Chapter 29: The Price of Remaining Hidden
The Beginner Hunter Assessment continued.
Each day, the arena became more crowded.
At first, Emil was only a curiosity.
A blind E-rank hunter who somehow defeated opponents without showing much strength.
But curiosity slowly became attention.
And attention was something Emil understood well.
---
In the Forbidden Forest, attracting attention meant attracting predators.
A powerful monster would notice weakness.
A stronger beast would notice a challenge.
Civilization was different.
Here, attention came through rumors.
Questions.
Interest.
---
"Have you heard about the blind swordsman?"
A group of hunters talked inside the Association.
"He defeated three opponents already."
"He doesn't even use techniques."
"That's impossible."
Another hunter shook his head.
"No. He is just experienced."
---
Emil heard their conversations as he walked past.
He ignored them.
Rumors were unavoidable.
The important thing was controlling them.
---
The next round began.
His opponent was different from the previous ones.
A young woman carrying twin blades.
Unlike the others, she did not underestimate him.
She stood across the arena quietly.
"You are strange."
Emil tilted his head.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
She raised her weapons.
"Your body doesn't move like someone who learned swordsmanship recently."
---
Emil remained silent.
She was observant.
---
The referee started the match.
The woman disappeared forward.
Her speed was impressive.
Twin blades created overlapping attacks, making it difficult to predict the next strike.
---
Emil listened.
The rhythm was different from normal swordsmanship.
Two weapons.
Two attack patterns.
Two possible directions.
---
Interesting.
---
He stepped back.
The first blade missed.
The second blade followed immediately.
Emil turned.
The blade passed beside his face.
---
The audience reacted.
This opponent was clearly stronger than his previous ones.
---
The woman continued attacking.
Fast.
Precise.
Aggressive.
---
For the first time in the tournament, Emil moved more than a few steps.
Not because he was losing.
Because he was studying.
---
Her style focused on overwhelming opponents with continuous pressure.
A good style.
But it had a weakness.
She relied heavily on maintaining momentum.
---
After several exchanges, Emil found the opening.
One step.
One movement.
His sword moved.
---
The twin blades stopped.
The woman's weapon was pushed aside.
Emil's sword rested near her shoulder.
---
The referee raised his hand.
"Winner."
"Emil Myers."
---
The woman looked at him with surprise.
Then smiled.
"You weren't trying before."
Emil calmly returned his sword.
"I was fighting."
She laughed.
"That's not an answer."
---
After leaving the arena, Emil received his reward.
Hunter contribution points.
Money.
And something more valuable.
Information.
---
The tournament showed him the average strength of beginner hunters.
Most E-rank hunters were ordinary fighters.
D-rank hunters were already noticeably stronger.
C-rank hunters were where true professionals began.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host has analyzed local combat standards.
World strength evaluation updated.
---
Emil looked at the information.
The conclusion was clear.
The Forbidden Forest was abnormal.
The monsters there were far beyond the standards of this region.
Surviving there had forced him to grow faster than normal.
---
That evening, Emil returned to his room.
He placed his hunter earnings on the table.
For the first time in a long while, he had money.
A normal person would probably celebrate.
Buy expensive food.
Purchase better equipment.
Enjoy comfort.
---
But Emil did not.
---
He bought what he needed.
A better sword.
Basic cultivation resources.
Maps.
Information.
Nothing unnecessary.
---
The new sword was made of high-quality steel.
Not a legendary weapon.
Not a treasure.
But reliable.
---
When he held it, he remembered his old sword.
The blade that had accompanied him through the forest.
The one that broke during the Behemoth battle.
---
"Every weapon has a story."
Emil looked at the new blade.
"Maybe you will have one too."
---
The next day, the tournament reached its final stages.
Only a few participants remained.
Among them were several talented hunters.
One was a fire mage from a noble family.
Another was a spear user trained by a military instructor.
And another was a swordsman rumored to already have D-rank combat ability.
---
The audience became excited.
These were the true talents of the assessment.
---
Emil looked at the remaining participants.
They were strong.
Much stronger than the beginners from the first rounds.
---
The swordsman approached him before the next match.
"You are Emil Myers?"
Emil nodded.
"I heard about you."
The man smiled.
"I want to see your real swordsmanship."
---
A dangerous question.
---
Emil remained calm.
"My swordsmanship is already visible."
The swordsman laughed.
"Then show me."
---
The match began.
---
This opponent was different.
His swordsmanship was refined.
His stance was stable.
His breathing was controlled.
Unlike the previous fighters...
He had true experience.
---
Their blades met.
Clang!
---
For the first time, Emil used slightly more strength.
Not enough to reveal his true ability.
Just enough to match his opponent.
---
The exchange continued.
The crowd watched silently.
Two swordsmen.
Two different paths.
---
The opponent's eyes narrowed.
"Your technique..."
"You learned through real battles."
---
Emil did not answer.
Because he was right.
---
Training created skill.
But survival created instinct.
---
The match continued until the final moment.
The swordsman launched his strongest attack.
Emil stepped forward.
Not backward.
---
A single movement.
A single strike.
---
The opponent's sword fell.
---
Silence.
Then the referee announced:
"Winner."
"Emil Myers."
---
The crowd erupted.
The blind E-rank hunter had reached the final.
---
But among the audience...
Someone watched without excitement.
A high-ranking hunter wearing an A-rank badge.
Their eyes followed Emil carefully.
Not his victories.
Not his sword.
But his restraint.
---
"He is hiding something."
---
The person smiled slightly.
"But why?"
---
Meanwhile, Emil stood in the arena.
He looked toward the final stage.
One more battle.
One more opportunity to learn.
---
The system appeared.
Ding!
Warning: Host's concealment is becoming increasingly difficult.
Recommendation: Continue limiting ability or prepare for increased attention.
---
Emil looked at his hand.
The hand that once struggled to survive.
The hand that now held a sword.
---
"I know."
"But strength hidden forever..."
"Is also meaningless."
---
Tomorrow would be the final battle.
And for the first time since entering Galant...
Emil would face someone close to his current level.
The question was no longer whether he could win.
The question was:
How much of the Sun God's chosen one would the world be allowed to see?