The clearing fell silent for a few seconds.
The three hunters were still standing, but they no longer had the same confidence as before. The pressure Draven released with his Conqueror's Haki had clearly affected two of them.
The long-armed man was still kneeling, trying to catch his breath.
The one with the daggers seemed to hesitate.
Only the leader with the curved sword maintained his fighting stance.
Draven calmly analyzed the situation.
He was tired, but still had enough energy to continue fighting.
The Great Sage spoke:
Current user condition:
Remaining energy: 62%
Recommendation: End the fight quickly.
Draven agreed.
Prolonging the fight was pointless.
The first move came again from the leader.
He advanced swiftly, trying to take advantage of the moment when Draven was standing still.
The sword descended in a diagonal strike.
Draven reacted instinctively. His arm was once again covered in Armament Haki.
CLANG
The blade was locked.
But this time Draven didn't just defend.
He spun his body and landed a powerful kick to the swordsman's abdomen.
The impact was enough to throw him several meters back.
The man fell on his back and it took him a few seconds to get up again.
The dagger warrior tried to take advantage of the distraction.
He advanced from the side, aiming for Draven's shoulder.
But Draven was already waiting.
Shadows on the ground moved quickly.
A dark arm emerged from the ground and grabbed the attacker's leg.
Noctharum.
The man lost his balance and fell.
Before he could react, Draven was already in front of him.
A quick blow to the stomach completely took the hunter's breath away.
He fainted.
Now only two remained.
The long-armed man tried to stand again, but he was still affected by the pressure of the Conqueror's Haki.
He looked at Draven and realized something.
"We… underestimated you."
Draven didn't answer.
He simply walked over to the sword leader.
The man tried to stand, but he was clearly wounded.
Even so, he still held his sword.
"You're not just a village boy…" he said.
"Who are you?"
Draven thought for a moment.
Then he answered simply.
"Draven."
The leader chuckled lightly.
"So… Draven…"
He looked at his two fallen companions.
"I think we understand enough now."
He dropped his sword to the ground.
"We lost."
Draven was silent for a few seconds.
He had no intention of killing anyone there.
The fight had been necessary, but it didn't need to end in death.
The Great Sage spoke again:
Combat concluded.
Result:
Victory.
Observation: Noctharum's analysis indicates possible future evolution.
Potential function detected: manipulation of residual shadows of defeated beings.
Draven frowned.
"Residual shadows?"
Simplified explanation:
Energy left by living beings can remain temporarily in their shadows.
With advanced mastery of Noctharum, this energy can be used.
Draven looked at the three fallen hunters.
"I can't do that yet... right?"
"Correct."
"Current control of Noctharum is insufficient."
Draven nodded.
"That was something for the future."
He took a few steps back.
"Take your friends and leave."
The leader watched him in surprise.
"You're not going to kill us?"
Draven answered calmly.
"I see no reason."
The man picked up his sword again and helped the other two to their feet.
Before leaving, he looked at Draven one more time.
"Boy… some advice."
Draven waited.
"If other hunters hear about you… they won't come in just three."
Draven knew this.
It was inevitable.
The group then disappeared among the trees.
When he was finally alone again, Draven sat on a rock.
Now fatigue began to set in.
The Great Sage gave one last report:
Training and combat of the day completed.
Results obtained:
Control of Noctharum: increased
Experience in real combat: acquired
Use of Conqueror's Haki: partially mastered
Draven looked at his own hands.
He was getting stronger.
But I was also beginning to understand something important.
The more his power grew…
the more people would come after him.
And sooner or later, that could also put the village in danger.
Draven took a deep breath.
Perhaps it was time to start thinking about what to do next.