1 Chapter 1: CHANGE JOB FOR A FRESH START

"Heavenly gods knows humanity's future, We, his children creates our own in accordance to their divine plans" – Father Leirad Churuma

Arama City, with high rise and huge buildings with different colors and architectural style to give a life to the city, as this big community lies in a great valley, where mountain terraces is well built due to short plains insight, with a great thick wall that prevents monsters and spies from another kingdom or country to invade this quiet and peaceful city.

From the high skies, a pure white eagle with red stripes passes the city as it venture the community, this mighty eagle entrance causes some people to cheer and wave to this mystic bird, in the eyes of this eagle, the lively community can be seen, some stores and markets stalls can be seen, aqueduct and bridges with flower decorations , countless houses with fancy design walls and roof and people in their colorful clothing's that keep passing on the road and minding their own business, while some of them greets each other.

The wing s flap as this high and mighty eagle flew high and leave one feather with a slight red stripe on the tip, and a silhouette of a young man catch it with his hand covered in black gloves with blue lines and stare to the wide horizon of the blue skies, he wears a hooded black trench coat with red wave stripes, black pants with thigh belts, combat black boots, his blue hair with red bangs covered his golden colored dead eyes, pointy nose, chiseled cheeks and tender lips that give him some points of handsomeness.

*Yawns* " Man,,, talk about fate, they said this feather brings a good luck to the first one who picked it, heheh~" The young man spokes as he slid the feather to his jacket left pocket.

"Ok, I'm now in Arama east square, that means Gnezus office must be nearby,,," he mumbled as he cross the broad walk of the gallant square while taking few glances to the shop signs and banners to find his objective place.

"Found it" He thought as he saw the office signage that hang above the doors and then he keep his walking pace closer to the tall office of Gnezus.

He entered the office as, the office worker that diligently doing their jobs notice him and even recognize him, they wave at him as the young man wave back and they start to go back in their work, the young man continue to walk to his destination, and went upstairs to the main office, where he will meet his summoner and have an urgent talk.

few moments and he reach the door of Gnezus Office Owner, he then knocked and introduce himself and when the femine voice replied, he went inside, inside the office, a short stature office suit lady with a red short hair and wearing a monocle as she inspecting every paper works and inventory reports of her employees, she is the owner of the office, She is Kriffa Gnezus, at her side an elegant and beautiful brunette secretary/head maid preparing her tea.

"Greetings Sir Xhenolan, it's been a while" The maid greets him with a proper and elegant manner.

"Yes it's been a while, Miss Roza, there you are midget, what is the meaning of this!" Xhenolan replied and suddenly burst to the loli who manages the papers.

"Ah,,, eh,,, so,,, Hi Xheno-su! I know you work so hard in mountains but this is a great urgency! Important you know! I mean I need your help, please! Please! Please! Will you?" Kriffa nervously and fast replied as she keeps her puppy eyes to plead for Xhenolan, hoping that this young man will listen to her request.

"There you go again with your childish manner and another unusual job, tsk, explain to me the details and let see if I can do something about it" Xhenolan said as he made a palm face gesture, he have already a bad feeling about this.

"With pleasure! Have a seat, Xheno-su, Roza-ni give Xheno-su some tea too please!" Kriffa replied as she ordered her maid to give a refreshing tea to Xhenolan.

The maid smile and heed as she then pour the tea from the small decorated teapot that she holding to the another teacup and give it to Xhenolan, Kriffa's attitude change when she explain in very detailed manner the reason of her summons, Xhenolan become serious too and start to think of his future movement according to the request of Kriffa, it's been a long talk, but few hours pass, the intense conversation is over.

"Xheno-su, I know it so very dangerous, and even before you, I request this issue to the strong and powerful people in exploration criteria in other city about it, some of them heed to my request and others declined due to the high risk involved with it" Kriffa speak as her eyes become sullen.

"I'm a young prodigal explorer not an expert seasonal hunter, guaranteed I will decline the offer and request you've made just like the individuals that excluded your task, but because of huge debt I owned you for saving my life and other expeditioners in Code: Gamara, I will accept it whole heartedly" Xhenolan smiles as he pat the head of the midget.

"Xheno-su thank you~!" Kriffa cheerfully replied as she hugs tightly Xhenolan as her voluptuous chest smudge on Xhenolan's Abdomen.

"Ok! Ok! Stop it!" Xhenolan pushes Kriffa to move himself away from her tight gripping, Roza just laugh at the two quietly as she tidying up the teacups and move to the kitchen section.

"Since you accept it, you will undergo into special weapon training and exercise supported by sincerely yours, Lady Kriffa-mu, and let you register directly to the Hunter Association with my backing and financial support! Isn't it amazing Xheno-su" Kriffa excitedly burst speaking in speed while her eyes sparkling with full of life.

"Training huh, well that's interesting! My body is a bit stiff since I retired exploring six months ago, this monster hunting will be exhilarating and new experience for me" Xhenolan said as he stretches his arms as he watch Kriffa fetching some items at the big cabinet.

"Xheno-su~ Catch!" Kriffa pick some small shoulder bag and throw directly to Xhenolan.

"Lemme guess, pack money for rent, food and other likeable stuff right and some guide supplies" Xhenolan said with a smug in his face as he catch it easily and wear the shoulder bag without having a problem.

"Quick learner as always, Roza-ni~ guide Xheno-su to Ziana-che's Inn, And Xheno-su, if you need help, just send-" Kriffa replied and about to utter another word.

"Letters, typical of you" Xhenolan quickly added as he followed the Maid Roza.

"My, my, Xheno-su~, may the gods of eternal heaven watch you" Kriffa said in soft voice as she waved goodbye to Xhenolan and start to her paper works and managing reports that waiting on her table.

"This way, Sir Xhenolan" Roza speak with elegancy as Xhenola followed her downstairs and reaches outside the office.

The two walk outside the office while having a conversation regards to the city development, monster slaying matters and some initial reports about the war ongoing from other country and cities, Xhenolan absorbs every information that Roza shared, few minutes pass and their conversation is over, as Roza point the Zianarhe's Inn, Xhenolan waved a goodbye to the head maid and the head maid do the same, they now depart as they walk to their respective destination.

"Aside from monsters and beast presence, there are also a chance I will meet some Runic Demons, but the chances are too low in a low magic desolated lands which will be my destination point, so the weapon training will be useful for me, I can fight monsters but these demons are impossible" He thought as he look at his hand.

A flashback of dreadful memories and miserable fate suddenly slipped in his mind, where he was with a huge group of explorers that investigating the Code: Gamara in an ice cave where they meet a vicious human sized fur beast, being well trained in un-armed combat at such young age, he manage to kill some human size monsters by attacking to the weak spots, dislocating joints and piercing the vital points of the monster.

But even how many monster he takedown, he still human who will sooner exhausted, they were outnumbered by a sudden ambush of this fur beast and about face their own peril when the rescue arrives leaded by Kriffa's special hunter forces, few casualties but numerous injured explorers had been saved from the ice cave, this scene is always be remembered by Xhenolan.

Because of the incident, the explorers canceled the exploration till the monster cleansing in the ice cave is over, leaving Xhenolan to retire and never want to be involved in this perilous expedition, back now in present, Xhenolan proceed to the inn, as he face the inn keeper and ask for a room to stay and he pay exactly to the price given of the rent.

Going to his appointed room, Xhenolan proceeds, simple yet well made bed, furniture align with a style, decorations on the ceiling, paintings that hanged in the walls, curtain covered windows, plain styled chairs and table, after a few minutes of viewing of his room, he then sit on his chair near the table as he remove his shoulder bag and put it over the table, taking a few sheets of paper and a pen, Xhenolan begins his weapon planning and survival equipment list.

That night pass as the moon glows, Xhenolan finishes his dinner and his plan organizing in a few hours as make a multiple reviews and calibrating the important things needed and making few step backs and additional consideration of weapons needed, stretching his body as he lay on his bed, touching the soft cover of the bed.

"From Explorer to hunter huh? This adventure surely will change my life forever, only time will tell when I will find the time to rest" he then closed his eyes and ready to fall in deep sleep, yes it was a long way from mountains to city just for an usual request of the midget to assist her for something.

"Runic gauntlet and greaves, magic broadsword, cursed blade, pulsar guns, arcane equipments and amplification spell scrolls, yosh, although it's too much carry but with the said warp brace, I can brought them without difficulties, potions is very important, curative elixirs and boosting bottles are needed, specialize armors are very essentials too"

He rolled his body to change position of sleeping patterns he tends to use to sleep.

"Been stay so much in mountains that every useful information cannot reach me, I don't want to be an ignorant in daily matters such like this, right now, I must focus to begin my new career and start a new path of job, maybe I can find myself indulge in thrilling actions and new discoveries"

Morning pass, the wind blows, steps can be heard in the corners of the alley, a young hooded man dressed in black trench coat with red stripes can be seen on his suit, today was the day to undergo special training, sooner after few walks, he reach his destination, it was a training gymnasium, whereas you can build muscular body, enhance your physical potential, and also a weapon training dojo.

There is also two bulky figure guards with incomplete armor set, yet their appearance is so intimidating to the onlookers, Xhenolan steps on the staircase of the gymnasium, where the gymnasium banner become more clearer, "Balki Performance Gymnasium" is the Gymnasium name, name take from the owner who is a retired Slayer, A hunter that stood at the pinnacle of Rankings, a well renown people, they also have the strength that can almost reach the power of the Lady Chaos.

"Young sir,,, welcome to Master Balki's Performance Gymnasium, the master awaits for you" The left guard welcomes Xhenolan.

"Sir Xhenolan right, Master Balki has already got the letter from Madam Kriffa Gnezus, and task us to welcome you, come inside, be our guest" The right guard spoke boldly and he opens the door of the Gymnasium, Xhenolan proceeds and the left guard close the door, as both the two guards return to their proper position before.

In front of Xhenolan, a long red carpet and numerous Statue of masculine men flexing their bodies, some of the statues also held some weapons, flowery pots and several decorations can be seen, gallant chandelier and illuminating glasses across the walls, few people can be seen, some of them are finish their training and went to other section of gymnasium.

At the end of the trail of carpet, to along corridor, a tan skin man with a black suit waiting for Xhenolan, his bulky muscular figure is slight visible in his tucked suit, hair of silver that is well combed, he has the face of a gallant gentlemen, with such clean and neat cut beard and moustache, yet his eyes were deadly and striking, when Xhenolan is a little coming closer towards him, the gentlemen in black suit suddenly attacks.

Series of incoming kicks rained towards Xhenolan, which makes him more alert, he parried the kicks as he feel each kicks was so powerful and heavy, not done yet, a barrage of punches appeared, Xhenolan evades and never dared to block it, such feat of very fierce and very fast combination attack, but Xhenolan manage to evade head on the series of attacks.

Suddenly a spin kick emerged, Xhenolan ducks to dodge and counter a straight kick, the gentleman notice it very fast and charge his leg to jump higher and evade the attack and return with a heel slam, Xhenolan amaze, despite his size, he still have a smooth maneuverability and fast reaction on the top of that, Xhenolan rolls backwards to evade the heel slam.

Xhenolan stood up but the gentleman dashes to launch another series of attacks, Xhenolan parried and evade and continue to be pushed back, waiting for opportunity to strike, Xhenelona painstakingly wait for the blind spot to be open wide even in just minuscule moment, while keep his evading and parrying phase, the gentleman made his dangerous attack the leaves an opening for Xhenolan.

Left fist with a heavy inbound of force launch towards Xhenolan's face, but the young man manage to dodge the punch in a nick of seconds, as he made a powerful right blow to the gentleman's left ribs, the first successful attack of Xhenolan made the gentleman pushes away by that blow but it never flinched in pain, Xhenolan ready himself as he take a deep breath.

The fight ensues, continues exchange of blows, some passersby saw the fight and amaze but still walk towards to their destination, Xhenolan is having a hard time while the gentleman continue his pursuit without showing of fatigue or tiredness, Xhenolan finding this annoying, there is no end to this man, he keep brushing of every attacks of the gentleman, but he finds himself on the tough spot rather than the gentlemen.

The gentleman smiles as he raised his right arm and fling his middle and index finger towards Xhenolan that indicates to come at him, Xhenolan, although still gain his cool demeanor outside, deep inside of his shell, he is already tired, it's been a few minutes pass, but several movements he made that he maneuver, each seconds counts, that attack of gentleman is very dangerous than those monster he fought back then in Ice cave.

Taking a final steps, Xhenolan charge all out of his remaining stamina in his right fist, the gentleman smile, as he charge also his right fist to incoming Xhenolan, both of them with the glint of light in their eyes, release their right fist at the same time direct to each other face, the two fist collides as the impact force pressuring blow to every place, but the strength of the fist of the gentleman prove strong as the force blow Xhenolan away.

Xhenolan flew few meters away from the gentleman as he rolled to the floor and laid in the side as he face the ceiling, his right arm become numb as his whole body shaking and trembling, he just smile in acceptance of defeat, he may have the evasion but he has very low strength to fight for such stronger individuals, the onlookers who pass by saw the ending of the fight and quiet amazed to the two.

"Sir Xhenolan,,, for such young man with such a little battle experience, you keep up fighting Balki in his 10% power heheh, Lady Gnezus was right about you, what a hard working talented young man, Balki so happy" the gentleman speak and praise Xhenolan as he proclaim himself the master of Gymnasium, he then help Xhenolan to get up from the floor.

"Ahh, Master Balki,,, it was an honor to meet you, I didn't expect that a master like you will welcome a country bumpkin like me, that office brat sigh,,," Xhenolan resign as he then stood again, stretch his tired body and look to the gentleman.

Balki, although he is quiet the war hunger man, he is the face of humble man of masculinity steel and yet despite his big and robust body, he is so nimble and fast too, he meet Miss Kriffa last night and the office lady request an assistance for Xhenolan, being also hugely indebted to the Office lady in supporting his career and society stature, he proceed to help in order to satisfy his benefactor.

"You are already welcome here young man, Lady Gnezus ask Balki to guide you in weapon wielding and body status enhancing, Balki will do his best to aid you as based on Balki's experience" the burly gentleman speak with sincerity.

"Then please Master Balki, train me in your accordance" Xhenelona answers.

"With pleasure, but the discovery of true strength lies on your hands, so study your physics and create your own path of strength, agility and intelligence in the training I will recommend" Balki added as he walk to the place he once stood before their fight and Xhenolan follows.

"Yes, thank you, master" Xhenolan replied with respect.

The two proceed, inside the gymnasium, lots of training equipment and runic gadgets that main purpose is to train the customers who want a fitness and body building, Xhenolan listen to Balki's instruction and guide about the machines, how to use them and what is their purpose to the strengthening of the body, he also give some various tips about the weapons present regards to the chosen expertise.

Xhenolan heeds to his advice and start his training, from day on till night, Xhenolan tries his best to withstood such challenge in order to enhance himself and become more prepared for the time to come about Kriffa's request, his training is the start of the new adventure he walk on till now and then, mustering every strength he has just to refine his body and find his own expertise in the weapon selection, this is his new start.