The Monarch Of The End Chapter 3: 003 : Amid the ashes

Read chapter 3 of The Monarch Of The End by TheBlackPenguin on NovelPedia.

The sky was gray... As though it had absorbed all the suffering of the earth. Zeroxsus walked cautiously through the ruins while smoke rose from the charred rubble, stinging his nose and stirring old memories. Around him, people searched through what remained of their homes, like souls digging through the ashes of their own hearts. As for him... He had no home to return to. Three months of suffering... What now? Zeroxsus thought bitterly. A rough but non-hostile voice interrupted him from behind. A soldier placed a hand on his shoulder. "You there. Captain Kyle wants to see you." Zeroxsus froze. That wasn't a name people heard every day. "Kyle? Wait... the rising star Kyle?!" The soldier gave him a gentle push. "Come on. We don't have all day." Zeroxsus followed him, anxiety weighing heavily on his shoulders. Kyle... The name alone was enough to make people's knees buckle. The son of the Norvalis family—the Bloodline of fire, a family surrounded by legends and prestigious titles. It's not like humans can actually turn into dragons, Zeroxsus mocked himself, trying to calm his nerves. Even so, he couldn't stop the darker thoughts creeping in. Why would someone like him want to see me? One possibility immediately came to mind. The soldier who had saved him yesterday... Was Kyle. Ahead of them stood a Hunter with three golden stars gleaming from his shoulders. He appeared calm, yet authoritative. Everyone around him obeyed without question. Either they trusted him completely... Or they simply feared his authority. The soldier escorting Zeroxsus stepped forward and whispered something into Kyle's ear. Kyle turned around. He found a pale young man with black hair falling to either side of his face. Thin... But not reduced to skin and bones like most of the slum residents. Kyle smiled warmly and greeted him. "It's good to see you're still alive. You probably don't know me, but I'm Captain Kyle, a third-level Hunter. And you are...?" "Zeroxsus." "Interesting name." Kyle paused briefly before continuing. "You caught my attention yesterday after killing a second-level Monster. Though, to be honest... you don't exactly look strong." Zeroxsus had no idea how to respond to the compliment. The truth was... He had simply been lucky. For reasons he still didn't understand, the wolf had died from what should have been little more than superficial wounds. "I imagine you're wondering why I asked to see you." Kyle folded his arms. "I'd like you to join the garrison. You seem courageous, and who knows... you might even have the potential to become a Hunter someday." "Huh?! Is... is that actually possible?!" Shock spread across Zeroxsus's face. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected this to be waiting for him after leaving the shelter. I think life is finally smiling at me! For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Zeroxsus was completely lost in fantasies of warm beds and full meals—the things he had dreamed about every day during the past three months. Meanwhile, Kyle silently wondered, Did the shock make his brain stop working? Several seconds later, Zeroxsus realized the embarrassing silence. "Ah! O-Of course, Ka—I mean, Captain Kyle. It would be a tremendous honor!" He couldn't stop the goofy grin spreading across his face. Finally... goodbye, slums. Hello, inner Novaris! Kyle blinked before replying, "Good. Go see Mr. Hector . He'll handle your registration with the Outer Garrison." He instructed a nearby soldier to escort Zeroxsus to Hector, handed him a written order, and walked away. The soldier led Zeroxsus toward a distant blue tent. That was where the Hunter in charge of the Outer Garrison was stationed. He, too, was a third-level Hunter. As Zeroxsus walked, the initial excitement gradually faded. Joining the garrison would give him countless advantages. But it certainly wasn't easy work. These people risked their lives every single day. Maybe... I shouldn't have accepted so quickly. His expression darkened as he realized exactly w