The road to the capital of Galant was unlike anything Emil had ever experienced.
For years, the only paths he knew were trails through forests, monster territories, and ancient ruins.
Every step had been taken carefully.
Every sound could mean life or death.
But now...
He walked among people.
Merchants traveled with wagons.
Families moved between towns.
Adventurers carried weapons openly.
Soldiers patrolled the roads.
It was a world that continued moving without fear.
A world completely separate from the Forbidden Forest.
---
Emil kept his hood low and his eyes covered.
To others, he was simply a young blind traveler carrying a sword.
Nothing more.
Nobody paid attention to him.
Exactly as he wanted.
---
As he traveled, he observed everything.
Human behavior.
Combat styles.
Cultivation methods.
The way people interacted.
The forest had taught him how to survive against beasts.
Civilization required a different kind of awareness.
Here, danger did not always come with claws and fangs.
Sometimes it came with a smile.
---
After several days, Emil reached a small town near the border of Galant's central region.
The difference was immediately obvious.
The town was filled with warriors.
Some carried swords.
Others carried spears, staffs, bows, and magical weapons.
Many wore badges displaying different symbols.
Hunters.
Mercenaries.
Guild members.
---
Emil entered a crowded tavern.
Not because he wanted food.
But because taverns contained information.
He sat quietly in a corner, drinking simple water while listening.
---
"Did you hear?"
A man at the next table spoke excitedly.
"The Hunter Association increased rewards for monsters appearing near the northern mountains."
Another hunter laughed.
"Of course they did. The stronger the monster, the higher the payment."
"That's why high-ranking hunters make so much money."
---
Emil focused.
Hunter Association.
This was different from the soldiers and cultivators he had heard about.
Hunters were not bound to one lord.
They were independent.
They accepted missions according to their strength.
And the stronger their rank...
The greater the rewards.
---
"How do hunter ranks work?"
A young traveler asked.
The older hunter explained proudly.
"Simple."
"E-rank is where beginners start."
"D-rank hunters can handle stronger monsters."
"C-rank are experienced fighters."
"B-rank hunters are considered elites."
"A-rank hunters are the kingdom's treasures."
"And S-rank..."
The man paused.
"Those people are monsters wearing human faces."
---
Several people laughed.
But Emil remained silent.
He had fought monsters far beyond ordinary imagination.
A Level 159 Berserk Behemoth.
A Void Wraith.
Countless spirit beasts.
Yet he understood something.
Strength was not only about levels.
It was also about experience, influence, knowledge, and resources.
---
Another conversation caught his attention.
"Have you heard about the great sects?"
A merchant spoke.
"Of course. Everyone knows them."
"The sects train cultivators and protect ancient techniques."
"Some have existed for thousands of years."
---
"Then there are clans."
A warrior added.
"Powerful families with bloodlines, treasures, and inherited abilities."
---
"And guilds?"
Someone asked.
"Too many to count."
"The Merchant Guild."
"The Alchemist Guild."
"The Blacksmith Guild."
"The Magic Association."
"Every profession has its own organization."
---
Emil quietly processed the information.
This world was far larger than he imagined.
The Forbidden Forest had been enormous.
But compared to the world beyond...
It was only a small piece of the puzzle.
---
That night, Emil rented a room at a modest inn.
He sat beside the window, listening to the sounds of the town.
Footsteps.
Voices.
Carriages.
Laughter.
A strange feeling appeared in his heart.
For so long, silence had surrounded him.
Now...
Noise surrounded him.
And somehow, he didn't dislike it.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host has entered a civilized region.
Information gathering recommended.
Current objective: Understand the world's power structure.
---
Emil looked at the screen.
"System."
"How strong am I compared to this world?"
A brief silence followed.
Then:
Ding!
Insufficient information.
Host's current level does not represent true combat capability.
However...
Against ordinary cultivators of the same level, host possesses a significant advantage.
---
Emil understood.
The system wasn't saying he was weak.
It was saying the world was too large to judge.
There would always be someone stronger.
---
The next morning, he continued toward the capital.
Along the road, he encountered a group of young warriors training.
They practiced sword techniques under the guidance of an older man.
Emil stopped for a moment.
Their movements were rough.
Their breathing was inefficient.
Their stances had obvious flaws.
He could easily point out hundreds of mistakes.
But he didn't.
They were learning.
Everyone had to begin somewhere.
---
The old instructor noticed Emil watching.
"Young man."
Emil turned.
"Do you know swordsmanship?"
A simple question.
But one that carried danger.
If he answered honestly...
People would become curious.
If he lied...
That was also suspicious.
---
Emil smiled slightly.
"I know a little."
The instructor glanced at his covered eyes.
"A blind swordsman?"
He laughed.
"Interesting."
---
Emil bowed politely and continued walking.
Behind him, the instructor watched quietly.
"That boy..."
One of the students asked,
"What about him?"
The old man narrowed his eyes.
"Nothing."
But his expression changed.
"He walks like someone who has fought many battles."
---
Hours later, Emil finally saw it.
A massive city wall reaching into the clouds.
Thousands of people entered and exited through the gates.
Above the entrance was a golden symbol.
The emblem of Galant.
---
The capital.
A place filled with opportunities.
A place filled with dangers.
A place where countless paths existed.
Emil stood before the gates.
For the first time in many months...
He felt something unfamiliar.
Anticipation.
---
He stepped forward.
Entering the city.
Entering a new world.
---
The Kingdom of Galant had welcomed a new hunter candidate.
But nobody knew...
The blind boy walking through the gates was a swordsman who had survived the Forbidden Forest.
And his journey had only just begun.