Chapter 4 – Golden Gleam and a New Purpose

The morning sunlight shyly filtered through the branches, painting golden light across the surface of the tent. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of damp earth and lingering dew on the leaves.

Lucifer slowly opened his eyes. The world looked so peaceful. The morning light warmed his skin and mesmerized him. This... is beautiful. This world feels so alive.

Beside him, Arthur was still asleep, snoring lightly. Lucifer turned with a grin, picked up a small twig, and poked the man's face.

"Wake up, Sleeping Prince. The sun's already high."

Arthur stirred lazily, opened one eye, and gave Lucifer a grumpy look.

"You enjoy waking old men, huh? Careful, one day you'll be woken by a goblin instead of me."

Lucifer laughed, his voice light. They got up and began packing the tent. Amidst the folds of canvas and tugging of ropes, their voices blended with the whisper of the wind.

"Arthur…" Lucifer said softly, looking at the ground. "If I may ask… what was your missing child like?"

Arthur fell silent. His fingers paused in tying the ropes. The morning air felt quieter than usual.

"His name was Auren," he replied in a low voice. "Black hair, blue eyes. Always curious, asked a lot of questions. Had a laugh that could chase away sorrow. But stubborn. Like me."

Lucifer nodded slowly. He could feel the tremor of emotion in that voice—the deep longing, a wound yet to heal.

Once the tent was packed, Arthur opened a leather pouch and took something out: a slender dagger with a black metal hilt engraved in runes. He handed it to Lucifer.

"Take it. It's yours now."

Lucifer stared at it, puzzled. "Why… are you giving me a weapon?"

Arthur looked straight ahead. "Because this world isn't always as beautiful as this morning. The world can tear you apart anytime. If you can't protect yourself, you'll drown."

Lucifer looked at the dagger—sunlight gleamed along its edge. He gripped it tighter.

"Then… teach me how to fight."

Arthur stared at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You're a strange kid. But I like your courage. Come on, let's begin."

---

Training began on an open patch of earth beneath a large tree. Arthur taught the basics: how to grip the dagger, when to strike, how to defend, and most importantly—how to control fear.

Lucifer fell several times. His dagger slipped from his hand often. But he always got up, sweat dripping from his brow, eyes full of determination.

After an hour, Arthur sat on a rock, catching his breath. "Now, learn something even more important: mana."

Lucifer tilted his head. "That magic energy?"

"Yeah. Every living being has mana. But its color, shape, and character… are unique to each person. Like a fingerprint."

Arthur stood. Calmly, he raised his sword. A red aura began to shimmer around the blade. In an instant—slaaasshh!—Arthur swung his sword, creating a cross-shaped slash that split a massive rock before them.

Lucifer stood stunned.

"You've gotta be kidding…"

"No. Now try to feel your mana."

Lucifer gripped his dagger and took a deep breath. He closed his eyes, imagining a warm flow moving from his chest to his hand. And slowly… a golden light began to envelope his blade. Soft and radiant.

With one steady breath, he swung the dagger toward another rock. SLAASH!

The stone split cleanly.

Arthur's eyes widened. "You… learned this today…"

Lucifer chuckled. "Maybe my slash could kill a god."

Arthur stared at him for a second, then facepalmed. "Gods… why did I just praise you."

---

Their journey continued. The path became clearer, though the forest remained dense. Midway, a low growl stopped them in their tracks.

"You hear that?" Arthur whispered.

Lucifer nodded. From the bushes, three goblins emerged—green-skinned, red-eyed, holding crude weapons.

Arthur immediately drew his sword. "Two for me. One for you."

"What?! I just started learning!"

But Arthur had already lunged forward, handling two goblins at once. One goblin stepped toward Lucifer.

Lucifer readied his dagger. His body tensed. His breath quickened. The goblin struck first—leaping and slashing at his shoulder.

CLANG!

Lucifer nearly lost his balance. His hands trembled. The goblin's blade almost grazed his cheek. He stepped back, trying to keep his footing.

"Focus!" Arthur shouted from afar.

Lucifer inhaled deeply. He ducked, watching the goblin's movements. As the creature leaped again, Lucifer swung his blade forward. But the goblin was agile, dodging and slashing at his calf.

A sharp sting left a bleeding wound.

"Agh!"

But Lucifer didn't fall. He steadied his legs, recalling what he had learned. Feel the mana. Breathe. Center yourself.

His dagger began to glow with golden light.

With renewed courage, he waited for the goblin's next move. As it lunged, Lucifer spun slightly to the side and slashed diagonally.

SLAASSHH!

Golden light sliced through the air. The goblin was thrown back, collapsed, and didn't move again.

Lucifer stood, panting, blood dripping from his leg. But he had won.

Arthur approached, holding two goblin heads.

"Small wound. But you're alive. That's what matters."

Lucifer looked at the goblin's body, then at his trembling dagger. "I think… I can fight this world."

Arthur only nodded. "And you'll grow stronger still."

---

As twilight descended, the emerald spires of a tall tower came into view. Towering walls loomed on the horizon, reflecting the day's last golden rays. At the city's base, wagons, merchants, children, and street performers brought the place to life.

"Emerald Kingdom…" Lucifer murmured.

The city left him speechless.

At the main gate, two guards stood firmly. One of them halted them.

"Show your IDs."

Arthur presented a thin leather card.

"Hunter, rank C," he said.

The guard nodded. "Proceed."

But upon seeing Lucifer, his brow furrowed.

"Him?"

Arthur quickly responded. "An orphan. I found him in the forest."

"In that case, two silver coins. That's the rule."

Without protest, Arthur handed over the coins. Lucifer bowed deeply.

"Thank you…"

Arthur only patted his shoulder. "You'll repay that one day."

---

As they passed through the city's main roads, Arthur asked, "So, what do you want to do next?"

Lucifer glanced at the dagger badge on his chest. "I want to become a hunter."

Arthur paused for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Crazy kid. But your resolve is real. Come on, let's go to the Hunter Department."

---

A tower-shaped building with a winged sword emblem stood proudly. Inside, adventurers of various races bustled around. Lucifer registered at the front desk.

"Your age?" the clerk asked.

"Fifteen."

"You need a guarantor."

Arthur stepped forward. "I'll be his guarantor. Arthur. Hunter, rank C."

The clerk wrote it down and handed over a bronze badge.

"Your basic exam starts tomorrow morning."

Lucifer pinned the badge to his chest. Around him, other hunter hopefuls looked on with doubt or disdain. But Lucifer didn't care.

With a golden dagger at his side and burning resolve in his heart, he told himself:

"This is just the beginning."