Piper Taylor

It all began 15 years ago when a Gate spawned over the country of Shakunetsu. With no one not knowing what was going on, A Gate Outbreak Occurred. Demonic beasts raided our world and killed many Civilians. Later, humans were blessed with unique Powers. Archer, Tank, Healer, Mage, Strike, All were known as...Hunters.

(It all started in my latest raid. The Dungeon Boss appeared and my teammates betrayed me and rendered me useless. That's when it all began, the journey to being the strongest hunter, From Human to God.)

Meanwhile, in an unknown nation, The Nation has suffered a Gate Outbreak and all buildings have been leveled.

"This is a disaster, the country is swarming with Demonic beasts. This will be easy picking, right, Vice Guildmaster Piper?" A Blonde man with earrings and a tattoo on his neck said.

"Take this seriously Benimaru, People's lives are at stake."

[Piper Taylor _ S-Rank Hunter and Vice Guildmaster of the Lion's Guild]

"Right, Right, Gotta take out the beasts. Let's go."

[Benimaru _ S-Rank Hunter under the Lion's Guild]

Piper begins to lament,

'Some people wonder why someone like me decided to become a hunter. It all began 11 Years ago in my hometown. A Gate appeared and the hunters did not come clear it since we were out in the boonies. A Gate Outbreak occurred and everyone in the village was killed. My parents and siblings were buried beneath rubbles and crushed.'

'Moments before my death, I unlocked a new power which assisted me to take out the beasts. As time went by, I exterminated beast after beast with ease and later received praise as the ultimate hero. I'm Piper Taylor, S-Rank Hunter and Vice Guildmaster of the Lion's Guild.'

Later on, after stopping the Gate Outbreak, Piper and Benimaru share a meal in a restaurant located in the Northern City.

"That was amazing. Good thing we managed to take care of those beasts before the country was completely leveled." Benimaru said while eating his meal.

"Don't talk with your mouthful, you're undignified. Besides, I hate this hunter thing anyway. The Lion's Guild made a huge profit from saving a whole country from a Gate Outbreak. It's like we're fighting to make money instead of fighting to save lives. I hate that kind of thing." Piper said.

"Don't pay mind to the small things. We've been the talk of the media and have appeared on the front cover of every newspaper and magazine. I'm even popular with the girls now."

"You're disgusting."

A Brief Silence occurs.

"Speaking of talk of the media, Did you hear?" Benimaru asked.

"Hear what?" Piper asked.

"Apparently Shakunetsu has birthed a new S-Rank Hunter. He goes by the name Leo Howard. He Cleared a whole S-Rank Dungeon that remained uncleared for Seven years. That's why he's been the talk of the Media. The Second page covers of Magazines, but I mean, anyone can do that." Benimaru said.

"Leo Howard...?"

"I'm sure with news like this, that witch has to be planning something."

"Don't speak ill of the Guildmaster."

"Sorry."

"I'll be going. I'm leaving the check to you."

"H-Hey...!"

Piper walks out of the restaurant and a crowd starts to flock around her. She walks into her Automobile and drives off.

Meanwhile, in the Shakunetsu Hunters Training room, Leo leaves the room while putting on his hoodie.

"Congratulations Mr. Howard. You've shown excellent results, you're now an S-Rank Hunter." Kyouko said.

"S-Rank huh?"

"Here's your hunter license."

Kyouko hands over Leo's hunter license to him. Leo takes it and places it in his pocket.

"Right. I'll be leaving now."

"Wait. The Chairman would like to have a word with you."

Leo heads to the Chairman's Office and stands before the door. He grabs the nob and opens the door and he sees the Chairman seated at his desk.

"Welcome, Leo Howard."

Leo walks towards him, grabs a chair, and takes a seat.

"I saw the report, you did excellent." Daiichi said.

"Thank you Chairman."

"Now you best be careful. News reporters will always be on your case now."

"I'll be careful. So why did you call me, Chairman?"

"Is there any Guild you've been eyeing? Considering since news about you being an S-Rank has spread across Shakunetsu, I'm sure there are Guilds that will want to recruit you." Daiichi said.

"I haven't decided yet, considering I just got my license today."

"I heard you worked with the Fox. And the Fox Guild is one of the Five major Guilds so what's your reason for leaving?"

"I had my reasons."

"I'll pry no further. Since you're not officially signed to a Guild, How about working with the Hunters Association for a while?"

"Will I still be hunting?"

"Those under the Association are in charge of protecting noble families and keeping hunters in check. I'm sorry but there's no saying you can hunt."

"I'm sorry but I want to keep hunting. After I heard about how my father died, I wanted to pay tribute to him. Protecting noble families is not how I can pay for it. I want to become the greatest hunter, one he can be proud of."

"I See. I understand, but will be keeping in touch?"

"Will do."

Kyouko escorts Leo to the exit of the building.

"Thank you so much for sparing us your time, Mr. Howard."

"Thank you for having me here, and please drop the honorifics."

"Right, Leo."

Leo walks out of the building and sees a large crowd waiting for him outside.

"What's this?!"

"News about you being an S-Rank Hunter spread across Shakunetsu. You've become quite popular in just a few hours."

"Damn it."

A Few of them break past the security and run straight for Leo.

"Well then, I'll be off."

Leo creates a portal and walks through it and disappears leaving everyone perplexed. Later at night, Leo sits in his room looking at his Hunters Licence.

"From here on, My journey is going to get tough. I didn't think I'd actually gain fame."

A Brief Silence occurs.

"Let me go for a walk."

Leo goes for a walk and walks to the convenience store near the skyscraper. He sits at one of the tables there and is about to have a meal.

He looks up and he sees a blonde-haired woman sitting beside him with a hat on reading a magazine.

Leo called out to her,

"Hey, You're Piper Taylor right?"

She Flinches and responds, "What? Are you gonna jump on me or ask for my autograph or picture?"

"Why should I?"

"Wait, You're not?"

"Of course not."

A Brief Silence occurs.

"You're weird."

"Now I'm weird."

"But it's great. It's not always fun being chased by fans and Paparazzis who always try to get a scoop out of your life."

"Tell me about." 'Though mines has just begun.' "So what is a great hunter such as yourself doing in a convenience store not popular to anyone?"

"I hate fancy places, I love excluded places. And besides, I live just here."

"In the Same skyscraper as me."

"Looks like we might be neighbors."

"Is that so."

"I always detested the fact I became a hunter. But I can never run away just because of it for I have a reason to keep fighting."

"That's remarkable. You know, I'm a Hunter, just like you."

"You're a Hunter?"

"Yeah, I used to be what they call the weakest hunter, a complete opposite of you, and was ridiculed. My friends and family always tried to discard me as they feared embarrassment. I always thought I had people who supported me until I learned the hard truth that I was all alone."

"That's terrible."

"I say it's great people fone over you. It's to show they recognize you and actually know you exist. When I was nineteen, I always wished for that...The Shower of adoration and respect. I even got jealous of you since you appeared on every channel, and were always on the cover of every newspaper and magazine. But sometimes I'd find you as an inspiration, even though you were an eyesore."

"Ouch."

"But now I'm steadily growing and I feel like I can finally achieve what I've been chasing. I don't need to use you as motivation anymore."

Piper's face turns red and she quickly looks away. She stays silent for a few seconds and then gives off a gentle smile.

She turns to him again and says, "You know I feel at ease when I talk to you. You don't change how you behave and try to treat me like a Goddess. And besides, you're much more than Benimaru. We should exchange contacts, and hand over your phone so I write my number down so you'll be the first to text."

"Sure, Whatever makes you happy."

Leo hands his phone over to Piper, She puts down her contacts and hands it back to him.

"So what's your name? You already know I'm Piper Taylor."

"Leo Howard, S-Rank Hunter, and a Free Agent."

"Leo Howard...?"

Piper remembers what Benimaru said in the restaurant.

"Apparently Shakunetsu has birthed a new S-Rank Hunter. He goes by the name Leo Howard. He Cleared a whole S-Rank Dungeon that remained uncleared for Seven years. That's why he's been the talk of the Media. The Second page covers of Magazines, but I mean, anyone can do that." Benimaru said.

The Flashback is over.

"So you're that Leo Howard? The one that cleared the Seven Year S-Rank Dungeon?"

"I guess even the most famous and beautiful hunter knows of me?"

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"Just wanted to keep a low profile."

"A Low profile?"

"Yeah. It was great talking to you Ms. Taylor, We should hang out some other time."

"Yeah, and drop the honorifics. It's just Piper."

"Right, Later."

Leo stands up and is about to walk away.

"There's a spot available in the Lion's Guild. Maybe we can go to raids together."

"I'll consider it. You take care of yourself."

Leo walks away towards the building. Piper places her phone on her lip and whispers to herself.

"Leo...Howard. **Smiles**"