The Hunter Association headquarters was far larger inside than Emil had expected.
The entrance hall alone was filled with hundreds of people.
Hunters wearing different rank badges moved in and out.
Some carried monster materials.
Some discussed missions.
Others sat together, preparing for their next expedition.
The atmosphere reminded Emil of the Forbidden Forest.
Not because it was quiet.
But because everyone here was a predator in their own way.
---
The receptionist led Emil toward the assessment area.
"New applicants take three tests," she explained.
"The written examination."
"The survival evaluation."
"And the combat assessment."
"Your final rank will depend on your performance."
---
Emil nodded.
Simple.
But he understood the purpose.
The Hunter Association wasn't only searching for strong people.
They needed people who could survive.
Strength without intelligence got hunters killed.
---
The Written Examination
The first room contained dozens of applicants.
Young warriors.
Traveling mages.
Former soldiers.
Aspiring adventurers.
Some looked nervous.
Others looked confident.
Emil sat quietly.
The examiner placed a stack of papers before them.
"Begin."
---
The questions were not difficult.
Monster identification.
Basic geography.
Weaknesses of common creatures.
Survival knowledge.
Mission procedures.
Emil finished quickly.
But he did not submit immediately.
He looked through the questions again.
Then deliberately made several answers less perfect.
---
The system noticed.
Ding!
Host intentionally lowering examination performance.
Reason: Avoiding unnecessary attention.
Evaluation: Logical.
---
Emil ignored the notification.
Standing out too early was dangerous.
A hunter who appeared too talented attracted questions.
Questions created problems.
---
When the results were announced, the examiner looked surprised.
"This candidate..."
He checked the paper again.
"Good understanding."
"Very good, actually."
"But not exceptional."
Exactly what Emil wanted.
---
The Survival Assessment
The second test took place in a controlled forest outside the city.
A small artificial wilderness created by the Hunter Association.
Several monsters were placed inside.
The goal was simple.
Survive for six hours.
Collect mission tokens.
Avoid serious injuries.
---
The other applicants immediately became competitive.
Some formed teams.
Others rushed forward to hunt monsters.
Emil walked slowly.
His covered eyes remained closed.
---
One applicant laughed.
"Are you seriously going in like that?"
Another shook his head.
"A blind kid shouldn't be here."
Emil ignored them.
He had heard worse.
Much worse.
---
The moment he entered the forest...
His senses expanded.
The sound of insects.
The direction of wind.
The movement of creatures.
Everything became clear.
This place wasn't even comparable to the Forbidden Forest.
The monsters were weak.
The environment was artificial.
The danger was minimal.
---
A group of small horned wolves appeared.
The other applicants immediately prepared for battle.
Emil simply walked past them.
The wolves hesitated.
They sensed something.
A pressure hidden beneath his calm appearance.
They didn't attack.
---
The examiner watching through a magical crystal frowned.
"Interesting."
"Why didn't the wolves attack him?"
Another examiner shrugged.
"Maybe he's lucky."
---
Emil continued.
He collected the required tokens.
Avoided unnecessary fights.
And completed the test without revealing his abilities.
---
However...
One thing caught his attention.
A hidden magical formation beneath the forest.
Someone had strengthened the monsters slightly.
An additional challenge.
Emil noticed immediately.
But he said nothing.
---
The Combat Assessment
The final test was the most important.
Applicants were required to fight against a training opponent.
The examiner explained:
"You will fight an experienced D-rank hunter puppet."
"The purpose is to evaluate your combat ability."
---
Several applicants failed quickly.
The puppet was fast.
Strong.
Precise.
It moved like a real hunter.
---
When Emil's turn arrived, the room became quieter.
A blind thirteen-year-old.
A sword.
No visible aura.
Many observers were curious.
---
The puppet activated.
Instantly, it attacked.
A normal person would have struggled to react.
Emil simply tilted his head.
The blade passed beside him.
---
The examiner narrowed his eyes.
"Good reaction."
---
The puppet attacked again.
And again.
Each strike was faster.
Emil continued avoiding them.
But he never counterattacked.
The observers became confused.
"Is he only good at dodging?"
"Maybe he can't fight."
---
Finally, the puppet launched its strongest attack.
A strike aimed at his shoulder.
Emil moved.
One step.
Only one.
His hand touched his sword.
---
Clang.
The puppet's weapon stopped.
The entire room became silent.
Emil had blocked the attack.
---
For a brief moment, he considered ending the test immediately.
A single strike would reveal everything.
Sword Aura.
Sword Heart.
His true ability.
But he stopped himself.
Too much.
---
Instead...
He pushed the puppet back using only basic swordsmanship.
No energy.
No special technique.
Only skill.
---
The battle continued for several minutes.
The examiners watched carefully.
Finally, the chief examiner raised his hand.
"Stop."
---
The puppet deactivated.
The examiner looked at Emil.
"You have excellent fundamentals."
"Your movements are unusual."
"But your overall strength..."
He paused.
"It is difficult to judge."
---
Emil remained silent.
That was intentional.
---
After all evaluations were completed, the final results were announced.
---
Hunter Registration Result
Name: Emil Myers
Age: 13
Profession: Hunter
Rank: E-Rank
---
The receptionist handed him his hunter badge.
A small bronze emblem.
The lowest rank.
To others, it represented a beginner.
To Emil...
It represented a new beginning.
---
"Congratulations."
The receptionist smiled.
"You are now officially a Hunter of Galant."
---
Emil held the badge.
A small object.
Yet it carried something important.
A new identity.
---
Outside the Hunter Association, he looked at the crowded streets of Galant.
The city continued moving.
Nobody knew who he was.
Nobody knew about the Forbidden Forest.
Nobody knew about the Behemoth.
Nobody knew about the Sun God Fragment.
And that was exactly how he wanted it.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host has obtained Hunter Profession.
New path recognized.
Hunter missions available.
---
Emil smiled beneath his hood.
A new world.
A new profession.
A new journey.
The blind E-rank hunter had officially begun.