With a firm wave of his hand, he signaled the team to stop. They quickly gathered, preparing their gear and discussing their hunting strategy.
"We should set up camp first. We might need to stay the night here," suggested a man armed with a bow standing at the back of the group.
"Agreed. Better to be prepared than rushed," replied another.
The team members got to work immediately. One by one, they took camping equipment out of their dimensional bags. Large tents, folding chairs, grills, and even kitchen supplies appeared. Some started assembling the tents, while others set up a small campfire in the center of the campsite.
On the other side, Zega sat leisurely on a large rock, slightly away from the group's hustle. He opened a holographic status panel in front of him, checking the glowing blue numbers displayed.
"Three more levels," he muttered, staring at his level, which showed the number 27. "Once I reach level 30, I'll become a Legendary-tier Hunter."
He smiled faintly. That status wasn't just a number but a marker of strength that was difficult to achieve. In the Realm of the Divine Sky, only a handful of people had managed to break into Tier-3, let alone become legendary-tier masters. To date, their number was less than a thousand.
The Hunter Association had established this as the highest standard, but Zega knew it could change in the future. "Well… with my current position, it's already more than enough," he said softly, exhaling lightly.
Unbeknownst to him, someone was approaching. The footsteps were so light they didn't draw anyone's attention. Even the team members busy setting up tents didn't notice the presence.
A calm voice broke the silence. Zega jolted, his heart momentarily stopping, and his body tingled with unease. He slowly looked up to see a young man standing before him. The young man smiled warmly, but something about his aura triggered every instinct in Zega to scream caution.
In an instant, Zega reacted. With lightning speed, he activated his agility technique. His body shot to the side, creating distance between himself and the young man in mere seconds. Leaves scattered around, driven by the gust of wind he generated.
Everything happened too quickly for the other team members to process. They turned their heads in confusion, still unaware of what was happening.
Lein gazed at Zega, who looked utterly terrified. Lein's heart was filled with joy as he observed Zega's awkward expression. A small smile played on his lips, as though he was savoring every moment. During his journey a few hours earlier, he had encountered many human leaders.
Whenever Lein approached them while concealing his presence, they all showed the same fearful expression.
"Hahaha… so this is how it feels to be a ruler with hidden power. It's quite enjoyable," Lein thought to himself, suppressing a laugh.
For Lein, interactions were a form of personal entertainment. He felt as though the dreams and plans of his youth had come true. No, they had even surpassed what he had ever imagined.
"Who are you?" a firm voice shattered his reverie.
Zega's team members had gathered beside their leader, their combat equipment fully activated. Each of them exuded an aura of readiness, their weapons gleaming under the sunlight that pierced through the forest canopy.
"Calm down… I'm not an enemy. Let's talk peacefully," said Lein, raising one hand as a gesture of goodwill. His steps were relaxed and confident, like someone who felt no sense of danger.
However, this only heightened the tension among Zega's group. A man with a large bow stepped forward, drawing it back to full tension.
"Stop!" the man shouted. His eyes were locked onto Lein, and his hands did not waver despite the palpable shift in the atmosphere around them. The arrow, glowing with a blue aura, began to shimmer at the tip of the bowstring, ready to be released at any moment.
Lein paid no heed to the threat. He simply gave a faint smile and continued walking calmly, as though nothing was amiss.
Sii…! The blue arrow shot forward at an incredible speed, slicing through the air directly toward Lein's head. But just as it was about to hit its target, the arrow stopped. There was no loud clang or spark. It simply halted mid-air, as though it had struck an invisible wall. The blue aura enveloping the arrow began to fade until it fell to the ground, powerless.
"What?" The archer was stunned, his eyes widening. Terror crept across his face, and the steady hands he had before now trembled slightly. The other team members exchanged glances, equally shocked.
Unlike them, Zega appeared calmer. He had anticipated this outcome. With a casual motion, he deactivated his combat mode and stood upright.
"Vio, stop your attack!" Zega shouted toward the archer. His voice was firm, making it clear that he didn't want any reckless actions. After ensuring his team obeyed, he stepped forward to approach Lein without a hint of fear.
"Hello, Sir. My name is Zega. We are hunters from the Hunter Association, and I am also a member of the World Market Trade alliance," Zega introduced himself confidently, listing the prominent names he represented.
Lein furrowed his brows, trying to suppress the laughter threatening to escape. "Do I look like an HR manager recruiting employees?" Lein thought to himself. To him, Zega's overly formal and slightly excessive introduction felt out of place for the situation.
Still, Lein restrained himself from commenting directly. He decided to play along.
"Ah, so you're from the famous World Market Trade alliance?" Lein asked in a serious tone. His face deliberately showed a hint of surprise, though deep down he found the moment more amusing than shocking.
Zega noticed the sudden change in Lein's expression and nodded firmly, trying to assert his position.
"Yes, that's correct. We are under the direct supervision of the alliance," Zega added, deliberately emphasizing their connection to a major power to lend more weight to his statement.