8 Sword

The equipment left by his father was actually the best option for Kevin. There were no guns in this era as they were useless against the monsters. Mankind is trying to produce mana-inflicted guns, but unfortunately, it's still unsuccessful.

So the sword is the best substitute for Kevin, as he was tutored in hellish bayonet training that still makes him shiver at night.

"Are you going to take this weapon or not, don't test my patience," Alf spoke rather annoyed by Kevin's simple staring. In his opinion, Kevin should have already been jumping in joy, admiring the sword, yet his reaction was completely different.

Kevin stirred from his thoughts and elegantly picked up the weapon while checking the sharpness of the sword with his other hand. He instantly felt how it was slowly sucking in his mana and enchanting itself.

Kevin nudged the end of the blade as an instant spurt of blood ensued.

"A fine sword," Kevin said, admiring the hard work that had gone into creating this weapon.

"It seems you're not so useless after all," Alf said, looking at Kevin who was fastly reaping the expanse, leaving a slight breeze afterward.

"Haha, I've been training a bit, but this sword is really that of a top-class," Kevin spoke as he placed the sword back into the dark suburb, "Thank you, now I can have something that reminds me of my father."

"Good, now that I've gotten rid of this sword, I can finally officially retire," Alf chuckled as he pulled a bottle of champagne from under his clothes, "You drink?"

"I'm still underage," Kevin replied without much hesitation. He's not much of a fan of getting drunk, as he doesn't like the feeling of weakness afterward.

"Whatever, more for me," he beamed, already opening the bottle.

"Old man, I wonder if you have any battle gear?" Kevin hinted, looking at his dark coat, which definitely wasn't intended for battles.

"I do, but they're not free this time," Alf explained as he took a swig of alcohol straight from the bottle.

"Is two silver enough?" Kevin huffed, pulling the money out of his pockets.

Alf stopped sipping and looked at Kevin as if a madman was standing there, 2 silver pennies for equipment? How shameless is that?

"No, I..."

"I wonder how my parents would react if their only son couldn't even afford a battle suit," Kevin blurted out with a sad expression.

*sigh*

"You know, you're going to make me broke," Alf groaned out. The subject of Kevin's parents really got to him, as they were not only clients but also his dear friends. He can't simply let their son die because of not having the proper equipment.

"I'll return the money in full when I'm strong enough," Kevin promised with a smile on his face.

Alf just laughed a little before holding out his hand to the side. A few cobwebs left his fingertips aiming towards the ceiling.

*beep*

The sound of some sort of button getting pressed reached Kevin's ears as he noticed something rising from the floor.

Three dark capsules emerged from the ground, containing various costumes inside

'Just how much did everything in this room cost?' wondered Kevin as he took another glimpse around.

"Don't stand there like a brooder, take your pick, they're all similar, just the color is different," Alf inclined, taking another gulp from the bottle.

Kevin didn't bother with the drunken old man and went ahead.

As noted, the three suits were completely identical, except for the color difference.

Kevin didn't think twice and decided to go with the black one, as he felt it was the best choice.

"Good decision, get in the pod," Alf called out.

Kevin simply nodded and climbed in. The pod began to spin without Kevin realizing as he was already dressed.

He can't lie, it was impressive, it seems humanity has really improved throughout these four centuries.

"When you want to take the dress off, you just press a button on your wrist," Alf said, looking down at the tight jet costume on Kevin that covered him completely, leaving only his eyes still visible.

Kevin did as he was told, and the black costume immediately shrank, forming a black bracelet on his wrist.

'That's useful,' Kevin thought, tapping the button once more.

"Good, now get out of my sight, I need some time alone," Alf whined, hugging the already nearly empty bottle.

"You're hopeless, old man," Kevin said, pulling his dark coat back on.

"I see you don't really like the equipment," Alf responded with a wicked smile, "Maybe I should take it back."

"I said you are the best, old man," Kevin admonished as he hid his hand behind his back.

Alf simply ignored Kevin's bravado and turned around, signaling him to follow. The two walked through the series of secret passages once more until they reached the familiar rusty place that still smelled like hell.

"Maybe you should hire a cleaner," Kevin groaned with obvious disgust at the place.

Alf stopped in his tracks as veins appeared on his head. He began to wonder if giving this shameless boy free equipment was really a good choice.

"It smells like hard work, kids like you won't understand"

"Does hard work smell like rotten eggs?"

"Kid, don't get on my nerves and begone if you don't want your equipment taken back"

Kevin, hearing such a threat, opened the door, but before stepping out, he turned around with a smile, saying:

"Thank you, Alf"

"Yeah yeah.....Just don't die, boy," Alf replied as he pulled out another bottle of alcohol.

Kevin paid no further attention to this drunkard and left the store.

'Since I already have everything I need, let's go on my first hunt,' Kevin thought as a wide grin formed on his face. He opened a map of Horishima's town on his phone and using it as a guide, he moved towards the infamous 'Forest of Death'.

The road became emptier and emptier the closer he got to the forest, meaning that the citizens don't really go to this part of the city.

After a few minutes, Kevin finally reached the forest, but only a few treetops could be seen because a huge metal wall separated everyone from entering. Kevin saw many heavily armed people going in and out of the main gate after getting checked by the guards.

'I don't really want to show my face to the others' Kevin thought as he looked at the high wall, 'What if I jump over it?'

Kevin let mana flow into his legs and just as he was about to attempt jumping over, a voice came from behind him.

"I'm not suggesting jumping over".

Startled, Kevin quickly turned around taking a fighting stance, causing his heartbeat to quicken.

'I didn't even notice her' Kevin thought looking at the sneaky person, it was a girl with medium-length black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing revealing clothes, just a strip of material around her chest and a pareo around her waist. Honestly, she looked like out of some sort of tribe.

Kevin eyed her again before asking:

"And why is that?"

The girl didn't answer and simply picked up a small rock from the floor. She threw it up the wall, but contrary to Kevin's expectation, the stone melted in midair.

*Gulp*

Kevin took a deep breath of the cold air praying to the gods that he didn't jump over it, or he'd be a pile of mold by now.

Kevin spun around, wanting to thank the girl for warning him, but she had already disappeared, leaving no trace that she was even here.

'Such an odd girl,' Kevin thought before unwillingly walking through the main gate. Just as he thought two armed soldiers with shining golden armor prevented him from proceeding any further.

"Card?" they both declared imploringly.

'Are they some kind of robots?'

Kevin took out his hunter's ID and showed it to the guards, they simply nodded and signaled Kevin to go through.

As soon as Kevin entered the forest, a strange silence submerged him. It was as if Kevin was the only one here. There was no noise, no sound, just endless darkness.

Kevin stood in place for a few seconds, memorized by the peacefulness before pressing the button on his wrist.

Dark clothing instantly enveloped his entire body, blending him into the darkness. A normal person probably wouldn't even be able to see him.

Kevin was pleased with the costume, it was comfortable, stretchy, and worked well for sneak attacks, but the biggest advantage was defense. The material used for this attire was probably the skin of a superhuman magical beast.

"Hey, don't get in the way," the guard spoke hoarsely when he saw Kevin blocking the entrance.

Kevin simply nodded as he began to slowly walk into the dark forest, beginning the first hunt in this body.