Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 555 124.2 - Fame (2)

As Astron returned to the group, the barrage of questions from the reporters resumed almost immediately. But this time, the tone shifted. Instead of focusing on the team's accomplishments or the intense battles they'd just fought, the questions began to veer into more personal territory.

A reporter from a lifestyle magazine leaned in with a playful grin. "Astron, you've got quite the fanbase growing. Everyone's wondering—how do you keep your face looking so flawless after all these intense dungeon clears? Is there a secret behind your striking appearance, especially those unique purple eyes?"

Astron's eyes flickered slightly, but he maintained his calm demeanor. He wasn't unfamiliar with these kinds of questions, but it was clear they were digging for something more. Before he could answer, another reporter jumped in.

"And speaking of your appearance, we've been hearing rumors that your romantic life has caught some attention. Can you share if there's anyone special? Maybe someone from your time at Arcadia Hunter Academy?"

Astron remained silent for a moment, but he could already sense where the questions were heading. The reporters, now emboldened by the relaxed atmosphere, continued.

"Word is you were seen with Irina Emberheart, one of the most powerful heirs in the Federation. There were even pictures of you walking with her—anything you'd like to share about your relationship with her? Are you close with the other heirs as well?"

The mention of Irina Emberheart made Astron pause internally, but outwardly, he kept his expression neutral. He had expected the media to dig into his past eventually, but the personal nature of these questions was clearly designed to provoke a response.

'So, they did their research.'

He took a slow breath before addressing them, his voice measured and calm. "As for my appearance and eyes, there's no special secret. It's just a result of being an Awakened, like many others. We undergo changes as our bodies adapt to the use of mana. The higher our rank, the more our appearance shifts due to the elimination of impurities."

The reporters listened attentively, but it was clear they were waiting for him to address the more personal questions.

"As for my time at Arcadia Hunter Academy," Astron continued, his tone steady, "I'm focused on my training and mission there, just as I am here. Yes, I've crossed paths with many people, including heirs like Irina Emberheart. But my priority is my growth as a Hunter, and that's where my focus remains."

He deliberately kept the mention of Irina vague, not offering any details about their relationship. The truth was far more complicated than any of the reporters could understand, and Astron had no intention of feeding the media frenzy around it.

One of the reporters, however, wasn't ready to drop the subject just yet. "So you and Irina are just… acquaintances? There's been a lot of speculation, especially with her reputation in the Federation. She's not someone who spends time with just anyone."

Astron's expression remained neutral, but there was an underlying firmness in his reply. "Irina Emberheart is a powerful figure, and I respect her abilities as a Hunter. Beyond that, I have nothing more to add."

His calm and controlled response didn't give the reporters the reaction they were hoping for, but it was clear that Astron wasn't going to indulge in any rumors or personal details.

The crowd buzzed with whispered discussions as the reporters scribbled down notes, but the focus began to shift again. They realized they wouldn't get much more from him on the topic of his personal life. Instead, they returned to safer ground, asking more about his time at Arcadia Hunter Academy and how his training there had shaped his abilities.

Just as Astron finished answering another question about his time at Arcadia Hunter Academy, the air shifted. A sudden tension crackled through the crowd, barely noticeable at first, but Astron's heightened senses picked it up immediately. His eyes flickered to the suspicious figures he had marked earlier, and in that moment, everything happened at once.

The group of saboteurs, all Awakened, sprang into action. Shouts filled the air, cutting through the chatter of the reporters. "Vanguard Haven, know your place!" one of them yelled, their voice laced with fury. The crowd erupted into chaos as the attackers launched a direct assault, targeting the reporters and anyone associated with the interview.

It was a blatant act of terrorism.

The first blast of mana surged toward the cluster of reporters, knocking some of them back with a forceful shockwave. The drones that had been hovering overhead for the live broadcast wobbled and crashed to the ground as the crowd scattered in fear. Several saboteurs, their bodies radiating dark mana, charged forward, their intentions clear.

Astron's instincts kicked in immediately. He moved like lightning, positioning himself between the saboteurs and the panicked reporters. "Everyone, get behind me!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Dorian, despite his exhaustion, was already drawing his blades, his expression sharp as he assessed the attackers. "Damn it! These guys are Awakened!" he cursed, moving to cover the other flank of the team.

Kurt and Gareth were quick to form a defensive line, raising their shields to protect the retreating reporters. Elena and Lila, though equally drained from the dungeon, were already gathering their mana, preparing to support the team.

One of the saboteurs, his eyes wild with rage, lunged at the nearest reporter with a glowing fist, but Astron intercepted him with a swift, precise movement. His dagger flashed in the air, deflecting the attacker's blow before delivering a calculated strike to the side, sending the man sprawling into the ground.

More shouts erupted as the attackers pressed their assault. "Vanguard Haven has overstepped its bounds! Daring to resort to illegal tactics like sacrificing people in the dungeon!" They aimed not just at the reporters but at anyone wearing the guild's insignia, turning the situation into a full-on skirmish.

Astron moved fluidly through the chaos, issuing orders as he fought. "Dorian, cut off their right flank! Gareth, reinforce the barrier—keep them away from the non-combatants!" His voice was calm but commanding, even as he engaged another attacker, his daggers flashing with deadly precision.

The saboteurs, though clearly skilled, were reckless, relying on brute force and rage to fuel their attacks. One of them, a larger man wielding a club of condensed mana, charged at Kurt, bellowing angrily. "You think you can stand above us?!"

Kurt gritted his teeth, his shield barely holding up against the ferocious strike. "I've had enough of this," he growled, shoving the attacker back with a powerful counterstrike, sending the man stumbling.

Elena unleashed a torrent of magic, her staff glowing brightly as she cast a series of spells to hold back the advancing saboteurs. Fire and ice surged across the battlefield, slowing the attackers' movements and giving the team a much-needed reprieve.

In the midst of the chaos, Astron's sharp gaze flickered back to Liana, who had disappeared into the crowd earlier to alert the guild's security. She had anticipated this, and now, just as the saboteurs began to regroup for another push, Vanguard Haven's security force arrived.

A team of trained Hunters, led by one of the guild's top enforcers, surged into the fray, expertly cutting off the attackers and forcing them back. The tide of the battle began to shift in their favor, the saboteurs quickly finding themselves outnumbered and outmaneuvered.

One of the attackers, realizing their plan had failed, snarled in frustration. "This isn't over!" he spat before disappearing into a cloud of dark mana, using a teleportation technique to flee. The others followed suit, vanishing into the shadows, leaving behind only destruction and chaos.

As the dust settled, the battlefield fell eerily silent. The reporters, shaken but unharmed, began to collect themselves, while Vanguard Haven's team remained vigilant, ensuring no further threats lingered.

Liana reappeared, her expression grim but composed. "Is everyone alright?" she asked, her eyes scanning the team.

Liana turned to the reporters, her face calm but with a flicker of concern in her eyes. "Is everyone alright?" she asked, her voice steady as she scanned the group, making sure none of them were injured from the attack.

The reporters, still shaken but unharmed, began nodding their heads. "Yes, we're fine," one of them said. "Thanks to your team, nothing serious happened."

Shira Fenn stepped forward, her voice filled with admiration. "Your team intercepted the attack just in time. They were incredibly fast—almost too fast to follow." She gave a nod to Astron and the others. "I'm sure our viewers saw just how effective they were."

Some of the other reporters exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from relief to excitement. The attack had been broadcast live, and while dangerous, it had given them exactly the kind of story that would capture attention. A few even smiled, realizing they had exclusive footage of a terrorist attack and a swift counter from Vanguard Haven's elite team.

"This will make headlines for sure," one of the reporters muttered, still gripping their notepad tightly.

Liana, sensing the opportunism but maintaining her professionalism, gave them a firm nod. "I'm glad everyone's safe, but for now, the team is exhausted. I'm afraid today's interviews will have to be cut short. They've been through a lot, and they need time to rest and recover."

The reporters, understanding the situation, nodded in agreement. They had enough material to work with, and the live broadcast of the attack had more than fulfilled their expectations. One by one, they began to wrap up their reports and sign off from their broadcasts.

Shira gave Liana a respectful nod. "Thank you for your time, and thank the team for their incredible work. This was… quite an eventful day."

Liana smiled faintly, though there was a trace of exhaustion in her eyes. "Thank you for your understanding. I'll be sure to pass that along."

As the last of the reporters packed up their equipment and began to leave, the atmosphere around the gate finally started to calm. Liana escorted them out, ensuring they were safely on their way before turning back to the team. The crowd dissipated, and the chaos of the earlier attack slowly faded into the cold night.

With the area cleared and the reporters gone, Liana returned to the team, her expression softening slightly. "Let's get you all back to the guild. You've done enough for today."

But on the way, she heard Astron mumbling.

"That was quite a good plan."

Liana's smile stiffened for a moment, but she kept her composure as she turned to face Astron. "What do you mean by that?" she asked, her tone light but with an edge of curiosity.

Astron glanced at her, his expression unreadable, but his voice carried a subtle hint of amusement. "It was a well-executed plan, that's all. The stage was perfectly set. The attack, the timing, the media—it all worked together. Don't you think?"

For a moment, Liana said nothing, studying him carefully. Her eyes flickered with a mix of acknowledgment and resignation. Finally, she let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You saw right through it, didn't you?" n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Astron gave a small shrug, his gaze calm but sharp. "It wasn't that difficult to figure out. The sudden increase in media interest and the reporters conveniently being here just when the attack happened—all pointed to a bigger plan. However, you could just inform me if you wanted to create such an attack out of nowhere to attract more clout. At the very least, the team could be prepared."

"Then we would lose the authenticity."

"Indeed."

Astron spoke, but something was making him tense once again.

SHIVER!

Once again, his senses were telling him that something was wrong. Yet he did not know what it was.

Until midnight, when he got a call from a certain someone.