Morning sunlight poured through the windows of the Hunter Association.
For most hunters, it was another ordinary day.
New missions.
New monsters.
New opportunities.
But whispers still lingered from yesterday's tournament.
The blind boy had become the champion.
---
Emil entered the Association as usual.
His hood was pulled low.
The cloth still covered his eyes.
The bronze E-rank badge rested quietly on his cloak.
Despite winning the tournament, nothing about his appearance had changed.
Nor did he want it to.
---
As he approached the mission board, conversations around him gradually faded.
Several hunters nodded respectfully.
Others simply watched him.
Gone were the mocking looks from his first day.
Now they looked at him with curiosity.
And caution.
---
"Good morning, Emil."
The familiar receptionist smiled warmly.
"You've become quite popular."
Emil gave a faint smile.
"I'd rather not be."
She laughed.
"I don't think you have that choice anymore."
---
She reached beneath the counter and placed a sealed envelope before him.
"The Association requested that I give you this."
Emil opened it carefully.
Inside was a silver-edged letter.
---
Congratulations on becoming the Beginner Hunter Assessment Champion.
As recognition of your performance, the Hunter Association grants you the following:
- 500 Hunter Contribution Points
- Priority access to beginner training facilities
- Eligibility to request a D-rank promotion assessment after completing twenty E-rank missions
- Access to restricted monster records for E-rank hunters
---
Emil folded the letter.
The rewards were practical.
Exactly what he preferred.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Special Mission Updated
Objective: Become a D-Rank Hunter
Requirements:
- Complete twenty E-rank missions.
- Maintain an excellent mission success rate.
- Pass the promotion examination.
Rewards:
- 2,000 SCP
- Intermediate Sun Breathing Enhancement
- Hunter Store Discounts
---
Emil smiled.
"So even becoming a hunter advances my path."
---
Instead of accepting another goblin mission, Emil walked toward a different section of the board.
Wolf packs.
Bandits.
Escort requests.
Resource collection.
Monster investigations.
His eyes settled on one request.
---
Emergency Investigation
Location: Blackwood Hills
Rank: E
Objective: Investigate missing supply caravans.
Note: Monster sightings reported.
---
It wasn't a simple extermination request.
It required observation.
Investigation.
Decision-making.
Exactly the kind of experience Emil wanted.
---
"I'll take this one."
The receptionist looked surprised.
"Blackwood Hills?"
She lowered her voice.
"Several hunters have returned saying something feels... strange."
"But no evidence has been found."
---
Emil nodded.
"I'll investigate."
---
Outside the Association, another hunter caught up with him.
It was Leon.
The noble swordsman from the tournament.
He smiled.
"I thought I'd find you here."
Emil stopped.
"What do you need?"
Leon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I wanted to thank you."
"For yesterday."
---
Emil tilted his head.
"You lost."
Leon laughed.
"I know."
"But you taught me something."
---
"What?"
---
"I relied too much on my family's sword style."
"I stopped adapting."
"You didn't."
---
Emil remained silent.
Leon continued.
"I'll get stronger."
"The next time we fight..."
"I won't lose."
---
A small smile appeared beneath Emil's hood.
"I'll look forward to it."
---
Leon extended his hand.
"This isn't a challenge."
"It's a promise."
---
Emil shook it.
"A promise."
---
As Leon walked away, the system spoke again.
Ding!
Relationship Updated
Leon Valen
Status: Friendly Rival
Potential: High
---
Emil blinked.
"The system even tracks relationships?"
---
Affirmative.
Individuals capable of influencing the host's future are automatically recorded.
---
"Useful."
---
Before leaving the capital, Emil visited the marketplace.
He purchased:
- A stronger travel backpack.
- Extra rations.
- Healing herbs.
- Sharpening stones.
- Rope.
- Camping equipment.
He spent carefully.
Years in the forest had taught him never to waste resources.
---
That evening, he left Galant's capital through the western gate.
The city walls gradually disappeared behind him.
Ahead lay rolling hills covered in forests and rocky cliffs.
Somewhere beyond them...
Blackwood Hills.
---
The wind carried the scent of earth and rain.
Birds flew overhead.
Everything seemed peaceful.
Too peaceful.
---
Emil stopped suddenly.
His Swordsman's Sixth Sense stirred.
A faint disturbance.
Someone was watching him.
He quietly extended his perception.
Three figures hid among the trees.
Bandits.
Poorly trained.
Trying to ambush travelers.
---
Emil sighed softly.
"They chose the wrong target."
---
The bandits rushed out.
"Drop your valuables!"
One shouted confidently.
"You won't leave here alive!"
---
Emil slowly turned toward their voices.
The cloth still covered his eyes.
His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword.
---
"You should leave."
He spoke calmly.
"This is your only warning."
---
The bandits laughed.
"A blind kid thinks he's threatening us?"
Their leader charged first.
Sword raised high.
---
A single sound echoed through the forest.
Shing!
---
The bandits froze.
Their weapons fell apart.
Each blade had been cut cleanly in half.
Not one of them had even seen Emil draw his sword.
---
Silence filled the forest.
Emil sheathed his weapon.
"I wasn't aiming for you."
"I was aiming for your swords."
---
Fear replaced arrogance.
Without another word, the three bandits fled into the woods.
---
Emil continued walking as though nothing had happened.
He had no interest in killing people who could still choose another path.
Not yet.
---
Far behind him, hidden on a rocky cliff, an elderly man lowered a spyglass.
His weathered face showed genuine surprise.
"What incredible control..."
He had witnessed the entire encounter.
One draw.
Three swords destroyed.
No unnecessary violence.
No wasted movement.
---
The old man smiled to himself.
"So..."
"A young dragon has finally left the nest."
---
Unaware that someone had taken an interest in him, Emil continued toward Blackwood Hills.
The road ahead held mysteries.
Missing caravans.
Unseen enemies.
And perhaps...
The first true test of his life as a hunter beyond tournaments.
The peaceful days were over.
A new adventure had begun.