Forging the Hunter’s Road

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the towering walls of Blackhawk Shelter as Sirius emerged from the tunnel. The faint glow of twilight bathed the city in a muted light, and for a brief moment, Sirius felt a wave of relief wash over him. Eldoria—one of the last remaining sanctuary cities after the dungeon outbreaks—stood as a symbol of human resilience, a beacon amidst the chaos. Yet, even as he crossed its threshold, his heart still raced with the thrill of the hunt.

There was, however, one more task to complete before he could head home.

With determined strides, Sirius made his way to the Black Market, a secretive underworld hidden beneath the respectable facade of Blackhawk Shelter. It was a labyrinth of dimly lit alleys, where whispers and shadows made deals in the dark. Vendors sold everything from illicit weapons to rare beast cores and enchanted relics. The air was thick with incense, and the murmur of hushed transactions filled the space like a constant hum.

Keeping his hood low, Sirius navigated the maze of stalls until he reached one run by a burly man with a thick beard and sharp, calculating eyes. Known for dealing in beast corpses, the vendor supplied armorers, blacksmiths, and even high-end restaurants that sought out rare ingredients for their elite clientele.

"Why are you here, kid?" the vendor asked, his voice a low rumble, eyes gleaming with curiosity. 

Sirius glanced around, ensuring no one was paying attention. With a subtle motion, he opened his Void Storage, retrieving the beast corpses he had collected during his hunt. One by one, he placed them on the counter: the giant black ants, sneaky chameleons, and the obsidian-clawed black cat. The vendor's eyes widened at the sight.

"Well, well," the man said, inspecting the beasts with a practiced hand. "Good quality. The leather, claws, and scales alone will fetch a high price. Weapon smiths will pay a premium for these."

Sirius remained silent, watching as the vendor appraised each beast. The man's fingers lingered on the Scarlet Toad, his expression shifting to one of intrigue.

"This one's a prize," the vendor muttered, more to himself than Sirius. "Its meat has vitality-boosting properties. The high-end restaurants will be lining up for this."

After a brief negotiation, Sirius agreed to sell most of the corpses, keeping only the King Crab and Electric Eel for himself. When the deal was done, the vendor handed over a thick stack of credits—far more than Sirius had ever held at once. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to make a significant difference in his family's life.

"Pleasure doing business," the vendor said with a sly grin as he began sorting the corpses.

Sirius pocketed the credits and slipped back into the shadows, his mind already spinning with plans. The money was a step forward, but he needed more than credits to secure a future for his family—he needed power, true power. The kind that would give him control in a world where only the strong thrived.

Though it was common knowledge that humans received the Blessing of the World at the age of sixteen, the reality was less glamorous. Awakening talents—especially combat talents—was rare. But there were ways to improve one's chances: consuming the meat of mutated beasts, mastering mystic arcane arts, and training to gather mana and strengthen the body. Sirius had seen what that struggle had done to his family.

After his father's mysterious disappearance, his mother, Elise Snowheart, a once-powerful hunter, had taken on that burden. She had pushed her body to its limits, practicing extreme mystic arts in an attempt to provide for Sirius and his sister, Laura. But the toll had been devastating, leaving Elise weakened and the family in financial hardship. Sirius and Laura had been forced to attend local training schools, a far cry from the prestigious academies where the wealthy honed their skills.

But Sirius was determined to change that. For Laura, for his mother, and for himself. He was ready to take the next step: registering as an Awakened hunter.

As he approached the modest home they shared, the high walls of Eldoria seemed to loom larger than ever, a constant reminder of the dangers outside. Inside, the smell of dinner greeted him, and Sirius found Laura setting the table, her eyes lighting up when she saw him.

"You're back!" she said, a smile spreading across her face. "I was starting to worry."

"Yeah, just had a few things to take care of," Sirius replied, ruffling her hair. "I've got something special for dinner tonight."

Laura's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? What is it?"

"You'll see," he said with a wink, heading into the kitchen where his mother stood over the stove.

Elise Snowheart—even in her weakened state—was a striking figure. Her once-silver hair, a symbol of her prowess, now framed a face etched with the strain of years past. But her eyes, sharp and penetrating, still burned with the fire of her former self.

Sirius placed the King Crab and Electric Eel on the counter. Elise's eyes narrowed slightly as she took in the quality of the meat.

"This isn't ordinary," she said quietly, her gaze lifting to meet his. "You hunted these yourself."

Sirius nodded, guilt flickering in his chest. "Yes. I've awakened."

Elise was silent, her gaze shifting toward Laura, who was humming to herself as she set the table. "You went on a hunt in secret," Elise said softly, more a statement than a question.

"I did," Sirius admitted. "I want to walk the path of the hunter."

Elise studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Wait here."

She left the kitchen and returned moments later with a large, ornate box. Placing it on the table, she motioned for Sirius to open it.

"This belonged to your father," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "It's time you had it."

Sirius hesitated, then opened the box. Inside was an ancient-looking book titled Arcane Star Art, an elegant sword with a shimmering blade, a trident pulsing with dormant power, and a coin engraved with the images of nine divine beasts and a colossal tree.

As he touched the items, a deep resonance stirred within him. They were far from ordinary—each piece thrummed with latent power, passed down through generations. He picked up the book, curiosity burning in his chest, and opened it. Each page was adorned with intricate paintings, the first depicting a figure standing on a cliff, gazing at a sky full of stars.

Suddenly, a rush of knowledge filled his mind. The painting contained a mystic arcane breathing technique, a method to gather mana and strengthen the body. The name echoed in his thoughts:

Star Origin Breathing Technique

Sirius closed his eyes, focusing on the technique, and felt a warm current of energy begin to flow through him. It nourished his body, strengthening him from within. But as he tried to delve deeper into the knowledge, a sharp pain pierced his mind, forcing him to stop.

He realized the knowledge contained within the Arcane Star Art was beyond his current understanding. He wasn't yet strong enough to unlock its full potential.

Taking a deep breath, Sirius closed the book and placed it, along with the sword, trident, and coin, into his Void Storage. He would study the Star Art when he was ready.

Elise watched him, her expression unreadable. "The path of a hunter is not easy, Sirius," she said softly. "But if this is truly what you want, I won't stop you. Just promise me you'll be careful."

"I promise, Mom," Sirius replied, his voice filled with quiet determination.

That night, Elise prepared a feast—spicy Crab Curry and Eel Stew—using the beasts Sirius had hunted. As they ate, the weight of their conversation hung in the air, unspoken but understood. After dinner, Sirius went to bed, his mind swirling with everything he had learned. As he slept, his body unconsciously practiced the Star Origin Breathing Technique, drawing mana into his cells and strengthening him even as he dreamed.

When he awoke the next morning, he felt invigorated. Stronger. Ready.

After a light breakfast, Sirius made his way to the Hunter's Association. He took a taxi to the heart of Blackhawk Shelter, where the Association's towering headquarters stood like a fortress—a symbol of humanity's defense against the dungeons. Hunters of all ranks gathered here, from novices seeking their first mission to veterans returning from battle.

Sirius entered the building, excitement and nervousness warring in his chest. This was the first step toward his new life. A young receptionist greeted him as he approached.

"How can I help you today?" she asked, her tone professional but kind.

"I'm here to register as a hunter," Sirius replied.

"Right this way," she said, leading him to a side room where a glowing, translucent pearl sat on a pedestal.

Sirius recognized the mana detection device immediately. Designed to reveal an individual's talents, it was a common tool for assessing new hunters. But Sirius had no intention of revealing everything. He activated Orion's Eye, masking his most powerful ability—Predation.

Placing his hand on the pearl, he watched as the holographic display lit up with his details:

Sirius Starblade

Talents:

Void Storage (D)

Heightened Focus (D)

Explosive Flame (B)

Lightning Strike (C)

Mana: 34

The receptionist's eyes widened slightly as she read the results. "You've got some impressive talents, especially Explosive Flame and Lightning Strike," she said. "You'll make a formidable hunter."

Sirius nodded, keeping his expression neutral. He knew his real strength lay in the talents he had kept hidden.

After the initial assessment, he went through a series of physical tests: strength, speed, and endurance. His newly acquired abilities gave him an edge, and by the end of the evaluation, the results were clear—Sirius had been classified as a C-rank hunter, a solid starting point for someone of his age and experience.

The receptionist handed him a small card embedded with a microchip—his Hunter's License.

"Welcome to the Hunter's Association, Sirius Starblade," she said, smiling. "We look forward to seeing what you can do."

Sirius took the card, feeling a swell of pride. This was just the beginning. As he stepped out of the Association and into the bustling city, he knew that the road ahead would be dangerous. But with his hidden talents and the legacy of his father behind him, he was ready to carve his own path.