Chapter 87 Side Story: Ken, A Simple Man



[WARNING!!! This is a side story, you can read this if you want. But it will contain some major spoilers.]

After changes, most of the people adapted to that.

The aftermath of war can be a challenging time for people as they must adjust to the changes that have occurred in their lives. It is essential to move forward and not dwell in the past, as dwelling in the past can hinder progress and growth. The individuals who were affected by the war realized this and came up with a proactive solution.

Like most of the system changed.

As the people grew stronger and learned how to defend themselves against the monsters, a new profession was born - the Hunter.

This profession was also known by other names such as Adventurer or Bounty killer. With the increasing number of hunters, group activities like Guilds and Associations also began to emerge.

However, not all hunters had noble intentions. Some of them started using their skills to commit atrocities. In order to prevent such acts, the government established the Hunter Management Association.

The association set up branch offices in most of the cities and near hunting fields. Here, hunters had to get their license and go through tests that determined their rank.

The association also monitored the hunters' activities to ensure that they didn't engage in any criminal acts.

Although the establishment of the Hunter Management Association helped reduce the number of bad deeds committed by hunters, it didn't completely eliminate them.

Despite the monitoring, some hunters still engaged in criminal activities. However, the establishment of the association did help improve the morality rate of hunters, as they were held accountable for their actions. Casualty rate of them also decreased.

In the small city of Cantaro, life was simple yet content. Although the city was not as grand as some of the others, the people were happy. After the catastrophic events that led the monster invasion, the many cities were destroyed, but after "Great Reshuffle," the people of Cantaro built new homes filled with hope.

As with many cities, there was also an office of the Hunting Management Association in Cantaro. This office was bustling with activity, with hunters coming and going as they received their licenses and went through tests to determine their rank.

One day, in the midst of all the commotion, a young man with blue hair that resembled the night sky entered the office.

His black eyes and silver pupils seemed to glow in the dimly lit room. He moved with great skill, as though it were second nature to him.The other hunters around him looked on in awe.

Suddenly, a shout came from behind him. "Hey, Ken!"

The young man turned to face the source of the voice, revealing a handsome face that seemed almost too perfect for his rugged hunting profession.

His hair and appearance seemed to suggest that he didn't care much about his appearance, but it somehow fit his persona as a hunter.

"What, Alex?" Ken asked.

Ken stopped and turned his face.

"Just move slowly, I can't pass through like you." The man with slightly shorter height then Ken and bigger belly than Ken said.

"For that, you have to reduce this meat."

Saying that Ken pointed at Alex's belly. He smiled slightly.

That smile just looked like stars were shining in the sky.

Soon, Alex and Ken started moving towards the counter.

"Don't point at my belly, It's just I am healthy compared to you."

Alex stroked his belly while saying this.

"Yeah, you also have thicker skin compared to me." Saying this, Ken smiled. And Alex also smiled.

Soon they reached to the counter. They sold all of the monster corpses they hunted.

Ken got 1000 gold coins. While Alex got 400 gold coins.

As they were returning from the Association's building and walking through the market.

"Hey, why are you here?" Alex asked Ken abruptly.

Ken was confused by this question.

"What do you mean?" He asked in return.

"I mean you are already a B-ranker at the age of 25. You can join a guild or move to some large city. Is it necessary to live here?" Alex was confused. He thought it was waste of potential to people like Ken to live here.

"Alex from our first meeting and in this past six months, you have told me this countless times and all the time my answer is 'No'." Ken paused and continued.

"After all, I lived here since the childhood and I don't want to risk my life for more money." Ken shook his head and continued,

"Because If I die there who will take care of Mom and Dad? And aren't I happy here? People here are kind and friendly and I don't think my parents will be able to adapt to life in large cities.

That's why I also didn't go to the main Academy and just graduated from a nearby branch." Ken's words were filled with responsibility.

"So what will you do in future?" Alex get the point, he thought Ken won't change his opinion. So he asked.

"Perhaps, I will just find a good woman to marry, make some children and live a happy life. After all, I saved enough money." There was a gentle smile on Ken's face.

"With your face, countless women will make a line to marry you." Alex remarked.

"You're quite powerful to do this," the figure said.

Ken couldn't see the face clearly in the darkness, but he was certain that this was a member of the demon race.

His instincts were telling him that this individual was dangerous, and that he should leave immediately.

Before Ken could even think of making a move, the man waved his hand, and Ken's body was suddenly split in half. He fell to the ground, blood pooling around his lifeless form.

"It was nice meeting with you. Remember me in your afterlife. Goodbye."

And the demon vanished like that.

As he lay dying, Ken's mind was filled with questions. Who was this man? What was his purpose? Was he the one responsible for the destruction of his home and the death of his parents? The answers eluded him, and he knew that he would never find out.

'So I am now dying by some unknown man? I couldn't even save my parents.'

Ken's body was slowly turning cold. his consciousness was slowly leaving his body.

'My dreams, my family, my friends, my city everything was destroyed. Would it have changed if I was stronger?'

Just like that Ken was slowly closing his eyes. But then a light started coming out of his locket. Ken was surprised.

It was a locket that his father gave him and at that time he said,

"Son. Do you know why our family name is Astaseul? It means as bright as a star. Our ancestors were one of the people who shined in the 'Great Reshuffle'. But couldn't return alive. Just kidding.

He was a powerful SS-RANKER.

One time, after killing some powerful being, he got this locket. He didn't know much about this. He just wore it because it was shining and looked good. This might be the most valuable thing in our house. Here take this."

Saying this, his father just laughed it off.

Ken just kept it as it looked good.

Although he wanted to find out about this locket, but couldn't.

Now, it was shining. Soon a stone in the centre of the locket cracked. It was the last scene Ken saw before dying.

__________________________________________

Ken woke up in the morning and started walking towards his classroom.

Are you thinking about why he is here?

After he died somehow he returned in his past at the age of five. At first, he was bewildered. Then he gradually found out that he was Reincarnated.

But when he saw his parents he cried. Although it took some days to believe that he was regressed.

After that, he started his training. As he knew that twenty years later, monsters will attack, he has to become strong for that.

He also wanted to know about that stone. However, after returning he couldn't find that locket.

As he wanted to become strong and know about the truth why his city was attacked, what was that stone?

He applied for Main Academy in Dawn city after turning 20.

As he was walking towards his classroom, he firmed his goal.

'I will become stronger and protect everyone this time.'

And Rain closed the novel after reading this.

"Aaa.." he yawned.

"Isn't this cliche? Why author made this chapter like this? Should we add this in the game or not? Looks like I have to ask the director." Rain mumbled.

He stood up from the chair and started walking towards the director's cabin.

"Hey, Rain, Can you help me in programming?" A co worker or Rain shouted.

"Me too."

"Me too."

....

Many people said it.

"I will work, however you guys have to treat me." Rain declared.

All of them nodded.

'So much work. I want a vacation.'

Thinking like that, Rain sighed.