She turned slightly, her amber eyes narrowing as she looked me over. "And you… You're not just any hunter, are you?"
I didn't answer immediately. She was sharp.
Her gaze lingered on me, as if she were trying to piece something together. "You're not from any of the major guilds. I would've remembered someone like you. And if you were from the Association, you wouldn't be here alone."
I raised an eyebrow. "You've put a lot of thought into this."
"I like knowing who I'm talking to," she replied casually.
A pause. Then, with a small sigh, she leaned back against the railing, stretching slightly.
"Since we're both here, might as well introduce ourselves."
She extended a hand.
"Christa Vaughn. A-rank hunter, freelancer. And before you ask, yes—I'm the daughter of Darius Vaughn, President of the Hunter Association."
Her expression didn't change as she said it, as if she was used to people reacting to that name.
"And you?"
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Vaughn's daughter?
Of all the people I could have met tonight, I never expected Christa Vaughn—the daughter of Darius Vaughn, President of the Hunter Association.
I extended my hand and shook hers.
"Ryzen Kael."
Her grip was firm, confident—just like her demeanor.
For a second, she narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to place my name. Then, recognition flashed across her face.
"Wait… Kael?" she echoed, tilting her head. "The same Ryzen Kael that my father was talking about recently?"
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know what he's been saying, but yeah… that would be me."
Christa studied me for a moment, then smirked. "Huh. Small world."
I leaned against the railing, exhaling slowly as I let the revelation settle. Meeting Vaughn's daughter out of pure coincidence felt too strange.
"Didn't think I'd run into you up here," I admitted, still a little wary. "Of all places."
She chuckled. "Well, I didn't expect to meet the guy my father's been keeping an eye on, either."
Her words carried an edge of curiosity. I could tell she was trying to gauge me, just as I was doing the same to her.
"So," she continued, resting her elbows against the railing, "what exactly did you do to catch my father's attention? He doesn't usually talk about hunters unless they're high-ranking, cause trouble, or… well, both."
There was an amused glint in her amber eyes as she glanced at me.
I let out a small chuckle. "Let's just say I've had a busy few days."
Christa gave me a knowing look. "Busy enough that my father personally sent you an invitation, huh?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You really keep up with your father's business that much?"
She shrugged. "Hard not to when you're raised in the Association. I hear things."
Her gaze turned sharp again. "But you still haven't answered my question. What makes you so special?"
I exhaled, glancing at the city lights below. "I guess I just made an impression."
Christa raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with my vague answer. "That's it? Just an impression?"
I smirked slightly. "Pretty much."
She hummed in thought, then crossed her arms, shifting her weight against the railing. "You're not gonna make this easy, huh?"
"I don't see a reason to."
Christa chuckled. "Fair enough. Then let's try something simpler—what's your rank?"
I turned my gaze back to her. "Same as yours. A-rank."
That seemed to surprise her. "Huh. You don't really give off the typical A-rank vibe."
I raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
She gave a teasing grin. "Most A-rank hunters I know are either ridiculously arrogant or constantly flexing their strength. You seem… different."
I shrugged. "Maybe I just don't care about proving myself to anyone."
Her expression shifted, as if considering my words carefully. Then, with a playful smirk, she asked, "So, are you actually strong, or did you just get lucky?"
I leaned against the railing, keeping my expression neutral. "I'd like to think I earned my rank."
Christa tilted her head, studying me. "That so?"
I nodded. "Not really the type to rely on luck."
She hummed in response, as if weighing my words. "Well, that makes two of us."
For a moment, the wind was the only sound between us, carrying the distant hum of the city below. Christa seemed to relax slightly, her earlier curiosity shifting into something more contemplative.
"So," she finally said, "if you're not here to show off or brood like some edgy loner, what do you do for fun?"
I smirked slightly and glanced at her. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're the one who comes here every night."
Christa raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "Fair point. But I asked first."
I shrugged. "Just seemed like a good spot to clear my head. High places have a way of putting things into perspective."
She nodded slowly, her gaze drifting over the city lights. "Yeah… they do."
For a moment, she was quiet, the wind ruffling her short, silver-streaked hair. Then, with a small chuckle, she added, "Guess that means we're both just trying to breathe a little easier."
Her tone was casual, but there was something underneath it—an exhaustion I recognized. The kind that came from dealing with things no one else could see.
I glanced at her again. "Tough raid?"
Christa exhaled. "Something like that." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the railing. "You'd think after a while, it'd get easier. But some things just stick with you."
I didn't say anything right away. I knew that feeling all too well.
Instead, I simply nodded. "Yeah. They do."
Christa sighed, letting the city lights below hold her gaze. "You know, most people would kill for a view like this. But after a rough dungeon run, it just feels… different."
I leaned on the railing beside her. "Different how?"
She tilted her head slightly. "Like… you spend all day fighting, surviving, pushing yourself to the limit. And then you come back to a world that just keeps moving like nothing happened. It's kind of surreal."
I let out a short chuckle. "Sounds like you're getting philosophical on me."
She smirked. "Maybe. Or maybe I'm just tired."
I nodded. "I get it. When you're in a dungeon, it's all instinct—fight, adapt, survive. But out here, it's quiet. Too quiet sometimes."
Christa hummed in agreement. "And that's why I come here. Just to remind myself that the world is still… normal. Or at least, as normal as it gets."