The Hunter System
Chapter 86 - The Beginning of the Tribulation

In the end Alvin just watched the raid without doing anything, just like Cyntia who was also just guarding herself and Erfhina.

The strength of the three Cyntia guards who were good at carrying out attacks plus aggro and Robert's taunt skill that never escaped a single monster, he said, making a C rank Dungeon was just like a toy for the four of them.

Since there was nothing to do, Erfhina also just spoke a lot to Alvin, too, explain what a Healer should do in the team even though he can not practice it at all because no one is injured, nor is there a dangerous situation that occurs.

Alvin had actually understood everything Erfhina explained, as he still remembered everything his instructor had taught in the Academy.

But, Alvin still listened to all of Erfhina's explanations seriously because Cyntia too often glanced at him to keep an eye on him and somehow, the woman looked a little annoyed.

'Why is his gaze so? Did he consider a F rank Hunter troublesome? But why did he take me?'

["Goddessa... Be still. You're noisy!"]

'...'

The raid team finally returned to the fort just before dinner time.

......................

Finished dinner, Alvin was about to sneak away from the fortress to conduct a raid in B rank Dungeons.

Knowing how high ranked Cyntia was, she was increasingly motivated to pursue even surpassing her as quickly as possible. And again, he did not want Cyntia to take it lightly like earlier, who seemed to look annoyed at him throughout the raid.

'Even if he doesn't like me, I still have to return the favor to his father who has sincerely helped our family, right? Anyway, after I finish off Lewis's family, my escort mission to him will be a little loose.'

["Solar. Let's go to the Dungeon."]

'...Yeah.'

But, when Alvin just came out of the castle where he lived, he immediately met with George Maxwell and an escort.

"Where are you going? It just so happens that we meet here. I was just about to see you, "said George, as he walked closer to block Alvin's way.

Alvin snorted softly as he returned George's threatening gaze with a cold look.

Getting such a look, of course, made George surprised and angry. In his entire life, there had never been a young hunter who dared to look at him like that inside this Maxwell family fortress.

"Why are you looking at me like..."

"I want to get some fresh air. Excuse me," cut Alvin off, and put his foot out to avoid George blocking him.

But, George's bodyguards instantly closed his path again.

"Stop," said the man while holding Alvin's body with one hand.

George looked to his left. He then invites Alvin to go to a place that is rather quiet, reasoned to be able to talk more freely, but Alvin refused.

"I don't want to talk to anyone."

That answer of course made George, who felt as one of the young masters in the Maxwell family's stronghold territory, become riled up.

"What?!"

George swerving. He turned to William, his bodyguard, who immediately nodded and spoke rudely and bullied Alvin.

"Hey.., who do you think you are? Don't think you're special because you're uncle Marco's son. You're the same as me. This Mr. George is indirectly also your superior" William said with a growl.

Just as William raised his hand to catch the collar of Alvin's shirt, Alvin grabbed him by the shoulder first.

Seeing Alvin's rapid movements even he himself could not see it, both of William's eyes widened.

But, his shock was defeated by the anger over the actions of Alvin who was now gripping his shoulders very strongly.

Being treated like that certainly made William, who felt stronger than Alvin, angry.

He was a D rank Warrior. To him, that F rank Healer really wanted to search for death for boldly gripping his shoulder while giving such a threatening look.

William wants to catch Alvin's arm and intends to slam him. But, he could not do that intention at all.

The grip is very strong. Alvin's energy is also very strong. As William tried to pull it, Alvin did not budge at all and stood very firmly as if he was a great wall that was completely unaffected by William's weak strength.

"What the fuck?!"

Seeing that William seemed not to be struggling, George wanted to intervene on his own, but Alvin immediately pushed George very easily, until George fell down.

Sensing Alvin's powerful thrust, George was of course dumbfounded.

He remained silent for a long while staring at Alvin before finally getting up and pulling out his sword, about to attack.

"What are you doing?!"

Snapped someone.

Recognizing the voice, George hurriedly sheathed his sword back.

Sam, coming with wide steps, spoke harshly to George.

"What do you want to do?! You pulled out your sword, didn't you?!"

"S-sam.he." George looked at Alvin, who was also staring meaningfully at him.

'He intended to threaten me with that look?!'

.........

Sam went to Alvin and William and asked them to leave. He also told Alvin to wait for him by the river, while William asked him to go to the barracks near the fort.

After the two left, Sam finally spoke to George, his cousin.

"George. You're still a test captain. Take care of that attitude or I'll have Uncle Felix hand over the leadership of the junior team to another hunter!"

"But Sam.., he pushed me first."

Sam turned his gaze towards Alvin who was already walking away. He smiled, then looked at George again.

"You finally know, right?" sam said, to George.

"What do you mean?"

"You forgot what rank he's hunter?"

"...?"

"I didn't threaten him."

"Don't lie! You think I don't know your intentions?"

George bowed. He has the intention of keeping Alvin away from Cyntia, the heir to the Maxwell family.

"George, now try to answer this. Do you dare to be hostile to Brondy for years?"

"W-what?"

Sam smiled cynically, then continued, "Alvin has been doing it for years. You alone? You only dare to be hostile to the Lewis family because you're a Maxwell, right?"

"George, I'll give you a clue. Alvin, dare to do it alone against the Lewis family without any support. He didn't even come running into Maxwell's family for cover,"

Sam then stabbed George in the chest with his index finger, "You, don't try to find trouble with someone like that, that'll make Uncle Arthur an S-rank hunter soon or you'll regret it later,"

"See now. With her weak body and her magical energy that was not that much she had already dared to oppose you. You think you'll survive when he's S-ranked?"

George remained silent. But he finally remembered that Alvin had a powerful force that could even make an A rank hunter seem to bounce off.

"Sam. I'm telling. He's very strong. That power... Maybe he's hiding something."

Sam laughs.

"I'm telling you again. That's called the determination not to lose. He's been fighting like that for years, not letting that brondy bully trample on his pride and that's what he's doing to you."

George was silent. He didn't know there were oppressed people who could be like that. But, however he thought about it, Alvin's strength was not normal.

Since George was not trying to refute him again, Sam finally kicked him out, then went to meet Alvin by the river.

......................

"I know you're a reckless man. But, your luck also has its limits, bro," said Sam, as he sat on a boulder by the river with Alvin. "What if I didn't come? He'll probably stab you and report it as an accident."

Alvin smiled awkwardly and nodded slowly.

Sam patted Alvin's shoulder gently.

"I'm telling you. He's a sly man. You may have been hostile to Brondy for years. But, they are different. Brondy coward shallow brained. George is a cunning coward."

Alvin knitted his eyebrows.

"Where do you know that?"

"The Maxwell family has spies."

"Are you spying on me and Brondy?"

"We have to do it to keep Tia safe."

'What's the connection?'

["They're watching you to see if you're competent or not as a bodyguard."]

'Somehow you seem to know things.'

["..."]

"Lusa will have a Tia welcome party downtown. After that, come with me to Berlin."

"What?!"

"Uncle Arthur will enhance your experience. As Tia's personal bodyguard, you should at least be at S rank."

"But.., I don't need that."

After Alvin refused, strangely enough, Sam's gaze suddenly changed. He looked at Alvin. A glint of anger was visible from both of his eyes.

"Bro. You don't know who you're protecting? You can't be at your current level if you want to really protect her."

"But.he's..."

Alvin was about to say that an SSS-ranked hunter like Tia did not require overprotection, but Mina Hunt cut it off.

["Don't say that. Pretend you don't know."]

'Yes?'

["I noticed, no one seems to know if he is SSS-ranked except this man, his father, the girl's father and her three bodyguards. They'll suspect you that they know you already know."]

'What?!'

["Tsk... I won't repeat it."]

'A'n't. Your words are too confusing.'

["Pretend not to know that!"]

'Yes.'

"What do you want to say?" sam asked, after a long wait for Alvin who seemed to want to say something suddenly fell silent.

"It's okay."

Sam nodded slowly. He then looked at Alvin's skinny arm and remembered what George had said. He almost laughed at George's silly lies.

'How could such a straight person have such a powerful energy? His Mana energy was also extremely low. That coward wants to make it up?'

Sam looked into Alvin's eyes again.

"You should also do some physical and martial training. You're too skinny. You need stamina, muscle and martial skills as an S rank healer. A rank Dungeon is very difficult to conquer."

Sam lightly patted Alvin's shoulder several times, before finally leaving Alvin who was now sitting pensively alone.

Without Alvin knowing, he was actually not alone in that place.

A beautiful woman sitting not too far from him, on a tree branch, was looking at Alvin's face with interest.

...****************...