Morning arrived quietly.
Golden rays of sunlight slipped through the window, falling across the room.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
His body still ached.
The soreness hadn't disappeared overnight, but it was far more bearable than yesterday.
He stretched carefully before standing.
"...Still alive."
A small smile crossed his face.
After washing up, he picked up his sword.
The blade felt familiar in his hand.
Comforting.
Yet...
Something about it felt different.
He stepped into the small courtyard behind his house.
The morning air was cool.
Taking a deep breath, Kael assumed his usual stance.
Then—
Whoosh!
He swung.
Again.
And again.
Each slash cut through the air with practiced precision.
Minutes turned into an hour.
Sweat began to form on his forehead.
Finally, Kael stopped.
"...No."
He frowned.
The movements were clean.
But they were empty.
There was no purpose behind them.
No direction.
His thoughts drifted back to the battle in the forest.
The Silver Rank hunter's movements had been refined.
Every strike had a purpose.
Every step had been deliberate.
Even while weakened...
His attacks remained difficult to deal with.
Then he thought of Cherry.
Before breaking through to Silver Rank, she had still been outmatched.
Yet...
Not once had she wasted a movement.
Whether it was with her bow or her twin swords...
Everything she did had purpose.
She wasn't just stronger.
Her foundation was better.
Kael lowered his sword.
"...I'm still too rough."
He had survived by adapting.
By reading his opponents.
By trusting his instincts.
That had kept him alive.
But instincts alone wouldn't be enough against stronger enemies.
He needed something more.
A proper technique.
One he could practice until it became second nature.
He returned the sword to its sheath and headed into the city.
...
The streets were already bustling.
Vendors called out to customers.
Carriages rolled past.
Hunters moved through the crowds, some leaving for missions while others had just returned.
Kael made his way toward a familiar district.
Unlike the market, this part of the city was much quieter.
Wooden signs hung outside several buildings.
Blacksmith.
Armorer.
Herbalist.
And finally...
A modest shop with a faded wooden sign.
Books & Scrolls.
Kael pushed the door open.
A small bell chimed.
An elderly man looked up from behind the counter.
"Looking for something?"
Kael nodded.
"I'm looking for books on swordsmanship."
The old man studied him for a moment.
"Technique?"
"Yes."
The old man disappeared between the shelves.
A minute later, he returned carrying three dusty books.
He placed them on the counter.
"The first teaches basic footwork."
"The second focuses on sword forms."
"The third explains how to combine both."
Kael picked up the first book.
It looked old.
The corners were worn.
Clearly...
Many hands had read it before his.
"These are beginner books."
"They are."
The old man smiled.
"But every master starts with the basics."
Kael nodded.
"I'll take them."
As he reached for his coin pouch, his grip tightened around it.
For the first time in a long while...
He wasn't preparing for another battle.
He was preparing to become worthy of the battles that lay ahead.
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter