Sunlight shone brightly over Aurelis.

The city, as usual, was alive long before dawn.

Merchants opened their stores.

Airships started lifting off from high sky docks.

Crowds filled the streets from all corners of the continent.

Jennie, Snow and Roxy were heading for the Continental Hunter Guild once again.

Roxy stretched her arms with a cheerful smile.

"I still can’t believe we live in such a huge city."

Jennie looked around.

"I don’t either."

"Every day I see something I’ve never seen before."

Snow smiled.

"That’s what makes Aurelis special."

"There is always something new."

The trio entering the Hunter Guild drew the attention of several hunters immediately.

"She’s here."

"The White Hunter."

"No..."

"That’s Raven."

The whispers spread through the hall.

Jennie sighed.

"...Once again."

Roxy giggled.

"I told you."

"You are famous."

Jennie awkwardly scratched her cheek.

"I just complete my quests."

Snow chuckled.

"There is a difference between your "just" and everyone else’s."

Before Jennie could say anything, the receptionist who worked there the previous day gave her a friendly smile.

"Miss Raven."

"The Guild Master agreed with your promotion."

Jennie blinked.

"My promotion?"

The receptionist nodded and put the polished silver badge on the counter.

The badge shimmered under the morning light.

The engraved golden letter on it was:

A

Jennie looked surprised.

"I have been promoted?"

The receptionist gave a proud smile.

"Congrats."

"From now on..."

"You are a fully recognized A-Rank Hunter."

Everyone stopped talking in the vicinity.

Several hunters turned to the counter.

"...A-Rank?"

"Already?"

A large hunter scratched his beard.

"I spent twelve years becoming A-Rank."

Another hunter folded his arms.

"She came yesterday."

The receptionist smiled softly.

"The Guild values results."

"Not time."

She turned to Jennie once again.

"Your perfect mission record, your behavior on every mission and your last achievements in Aurelis have exceeded every possible requirement."

Jennie took the badge with both hands.

"...Thanks."

She carefully replaced her old badge with the new one.

There was no emotion on her face.

Roxy stared.

"...That’s it?"

Jennie looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Aren’t you excited?"

Jennie thought for a while.

"It’s great."

"But tomorrow I’ll take more quests."

Snow nodded silently.

"Just what I expected."

Roxy dramatically covered her head.

"You’re impossible."

When the trio was ready to leave, an old hunter approached them.

His beard was almost entirely white.

The armor of the hunter had numerous scars.

He looked at Jennie with friendly eyes.

"You deserve that badge."

Jennie bowed politely.

"Thanks."

The old hunter smiled.

"Don’t let a rank make you who you are."

"Let your deeds do it."

Jennie nodded.

"I will."

The old hunter laughed.

"I think you already do."

After leaving the guild, Roxy excitedly unfolded the colorful map of Aurelis.

"I know exactly where we are going today!"

Jennie smiled.

"To another bookstore?"

"No!"

Roxy proudly pointed at the large district close to western canals.

"The Monster Auction!"

Jennie tilted her head.

"...Monster auction?"

Snow noticed that Jennie was uncertain.

"It isn’t what you are thinking."

"I will explain it when we get there."

The western district of Aurelis seemed to be absolutely different from the crowded streets of merchants.

Towering stone buildings surrounded a huge round arena.

Majestic sculptures of mythological animals decorated the entrances.

Colorful banners fluttered in the air.

Grand Continental Monster Exchange

People from all nations were present in the district.

Nobles.

Researchers.

Beast tamers.

Hunters.

Merchants.

Even scientists with the thick books carefully examined every animal.

Jennie silently looked around.

"So many people..."

Snow nodded.

"Many monsters can’t survive in the nature after rescue."

"Others possess useful skills helping people."

"Responsible auctions reunite those monsters with their owners."

Jennie listened to him attentively.

She wanted to understand before passing the judgment.

Inside...

The hall was simply amazing.

Instead of dark cages...

Almost every creature was kept in spacious magical enclosures.

Crystal walls surrounded every habitat.

Forests.

Lakes.

Rocky cliffs.

Caverns with warm climate.

Every enclosure imitated the natural habitat of the creatures living in it.

Jennie smiled.

"They are beautiful."

The first enclosure was occupied by several young wyverns.

Although their wings weren’t fully developed yet, they energetically trained how to fly from one pillar to another.

One of them got overconfident.

It immediately fell into the haystack.

Roxy giggled.

"That one reminds me of me."

Snow glanced at her.

"It surely does."

Further in the hall, there was a peaceful herd of Crystal Deer.

Their elegant antlers shone with soft blue mana.

Little lights were flying around them like twinkling stars.

Everyone admired them silently.

Jennie smiled.

"They are magnificent."

A nearby caretaker caught her phrase.

"They calm unstable mana."

"Many healing temples look after them."

Jennie nodded respectfully.

The next enclosure emitted powerful heat.

Several Fire Salamanders were lazily lying on the heated crystal platforms.

Their scales glowed brightly red.

Every time one of them yawned...

Small sparks flew out of its mouth.

Roxy instantly moved closer to them.

"They are adorable!"

One of the salamanders sneezed.

A small flame singed the edge of Roxy’s huge hat.

She quickly put the spark out.

"...Forget it."

Snow chuckled.

Above them, a huge Giant Eagle had spread its wings.

Its shadow covered almost the whole walkway.

Golden feathers were shining in the sunlight coming from the glass ceiling.

Jennie silently admired the pride of this bird.

"It looks like a king."

Snow smiled.

"Giant Eagles chose only those they trust."

"No one can impose their loyalty."

Further away, everyone was admiring creatures which Jennie knew only from the tales.

Moon Rabbits were hopping among glowing flowers.

Thunder Lizards crackled with the harmless blue lightning.

Sand Serpents were relaxing in the enchanted golden sand brought from distant deserts.

Ice Foxes from Frostveil Mountains were chasing each other in the magic snow.

Every enclosure showed a new miracle.

Every corner of the hall revealed creatures from lands Jennie didn’t imagine.

Jennie quietly whispered:

"The world is really incredible."

Snow nodded.

"It is."

But then...

Jennie slowed down her steps.

At the end of the auction hall...

The mood changed.

The laughter vanished.

The magical gardens of creatures disappeared.

Instead...

Rows of iron cages appeared under the dim lanterns.

In those cages were the baby monsters.

Some of them curled into frightened balls.

Others trembled with fear whenever someone passed by.

One little creature desperately tried to hide behind the old blanket of its mother.

Another little one quietly cried without a sound.

Jennie’s smile disappeared.

She stopped walking.

"..."

Snow noticed it immediately.

He stood by her side.

His gentle voice broke the silence.

"Not every cage is cruel."

Jennie said nothing.

"Some of those kids were rescued."

"Their parents died while protecting them."

"They are too young to survive alone."

Jennie slowly nodded.

She understood.

Then Snow looked at the rows of cages further into the shadows.

His blue eyes suddenly turned serious.

"But others..."

He paused.

"...are stolen."

Jennie narrowed her silver eyes.

A cold breeze seemed to blow through the hall.

Right at that moment...

The loud bell sounded across the auction house.

Dong!

The voice of an announcer sounded across the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

"The special auction is about to start."

People quickly moved towards the central stage.

Jennie looked at the sound source.

For some strange reason...

The sense of unease appeared in her heart.

Something...

Didn’t seem right.

Echoing throughout the auction hall was the sound of the great bronze bell.

Conversations gradually died down.

Merchants sat down at their seats.

Glasses of wine were lifted优雅地 by the nobles.

Notebooks were opened by researchers.

Beast tamers looked at the stage calmly.

Standing near the back of the hall was Jennie, Snow, and Roxy.

Jennie liked staying in the background.

She had never been fond of standing in the limelight.

Coming up the brightly lit stage was the auctioneer smiling widely.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

"We welcome you to today’s special auction!"

Applause sounded in the hall.

Behind him, magical barriers shined as attendants brought out several creatures carefully.

First, there was a young Crystal Deer.

Its glowing antlers brightened the whole stage like the moonlight.

Everyone admired its beauty.

A wealthy healer bought it for a great temple.

Next came two Fire Salamanders.

These creatures lazily yawned, sending tiny flames into the air.

Laughing was an old blacksmith.

"They’ll keep my forge warm for decades!"

Bidding ended fast.

Third was a magnificent Giant Eagle.

With golden wings spreading, it was challenging everyone in the room.

Winning this auction was a famous beast tamer.

The eagle lowered its head voluntarily.

Jennie smiled.

"It picked him."

Snow nodded.

"That is how it should be."

One after another...

Those creatures found masters, respecting them.

Jennie started relaxing slowly.

"Perhaps I judged this place unfairly."

Then...

It got darker in the hall.

The smile of the auctioneer grew wider.

"Our final item..."

"...is very rare."

Two hooded men rolled a great iron cage onto the stage.

Unlike every other enclosure...

It was covered with thick black cloth.

Jennie frowned immediately.

Snow straightened his ears.

The cloth got taken away.

Shivering in terror was a small creature.

It was about the size of a fox cub.

Its fur shone silver under the light of the stage.

Blue markings glowed softly on its body.

There were two small crystals on its head.

Trembling in fear, its golden eyes were searching for a way out.

Heavy chains made of black metal with weird symbols were wrapped around its body.

Audience gasped.

"A Spirit Beast..."

"I’ve never seen one."

"Incredible..."

Proudly raising both of his hands up high, the auctioneer started speaking.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

"A real Silver Spirit Fox!"

"Captured legally in the Whispering Forest!"

"It has a lot of mana and incredible intelligence."

"Bidding starts at one hundred thousand gold!"

Excited voices filled the hall.

Darkening his face, Snow spoke.

"...He’s lying."

Looking at him quietly, Jennie asked.

"What do you mean?"

Without ever looking away from the stage, he said.

"Such creatures can’t be domesticated."

"They never leave their family willingly."

Lowering his voice slightly, Snow continued.

"I can smell blood."

Frowning, Jennie asked.

"...Its parents?"

Snow slowly nodded.

"They were certainly killed."

Covering her mouth, Roxy said.

"...That’s terrible."

Jennie’s eyes fell upon the terrified fox cub.

It wasn’t growling.

It wasn’t attacking.

It was trembling.

Like a terrified kid.

Every time it tried moving, the chains got tighter.

Jennie stepped forward quietly.

Snow immediately understood her.

"You made your decision."

She answered him softly.

"I can’t ignore this."

Putting the hood of her white cloak, she changed herself.

From now on...

She wasn’t Jennie anymore.

She was Raven.

Walking calmly toward the stage, she got stopped by the guards instinctively.

Quietly showing her A-Rank Hunter badge, Jennie was let to approach by the captain immediately.

"Lady Raven."

Polite smile appeared on the face of the auctioneer.

"Can I help you, Hunter?"

Looking straight into the face of the spirit beast, Jennie said.

"I would like to inspect it."

Hesitating for a moment, he replied.

"Our merchandise has already been verified."

Her voice remained calm.

"Then you have nothing to fear."

Whispering started filling the hall.

"That’s Raven."

"The White Hunter?"

"I heard she was promoted to A-Rank."

Smiling weakly, he said.

"...Very well."

Approaching slowly, she startled the cub.

Kneeling in front of the cage, Jennie said.

"It’s alright."

"I’m not here to harm you."

Golden eyes of the frightened cub looked into her silver ones.

Somehow...

It calmed down a little.

Jennie carefully inspected those black chains.

At first glance...

Those chains seemed to be just regular sealing restraints.

But there was another pattern under the outer layer.

Those chains were covered with tiny black runes.

Placed on purpose.

Getting colder, her face got serious.

"Abyss Runes..."

Eyes of Snow sharpened.

"So that’s how they controlled it."

Leaving the place of kneeling, she started talking loudly.

"This auction is illegal."

Confusion erupted in the hall.

"What?"

"These chains were forged using Abyss magic."

"They suppress the will of the creature."

Pointing at the cage, Jennie continued.

"And Spirit Beasts are protected according to the Continental Hunter Law."

"They can’t be sold."

Face of the auctioneer got pale.

"Nonsense!"

"She’s lying!"

Drawing her Excalibur just a little, Jennie made a silver flash.

Returning the sword to its scabbard, she left silence in the hall.

After a second...

Clang!

All the weapons of the smugglers fell off on the floor.

Not even a single person got hurt.

The hall went completely silent.

Captain of the city guard immediately shouted.

"Seize them!"

Panicking, they started running.

They managed to take three steps.

Dozens of guards surrounded them immediately.

In just a couple of moments...

Their hands got tied.

Kneeling on the floor, the auctioneer started repeating.

"No..."

"No..."

Looking at the cage, one of the guards got surprised.

"The Abyss Runes are real."

Looking at Jennie and bowing respectfully, the guard said.

"Hunter Raven..."

"On behalf of Aurelis..."

"Thank you."

Ignoring the words of praise, she walked back to the trembling spirit beast.

Slowly...

Placing her hand on the cursed collar, Jennie heard a whisper of her sword.

"One precise cut."

Jennie smiled slightly.

"I know."

Making a small silver flash, she cut the chains in half.

Black runes disintegrated into the dust.

Free immediately, the fox cub stumbled forward.

For a moment...

It hesitated.

But then...

Gently rubbing its head to her hand, it was showing respect.

Smiling sadly, Roxy said.

"...It trusts you."

Snow nodded.

"It knows who saved it."

Gently petting its soft fur, Jennie spoke quietly.

"You’re free now."

"You don’t need to be afraid anymore."

For a while...

The little spirit beast looked at her.

As if wanting to remember her face.

But then...

Turning around...

With one graceful jump...

It ran toward the door.

Seconds later, it disappeared into the forests around Aurelis.

Watching quietly until disappearing of the spirit beast, Jennie smiled gently.

"...Live well."

Beside her walking Snow said.

"You did the right thing."

Jennie nodded.

"I couldn’t leave it in chains."

Way above the auction hall...

Hidden somewhere on the roof of the nearest tower...

Cloaked figure was watching everything.

Only two sharp crimson eyes could be seen under the hood of the figure.

Watching the disappearance of Raven in the crowd, the mysterious figure smiled.

"...So..."

"...the White Hunter has finally arrived."

Vanishing in the shadows without being noticed...