Monster Hunter Predator

Early in the morning. Orin woke with a sense of excitement, his muscles still sore from the intense workout the day before. His mind raced with anticipation. He had pushed himself hard, and now he was eager to see if his efforts had paid off. Stepping into the training grounds, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was about to discover something new about his limits.

He approached the punch machine first, its cold metal surface gleaming under the overhead lights. Taking a deep breath, he gathered all his strength and slammed his fist into the pad. There was a satisfying crack, and the machine beeped, displaying the results on the screen.

Ding: Punch Force = 4000.

When he blinked at the numbers, his heart racing. A force of 4000 wasn't impressive, but the increase of 400 in one day is. He moved on, heading toward the weight-lifting station next. The massive barbell looked daunting, but Orin had always been driven to push himself.

With a determined grunt, he positioned himself under the barbell and began his lift. It felt like every muscle in his body was straining, but he powered through it. Slowly, the barbell rose until he finally locked it in place.

Ding: Max Weight Lifting = 300kg.

His eyes widened as he processed the result. 300kg—he had no idea he could lift that much. A rush of adrenaline surged through him, making him feel invincible. The pain in his muscles faded to the background as motivation took over. He was improving, faster than he had ever hoped thanks to his fast regeneration, everytime he breaks his body, it becomes stronger as long as there's good nutritions.

After completing his training routine, Orin sat down and ate a quick meal. As he chewed, he couldn't help but wonder about the future. What would it take to become a Monster Hunter? His curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to ask the AI assistant.

"Seren," he began, pausing between bites, "how do you become a Monster Hunter?"

The AI responded promptly. "To become a Monster Hunter, you must first submit an application and personally go to the MHU pass an entrance test. Hunters are evaluated based on their strengths: if you're a fighter, your combat ability is tested; if you're a healer, your medical skills are measured; if you're a tank, your defense is evaluated; and if you're a speedster, your agility is the focus. Your missions are then assigned based on your abilities and level."

Orin nodded, absorbing the information. He didn't have a core, so he assumed he would be categorized as a fighter, but could he truly be a Monster Hunter relying only on physical strength? The thought lingered in his mind.

He took another bite of food before continuing. "And what about this Golden Badge ?"

Seren's voice became a little more formal. "The Golden Badge is a prestigious award given to hunters at Level 7 or above. Level 1 to 3 hunters receive a Bronze Badge, Level 4 to 6 hunters receive a Silver Badge. Only those who reach Level 7 are granted the Golden Badge, signifying not only mastery over their abilities but also a status that few ever achieve."

Orin's mind raced. A Golden Badge. That was his goal, but how could he get there?

"What about weapons?" Orin asked, eager to understand more. "What weapon would be best for me?"

The AI displayed a list of weapons,swords, axes and maces , each more intimidating than the last. "Without a core, advanced weapons are not effective," Seren explained. "Your physical strength is substantial, but we need to test your abilities further to determine what weapon suits you best. I recommend waiting until you reach Level 2 before deciding on your weapon."

Orin's thoughts darkened. "But I can't afford to wait. This house costs 25,000 units a month. What about the rent? I won't make it without some kind of income."

Seren paused for a moment before answering. "Indeed, your house rent is 25,000 units per month, but there's more. You also need Level 1 Beast Meat for sustenance, which costs an additional 75,000 units. The total cost for both food and rent comes to 100,000 units."

Orin's jaw dropped. "75,000 for meat? How am I supposed to pay for that?"

Seren continued, unaffected by his surprise. "The meat you've been provided with is worth 150kg in total, and each kilogram costs 500 units. If you consume 3 kilograms per day, the meat will last you approximately 50 days."

Orin quickly calculated the numbers in his head, but the reality of the situation was still daunting. "And what happens after 50 days?"

"The more you train, the more you'll need to eat," Seren explained. "The increased physical exertion will raise your daily nutritional requirements. So this might just be enough for one month"

Orin felt a knot tighten in his stomach as the weight of his situation pressed down on him. "So, not only do I have to pay rent, but I have to make sure I have enough food to survive the training. This is going to cost me a fortune."

As if on cue, the AI's voice grew a little more serious. "The food in your fridge is expensive. It may have been left behind by the previous owner of the house, but the origin remains unknown."

Orin paused, looking at the large, sleek fridge that hummed with a strange energy. He had assumed the house was just a lucky find, but now the situation seemed far more intricate. Who was behind all this? The rent, the food, it was all too much for someone without connections.

"Who left all this food here?" Orin muttered, more to himself than the AI.

"Unknown," Seren replied cryptically. "It may have been the former owner."

A sudden thought crossed Orin's mind. Could the man in black, the one who had broken his hand be behind all of this? Was he the one responsible for leaving him with this strange setup? He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being manipulated, but the connection didn't quite make sense.

Orin shook his head, dismissing the thought. There were too many unanswered questions. His situation was more than just coincidence. it was only a matter of time before he discovered what it was.

Orin stepped outside, feeling the cool breeze against his skin. The view of Nexus-9 spread out before him: towering skyscrapers, flying vehicles zipping through the sky, and streets teeming with people. The air buzzed with energy both literal and figurative. Neon signs and holograms lit up the city, while the constant hum of machinery filled the background.

He took a deep breath and walked through the busy streets, his mind occupied with the looming question of what his future held. People passed by, some looking at him with indifference, others with curiosity, but he was too lost in thought to notice much. The city was chaotic, but there was a rhythm to it.