On the continent of Arcanis, bounty hunting is one of the most dangerous professions, but also one of the most profitable. Monsters born from the Demon Rifts appear all across the land. As long as a hunter defeats them and brings back proof of the kill, the Guild rewards them with an amount of gold based on the mission's difficulty. To ensure a higher chance of survival, every mission requires at least two hunters to form a team.

Except for one person. Kael.

An S-Rank bounty hunter. A man so well known that merely mentioning his name is enough to make low-ranking monsters flee, while other hunters can only sigh in frustration. Not because he is weak, but because no one can stand his personality. Cold, quiet, and always wearing an expression that borders on indifference, Kael remains perfectly calm no matter how furious his teammates become. Even when they shout at him until their faces turn red, he merely curls his lips into a faint smirk, as though none of it is worth his attention.

That only makes people even more irritated. After several failed partnerships, Kael eventually became the only hunter in the Guild who always accepted missions alone. No one knows where he came from. No one knows who his family is. Not even Kael himself remembers. His earliest memory is of a lonely child wandering through a forest littered with the corpses of monsters. During one of his missions, Kael was gravely injured. He thought that was the end. His consciousness slowly faded away. But when he opened his eyes again, the faint scent of medicinal herbs filled his nose. The wounds covering his body had already been carefully bandaged. Kael silently stared at the ceiling for a long moment before slowly sitting up. He rarely owed anyone anything.

But this time...

Had someone not saved him, he would have died in that forest. A strange feeling tightened inside Kael's chest. It wasn't love. It was the warmth he had never once experienced throughout his lonely life. A memory from years ago suddenly resurfaced. His hand had been covered in blood after taking a blow to protect his teammates. Yet instead of helping him to his feet, they only glanced at him before turning their backs and walking away. From that day onward, Kael never trusted anyone again.

A moment later, Kael finally spoke in a low voice. "Thank you for saving me."

He paused for a few seconds before continuing. "I don't like owing people. From today onward, I'll accompany you."

"If you ever find yourself in danger. I'll protect you." With that, Kael stood up, picked up the sword that had been placed beside his bed, and quietly prepared to leave.