Ascension of the One Eyed Hunter

by quantumspark19

In a world where acceptance is elusive, Rowan Anderson, a one-eyed hunter, finds himself summoned into a mysterious dungeon. Within its depths, he earns the reverence of the dungeon's inhabitants, who view him as a deity. Rowan's journey becomes one of self-discovery and redemption as he navigates the challenges of his newfound status.

2. Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Hunter With One Eye (2)

Harvard University, the epitome of educational prestige in the United States.

Almost a decade ago, they made headlines with the announcement of the establishment of the first-ever Hunter Department in the country. People thought the president of Harvard had lost his mind. After all, the Gates had only opened a few years prior, and here they were, creating an entirely new department.

However, in foreign countries, they are already rushing to establish similar departments. In the end, Harvard University had the last laugh. The current Hunter Department at Harvard University is the representative department that boasts an insane level of admissions competition.

And within that department, the first generation of students earned the nickname of the "Golden Generation." In the entire United States, only seven A-rank Hunters exist, and three of them hail from the prestigious first generation of Harvard University. The Golden Generation has left its mark not only in the A-rank category but also in various other fields, with exceptional achievements to their name. Well, except for one person—that would be me.

"Somehow, I managed to make it here."

As one of the proud members of the Golden Generation, I was relieved that I hadn't been in a mere traffic accident. Given my current condition, driving has become a nerve-wracking experience. I wanted to use public transportation like I used to, but taking such risks with my vision was out of the question.

With that in mind, I picked up the corpse of the Black Dragon that I had thrown into the passenger seat.

Clang.

As I got out of the car and closed the door, a prominent sign caught my attention.

[Cedric's Creature Workshop]

Although it's called a workshop, the building exuded an air of cleanliness and sophistication, similar to a corporate building. It appeared to be the domain of a fellow member of the Golden Generation who had achieved remarkable success, even among the Golden Generation. Wasn't Cedric Stone the first blacksmith Hunter to reach A-rank in the United States?

"Hello."

"What brings you here?"

"I was hoping to meet an old colleague of mine," I explained, my intention clear as I presented the small corpse of the Black Dragon.

I was quickly granted access. Cedric, the sole blacksmith Hunter of the Golden Generation, greeted me in his shabby work clothes, his eyes quickly shifting to my injured eye.

"What's up, Rowan? How's your eye holding up?"

"As good as it can be. But, take a look at this."

With a quick reveal, I presented the corpse of the Black Dragon to Cedric, who had donned protective goggles. The creature was the loot I had obtained from a dream dungeon or something like that, fortunately still preserved without any signs of decay.

Cedric examined it with intrigue, "This... is a dragon, isn't it? But it's so small. Could it be an undiscovered species?"

As the best craftsman in the United States, Cedric quickly recognized the unique specimen. Without wasting a moment, he proceeded to conduct various tests. He peeled off the scales and examined them under a microscope, then dipped them in a reagent and struck them a few times with a hammer.

"The hardness is similar to a real one, but it's too small. Perhaps it's a juvenile instead of a unique species? The proportions do seem a bit strange."

"Seems like it."

"Rowan, where did you get this?"

"Pure luck. I happened to stumble upon it."

That wasn't a lie. I still didn't know exactly how it happened.

"Why didn't you try to capture it alive, if possible? It could have been better to raise it a bit."

Cedric spoke as if killing the Black Dragon was quite a waste. I couldn't help but voice out my own thoughts on the matter.

"Who knew if it would remain this big? Wasn't the dragon supposed to symbolize longevity? Besides, I'm no expert in taming monsters."

"That's true. But its size isn't quite suitable for creating anything impressive. At best, maybe a dagger?"

For hunters, it was common practice to utilize loot in crafting equipment. Cedric immediately suggested processing it.

"How about we try making a longsword?"

"With a dragon, the parts that can be used for equipment are limited. We'll make the hilt with the sturdiest spinal bone and process the scales to create a durable blade. With proper craftsmanship, the blade should retain its sharpness."

"Do as you wish. You can have the leftover materials."

As I myself wielded a dagger, there was no reason to object or retain the remnants.

Although I handed over the remaining materials, it would be the best blacksmith Hunter in America who would work on them. Yet, my focus shifted to a different topic.

By the way, have you ever worked with dragon materials before?"

"Of course. I acquired one in Canada recently. Bought it, to be precise."

"Oh, I see..."

If that's the case, then it must be a real dragon monster. It only deepened the mystery of yesterday's encounter.

'What was yesterday's incident all about?'

The experience felt far too vivid to be a mere dream. The loot was even intact. No matter how I think about it, it seemed like some kind of dungeon. Lost in thought, Cedric kicked me out of the workshop and said, "Since you've got good equipment, time for you to sign-up for a B-rank promotion."

"Just make sure to craft them well. Thanks for your hard work."

"Sure thing."

After entrusting the equipment production, I heard someone calling my name as I was driving back.

[... Rowan.]

Startled, I quickly turned my head, scanning the parking lot, but there was no one to be seen. Wondering if it was some auditory hallucination, I leaned closer to the driver's seat, and this time, the voice became clearer. It was as if someone was whispering directly into my ear.

[Great Father Rowan, may your glory endure for eternity!]

"This is driving me insane. Who is this Father?"

It's not uncommon for people to say such things about someone who remains unmarried. As I tilted my ear slightly, the voices became more varied and distinct.

[Oh, Bearer of the One Eye, grant this insignificant insect forbidden knowledge.]

[Crush him!]

[With the name of the damned, bring eternal destruction to this cursed land...]

To be honest, it seemed like an extravagant request. I was curious about where they picked up my name from and who was calling me like that. I'm just a C-rank hunter in the US.

In reality, there are plenty of psychic hunters like me. I've never garnered attention for my looks or activities in the entertainment industry.

'Perhaps they've mistaken me for someone else. Just stay quiet...'

As annoyance swelled within me, the voice disappeared as if it had been washed away. With an uneasy feeling lingering, I started the engine and headed home.

Wiiiing.

Somehow, I arrived home safely, but my legs trembled as I got out of the car. Although there was still plenty of time until sunset, I had no other plans. My daily routine had been completely disrupted due to surgery, hospitalization, and recovery.

'Could that really have been a black dragon?'

Even after receiving confirmation from a trusted blacksmith, I found it hard to believe. Can I go back to that dungeon? The mere thought of it sent shivers down my spine as I sat in the living room. Once again, strange voices began to echo in my ear.

[Oh, the One with External Eyes, shall Rowan, bestow this insignificant slave eternal life and knowledge!]

The pronunciation of this voice was far more fluent than the other voices.

Before I could even chuckle, a brilliant blue portal appeared before me. It was a portal that I had encountered countless times during dungeon explorations, and there was no way I could mistake it.

"What, what is this?"

Normally, the protocol is to report the discovery of such portals to the Hunter Association... but after yesterday's extraordinary experience, my perspective had shifted.

'Isn't this dungeon similar to the one from yesterday?'

Despite the oddness of the situation, one thing was clear: the dungeon had provided tangible rewards. Plus, it appeared right in the heart of my living room, making it exclusively mine to explore.

'Should I give it a try? If anything goes wrong, I can always leave immediately...'

Having made up my mind quickly, I immediately equipped myself with gear. I wore a hunter's combat suit with bulletproof specifications and even prepared a gas mask. Fortunately, I had prepared my weapons perfectly as I had just gone for an interview yesterday.

Armed with several sharp daggers, I put on a gas mask and entered the portal.

Whoosh!

As if I had boarded an elevator, the scenery around me swiftly transformed, revealing a dense forest with countless small trees stretching skyward. In the midst of it, there were numerous people gathered. Strange, intricate shapes adorned the ground beneath my feet. While pleased with the potent concentration of dungeon magic power, I was slightly taken aback by the size of these entities.

'What? They're a bit larger than yesterday?'

Last time, they were as small as my toenail, but this time, they were the size of a fist. Though still small, it was noticeably different. Standing there in confusion, they started wriggling on their own. While bowing their heads in unison, they shouted at the top of their lungs to ensure I heard their words.

"Rowan has answered the call! All must bow!"

"fglthefewf%aowf..."

Among the babbling crowd, only one individual seemed to understand the language, while the rest continued to produce incomprehensible sounds. Intrigued, I slightly lowered myself to examine them more closely. Aside from their smaller size, they bore a striking resemblance to humans.

'Interesting.'

While I was busy rolling my relatively intact eyes, one heavily frustrated guy raised his voice again. He looked like a priest or a magician.

"Oh, the One from the External Realm, forgive the rudeness of this amateur summoning!"

"Amateur summoning?"

Perhaps due to the muffled effect of the gas mask, his voice sounded distorted, but I couldn't risk removing it. He seemed to understand and continued chattering enthusiastically.

"I may not be able to summon you as skillfully as last time, but I have prepared diligently! Although it might be difficult for this magician to summon your true essence, Rowan."

So, it wasn't that these beings had grown larger, but rather that I had become smaller. It appeared that the summoning from last time had been executed by more adept magicians.

I roughly understood and asked the most curious question first. It would be a waste not to communicate when the opportunity presented itself.

"How did you come to know my name?"

"Rowan, the one who vanquished the evil dragon and saved the country, has already become a famous legend!"

"..."

I couldn't help but wonder how news of the previous summoning had already spread. The speed at which rumors traveled seemed unnaturally fast. The individual continued to chatter enthusiastically, revealing a level of quick-wittedness beyond what initially met the eye.

"We bow before you! Merciful One from the External Realm!"

"Merciful One from the External Realm? Don't the other beings here help you?"

"That, well... Actually, beings capable of independent communication are extremely rare."

"Oh, I see."

'Are there others like me who are summoned here?'

Grateful for his willingness to provide answers, I finally gained a clearer understanding of the situation, even if it was a little late. It became apparent that these beings had summoned me with a specific purpose. The voices I had heard earlier indeed belonged to the inhabitants of this place.

"Please, continue. Why have you summoned me?

Upon closer inspection, I noticed a touch of age on his face.

"Please, share your blood with me, if you may!"

"Blood?"

"I swear. I will use Rowan's blood solely for myself. I will create an elixir of immortality with it."

Well, I doubt my blood has any mystical effects like that. I shook my head, thinking that way. Still, it's not wise to outright reject them after summoning me. Besides, the concentration of magical power in this place had the potential to significantly enhance my strength.

"Please forgive my audacious request. I am willing to pay any price if necessary!"

"Any price?"

"... Yes!"

Although the offers and promises of these tiny beings failed to resonate with me, an opportunity to gather information presented itself. I had several unanswered questions, and this encounter with these subhumans could serve as a valuable source of insight. A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I addressed the being before me.

"Tell me, who were the ones responsible for summoning me in the first place?"

"I heard that they were the court mages of the Kingdom of Colen, who summoned you to defeat the evil dragon."

"In that case, find out how they knew my name."

Those beings knew my name from the beginning, and that bothered me a lot. The mage wriggled around eagerly and promised, "I will spare no effort to find out, using any means at my disposal.."

"Very Well."

Using my psychic power, I pricked my finger and let a drop of blood fall. Although I had a dagger, it was smeared with oil or poison-like substances. It was not an ordinary dagger but a hunter's equipment, so it was best not to touch it carelessly.

"Will this do?"

To me, it was a mere droplet of blood, but for the subhumans, it held great significance and had to be received with utmost respect. The mage's satisfaction was evident as he bowed his head once more.

"Thank you, Merciful One from the External Realm."

As soon as he finished his gratitude, my body quickly faded away. I didn't want to leave just yet, but it seemed that the effects of the summoning were already fading. Based on our conversation, summoning me to this dungeon was no easy feat.

"I will inform you as soon as I obtain the information!"

Just as the summoning had been instantaneous, so too was my return. In the blink of an eye, I found myself back in the living room, the portal now closed.

Letting out a sigh, I murmured, "Is it over?"

The entire experience remained unbelievable to me...

Author's Note

Hey there, wonderful readers. I'm thrilled to announce that you can now read the advance three chapters right now on Toodat!

If you're a fan of thrilling adventures, compelling characters, and exciting twists, head over to Toodat and read those chapters.

Thanks a million for your incredible support. You make writing truly rewarding.

You can click this external link ~ writing/detail/y83X46dBgJe79jAk