Two days after leaving the Royal Palace, Emil returned to the headquarters of the Galant Hunter Association.
Unlike before, every hunter who saw him immediately stopped what they were doing.
Some saluted respectfully.
Others bowed their heads.
The lively conversations throughout the great hall came to an abrupt halt.
"Sir Emil..."
"That's the new S-Rank."
"The Hero of Blackwood."
"The one who defeated the Triple Head Ogre King."
"I heard he awakened during the battle."
"He's only thirteen..."
Emil acknowledged them with a polite nod before making his way toward the Guild Master's office.
He had never desired fame.
Yet fame had chosen him.
---
Guild Master Gareth Thorne welcomed him with a smile.
"You've become the kingdom's newest celebrity."
Emil let out a quiet sigh.
"I preferred it when people ignored me."
Gareth laughed.
"That's no longer possible."
"S-Rank hunters are symbols of hope."
"After what happened at Blackwood Village, people need someone to believe in."
He motioned toward a chair.
"Sit."
"We've completed the appraisal of every monster harvested from the battlefield."
---
A group of accountants entered carrying enchanted ledgers.
Behind them came master appraisers, alchemists, royal blacksmiths, and merchants responsible for evaluating high-grade monster materials.
The chief appraiser activated a large crystal tablet.
A detailed report appeared.
---
Battle Harvest
S-Rank Triple Head Ogre King
- S-Rank Monster Core
- Three Ogre King's Hearts
- Three Ancient Horns
- Royal-grade Fangs
- Giant Skeletal Frame
- Reinforced King's Hide
- Blood Essence Crystal
- Fire Element Core
- Regeneration Crystal
- S-Rank Beast Soul
---
Monster Horde
- 2,917 Monster Cores
- Wyvern Wings
- Orc Commander Weapons
- Goblin Assassin Poison Sacs
- Lizardman Scales
- Water Serpent Pearls
- Ogre Bones
- Rare medicinal herbs
- High-grade monster blood
- Spirit Beast tendons
---
The chief appraiser smiled proudly.
"The largest monster harvest in nearly fifty years."
"The auctions attracted royal craftsmen, noble houses, powerful sects, merchant guilds, and even buyers from neighboring kingdoms."
Another appraiser nodded.
"The bidding became so fierce that several materials sold for nearly twice their expected value."
---
The chief accountant adjusted his glasses.
"After deducting transportation costs..."
"Guild processing fees..."
"Appraisal expenses..."
"And the Association's standard tax..."
He smiled.
"The remaining amount belongs entirely to Sir Emil Myers."
Another crystal screen illuminated the room.
---
Final Earnings
16,700,000,000 Gold
---
Silence filled the office.
Even Emil looked surprised.
"Sixteen point seven..."
"...billion?"
Guild Master Gareth folded his arms.
"The Triple Head Ogre King's materials alone account for nearly half that amount."
"The S-Rank Core was purchased by the Royal Alchemy Institute."
"The Beast Soul was acquired by the Imperial Academy."
"The King's Hide went directly to the Royal Forge."
"The Ancient Horns were auctioned to three different noble clans."
"The Regeneration Crystal sparked a bidding war that lasted almost three hours."
One elderly accountant chuckled.
"I've spent forty-three years working for this Association."
"I've never approved a payout of this size."
---
The Association's treasurer stepped forward carrying a black-and-gold spatial ring engraved with the Hunter Association emblem.
"This is an Imperial-Grade Spatial Ring."
"It contains ten thousand cubic meters of storage."
"It is also resistant to spatial distortion and theft."
He respectfully handed it to Emil.
"Your earnings have been deposited."
The moment Emil accepted it—
Ding!
Imperial Spatial Ring acquired.
Storage Capacity: 10,000 m³
Status: Bound to Host
---
Guild Master Gareth smiled.
"There's still more."
"You've made an extraordinary contribution to the Association."
"We've prepared additional privileges."
Another crystal document appeared.
---
Lifetime VIP Hunter Status
Benefits
- Zero commission on ordinary hunting missions.
- Highest priority for emergency assignments.
- Free accommodation at every Hunter Association branch.
- Unlimited access to elite training facilities.
- Direct communication with Headquarters.
- Exclusive invitations to S-Rank operations.
- Lifetime equipment maintenance discounts.
- Access to private auctions for legendary equipment.
---
Additional Authority
Access Granted
S-Rank Archive
Restricted records concerning:
- Ancient civilizations.
- The Age of Gods.
- Divine Artifacts.
- High-ranking monsters.
- The Seven Forbidden Zones.
- Historical Awakenings.
- Void Entities.
- Legendary Sword Saints.
Gareth looked at Emil seriously.
"Very few hunters ever receive permission to enter."
"I believe you'll find answers you've been searching for."
Emil nodded.
"Thank you."
---
As the meeting concluded, Gareth called him back.
"One last matter."
Emil turned.
"The Association would like you to become an instructor in the future."
"You've already inspired countless young hunters."
Emil smiled faintly.
"I still walk the path of a student."
The Guild Master laughed.
"Exactly why you'd make a great teacher someday."
---
That evening, Emil left the Association and wandered through the capital.
He wore simple traveler clothes over the Helios Guardian Armor while Solaris rested quietly inside his Imperial Spatial Ring.
Although many people recognized the cloth covering his eyes, none dared disturb him.
Instead, they watched with admiration.
He eventually climbed a quiet hill overlooking the capital.
Thousands of lanterns illuminated the city below.
Families laughed.
Children played.
Merchants closed their shops.
It was peaceful.
Exactly the kind of peace he wanted to protect.
He silently opened his status.
---
Name: Emil Myers
Age: 13
Level: 121
Cultivation: First Awakened Sun Cultivator
Hunter Rank: S-Rank
Titles:
- Sun God's Descendant
- Sword God
- Lone Swordsman
- Monster Slayer
- Knight Protector of Galant
Gold: 17,500,000,000
SCP: 25,800
Equipment:
- Helios Guardian Armor (Top Tier)
- Solaris, Blade of the Eternal Dawn (Legendary)
- Imperial Spatial Ring
---
Emil stared quietly at the status screen.
Only a year ago...
He had been a blind orphan abandoned in the Forbidden Forest.
Now he possessed legendary equipment, unimaginable wealth, and the respect of an entire kingdom.
Yet none of it satisfied him.
His enemies were growing stronger.
The mysteries surrounding the Sun God remained unsolved.
And somewhere beyond the horizon...
The Void continued to spread.
As though sensing his thoughts, the system appeared.
Ding!
Main Mission Updated
Path of the Sun God
Objectives
- Reach Level 200.
- Complete the Second Awakening Trial.
- Explore the S-Rank Archive.
- Discover the origin of the Sun God Fragment.
- Investigate the truth behind the Void.
Rewards
- Second Awakening
- Divine Skill Evolution
- System Upgrade
- ????
Emil closed the interface and looked toward the endless night sky.
The First Awakening had transformed him.
But it was only the beginning.
Beyond the Kingdom of Galant lay ancient empires, immortal sects, forgotten gods, and monsters capable of eclipsing even the Triple Head Ogre King.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Level 200..."
"I'll get there."
Above him, the moon shone silently, while deep within the Sun God Fragment, an ancient presence stirred with anticipation.
The true journey of the Sun God's successor had only just begun.