Chapter 6 – Duel Under the Spotlight

The midday sky above Emerald Kingdom was clear, but Lucifer's heart felt the opposite—clouded and heavy. He sat on a long bench with the other participants who had survived the Trial Forest. Wounds still marred their hands and legs, including his own. But the deepest wounds weren't visible… they were in the chest—tension, uncertainty, and the shadow of a battle yet to come.

Out of thirty participants, only seven had passed. They now sat in silence in the open hall behind the Hunter Guild headquarters, waiting to be called for the second stage: the Hunter Duel.

The arena was surrounded by public spectators, armed examiners, and several veteran adventurers who had come just to watch. Cheers, laughter, and murmurs filled the air. On the right side of the arena stood a small stage, where the Exam Council sat—led by Gareth, a burly man with a long leather coat and a scar that split across his cheek.

Gareth stood up, his voice booming.

"Listen carefully! You who remain have proven your courage in the forest. But courage alone is not enough. You must also show control, technique, and the fighting spirit in a one-on-one duel. This is not merely a test… this is a judgment of who is worthy to be called 'Hunter'."

Some participants straightened their backs. Others lowered their heads, nervous. Lucifer sat still, holding his golden dagger on his lap.

From the crowd, one participant stood confidently. He was tall and muscular, with silver hair tied back. A massive axe was strapped to his back, and arrogance shone in his eyes like a blade.

His name was Rudein, son of a minor noble family from the western border. Among the participants, he was known for his sharp tongue and contempt toward everyone—especially Lucifer.

Rudein pointed at Lucifer, his finger trembling not from fear—but from excessive fighting spirit.

"If I may choose… I want that golden boy as my opponent."

Some participants turned their heads. A few chuckles were heard. Lucifer looked up and stared at Rudein silently.

Arthur, watching from behind the iron fence with the mentors and sponsors, clenched his fist.

"Don't get provoked… control yourself," he whispered inwardly.

Gareth nodded approvingly.

"Lucifer Morningstar and Rudein Von Ravel. Step forward."

The world seemed to pause. Lucifer's heartbeat echoed in his ears. He stood, breathing short, then slowly stepped into the center of the arena.

At the same time, Rudein had already removed his upper garment, revealing a muscled body marked by several scars.

"Come on, boy… show me your golden light. Let me see how bright it is before I snuff it out."

Lucifer stood with feet slightly apart, dagger gripped in his right hand. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"I'm not fighting for your admiration, Rudein," he said calmly, "I fight… for myself."

From a balcony above the Guild, Kaela watched. Her eyes followed Lucifer. Her lips curled slightly—not quite a smile, but not emotionless either. Like someone waiting to see the result of a prediction.

A bell rang three times from the arena tower. It was the signal to begin the duel. The once-chattering crowd fell silent, their eyes focused on the two figures standing in the circle of earth—Lucifer and Rudein.

The ground was hard and dusty. A faint magical circle glowed around them, ensuring the battle stayed within safe limits—but it didn't negate pain. Wounds would still bleed. This was a Hunter's trial.

Rudein moved first.

With a loud roar, he raised his axe high and swung it at Lucifer. His speed was impressive for such a large weapon, and the ground shook with every strike. Lucifer dodged sideways, flowing like water, though the tip of the attack sliced close to his cheek.

"You're fast," growled Rudein, "But I'm stronger."

Lucifer didn't reply. He controlled his breathing, circling. His dagger quivered in his grip, still restrained from channeling mana.

Rudein charged again. This time, he struck with a horizontal sweep. Lucifer ducked, slid forward under the axe, and tried to stab Rudein's stomach. But the man wore a strong leather vest—his dagger only scraped the surface.

Clang!

Sparks flew. Rudein spun his elbow and struck Lucifer with the axe's blunt side. The force flung him to the ground.

The crowd gasped. Dust rose.

"Come on, get up, kid!" someone in the crowd shouted.

Arthur restrained himself from stepping forward. But his eyes stayed locked on Lucifer.

Lucifer lifted himself slowly, spitting blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes had changed. Not fear—but fire. Quietly, he began to channel his mana.

A golden aura started to emerge.

It flowed from his chest to his arm, then to the dagger's blade. Like a clear river—quiet, but carrying immense power.

"Finally showing your color!" Rudein barked.

Lucifer said nothing. He crouched slightly, then darted forward with surprising speed. His feet barely left prints. Rudein tried to strike again, but Lucifer jumped to the side of the axe, kicked off its shaft, and soared into the air.

In a split second, he spun mid-air and—

SLAAASH!

A golden slash flew from his dagger, slicing Rudein's shoulder. Blood spurted, and Rudein staggered.

But the man didn't fall. He held the wound, laughing with blood on his teeth.

"You... pissed me off now…"

With a savage growl, Rudein released dark red mana. Violent energy surrounded him. He attacked faster, more brutally. Twice Lucifer dodged, but the third—

Bruakk!

A strike from the axe's handle hit Lucifer's chest, throwing him into a boundary post.

A cracking sound. The crowd fell silent. Arthur stepped forward, but Kaela held him back behind the fence.

"Trust him. That boy's not done yet."

Lucifer collapsed to his knees. His breath ragged. His vision blurred for a moment.

Memories flashed.

He saw his mother's face from the old world. Voices judging him for the demon blood in his veins. Disgusted looks. Loneliness. And then, Arthur's face—the faint smile that gave him hope.

"Fight not to pass," Arthur's voice echoed, "But to discover who you are."

Lucifer raised his head.

The golden light grew brighter.

His dagger glowed, forming a faint winged aura on his back. His movements no longer wavered. He stood, then smiled.

"Now… it's my turn."

Rudein stepped forward, the red aura darkening around him. Every step left cracks in the earth. His breath was harsh, full of rage and wounded pride.

Meanwhile, Lucifer stood tall, golden light wrapping around his dagger. The aura wasn't just magical energy. It was fused with emotion—resolve, wounds, dreams, and the emptiness he was determined to fill with meaning.

Rudein roared. He charged.

His axe came down from above like a divine hammer. The strike could crush stone.

But Lucifer didn't retreat.

He jumped forward, into the danger—not to avoid it, but to meet it head-on.

"He's insane!" someone in the crowd yelled.

The axe struck empty ground. Lucifer had vanished from view… only to reappear at Rudein's left. He spun once, then—

STAAAB!

His dagger pierced the gap in Rudein's shoulder armor, right beneath the collarbone.

Rudein cried out. Blood gushed. He tried to strike with his elbow, but Lucifer was gone again—reappearing behind him and—

SLAAASH!

A golden slash cut across Rudein's back. A second wound. Rudein staggered, his body unbalanced.

Lucifer didn't stop. He swept Rudein's legs, causing him to fall, then leapt to stab toward his chest—but stopped just an inch from the skin.

"I could kill you," he whispered coldly. "But this isn't war. This is proof."

Rudein looked up. His eyes were red with fury and humiliation. But he couldn't strike back. His body collapsed with a heavy thud, swallowed by dust and silence.

The duel was over.

The audience was silent for a few seconds, then clapping began—slowly, then faster. Cheers erupted from the stands. Some youths shouted in awe. Others still froze, in disbelief.

Lucifer stood in the center of the arena, breathing hard, sweat dripping from his brow, the golden light fading.

Gareth—the veteran examiner—rose from his seat. He gave a short nod.

"Interesting…"

---

Moments Later – The Announcement

All participants gathered again in the Guild's main hall. Rudein sat on a medical bench with a large bandage on his shoulder, still grumbling through clenched teeth.

From the original thirty participants, only seven stood at the front line.

Gareth stepped forward holding a sheet of paper. His gaze swept over the participants, one by one.

"You've all shown skill. But being a Hunter isn't just about strength. It's about instinct, attitude, and mental resilience."

He called out the names of those who passed. One by one, they received applause.

When the name Lucifer Morningstar was announced, some clapped—others hesitated.

Gareth approached and handed him a bronze badge engraved with the letter E.

"Rank E. Beginner. But you've got potential, kid," he said curtly.

Lucifer accepted the badge, gripping it tightly. Though it wasn't Rank D like he hoped, he felt a sense of pride—and a new hunger: the desire to grow.

---

Outside the Guild – At Dusk

The sky turned orange. Arthur waited on the front steps with his arms crossed.

Lucifer walked out, the badge hanging from his belt.

"You're late," Arthur said.

"I won," Lucifer replied shortly.

Arthur nodded. "And?"

Lucifer gave a small smile. "And now I know… I'm still too weak. But also… not finished."

They walked side by side down the stairs.

Across the street, Kaela—the mysterious silver-haired girl—watched them while leaning on a lamp post. She smiled slightly, then said loud enough to be heard:

"You're not an ordinary child… Lucifer Morningstar."

Lucifer paused, glanced at her—but she had already turned and vanished into the crowd.

---

That Night

In his inn room, Lucifer sat by the window.

In his left hand, the Rank E badge. In the other… the dagger that had been with him throughout the trials. He looked at them both for a moment, then gazed up at the starlit sky.

"If this is the first step," he murmured,

"then I'm ready to go as far as it takes."