Monster Hunter: Broke to Boss

The Guild's Grasp

At exactly one hour past Kale’s departure, the silence outside the infirmary shattered with the synchronized thud of boots. Five men dressed in pitch-black uniforms approached Leo, each one towering over him like walking tanks. Their suits shimmered faintly in the sun, armored yet seamless. Black combat gloves, steel-toed boots, and dark shades that masked their expressions — the complete image of elite enforcement.

Compared to Leo’s lean frame, they were gargantuan, with shoulders so broad they could cast shadows over him. The emblem of the Central Government Guild was etched in silver on their left shoulders. One of them motioned, and without a word, Leo fell into step, flanked on all sides as they guided him toward a waiting black van. The same emblem was displayed boldly across the doors — a silver eye encased in a circle, watching everything.

Leo felt their aura — steady, cold, suffocating. These men were far above his level. He could sense the difference, even if he couldn’t quantify it yet. A part of him wanted to run, to bolt into the forest and disappear, but the logical side reminded him it would be useless, "After all, I've got the system." He thought.

He’d just settled into his seat inside the van when a familiar chime echoed in his head, and a translucent window materialized in front of his eyes.

---

[SYSTEM UPDATE - REWARD UNLOCKED]

Mission: Survive the Rift (Complete)

You have defeated: Level 9 E-Class Nightscale Crawler (Boss)

Reward 1: Ability Gained - [Level Sense] Can now detect the strength tier of living beings within a 50-meter radius.

Reward 2: Stat Points - +25 Points Distribute to enhance Strength, Agility, Endurance, Intelligence, or Perception.

Reward 3: Passive Trait - [Endure] When HP drops below 20%, defense increases by 30% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 2 Hours.

New Title Acquired: [Unlikely Slayer] Cleared an E-Class Rift alone as an F-Class Hunter.

Leo’s eyes widened.

"Level Sense?" His lips curved slightly. "That explains why I was able to feel the oppressive aura from the guards." He hadn’t even gotten a chance to test his rewards thanks to the unwanted guest. He wanted to open his stat sheet and allocate points, but the presence of five living walls around him forced him to shelve that thought.

The van drove smoothly, but Leo barely noticed. He scrolled through the system log, his mind racing with possibilities. Twenty-five stat points were a game-changer. Combined with the passive skill and the new title, he was starting to see how he could finally escape the bottom rung of the Hunter hierarchy.

It wasn’t long before the vehicle slowed, the tires crunching softly on sleek stone.

“We’re here,” one of the guards said flatly.

The doors opened, and two of the men grabbed Leo roughly by the arms. He yanked himself free with a glare.

“I can walk, you neanderthals.”

They ignored him.

Leo stepped out onto a black stone platform leading up to the front of the Central Government Guild building — a towering structure of shimmering silver and obsidian glass. The building stretched into the clouds, sleek and futuristic. Lines of blue energy pulsed through the walls like veins. Surveillance drones hovered silently around its perimeter.

Kale stood at the entrance, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Leo marched forward and stopped just in front of him.

“If this is how your Central Government Guild treats ‘weak’ hunters, I gotta say, it’s a pretty disgusting show of class.”

Kale’s jaw tensed. His eyes narrowed. “Leonis,” he said coldly, “Just because you cleared an E-class Rift doesn’t mean you’re important. You'll always be an F class loser.”

Leo gave a slow, mocking clap. “Wow. Is that what this is? A bruised ego? You’re scared of me. Scared of what I could do if I rise to D-Class… or maybe C-Class. I bet I’ll be clearing D and C-Class Rifts on my own before you can even scratch a Level 5 beast.”

Kale’s eyes flared — literally. A red glow overtook his pupils, and the air distorted with heat. Flames licked at the edge of his boots. His aura exploded outward like a wildfire.

Leo’s hair shifted in the sudden gust of heat, but he didn’t flinch. He stood there with a smirk, inviting more.

A voice sliced through the tension.

“That’s enough.”

Both men turned.

A man in a dark navy coat walked down the steps with the gait of someone used to authority. His hair was slicked back, gray at the temples. A long scar traced his jaw. His eyes were like twin glaciers, calculating and void of warmth.

Leo instinctively used his new skill — Level Sense.

[TARGET: ??? - Level 8, C-Class Hunter | Affinity: Gravity]

Leo raised a brow. "Gravity? That was rare."

The man stopped beside Kale and addressed him without looking. “You look down on everyone beneath you, Kale. One day, it will cost you.”

Kale clenched his fists but said nothing.

Then the man turned to Leo, gaze hard but composed.

“I am Director Varnes. You will follow me. The President is waiting.”

Leo snorted. “Finally. Let’s get this over with. I’ve got things to do.”

Director Varnes squinted slightly, curious. “No fear, hmm?”

Leo shrugged. “Should I be scared?”

Varnes didn’t reply. Instead, he turned and walked toward the building. Kale motioned for the guards to follow.

Inside, the lobby of the Guild Headquarters felt more like the central bridge of a spaceship than a government facility. The walls gleamed silver-blue. Large transparent screens floated mid-air, displaying Rift updates, Hunter rankings, and mission stats. Holographic maps of active Rifts rotated slowly above the reception desks.

Hunters walked in every direction — some in uniform, others in civilian clothing. Everyone seemed busy. Focused.

Then whispers began.

“Is that him?”

“The one who cleared the E-Class Rift?”

“Thought he was just an F-Class runt.”

A tall female hunter with lavender hair leaned toward her friend. “I saw the footage. The Rift collapsed after he was dragged out. The monsters were annihilated. Even the boss.”

A stocky D-Class hunter scoffed. “I remember him. He came here for an assessment two years ago. Could barely activate his aura. Probably a fluke.”

Leo didn’t react. But internally, he scoffed. "The previous Leonis must’ve been a loser. But really, a footage? I'll have to be careful in future."

They reached a bronze elevator at the end of the hall. A glowing scanner rose from the wall, and Varnes stepped forward. A scan line passed over his face, and the doors opened with a soft ding.

Leo raised a brow. “Face recognition? For an elevator?”

Kale muttered, “Security protocol. Not your concern.”

The interior was glossy obsidian with glowing lines like nerves, softly humming with power. The ride up was silent.

When the doors opened again, they stepped into a long hallway lined with silver doors and glowing symbols. Leo followed silently. His gut twisted. Something about this place made his skin crawl.

At the very end, the group halted.

Suddenly, light coalesced around Leo’s wrists, forming sleek cuffs made of pulsing blue energy.

He stared. “What the fuck?”

Varnes didn’t even blink. “Protocol. The President’s orders.”

Leo growled. “Protocol my ass.”

The doors to the office opened.

And Leo stopped breathing.

Standing in front of the massive glass window, looking out at the city, was none other than Chef Chu — the man who ran the noodle stand outside Leo’s old apartment. Except this version wasn’t wearing an apron or a smile.

He wore a black and silver uniform, high-collared and formal. His once gentle face was set in an expression of razor-sharp focus.

He turned slowly.

“Leonis Ardent,” he said, voice rich and deep, laced with power Leo had never heard before.

Leo’s throat dried.

“C–Chef Chu?”