Hunt Race

The wooden door creaked open.

Kael stepped inside and quietly closed it behind him.

For the first time in days...

There was silence.

No monsters.

No blades clashing.

No killing intent.

Just the familiar warmth of home.

He leaned against the door and slowly let out the breath he had been holding.

"...I'm back."

There was no one to answer.

He had long grown accustomed to that.

His sword slipped from his hand and landed against the wall with a dull clang.

A moment later, so did his backpack.

His shoulders suddenly felt lighter.

But his body...

It felt heavier than ever.

Every step toward the washroom sent pain shooting through his muscles.

The battle had ended, but the price it demanded still lingered.

Kael filled a basin with water before removing his torn shirt.

Fresh bruises covered his body.

Cuts of varying sizes stretched across his arms, chest and back.

Some had already dried.

Others reopened the moment he moved.

"...Looks worse than I thought."

He dipped a cloth into the water and began cleaning the blood from his skin.

The cold water stung every wound.

He gritted his teeth but continued.

Only after the blood was gone did he begin wrapping the deeper cuts with clean bandages.

It wasn't the first time.

It probably wouldn't be the last.

When he was finally done, Kael walked back into the room and dropped onto a chair.

His eyes landed on the backpack.

For a few moments...

He simply stared at it.

Then he reached inside.

One by one, he placed everything on the table.

His dagger.

The broken throwing knives he had managed to recover.

The mana stones.

And finally...

The silver storage ring.

Kael picked it up.

The ring looked ordinary.

No one would believe something so small could hold countless treasures inside.

He turned it over between his fingers.

"...Locked."

Cherry's words echoed in his mind.

He sighed before setting it aside.

Whatever was inside...

Would have to wait.

His gaze shifted to his sword.

The blade was covered in tiny chips.

The edge had become dull after enduring countless clashes.

He reached for it.

Running a finger lightly across the steel.

A bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I really was lucky."

Against an opponent of that level...

Luck had played a part.

But luck alone hadn't saved him.

Cherry hadn't relied on luck.

Every movement she made had purpose.

Every attack flowed into the next.

Even before reaching Silver Rank...

Her foundation had been solid.

Mine wasn't.

The thought lingered in his mind.

Kael had always fought using instinct.

He reacted.

Adapted.

Improvised.

It had worked so far.

But against stronger opponents...

That wasn't enough.

He remembered the Silver Rank hunter's movements.

Precise.

Efficient.

Even wounded, the man had nearly overwhelmed him.

Then he remembered Cherry.

The way she drew her bow.

The calm in her eyes.

The confidence behind every attack.

It wasn't just strength.

It was mastery.

Kael lowered his head.

"...I'm still lacking."

Not in determination.

Not in courage.

In skill.

Raw strength could only take him so far.

If he wanted to survive the battles ahead...

He needed a proper foundation.

A proper technique.

One he could truly make his own.

His eyes slowly closed.

"I'll find one."

The words left his lips quietly.

"But before another mission..."

"I'll become stronger."

Not for glory.

Not for recognition.

Simply because the next enemy might not give him a second chance.

Kael stood once more and crossed his legs on the floor.

He placed his hands on his knees.

His breathing gradually slowed.

The familiar flow of mana began circulating through his body.

Every cycle soothed the fatigue in his muscles.

Every breath brought a little more clarity.

Outside...

The city remained as lively as ever.

Inside...

A young hunter quietly began preparing for the next step on his journey.

Not through another battle...

But through relentless training.

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