The footsteps leading to the Hunter Training Grounds were light and swift. I felt no sense of guilt after defeating the goblin tribe's king just yesterday.

After all, I am a hunter. There should be no hesitation to kill when facing enemies, even those with intelligence and emotions. This mindset has been ingrained since my school days.

The goblins have a similarity to me in that aspect. The same goes for the orcs I had slain earlier. Treating them differently now would only lead to their dissatisfaction.

"By the way, I got lucky. To think I can use the measurement room already."

Among the various facilities in the Hunter Training Grounds, the measurement room was the most popular.

Only a few facilities nationwide could comprehensively analyze a hunter's abilities, and members could only use it once a month, provided they had made an early reservation.

Fortunately, there was a canceled reservation, and the manager of the training grounds offered that schedule to me. It was perfect timing as I wanted to check my psychic power.

"Hello."

"Oh, Mr. Rowan. Please come in. Do you need a warm-up?"

"No, thank you. I'll get right to it."

I positioned the equipment inside the measurement room before me and summoned my strength. This equipment is enough to handle even powers of A-rank, so I am confident I could unleash my power to my heart's content.

Push!

First, I pushed the equipment that resembled a punching machine. Measuring psychic power was relatively simple.

The machine bent at a considerable angle, but it had been a while since my last measurement, so I couldn't quite grasp the extent of my power. The surprised voice of the manager could be heard from outside the room.

"Wow! Uh, no, this is..."

"Shall I continue?"

"Oh, yes!"

Next came precision measurement, which I personally anticipated the most.

I deftly pressed the sections marked in red on the equipment, which gave the sensation of piano keys. The red keys increased rapidly and significantly.

"The results are out! Amazing. This should be among the top rankings of B-rank."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, especially the precision is at an A-rank level."

With the results on the paper before me, a smirk crossed my face. I felt thrilled, yet there was a tinge of bittersweetness. While being among the top rankings of B-rank was impressive, my peers from the Golden Generation had achieved such heights long ago.

However, I couldn't dwell on that thought for too long. The manager noticed my mixed emotions and couldn't quite offer wholehearted congratulations.

"Still, this is incredible. When did you improve this much?"

"I guess the training in the hospital bed paid off."

"Oh, you can't do that."

Sighing, I returned to my usual routine. Like others, I watched dramas, news or listened to music, seeking solace in such distractions.

"Hmm... Herban, are you there?"

[Yes, my master. How may I be of service?]

While I could communicate to some extent with other members of their race, Herban was special. Sharing my blood made communication with Herban easier and more comfortable. I set aside some time to study about the other foreign races.

"I want to know about other Outer Gods."

[When you say, other Outer Gods...]

"Don't hold back; start with the relatively famous ones."

["Questioner and Answerer?"]

The two Outer Gods were giant-headed twins...

It is said that the Questioner constantly asks questions, and the Answerer tirelessly provides answers. Their topics of discussion are incredibly diverse, ranging from simple household matters to the world's secrets and truths.

"If I summon both of them at the same time, I could learn a lot."

[That's the problem. The Questioner and the Answerer can never be summoned simultaneously. When one is summoned, the other becomes completely unavailable.]

"Fascinating. Tell me more about the more common Outer Gods."

It seemed like a good start. Herban passionately continued with the explanation as I increased the intensity of my exercise equipment.

[There is also the Lonely Wolf Outer God. It's relatively frequently summoned due to its simple yet peculiar nature.]

"What makes it peculiar?"

[The Lonely Wolf enjoys being alone, so as soon as it's summoned, it harvests all life around, including the summoner. It's popular among individuals who have a suicidal or apocalyptic mindset.]

"If it enjoys being alone, why does it accept summoning?" I chuckled and continued to listen.

[The Mother of Snakes! It's a powerful, high-ranking Outer God. It oversees several other Outer Gods. It's pretty cunning but relatively communicative...]

Herban, true to his role as a summoner, was knowledgeable about the subject.

After finishing the workout, I nodded as I took a shower. Now, I had a rough idea.

"Seems like there are very few like me."

Feeling more confident, I thought I could be bolder. If summoners failed in their attempts to summon Outer Gods, they would have to face monstrous beings with whom communication was almost impossible.

Most Outer Gods were indifferent or hostile towards the members of their race, making it incredibly challenging to gain assistance from them.

Unexpectedly, Herban, the summoner, asked me about my family relationship. He wanted to know about my family for the sake of writing a magic book.

However, I found the question surprising and hesitated to answer, thinking it might be an unexpected investigation.

After Herban quickly clarifies the reason for the inquiry, explaining that Outer Gods often create other Outer Gods themselves due to their immense power and incomprehensibility, I somewhat understood the interest in family relationships among these beings, even though their concept of family may differ from conventional notions.

Eventually, I answered that I am an entirely independent being, not tied to any family.

After expressing my gratitude, I left the training ground. To my surprise, the manager informed me that I was eligible for a B-rank promotion without needing a promotion test.

Feeling relieved after seven years of being active and having already achieved the required performance for the promotion, I eagerly look forward to receiving my B-rank hunter license and taking on new challenges.

As I acknowledged the potential challenges of entering the strategy team, especially as a C-rank hunter, I knew that gaining acceptance might not be easy, and some hunters may still view me skeptically. Nevertheless, I contemplated the possibilities and looked forward to future adventures.

While walking along the road, I briefly opened my ears and instantly regretted it. The voices calling out to me had multiplied, spreading rumors of how I had defeated the summoned beings.

The overwhelming voices burdened me, and I couldn't help but feel the weight of their expectations.

"As if asking Outer Gods for advice on romantic matters is appropriate."

Indeed, Outer Gods who willingly granted requests were rare. From now on, I decided to be more selective in their summonings. Finally arriving in the living room, I used my psychic power to grab the TV remote.

Despite the internet dominating as the primary news source, having information readily available without actively searching was convenient. The channel broadcasting hunter-related news reported on the success of the Dragon's Guild expedition in Canada, led by Hunter Abigail Dunn.

Abigail, the leader of the Golden Generation and the only S-rank hunter in the US was a foreign hunter who consistently ranked at the top. Her achievements were so remarkable that news about her was almost a daily occurrence.

"No special news. Maybe it's time to start some work."

Amidst the multitude of prayers and while carefully selecting a summoning target, an unexpectedly familiar voice interrupted. It was Herban.

[Rowan! We're in big trouble! Please help us!]

"Herban?"

[It's an Outer God! An Outer God is invading our territory!]

I had always known I might encounter other Outer Gods someday, but I hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

Checking the fit of my body armor, I responded shortly, "Summon."

With a poof, I arrived at the familiar forest terrain, immediately drawing the Black Dragon's Scale Dagger. In the distance, a giant made of bones was slowly approaching.

"Who's that?"

"That's Atoka! An evil Outer God who delights in defying life and commanding spirits!"

"Tsk..."

The bone giant grinned unpleasantly and steadily made its way forward, exuding a significant presence. By monster standards, it would at least be an A-rank entity. Its steps alone caused the surrounding forest to decay and collapse with eerie sounds, and the followers at my feet cried out in despair.

"Kiiyaak!"

"It's going down!"

"Wait, stop!"

I tried to communicate, but there was no common language. Instead, the giant swung its long arm powerfully. When I quickly dodged, the vacant eye sockets of the creature stared in their direction.

'What a feeble attack.'

As I prepared to retaliate, I felt my body heavier and more sluggish than expected. I widened my eyes, realizing I had been at the training ground just a moment ago. Clearly, my body was not in its normal condition.

'Is it because of its ability? No, wait. The giant seems unsteady too.'

Feeling slightly confused, I heard Herban shout from below, "I apologize, my master! My summoning was incomplete..."

Ah, that must be it. Herban, being a summoner, had hastily summoned me, resulting in an imperfect summoning that restricted their full power.

The bone giant, on the other side, faced a similar issue. While the creature was much stronger than it appeared, the summoning rituals of the members of my race couldn't fully summon it.

Amidst the weakening state of both sides, I felt far more advantageous. My own condition was still manageable. After all, I was never exceptionally strong to begin with.

However, the other entity seemed to be struggling, likely feeling as if it was crawling on the ground due to some ailment. I knew that feeling all too well.

"Keeheeek!"

As the troubled entity reached out its left hand, I pushed it away with psychic force and thrust the Black Dragon's Dagger deep into its body. The creature's movements were undoubtedly slower than mine.

"W-world..."

"Great father! Restore the peace of the forest!"

"Guardian of the world! Invincible being!"

The followers who witnessed the battle between Outer Gods were driven to a state of madness. My thoughts became erratic, and I gnashed my teeth. I had bragged so much last time, and losing to such a creature would be humiliating.

"I've captured creatures like you hundreds of times!"

"Geh-eaak!"

With a resounding thud, the Black Dragon's Dagger hit the entity's rib, and instead of blood, bone fragments splattered out. Expanding the wound with psychic power and disrupting its insides, the creature's waist exploded into pieces.

"Keheek, ah, To-ka! Kusheer, patan!"

Muttering in an unknown language, the entity collapsed to the ground... and then vanished without a trace. Herban and the followers were beside themselves, their pure enthusiasm filling the vast forest.

"Rowan! Rowan! Rowan!"

"Herban! Find the summoner!"

"They're over there!"

I followed the direction Herban pointed and walked unsteadily. The summoners, scattered in all directions, suddenly converged while screaming.