Chapter 56: Annabelle

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Due to the many events that had happened, the Newbie Hunter Drill we were going to participate in was the one at the end of this month, so we spent the rest of the week relaxing, training, going shopping, and doing things girls do. Like this, the day of the expedition finally began.

We moved to the outskirts of the city with my brother and Dan Baihe and quickly walked to an area where a lot of young hunters had gathered with their mentors in a Danger Zone known as "Vast Ruins," which covered mostly the entire wasteland from here to the next city, named Riverside City.

They're pretty much the ruins of the cities that were devastated by the Dungeon Breaks that happened at the beginning of the First Awakening, which had become flooded with monsters.

"Oh, everyone's there as well!" Baihe said, pointing at the group of young hunters. The oldest there was 16, while the youngest was probably 13.

"Right, oh, Kevin and Henrietta are there too." I said. "And- Ah."

Right in the middle of the crowd, there was a little girl with silver eyes and long black hair, wearing a black blouse and blue jeans. Following her was a tall, handsome young man with short black hair made into a ponytail and silver eyes.

That's the leader of the "Dawn of a New World" and his sister, Annabelle, the Arachnid Princess. I felt slightly paralyzed, but I quickly calmed myself down and decided to act like nothing was wrong.

"Hey, Jack! Anna! Baihe!" Henrietta greeted us with her brother. "So you've come as well! You already know Kevin, I guess!"

"Sup," Kevin said.

"Hey," I said.

He glared at me with a bored expression; he was most likely forced into this.

"You've recovered quite well, Henrietta," Jack said with an honest smile. "I am happy you're alright."

"O-Of course! Thank you for visiting me almost every day too, even if you stayed a bit. Henrietta blushed a bit, fidgeting with her hair timidly.

"Ah, well, yeah, it was just because you're my friend." Jack said this while crossing his arms.

Kevin glared at the two awkwardly talking with a hateful expression on his face. He was very jealous of any man that approached his big sister, and my brother was his most hated rival for his sister's attention.

"You two make a good couple," I said out loud. "Right, Baihe?"

"Oh? Ah, yeah, I guess they're pretty cute together." Baihe nodded. She wasn't paying much attention. I've found out she's quite aromantic.

"W-What are you talking about, Anna?!" Jack asked while suddenly getting all red, blushing like a teenager. He looked really funny.

"A-Ahahah…" Henrietta only giggled while blushing. "A-Are you not messing around, Anna?" She seemed to have suddenly gained some hope.

"For sure!" I nodded. "I think that if you keep on and add some more spice here and there, my brother's going to surely fall for you," I whispered to her.

My brother obviously heard that; he had an A-rank level of hearing prowess.

"Oi, what are you talking about now?!" He cried. "Stop saying embarrassing things." Jack facepalmed.

"Yeah, stop it! My sister is not getting with any man for now!" Kevin said. "She is too pure-hearted for this punk anyways!"

"D-Don't call Jack a punk, Kevin!" Henrietta reprimanded her little brother. "A-And anyways, Baihe, how have you been these last two weeks?"

"Good. Anna has helped me train my powers much better. I have yet a lot to learn, but I think I've figured out how to use them slightly better." Baihe said with a nod.

"I've taught her some close combat fighting techniques too." I crossed my arms and gave a smug smile.

"Where in the world did you learn that anyway?" Henrietta wondered. "It has only been a month since you woke up, no?"

"Well, I… Uuh, watched Youtube videos." I said.

I had actually just learned using my Skills and Sepa's training regime. She taught me a few ways to fight using my magic as well, but there's no way I can tell her that.

"I see." She smiled. "You two girls are really promising. In this Newbie Hunter Drill, you'll be able to earn tons of renown for the Hunter Association, which you can exchange for items, or even use to raise your Rank with enough Merit. It is exclusive to young, recently registered Hunters to help them rise a bit faster to catch up with us."

"I see, so that was the meaning of this whole thing…" I nodded.

"Oh right, it's about time!" Henrietta stepped in front of the whole group of hunters.

She was actually the instructor of this whole event, as her guild worked very closely with the Hunter Association of the United States Government. She quickly took off her sunglasses and the black fedora she was wearing and greeted everyone.

"Hello everyone! I am glad to see so many new participants this month!" She said. "The Newbie Hunter Drills are about to begin!"

"Ooh! It's Henrietta, the A-Rank Hunter!"

"Isn't she a big shot?!"

"I can't believe our instructor is the guild master of the Golden Shield Guild!"

"Wait, who was she talking to before then?"

"Ah, it's Hunter Jack."

"Eh? No way…"

"That loner's here too?"

A few of the hunters suddenly noticed how my brother was chatting with Henrietta. Many men gave him very envious glares, but it only took my brother to glare them back for all their gazes to move away from him.

"What are you looking at? Did you lose something?" He asked coldly.

"Eep!"

"Don't make eye contact with him."

"H-He's really unapproachable."

"He's cool on TV, but he's really a cold guy…"

"Edgelord…"

My brother started cracking his knuckles.

"Maybe these kids need to learn what respect is first." He murmured to himself.

"Calm down a bit!" I quickly forced him to lower his fists and stealthily dragged him behind the entire group of hunters for their own safety.

"Hah, your brother's a bit temperamental." Baihe pointed this out.

"A bit is an understatement." I sighed.

"Anyways, as you can see, everyone gathered here are young hunters; all of you have been allowed to use your lives to earn tons of renown in the Hunter Association!" Said Henrietta. "The entire course is really simple; the bracelets that you're wearing right now will count how many monsters you hunt and which ranks they are. Based on how many you hunt, you'll earn Renown Points; stronger ones give more, but make sure to not risk your lives for more!"

I quickly looked at the bracelet on my wrist; it was a special magical item that tracked monster kills. As Henrietta explained, we can grind more points this way.

"Of course, there's a time limit. In a few more minutes, when it is nine in the morning, you'll be able to freely roam around the Danger Zone. You'll have ten hours to hunt as much as you can within the area designated. Of course, there's a trick. To teach you all the meaning of teamwork, you'll be making parties of up to four members. The more members you have in a party, the more bonus points you'll receive. As long as monsters are defeated with combined effort, even more points are rewarded! This is a test that will reward those who work together. Of course, you can also choose to go alone; it is your choice."

"I see, so that's how it is," Baihe said. "I guess we can make a team together, Anna."

"Yeah, I had already planned that." I nodded. "Though... Hah, well, whatever. Kevin, you're with us."

"E-Eh? Me? Why would I want to be with you creepy girls?" Kevin asked.

"I'll tell your sister that due to your irresponsibility, Berth almost died," I said with a smile.

"G-Geh…" Kevin quickly stepped back. "You're a demon."

"So?" I wondered. "Ready to face the consequences of your actions, or just join us and earn some bonus points?"

"...Fine, whatever!" Kevin crossed his arms.

He hadn't told his sister yet, and Berth hadn't spoken either. But I am sure she would get incredibly mad at him and reprimand him for his irresponsibility. It was a nice way to convince him quickly.

"And now we'll need a fourth member…" I said. "Hmph, well, we could go all three. I am not really in the mood to know new people, and three are plentiful-"

"Hello~!" Suddenly, a silver-eyed girl showed up behind me. "Can I join your party? I am a strong hunter! I'll make sure to… Heheh… Ah, I'll make sure to pull my own weight."

It was Annabelle. She didn't even try to sound unsuspicious!

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