The tension in the room was palpable as the high-ranked hunters took their time deciding on their beast weapons. For some, the decision weighed heavily. Williams, a seasoned S-rank hunter, and two others Axel didn't recognize stood staring at the shelves, caught between too many powerful options.
Meanwhile, the others scanned the shelves with more precision, quickly finding their weapons of choice and readying themselves for the next task.
Axel let his eyes roam over the various weapons, feeling their power resonate through the air. His gaze finally landed on a sword, unlike any he had ever seen. The blade was forged from a strange red metal, gleaming ominously under the dim lights. It reminded him of the powerful, enchanted swords he had only seen in video games, but this one was very real.
When he touched the hilt, a wave of energy surged through his hand, sending a chill down his spine. This weapon was alive in its own way, pulsating with a dangerous, untapped power.
**{Grade Two Beast Weapon}**
**[Ability: Can secrete thunderous venom—a venom that disorients enemies while killing them slowly.]**
The venomous ability intrigued Axel. It was a weapon of precision, not brute strength—something that could be used strategically rather than recklessly. He liked that. The sword's balance was perfect in his hand, as if it had been crafted specifically for him. Satisfied with his choice, he slipped the sword back into its scabbard and stepped away from the shelves.
Around him, the others had already begun gathering. Thor stood with a massive war hammer slung over his shoulder, its head adorned with jagged runes that looked capable of shattering mountains. Josh Roark, known for his stealth, had chosen two sleek, double daggers that gleamed with a deadly edge. Loki had picked a single dagger as well, small but undoubtedly lethal.
Sarah held a long, elegant spear, spinning it playfully in her hands, as if testing its weight.
"So, these three teams will each go separate ways," Asher continued. "Your mission is to hunt down as many beasts as you can, focusing on obtaining high-grade gems. You can attract beasts by releasing controlled bursts of energy. The watches on your wrists are designed to monitor your energy output and provide you with an estimate of what grade of beast might be drawn to you."
Axel glanced at his wrist, noting the sleek watch that had been placed there. The interface displayed his current energy level and other useful stats. It was more than just a tracker—it was a survival tool.
Sarah raised her hand, spinning her spear with a wry smile. "So, do these watches also give us any info on the weapons we picked? Because, let's be honest, none of us got a manual with these things."
Commander Asher chuckled lightly. "Yes, the watches can provide detailed information about your weapon—its abilities, its efficiency, and the best way to wield it."
Satisfied, Sarah nodded and lowered her spear, though she still twirled it absently, testing its weight and balance.
"You have thirty minutes to prepare and plan your routes," Commander Asher continued. "I'll be sending satellite maps to your watches. And one more thing—this mission is set to last five hours. After that, I'll recall you all back to base. Stay alive out there."
Axel stared down at his watch as the satellite map pinged onto his screen. The landscape before him was vast and dotted with dangerous territories marked in red—areas where high-level beasts were known to roam. He studied it closely, trying to figure out the best path to take.
"Axel, we should start planning our route," Josh said, breaking the awkward silence between them. It was the first time Josh had spoken directly to him, and it took Axel by surprise.
"Yeah, good idea," Axel replied, forcing the words out of his mouth. He couldn't shake the unease that settled in his gut whenever he was near Josh. Still, he had no choice but to trust him for now.
"I hope we manage to get high-quality Beast gems," Axel muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. But deep down, he knew that this mission was just the simple beginning to this mission. The Void Walkers were a looming threat, the fate of Earth hung in the balance, something told him, that from here on out... His entire world will start to crumbke before him.
It was just a feeling, but, was it really?