Forsaken Hunter-Chapter 2: Broken Gate Incident

The Libeus Government Office buzzed like a hive on fire—phones shrilled, papers fluttered in frantic hands, and boots thundered against cracked tiles.

At the storm's center, Agent Mara hunched over her station, chestnut hair a wild mess, fingers trembling as she clutched the comms device. Sweat glistened on her brow, her hazel eyes wide with raw panic as static hissed through the line.

"Anyone... please!"

Her shout tore through the chaos, desperate and jagged. "A broken Gate's ripped open near Veno Road! I'm begging—E-rank Gate at Veno Road! We need backup now!"

Her voice cracked, a blade of fear slicing the air. For a heartbeat, the room froze—every head snapping toward her, breaths held.

Then—pandemonium. Officers bolted, barking into headsets, fingers hammering keyboards to blast the alert across guilds and hunters citywide.

The air thickened, heavy with dread, the fluorescent lights flickering like a brewing tempest.

Mara slumped back, chest heaving. "Come on... someone answer," she muttered, gripping the comms so tight her knuckles bleached. Her eyes darted, pleading with the silence.

In the Moonlight Guild's common room, dim light spilled over scarred wooden tables, laughter mingling with the clink of mugs.

Hunters lounged on worn leather couches, armor dented, faces flushed from cheap ale, the air ripe with sweat and bravado. A massive screen glowed blue—until a shrill BEEP slashed through the revelry.

The guild operator—a wiry guy with glasses teetering on his nose—jerked upright.

"Emergency alert!" His voice cracked, sharp and urgent, as the message scrolled: Broken E-rank Gate – Veno Road.

"Shit, another one?!" A burly hunter slammed his mug down, ale sloshing over the edge. His scarred hand raked through his beard, a growl rumbling in his chest. "These damn Gates never quit!"

The guild leader—a lanky figure with a perpetual scowl—groaned, rubbing his temples. "Send some E-ranks.

Just a broken Gate—nothing worth sweating over." He flicked a dismissive hand, leaning back like it was already handled.

The tension melted—hunters shrugged, grumbling half-hearted curses.

Just another mess to mop up. No one caught the operator's trembling fingers as he punched in the orders, a quiet dread gnawing at him.

The Rose Guild's training hall thrummed with life—steel clashed, sparks flew, and grunts echoed off stone walls.

Elite hunters moved like shadows, their drills a dance of precision and power, sweat gleaming under the torchlight.

At the hall's edge, a young hunter with a cocky grin jogged up to a figure in a sleek black combat suit—Renzo Mark.

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"Hey, Renzo!" The kid wiped his brow, smirking. "Word's out—a broken Gate just popped near Veno Road."

Renzo froze, broadsword mid-swing, its blade catching the light. His jaw clenched, and a cold smirk twisted his lips.

"Good," he spat, voice dripping venom. "Maybe that worthless brother of mine will finally die there. Save me the hassle of looking at his pathetic face again."

The hall stilled—hunters faltered, blades hovering as his words hung like a noose.

A low chuckle shattered the silence. Sophia, an S-rank with cascading silver hair, leaned against a table, crimson eyes glinting with dark amusement as she twirled a dagger.

"Damn, that's ice-cold," she teased, voice smooth as silk. "You really despise that brother of yours, huh? Gotta say, though—seeing you pissed off..." She tilted her head, smirking wider. "It's a hell of a show."

Renzo's face didn't budge—stone carved from glaciers. He sheathed his sword with a sharp click, boots echoing like war drums as he stalked off. Sophia's laughter trailed him, fading into a thoughtful hum.

The Noak Guild's main hall pulsed with raw energy—hunters bartered gear with shouts, elbowed past each other at the mission board, voices clashing in a chaotic roar. Guild Master Franky stood at the center, scarred face twisted in irritation as the emergency call blared overhead.

"Again?" He pinched his nose, muttering under his breath. "Send the low-ranks. Good practice for the grunts."

He'd barely finished when a voice sliced through. "Wait!" Mora, a C-rank with short-cropped hair, shoved forward, her face pale as ash. "Luna's already gone there!"

The hall hushed, unease rippling like a stone in still water. "What?!" A wiry hunter with a missing tooth gaped, voice pitching high. "She's just D-rank! Why the hell would she run off?!"

Mora's fists clenched, her nod grim. "I asked her. She said... someone precious to her is in danger."

A heavy silence fell, broken only by Franky's low grunt. "That damn girl..." he muttered, shaking his head. His golden eyes narrowed, worry flickering beneath his gruff mask.

Back in the subway, the tunnel quaked as the Giant Goblin towered over the shattered platform, its roar shaking dust from the ceiling. Its massive axe gleamed under flickering lights, crashing down with a force that split the earth. Beno flinched, a scream ripping from his throat—then stopped. No pain.

"You idiot, keep your damn eyes open!"

His vision snapped clear. Luna stood before him, her sword locked against the goblin's axe, sparks flying like a storm of stars. Her blonde hair whipped wild, arms trembling under the strain, but her eyes blazed with defiance. Blood streaked her armor, breaths ragged, yet she stood unyielding.

"L-Luna..." Beno's whisper trembled, barely a breath.

"Stay behind me," she snapped, voice cutting through the chaos like steel.

"O-Okay..." He scrambled back, legs shaking, heart pounding so loud it drowned the goblin's snarls.

The beast swung again—a brutal arc aimed to split her in half. Luna dodged with ghostly grace, her blade flashing as it carved a crimson line through the goblin's chest.

Blood sprayed, painting her face, but she didn't flinch. She moved like a tempest—slashing, weaving, cutting down dozens in a blur of glowing steel.

The lights flickered with each kill, bathing her in an eerie, radiant glow.

Beno watched, awe and terror warring in his chest. She was a force—but the fight wasn't done.

As the last goblin crumpled, its body thudding lifelessly, Beno's legs gave out.

He collapsed, shaking uncontrollably, breaths shallow gasps.

Luna turned, wiping blood from her cheek, and sighed. "You're safe now, you big idiot."

Before she could move, Beno lunged, wrapping his arms around her waist.

His body quaked, face buried against her armor. "I-I thought I was dead..." he choked, sobs breaking his voice.

Luna stiffened, her face flushing crimson. "S-Stop crying like a damn kid!" she barked, shoving at him. "Grow up already!" But her hands lingered, her tone softening just a hair.

They stumbled out into the night, the cool air hitting like a slap—only to freeze.

Hundreds of goblins swarmed the streets, their guttural cries a death knell. Luna's eyes widened, grip tightening on her sword. "Shit... we're screwed."

Beno's vision blurred, blood seeping from his wounds as the goblins' aura crushed him. His lungs burned, each breath a fight.

"L-Luna... I can't... breathe..." He rasped, collapsing as darkness clawed at him.

"No! Stay with me, Beno!" Luna's voice cracked, panic bleeding through as she dragged him to a crumbled wall, shielding him with her body.

The ground quaked—a ROAR split the night. The Goblin King loomed, its hulking frame swallowing the streetlights, jagged teeth glinting, eyes glowing with malice as it lumbered forward.

Luna's resolve hardened, sword steady. If she fell, Beno was done. With a fierce cry, she charged.

The Goblin King's bellow shook the earth, its massive fist slamming down toward Beno's limp form. Luna planted herself between them, blade flashing as she roared, "You won't touch him, you ugly bastard!"

Its minions surged—a snarling tide of claws and teeth. Luna's eyes narrowed, and with a sharp breath, she unleashed Air Wind Strike.

A torrent of razor-sharp wind erupted, slicing through the horde like a scythe through flesh. Heads rolled, limbs flew, blood arced across the pavement in grotesque streaks.

She darted for the King's thick neck, blade gleaming—when a blaze of blue flame streaked past, forcing her back. She landed hard, boots skidding. "Tch!" she spat, glaring up.

Hovering above, astride a flaming blue eagle, was Renzo.

His dark hair billowed, face a mask of icy disdain as the eagle's wings crackled with azure fire, casting an unearthly glow.

"Goddamn show-off..." Luna muttered, grip tightening.

Renzo leapt, plummeting like a comet. He crashed into the Goblin King with a thunderous BOOM, the street fracturing, debris soaring.

The beast crumpled—skull caving in with a sickening crunch under his S-rank fury. His blade spun in a whirlwind of death, goblins falling like wheat before a storm.

But Luna saw it—no purpose, just destruction. She snapped back as a stone slab teetered above Beno.

"No!" She channeled her mana, halting it mid-air, then flung it aside with a grunt. It crashed inches from him, dust swirling.

"Why waste time on these E-rank trash?" she yelled, voice cutting through.

"You're S-rank—go fight something real!"

Renzo paused, blade dripping blood. His cold gaze locked onto her.

"Shut your mouth, bitch," he sneered. "I'm just blowing off steam."

Luna's fists clenched, fury blazing—until a faint voice stopped her.

"Renzo... my brother..."

Beno dragged himself up, bloodied hand trembling, hazel eyes pleading through dirt and tears.

Renzo froze, breath hitching. For a split second, vulnerability flickered—then vanished, replaced by a sneer. "Oh? Big brother's still kicking? Figured the monsters would've eaten your sorry ass by now."

"You bastard!" Luna stepped forward, voice raw. "That's how you talk to him after everything? Have you got no soul?"

Renzo's gaze darkened, sword rising. "He's not my brother.

My brother died when he ruined us—left us orphans, broke our home. Now he crawls around playing hero." His blade leveled at Beno's chest. "You should've died years ago, you weak, pathetic wreck."

Beno struggled to his knees, pain screaming through him. Before Renzo could strike, a CLANG rang out—Luna's sword met his, unwavering.

"Don't you dare!" she screamed, defiance blazing.

Renzo's blue flames flared, scorching the air. Luna gritted her teeth, blade trembling against his power. With one brutal swing, he sent her sprawling, armor scraping pavement.

He seized Beno by the throat, lifting him like a doll. "Big brother," he hissed, voice chilling, "do me a favor. When you see Father up there... tell him I miss him."

Beno's vision faded, tears mixing with blood. Yet a faint smile curved his lips. "I will... with a smile," he rasped.

Renzo's eyes widened, grip faltering. That smile—their smile, from a lost time—hit him like a blade. A tear slipped free.

"Why... am I crying?" he muttered, voice breaking. "Why the hell...?"

A deep voice cut through. "That's enough, Renzo."

Franky strode in, towering with authority, scarred face grim, golden eyes piercing.

"Step off, Franky," Renzo snarled, flames surging. "This is mine."

Franky smirked, unshaken. "Yours? Don't kid yourself. You think we'll just watch you gut your own blood?"

Their auras clashed—ground trembling, cracks spiderwebbing the street. Civilians fled, screaming. "I'm warning you, old man," Renzo growled, "stay out."

Franky's eyes hardened. "I'll step in wherever justice bleeds."

The standoff stretched, electric—until Renzo spat on the ground.

"Listen good, Big Bro," he sneered, glaring at Beno. "Don't ever show me that face again." He flung Beno at Luna, who caught him with a gasp.

"Beno! Hold on!" she cried, cradling him. "Get an ambulance—now!"

Three days later,

Beno lay in a hospital bed, tubes snaking from his fragile frame, monitors beeping faintly. Dungeon mana had ravaged him, leaving him a shell.

Luna sat beside him, red eyes raw from sleepless nights.

The TV blared: "Breaking News! Violet Gate crisis escalates! S-Rank Hunter Renzo Mark and 177 others vanished inside two days ago!"

Luna lunged, shutting it off, heart racing. "No..." she muttered. "If he hears Renzo's gone... it'll break him."

Her chest tightened. She couldn't shield him forever.

And deep down, she knew—time was running out.