The announcement remained on the Hunter Association's board for several days.
Beginner Hunter Assessment Tournament
A special evaluation designed for newly registered hunters.
The purpose was not simply to determine strength.
It was to discover talent.
Hunters who displayed exceptional ability could receive:
- Increased mission opportunities
- Better resources
- Early promotion recommendations
- Attention from stronger teams
---
For most new hunters, this was an opportunity.
A chance to prove themselves.
A chance to escape the lowest rank.
But for Emil...
It was a risk.
---
A tournament meant observers.
Observers meant questions.
Questions meant attention.
And attention was something Emil had avoided since leaving the Forbidden Forest.
---
Yet there was another side.
Information.
By participating, he could observe the fighting styles of Galant's hunters.
He could understand their standards.
He could measure the difference between himself and the outside world.
---
After thinking for several days, Emil registered.
But with one condition.
He would not reveal his true strength.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host has entered Beginner Hunter Assessment.
Warning: Many talented individuals may participate.
Recommendation: Maintain concealment.
---
Emil smiled.
"I know."
---
The Day of the Tournament
The Hunter Association's training arena was filled with people.
Hundreds of hunters gathered around the massive battlefield.
New applicants stood nervously in the center.
Some carried swords.
Some carried axes.
Some used magic.
Some relied on unique abilities.
---
Emil walked into the arena wearing his usual cloak.
His eyes remained covered.
Immediately, people noticed him.
"Isn't that the blind E-rank hunter?"
"I heard he completed several missions already."
"Maybe he's just lucky."
---
Emil ignored the whispers.
---
A senior hunter stepped forward.
He wore a gold-rimmed badge.
The symbol of a high-ranking hunter.
"Welcome to the Beginner Assessment."
"Today, you will be evaluated through combat."
"Remember."
"This is not a death match."
"The purpose is to measure your potential."
---
The first rounds began.
---
Emil watched carefully.
This was exactly what he wanted.
Information.
---
A young swordsman entered the arena.
His technique was clean.
His movements were disciplined.
Compared to ordinary people, he was impressive.
But Emil immediately noticed the flaws.
His breathing was inconsistent.
His footwork wasted energy.
His attacks relied too heavily on strength.
---
A mage entered next.
Her magic was powerful.
But her casting time was too long.
A real enemy would never allow her to prepare freely.
---
A spear user.
An axe wielder.
A martial artist.
Each battle taught Emil something.
---
The world outside the forest was different.
People did not fight only to survive.
They trained.
They studied.
They developed techniques.
They created systems.
---
Eventually...
It was Emil's turn.
---
"Participant number 47."
"Emil Myers."
"Enter the arena."
---
The crowd became interested.
The blind swordsman.
---
His opponent stepped forward.
A young man around sixteen years old.
He carried a large sword.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Sorry."
"But I don't think this will take long."
Emil tilted his head.
"Why?"
The young man pointed at his eyes.
"Because you're blind."
---
The crowd became quiet.
Some laughed.
Others looked uncomfortable.
---
Emil had heard that word many times.
Blind.
Weak.
Useless.
But this time...
It no longer hurt.
---
The referee raised his hand.
"Begin."
---
The young swordsman charged.
Fast.
Faster than ordinary people.
His sword moved toward Emil's shoulder.
---
Emil moved.
A small step.
The sword missed.
---
The audience reacted.
"His movement..."
The young swordsman frowned.
He attacked again.
---
Another miss.
And another.
---
Emil didn't counterattack.
He only avoided.
---
The opponent became frustrated.
"Stop running!"
He increased his speed.
---
But Emil saw everything.
Not with his eyes.
With experience.
The slight change in breathing before an attack.
The shift of weight.
The sound of the blade cutting air.
---
Finally, Emil moved.
His hand touched his sword.
A simple strike.
---
Clang.
---
The young swordsman's weapon flew from his hand.
The arena became silent.
---
Emil's blade stopped at his opponent's neck.
No killing intent.
No pressure.
Just control.
---
The referee stared.
Then announced:
"Winner."
"Emil Myers."
---
The crowd reacted.
"He disarmed him?"
"How?"
"He didn't even use magic."
---
Emil returned his sword.
The young swordsman looked confused.
"What are you?"
Emil simply answered:
"A hunter."
---
The next matches continued.
But people began paying attention.
---
Not because Emil showed overwhelming power.
Because he didn't.
That was what confused them.
His strength was hidden.
His movements were too precise.
His control was too perfect.
---
A high-ranking hunter watching from the audience narrowed his eyes.
"Interesting."
"He isn't fighting like a beginner."
---
Another hunter asked:
"Do you think he is hiding his strength?"
The man shook his head.
"Maybe."
"Or maybe..."
"He doesn't even realize how unusual he is."
---
As the tournament progressed, Emil continued advancing.
But every victory looked ordinary.
A small dodge.
A simple counter.
A clean disarm.
Never more.
---
Finally, he reached the later rounds.
The opponents became stronger.
More experienced.
More talented.
---
For the first time since entering Galant...
Emil felt challenged.
Not because they were stronger than him.
But because their techniques were unfamiliar.
---
That night, after the tournament ended, Emil sat alone.
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host performance evaluation complete.
Combat ability:
Hidden.
Swordsmanship:
Exceptional.
Public impression:
Low-profile but talented.
---
Emil looked toward the city lights.
The world was much larger than he imagined.
And unlike the monsters of the forest...
Humans could continue growing.
---
Tomorrow, the tournament would continue.
Stronger opponents waited.
More eyes would watch.
More questions would appear.
The blind E-rank hunter had entered the stage.
Now...
He had to decide how much of himself he was willing to reveal.