The arena did not return to normal.
It only pretended to.
---
Voices came back.
Movement resumed.
People spoke again.
---
But something had changed.
---
"…Did you see that…?"
"…He just pulled it out…"
"…No—did you feel that pressure…?"
"…That wasn't normal…"
---
Whispers spread faster than sound.
From one row to another.
From one group to the next.
---
"The cursed blade…"
"…It moved…"
"…For him…"
---
At the center—
The stone still held the cracks.
Thin lines spreading outward.
Proof that something had happened.
---
And at the edge—
A man still lay unconscious.
---
"…He didn't even use the sword…"
"…Who is he…?"
---
No one had an answer.
---
By the time the noise began to rise—
Thalren was already gone.
---
He walked through the exit.
Unstopped.
Unfollowed.
---
But not unnoticed.
---
From above—
The hunters moved.
---
"…We're letting him walk?" one asked.
---
The leader stepped forward.
Eyes calm.
But focused.
---
"…For now."
---
"…After what we just saw?"
---
A pause.
---
"…If we approach him like this…"
His gaze shifted slightly.
---
"…we won't get answers."
---
Silence.
---
"…Then what?"
---
The leader looked toward the exit.
---
"…We observe."
---
"…And we wait."
---
Below—
The streets of Virella had already begun to change.
---
"…Hey, did you hear?"
"…Someone finally took it…"
"…No, not just that…"
"…He knocked someone out right after…"
---
Rumors twisted.
Expanded.
Distorted.
---
"A hunter, maybe?"
"No… too young…"
"…Then what is he?"
---
Thalren walked through it.
---
Unaware.
---
Uninterested.
---
The sword rested at his side.
---
Heavy.
But quiet.
---
For now.
---
His hand brushed against it once.
---
Cold.
---
Different.
---
But it didn't resist him.
---
He continued walking.
Away from the arena.
Away from the noise.
---
Toward the quieter parts of the port.
---
But the quiet didn't last.
---
"…You."
---
A voice.
Behind him.
---
Firm.
Controlled.
---
Thalren stopped.
---
Slowly—
He turned.
---
Three figures stood there.
---
Hunters.
---
The same ones.
---
Their presence was different from the others.
Not loud.
Not aggressive.
---
But sharp.
---
Observing.
---
"…You caused quite a scene back there," one of them said.
---
No response.
---
"…That sword," another added.
"…Do you know what you just took?"
---
Silence.
---
Thalren's gaze remained steady.
---
"…It was there."
---
A simple answer.
---
The hunters exchanged a glance.
---
"…You don't seem surprised," the leader said.
---
"…Should I be?"
---
A pause.
---
The air grew slightly tense.
---
"…Most people can't even touch it," the second hunter said.
"…You took it without hesitation."
---
"…And?" Thalren replied.
---
Silence.
---
The leader stepped forward.
---
Not threatening.
Not friendly.
---
Just… direct.
---
"…What's your name?"
---
A brief pause.
---
"…Thalren."
---
"…Thalren… what?"
---
"…Just Thalren."
---
The answer was flat.
Closed.
---
The hunters noticed.
But didn't push.
---
"…You're not from here," the leader said.
---
No reply.
---
"…And you're not normal either."
---
A quiet moment passed.
---
Then—
Thalren turned.
---
"…I'm leaving."
---
"…You don't even want to know what that sword is?"
---
A step.
---
"…If it matters…"
Another step.
---
"…I'll find out."
---
He didn't stop.
Didn't wait.
---
He walked past them.
---
Unbothered.
---
Uninterested.
---
As if they weren't important.
---
The hunters didn't move to stop him.
---
They watched.
---
"…He doesn't fear us," one of them said quietly.
---
"…No," the leader replied.
"…He doesn't."
---
A pause.
---
His gaze followed Thalren's back.
---
"…That's what makes him dangerous."
---
Far ahead—
Thalren continued walking.
---
The noise behind him faded.
---
The streets grew quieter.
---
The sky darkened slightly.
---
And for the first time—
The sword reacted.
---
A faint pulse.
---
Subtle.
Almost unnoticeable.
---
But real.
---
Thalren stopped.
---
His hand moved to the hilt.
---
Silence.
---
Then—
Nothing.
---
The feeling disappeared.
---
As if it had never happened.
---
But his eyes narrowed slightly.
---
"…So you're not just a blade…"
---
No answer.
---
Only stillness.
---
He continued walking.
---
Unaware—
That far beneath the sea…
Something had begun to stir.
---
And far above—
A name, long buried—
Was beginning to rise again.