The Rise Of The No. 1 Hunter-Chapter 144: THE STRONGEST
Masen Nibori's gaze sharpened. Purple aura… dense, commanding… His breath caught. Even in my prime, I couldn't surpass this level.
"Jinta… why are you saying this?" Masen Nibori asked, his tone tinged with awe.
Jinta's expression stayed calm. "Look at what he's accomplished. And just now, you saw his aura—how it surrounds him. His presence… it's unlike anything we've witnessed in decades."
Masen Nibori frowned. "I even tried to sense his power using my ability… but I couldn't. How is this possible?"
Jinta's lips curved slightly. "Every hunter has an aura. You don't need a skill to see it. True hunters… can always sense it."
Raito's eyes met Masen Nibori's. "I can see your aura too," he said, his voice steady but respectful. "You're strong… for an old man."
He glanced at Jinta. "Hey… I hope those two you promised to pay in the hospital are still going to get their money. Because I don't intend to join your guild or association."
Jinta nodded. "Yes… but as I said, I still haven't seen your full aura. I would like to witness it."
Raito nodded once. He removed his glass, tilting it slightly, then placed both hands into his pockets. Slowly, deliberately, he released his aura.
A massive surge of mana exploded outward. The wind whipped violently through the room, tossing tables, chairs, and papers into the air. The floor trembled beneath their feet.
Purple energy radiated from him, enveloping his entire body. The aura slammed into Jinta, pushing him backward. His hand shot up to shield his eyes.
"What… the hell is this?!" Jinta shouted, staggering.
But Raito didn't move an inch. The gale twisted his hair and tore at his clothes, but he remained perfectly still, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Well, well… so this is your power," Masen Nibori muttered, eyes wide. "I can't even begin to calculate how strong you are."
Masen Nibori raised his voice, sharp and clear: "In the history of hunters… This is the strongest hunter ever."
Jinta turned toward him. Whispers erupted. Did he just say that? The strongest hunter…?
Masen Nibori leaned closer, scrutinizing him with piercing eyes. "Outstanding… incredible. Look at that… the sword of aura, the mana pressure… it cannot be calculated. Tell me… how is he this strong? How can someone achieve such power?"
Raito's eyes glinted faintly, calm but burning with intent. Masen Nibori's expression darkened as he observed the raw energy radiating off the young hunter.
The room shook violently. Windows, even those labeled unbreakable, cracked under the pressure. Furniture slammed against the walls, sliding and toppling as the purple aura raged outward.
"Enough… enough!" Jinta yelled, bracing himself against the force, forcing his feet to stay planted.
Raito released the aura. The wind vanished, leaving only a tense silence. He picked up his glass and casually replaced it, the calm after the storm.
"Is that enough?" Raito asked, voice even.
"Indeed," Masen Nibori said, still standing frozen, awestruck.
Jinta stepped forward, trying to regain composure, but the gravity of the display hung heavy in the room.
Masen Nibori leaned in, studying Raito carefully. His eyes narrowed, analyzing every movement, every detail.
How… how is he this strong? he thought, his mind racing. And he's so young. Far too young to wield this kind of power.
He paused, considering. Is it pure talent that made him this strong? No… that can't be it.
Intense training? he wondered. Perhaps… but even that alone doesn't explain it.
His gaze sharpened. No… he's pushed himself harder than anyone else ever has. He craves strength—no, he hunts it relentlessly. He's driven himself to the very edge of human limits just to become the strongest.
Even now, Masen Nibori could see it in Raito's eyes. He isn't satisfied… not yet. And somehow, I can feel that fire burning inside him, stronger than anyone I've ever seen.
He straightened slightly, taking a deep breath. This… this is something else entirely.
Masen Nibori's thoughts lingered on the young hunter.
this boy… he isn't just strong. He's transcendent.
"So… can I take my leave now?" Raito asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Well… fine. You may go," Jinta replied.
Raito turned to leave, but a voice stopped him.
"Wait," Masen Nibori said, stepping forward.
Raito paused, tilting his head slightly. "Masen… what is it you want to tell me?"
Masen Nibori's gaze was steady, piercing. "Steel… isn't it? Steel. You've proven yourself. This place… it's one of the strongest out there, and you… you've been acknowledged as the strongest."
Raito's expression remained calm, but inside, a flicker of satisfaction burned.
"Yes," he said simply. "Thank you."
"But I would like to give you a piece of advice," Masen Nibori said, his voice calm but heavy with authority. "People high up in this world… in the Hunter world… it's no longer like it was in my time."
"Go straight to the point," Raito interrupted, his tone steady, unflinching.
Masen Nibori's gaze remained locked on him. "Ah… right. I was circling around it. Let me be precise. There are people who will come for you soon. Don't think the upper echelons don't know who you are. Some of them have already discovered your true identity. The heat… it's already starting. People who've encountered you—they're feeling it, even if you haven't noticed."
Raito's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind calculating.
"Soon, you might be seen as a national threat… and all you've done is nothing. You haven't broken any laws, yet the moment you refuse their demands, they'll see you as a danger. You're still low-profile… but the heat is spreading around you. Even those you aren't close to are already sensing it."
"And yet… even without any formal assessment, you've proven yourself S-rank… or perhaps beyond."
"That's all?" Raito asked, his face unreadable, calm but alert.
"Yes," Masen Nibori replied.
Raito exhaled softly. "So when you say 'people around me are already feeling the heat,' you mean… everyone? Even those I don't know well?"
Masen Nibori inclined his head slightly. "Exactly. That is what you need to understand."
