The arena was full.
More people had gathered than during any previous match.
The Beginner Hunter Assessment had started as a simple evaluation for new hunters.
But now...
It had become something else.
A stage.
A place where unexpected talents revealed themselves.
And among those talents was a blind thirteen-year-old swordsman.
---
Emil stood at the center of the arena.
His hood covered most of his face.
The cloth remained over his eyes.
His sword rested calmly at his side.
Across from him stood his final opponent.
---
A young man wearing a dark blue uniform.
A sword hung from his waist.
His posture was perfect.
Every movement showed years of training.
The audience recognized him immediately.
---
"That's Leon Valen."
"Aren't you talking about the Valen family?"
"Yes. A minor noble family famous for producing swordsmen."
"I heard he already reached the level of a D-rank hunter despite being a beginner."
---
Emil listened quietly.
A noble swordsman.
Interesting.
---
Leon stepped forward and bowed.
"Emil Myers."
"I have watched your battles."
Emil returned the bow.
"And?"
Leon smiled.
"You are not an ordinary beginner."
---
The audience became silent.
Leon continued.
"Your opponents lost because you controlled every battle."
"You never attacked unnecessarily."
"You never wasted movement."
"Your swordsmanship is not something learned from a training ground."
---
His eyes sharpened.
"You learned from fighting."
---
Emil remained silent.
The observation was accurate.
---
Leon drew his sword.
"That is why I want to see it."
"Your true sword."
---
The referee raised his hand.
"Both participants ready."
---
The crowd became excited.
"Begin!"
---
The moment the match started...
Leon moved.
Unlike the previous opponents, he did not rush.
He walked forward calmly.
His breathing became steady.
His sword position changed.
---
A swordsman.
A real one.
---
Emil felt it immediately.
This opponent understood the sword.
---
Leon attacked.
A simple thrust.
But the timing was perfect.
Emil moved sideways.
The blade passed him.
---
The audience reacted.
The blind swordsman avoided it again.
---
Leon followed.
Slash.
Block.
Counter.
---
Their swords collided repeatedly.
Clang.
Clang.
Clang.
---
The difference was obvious.
The previous matches were demonstrations.
This was a battle.
---
Emil studied Leon.
His technique was based on discipline.
Every movement had purpose.
Every strike had preparation.
Unlike monsters...
Humans could create countless styles.
---
Leon attacked with a powerful downward slash.
Emil blocked.
The impact pushed him backward several steps.
---
The audience gasped.
Finally.
Someone forced the blind swordsman back.
---
Leon smiled.
"So you can feel pressure."
Emil nodded.
"Yes."
---
For the first time in the tournament...
Emil became serious.
Only slightly.
---
His breathing changed.
Not enough for others to notice.
But enough for his body to move more naturally.
---
The Sun God Breathing Technique circulated quietly.
His muscles strengthened.
His senses sharpened.
His movements became smoother.
---
Leon noticed.
His expression changed.
"There."
---
"What?"
"The difference."
---
Their swords met again.
This time...
Emil was faster.
---
Not overwhelmingly.
Not enough to expose his true strength.
But enough.
---
Leon attacked with his family sword technique.
A series of precise strikes.
A normal opponent would struggle to follow.
---
But Emil could.
---
His sixth sense read every movement.
The sound of the blade.
The shift of air.
The change in breathing.
Everything.
---
One opening.
---
Emil stepped forward.
His sword moved.
---
Clang!
---
Leon blocked.
But his expression changed.
The force behind that strike was far greater than expected.
---
"You were holding back."
Emil said nothing.
---
The battle continued.
Neither side gained an advantage.
The audience watched in disbelief.
An E-rank hunter.
Fighting evenly against a noble swordsman.
---
In the VIP area, several experienced hunters watched.
An A-rank hunter leaned forward.
"Interesting."
Another asked:
"Who is he?"
The A-rank hunter shook their head.
"That is what I want to know."
---
Back in the arena...
Leon changed his stance.
"This next attack will decide the match."
---
Emil sensed it.
A finishing technique.
---
Leon gathered his energy.
His sword shone faintly.
---
"Valen Sword Art."
"First Form."
"Sky Breaker."
---
He moved.
A powerful strike descended.
---
The audience held their breath.
---
Emil closed his eyes beneath the cloth.
Not because he needed to.
Because he trusted his senses.
---
The world slowed.
The sound of the wind.
The movement of energy.
The direction of the sword.
Everything became clear.
---
Then...
He moved.
---
Not Sun Step.
Not Sun Sword.
Just swordsmanship.
---
One step.
One slash.
---
The two swords crossed.
---
Silence.
---
Leon remained standing.
His sword was still in his hand.
Everyone waited.
---
Then...
A crack appeared on his blade.
The sword fell apart.
---
The referee immediately raised his hand.
"Winner."
"Emil Myers."
---
The arena exploded.
---
"He broke the sword?"
"Without using magic?"
"How strong is he?"
---
Emil sheathed his sword.
Then extended his hand.
Leon looked at him.
After a moment...
He smiled and accepted it.
---
"You won."
Emil shook his head.
"You were strong."
Leon laughed.
"That doesn't make losing feel better."
---
The two separated.
But Leon looked at Emil differently now.
Not as an opponent.
As a fellow swordsman.
---
The results were announced.
Beginner Hunter Assessment Results
Champion:
Emil Myers
---
Additional Evaluation:
Swordsmanship: Outstanding
Combat Awareness: Exceptional
Growth Potential: Extremely High
---
However...
His official hunter rank remained unchanged.
E-Rank Hunter
---
Many people were confused.
A champion remaining E-rank?
But the Hunter Association had its reasons.
Rank was not given only from one tournament.
A hunter needed missions.
Achievements.
Experience.
---
Emil did not mind.
Actually...
He preferred it.
---
That evening, he returned to his room.
The system appeared.
Ding!
Host has completed Beginner Hunter Assessment.
Rewards:
- Hunter Contribution Points increased.
- Reputation increased.
- Combat experience gained.
---
Emil looked at the city below.
Today, he had shown a little more strength.
Not enough to reveal everything.
But enough to prove something.
---
He was no longer hiding because he was weak.
He was hiding because he was preparing.
---
The world of Galant was larger than he imagined.
Powerful hunters.
Ancient sects.
Noble families.
Unknown enemies.
---
And somewhere beyond the horizon...
There were people who would eventually discover the truth.
The blind E-rank hunter was not blind.
The young swordsman was not ordinary.
And the Sun God's chosen one had finally begun stepping into the world's view.