as he was about to say this, the place suddenly started to stir.

My gaze fell on a young man wandering down the stairs.
A Thousand and One Changes. The man at the top of the trail, the one with the power to see all things. Next to him, on the opposite side of the room, the one-armed assistant master with a straight back is checking the people gathered with a sage look in his eyes.

In an instant, the buzz stops. Everyone was waiting for the Master's words.

Unlike the last time he had come to the Treasure House to help, the casually dressed Master stood out from the tense crowd of fully armed hunters.

'Hmm? Huh? What? What's the matter with you, all gathered up like this? Is there a festival going on?

'Mr. Krai, it's about that thing that Branch Chief Gark mentioned.

'Oh, that, huh? But so many people--'

'Mr. Cry requested Mr. Ark, but since he's not here, I've called for ...... instead. According to my calculations, we have gathered enough strength.

Kry's eyes widened at Eva's words.

Many ordinary people have misconceptions about the capabilities of hunters.
Every year, a certain number of ordinary people go to the treasure house and do not come back, thinking that they are the same people and will be fine if they are careful. It is a misfortune caused by a lack of awareness.

Eva is not a hunter, but she knows more about the hunters in this clan than anyone else - except the Master.
The fact that no one seemed to be complaining showed that the calculation was reasonable.

Everyone was satisfied with the number of hunters, but the Master had an indescribable expression on his face.

'What? ............ Ah, yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I see, so many ......'.

'! ...... If there's anything I'm not doing right, you can let me know.

The place will quiet down. Ark is the strongest single force in this clan.
There is no one in this clan who doesn't know about his outstanding power. Only the members of the Ghosts of Sorrows can claim to be the strongest even after seeing Ark.

The master tilted his head for a while and looked at the organization that no one objected to, but then he smiled somewhat unsurely and said.

'Hmm, ...... we are all elite, I think half of us can do it.