Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

539 Chapter 120.5 - Infernal Nexus

"Well, that's enough talk," I said, standing up and glancing at the time on my smartwatch. "We need to move. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous things get."

The others nodded in agreement, and without further delay, we regrouped and began our advance deeper into the Infernal Nexus. The path ahead was twisted, the heat intensifying with every step as the dungeon's molten core drew closer. The once wide, open areas we had been fighting in narrowed into more treacherous passages, but with the team now moving in unison, we navigated the obstacles smoothly.

Under my direction, we adjusted our formation frequently, depending on the terrain and the mana fluctuations I detected ahead. As a result, we avoided several potential ambushes from smaller fire elementals that lurked in the dungeon's corners.

Each encounter was quick and efficient, with everyone following my lead without hesitation. Gareth's barriers were well-timed, Dorian's quick strikes hit with accuracy, and Elena's spells controlled the battlefield with precision.

Lila kept her golem at the ready, using it strategically to shield us when needed.

We moved with speed and purpose, making sure not to waste any unnecessary energy on distractions or low-priority threats. I kept a close watch on the flow of mana within the dungeon, using my Eyes to anticipate changes in the environment. The deeper we went, the more chaotic the energy became, signaling that we were closing in on the heart of the dungeon—the boss room.

After what felt like only a short time, we finally reached the last chamber. A massive, double-door structure made of molten rock and darkened steel stood before us. The heat radiating from it was almost unbearable, a clear sign that the dungeon's final guardian lay just beyond.

"Looks like we're here," Kurt said, gripping his shield tightly. His tone was calm but ready for whatever was waiting for us inside.

"Not bad," Dorian commented, leaning casually on his swords. "I thought it'd take us longer to get here. We've definitely stepped up our game."

Elena, who had been focusing her mana for the upcoming fight, looked at me. "What's the plan, Astron? This is where things usually get messy."

At this point, their trust in me had been completely fulfilled. They no longer doubted any of my decisions and acted accordingly, and that alone was enough for me at the time.

I studied the door for a moment, sensing the powerful presence behind it. "We go in with the same efficiency we've been using. Once the boss shows itself, I'll analyze its movements and weaknesses. Until then, we stick to a flexible formation. Lila, keep your golem close for defense. Gareth, be ready to adjust your barriers on the fly. Kurt, hold the line as always. Dorian, Elena—you two focus on maximizing damage."

The team nodded, ready and focused.

"Well, let's not waste any more time," I said, signaling the team forward.

Kurt and Gareth took the lead, pushing the heavy doors open. Immediately, we were hit by a wave of scorching heat, even more intense than anything we had faced so far. The chamber beyond was vast, with molten rivers flowing through the room like veins of fire. In the center stood the dungeon's boss, a colossal fire spirit, its body a swirling mass of flames and molten rock. It radiated an overwhelming energy, its fiery eyes locked on us as we entered.

The final battle was about to begin.

*******

As the colossal fire spirit loomed over the team, the tension in the chamber reached its peak. Heat radiated from the creature in waves, distorting the air around it and casting flickering shadows on the rocky walls. The ground beneath their feet trembled slightly as molten rivers flowed beneath the surface, adding another layer of danger to the fight ahead.

Kurt tightened his grip on his shield, eyes locked on the fire spirit. His thoughts were steady but cautious, fully aware of the power they were about to face. 'This guy has been really sharp so far. I'll trust his call. This thing is stronger than any elemental we've faced, but if anyone can spot a weakness, it's him.'

The fire spirit's burning eyes glowed brighter as it began to move, its massive form shifting with the sound of crackling flames. A pulse of intense heat hit them as it took its first step, molten rock trailing behind it.

"Astron," Kurt called, his voice firm, "What's the plan?"

Astron narrowed his eyes, scanning the fire spirit's body, his [Perceptive Insight] already analyzing the creature's mana flow. The spirit's core was deep within, surrounded by layers of molten rock and energy. He could sense its movements, the fluctuating pulses of mana that fueled its attacks. "We focus on mobility first," he said, his tone calm. "It's slow but powerful. Dorian, Elena—target its legs. Cripple its movement, and we'll gain control of the battlefield. Gareth, keep the barriers tight around the front line. Lila, prepare your golem to block any major attacks."

The team sprang into action.

Dorian darted forward, his dual swords flashing in the light of the molten chamber. His thoughts raced as he moved. 'I've gotta admit, Astron's calls have been on point. He reads the fight like a damn book.'

SWOOSH! He struck at the spirit's legs, aiming for the joints where the molten rock shifted most. The spirit's heavy limbs moved slowly, but each swing carried immense force, and Dorian dodged with precision, barely avoiding the crushing blows.

Elena followed closely behind, her magic crackling at her fingertips. She focused her ice magic, aiming to cool the fire spirit's legs and make them brittle.

But at the same time, even while they were right in the midst of the fight, her thoughts still wandered.

The whole team had been informed that someone would be added to them. That was something that they did not receive well, as they were also informed that he would not be here for too long.

After all, it was said that he would be staying on the team for only one weekend. That alone made things weird as they had a layout of their own, which they had been practicing. Adding someone new to the party in such a short time sounded bullshit.

But Elena could bet that none of the team members were expecting such a performance.

'Astron saw the weak points before I even noticed them. He's not just quick—he's thinking ahead, always planning.'

The fact that someone like him was just in the middle ranks of the academy made things even more scarier for her. She had been pursuing the academy life, but her lack of talents, as well as her lack of finances, made it impossible.

'Maybe I should be glad that I could not join the academy. If everyone is a monster like him, I wonder what would the strongest of those look like?' Her icy blasts hit their mark, steam rising as the freezing energy clashed with the spirit's heat, and her thoughts clashed with herself.

But in the end, one thing was clear.

This guy was good, and they were really blessed.

At the back, Gareth raised his hands, casting a shimmering barrier in front of the advancing party. The heat from the fire spirit was intense, but his barriers held firm. He glanced at Astron, noting the way he calmly observed the battle even while firing arrows. 'He's different from any leader we've had before. Strategic… detached…..Now, in a good way, but it is scary. He doesn't hesitate. No ego, just results.'

The fire spirit roared, raising one massive arm to bring it crashing down on the party. "Lila!" Astron called sharply.

Lila's hands glowed with mana as her golem surged forward, intercepting the blow. The impact shook the chamber, but the golem held, its stone body absorbing the force. Lila winced at the strain but kept her focus.

Since she knew something was coming.

SWOOSH! BOOM!

And it came.

Another arrow had already been knocked, Astron's eyes following the fluctuations of the spirit's energy. He aimed carefully, targeting a small point near its torso where the mana flow was more chaotic.

"Aim for the core. It's deep, but if we destabilize the mana flow, we'll weaken it."

The arrow flew straight, piercing through a gap in the spirit's molten armor. A burst of energy flared from the impact point, and the spirit staggered for a moment, its movements becoming less coordinated.

'He's something else… commanding like he's done this a hundred times. It's almost unsettling how sure he is.'

Whether this was possible just by only observing once or by Astron referring to his knowledge was something that Lila did not know, nor could she ever confirm.

Kurt, in the thick of the fight, kept his shield raised, deflecting the spirit's wild swings. He caught a glimpse of Astron out of the corner of his eye, and for the first time in the battle, he allowed himself a moment of reflection.

'If this is what I need to become a good leader, I am really lacking.'

Kurt thought as he deflected another wild swing from the fire spirit with his shield, the force of the impact vibrating up his arm. His attention flickered briefly to the rest of the party, each member moving with precision under Astron's direction.

It wasn't just Astron's ability to command in the heat of battle that struck Kurt; it was the way he saw things, the way he read the battlefield and reacted in real-time. Kurt had trained hard to be the best leader he could for his team, overseeing their progress and making sure they were well-prepared for challenges like this. He wasn't neglectful—far from it. But the more he watched Astron, the more he realized something unsettling.

'Have I been too satisfied with where we are?'

For months, Kurt had been confident in his leadership. He'd trained rigorously with the team, ensured their gear was optimized, and had them running drills to hone their skills. But somewhere along the line, he'd grown comfortable, complacent even. He was satisfied with their progress and didn't push as hard as he could. They were good, and they won their fights. But watching Astron now—an outsider, a temporary addition to the party—Kurt realized he'd missed something vital.

'I've been satisfied, and that's the problem.'

Astron's leadership wasn't just natural talent; it was knowledge, preparation, and constant refinement. He wasn't just reacting to the fight in front of him—he was anticipating it. Kurt had seen Astron refer to some information in his mind multiple times during this fight, whether it was recognizing a weakness in the fire spirit or knowing exactly how the molten environment would affect their positioning.

That wasn't something that came naturally. It was a result of research, experience, and, most importantly, never feeling like you knew enough.

'I've been leading based on what I know works,' Kurt admitted to himself, 'but Astron leads based on what might happen. He's prepared for possibilities I never even considered.'

The realization hit him hard. While he'd been content overseeing the team's growth and making sure they were progressing, he hadn't pushed beyond the boundaries of what he already knew. He hadn't researched new tactics, he hadn't considered how the team would fare in extreme conditions beyond their usual missions, and he certainly hadn't questioned whether they could be doing better. He trusted his experience, but experience alone wasn't enough to grow further.

'Astron's not just better because he's talented,' Kurt thought, gritting his teeth as he blocked another strike. 'He's better because he refuses to be satisfied. He's always looking for what's next.'

Kurt had watched Astron adapt to the fight, adjusting strategies based on the fire spirit's movements, the terrain, and the team's capabilities. His calls were sharp, precise, and ahead of the curve. And all the while, Astron kept his mind open to new information, never assuming he had the complete picture.

'I need to learn from this,' Kurt realized, his jaw tightening with determination. 'If I want to be the leader my team needs, I can't just be satisfied with what we've already achieved. I have to keep pushing, keep learning. There's always more to prepare for, always more to know.'

Kurt's shield took another powerful hit, but this time, he wasn't just holding the line—he was learning. His mind was racing, already considering what he needed to do after this mission, how he needed to approach the team's training differently.

He couldn't just oversee them anymore. He had to challenge them and himself more than he ever had before.

And that was the start of his own reflection and when one of the newly rising stars would be born.

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