Hunt Race

The arena remained quiet after the hunter's forfeit.

Kael stood several steps away, his sword already sheathed.

The tall hunter was still trying to catch his breath, one hand resting against the wound on his side.

Kael looked at him for a moment.

Then his lips curled into a grin.

"So..."

The hunter looked up.

Kael tilted his head.

"That was your big challenge?"

A few people in the crowd immediately laughed.

The hunter's face darkened.

"You—"

Kael raised a hand.

"Relax."

He smiled.

"I'm just surprised."

The hunter stared at him.

"Surprised by what?"

Kael pointed casually toward the glaive.

"That thing looked pretty impressive when you pulled it out."

The hunter's expression softened slightly.

Then Kael continued.

"But after a while, it started looking like you were using it to sweep the floor."

The crowd exploded with laughter.

The hunter's face turned red.

"Are you finished?"

Kael thought about it.

"No."

More laughter followed.

The hunter closed his eyes and took a slow breath.

He clearly regretted ever challenging this man.

Kael walked closer.

"You know..."

The hunter reluctantly opened his eyes.

Kael's grin faded slightly, though the amusement remained in his expression.

"You weren't bad."

The hunter stared at him.

That was probably the first serious thing Kael had said since the fight ended.

"You had good control of that glaive, and those techniques weren't weak."

The hunter remained silent.

Kael glanced toward the arena floor.

"But you made one mistake."

The hunter's expression tightened.

"What?"

Kael looked back at him.

"You kept trying to force the fight after things stopped going your way."

The hunter frowned.

Kael continued casually.

"Once you realized something was wrong, you should've changed your approach instead of throwing yourself at me harder."

The hunter looked away.

He knew Kael was right.

Still, admitting it wasn't easy.

Kael smiled again.

"Though..."

The hunter looked back.

Kael shrugged.

"I suppose if you had done that, I wouldn't have had as much fun."

The crowd laughed again.

The hunter sighed.

"You're really annoying."

"I've heard that before."

Kael turned toward the exit.

Then he stopped.

He looked back at the hunter.

"Anyway."

The hunter raised an eyebrow.

Kael extended his hand.

"My reward."

The hunter stared at him.

"What?"

Kael wiggled his fingers impatiently.

"The bet."

The crowd immediately began laughing again.

"You agreed to give me something useful if I won."

Kael's grin widened.

"I won."

The hunter's expression darkened.

He had completely forgotten about that part in the aftermath of the fight.

"You really don't waste any time."

Kael shrugged.

"Why would I?"

The hunter sighed and reached toward the pouch attached to his waist.

This time, there was no hesitation.

He pulled out a small transparent container.

Inside was a dense crimson substance that seemed to move on its own, slowly swirling despite the container remaining completely still.

The moment it appeared, several experienced hunters in the crowd became quiet.

One of them whispered,

"Blood essence..."

Another hunter stared.

"He's actually giving that away?"

Kael's eyes settled on the container.

His grin disappeared for a moment.

He knew immediately that this was different from ordinary blood.

The tall hunter held it out.

"This was the reward."

Kael reached out and accepted it.

The moment it touched his palm, the black crescent beneath his skin gave the faintest pulse.

Kael's fingers tightened around the container.

A strange sensation passed through him.

Warmth.

Power.

Something he couldn't quite identify.

His expression remained calm.

The hunter watched him carefully.

"That's the reward. Nothing more."

Kael looked at the container again.

Then he smiled.

"Wow."

The hunter frowned.

"What?"

Kael lifted the container slightly.

"You really do have good stuff."

The crowd laughed.

The hunter's face twitched.

Kael slipped the blood essence into his possession.

"Thanks."

The hunter said nothing.

Kael turned toward the exit, a satisfied grin still on his face.

Behind him, the crowd continued talking about the fight and the strange reward he had just received.

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