Chapter 42: The Hunter Walks Alone (2)

The return journey took less than half the time of the trip in.

The moment Ethan stepped through the magical gate, he found himself outside the forest.

Standing at the border of Ashvarn ..

The City of Ash.

He cast one final glance at the forest before turning away.

“One day, I’ll wield magic greater than this.”

His words were quiet but resolute.

Magic remained at the top of his priorities—

Even if he had chosen to begin as a knight.

He made his way into the city, heading toward the outer gate where Raiden had said he would wait.

The time Ethan spent inside the witches’ forest had not exceeded a single hour.

Even accounting for the time it took him to cross Ashvarn, the entire ordeal had barely lasted an hour and a half.

The clock now read eight in the morning.

The day was still long.

When he arrived, he found his squad waiting at the gate leading out of Ashvarn.

Everyone was there.

Including Moon and Alicia.

Though Raiden’s massive frame was visible from afar .. Ethan’s eyes found Moon first.

Because of what had transpired between them the previous night.

As he approached, Raiden waved.

The others turned toward him.

Considering what had happened the night before, Ethan knew exactly what he needed to do.

’Moon and I agreed to forget what happened in my room… which means the last time we met was when I was judged.’

He adjusted his expression, adopting a more serious demeanor.

In other words…

The moment he reached them ..

Before anyone else could speak ..

Ethan bowed his head slightly.

“I apologize to all of you… for my behavior before the elders. I promise that from now on, I will value my life—and hold onto it until the very end.”

He spoke loudly.

Raiden and Chai smiled at him, clearly proud.

Alicia looked slightly startled.

Moon, however, showed no visible reaction.

She simply watched him in silence.

After a few seconds, Alicia waved her hands awkwardly.

“You don’t need to apologize… I’m not angry or anything.”

She was clearly not the type accustomed to handling situations like this.

Moon merely nodded once.

It was enough.

She accepted his apology.

Raiden, meanwhile, stepped forward—the closest to Ethan—and smoothly shifted the atmosphere, steering the conversation away from the tension altogether.

“How did the restraint go? Did it succeed?”

Ethan answered with a nod.

“Yes. Luna Heart restrained it for me.”

At the mention of Luna’s name, Moon finally displayed a genuine, human reaction.

“My sister did it?” There was clear surprise in her voice—proof enough that she was fully aware of Luna’s dislike toward Ethan.

Ethan nodded again, while silently comparing the two sisters in his mind.

’Just as I thought… they’re nothing alike. And yet, somehow… their eyes are the same.’

It was strange.

Moon did not ask about her sister again.

In fact, she deliberately avoided mentioning her.

“Since you’re here, let’s begin hunting immediately. You need to raise your level as quickly as possible,” she said, and the others nodded in agreement.

Their seriousness made Ethan feel that something was off.

“Did something happen?” he asked, sensing a faint tension among them.

They exchanged glances before Raiden stepped forward to answer.

“I didn’t want to tell you the moment you arrived… but since you brought it up, you should know—your opponent for Maria’s Reckoning has already been announced.”

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

“That was faster than I expected,” he replied evenly.

Raiden nodded.

“Elder Kevin Heart is swift and precise with his work. It’s not surprising.”

“So? Who is he? Should I be worried?” Ethan asked, curiosity evident in his tone.

Moon answered.

She was the only one who seemed to know the name.

“James Heart. One of the newer hunters. There’s nothing particularly remarkable about him… but he’s Level 30.”

Her tone sharpened slightly on the final words.

Level 30.

Advanced Rank.

The threshold that granted access to Aura Armor.

And yet ..

Ethan did not look worried.

If anything, he seemed faintly relieved.

Which only confused them.

“Why do you look pleased? He outranks you by two entire tiers,” Raiden said, studying his expression.

Ethan quickly adjusted his face.

“Ah—no, it’s not that. I’m just glad he doesn’t possess any Blessings.”

He wore a confident look .. as though that information alone secured his victory.

“I admire your confidence,” Raiden replied, “but your chances of winning are still extremely slim.”

Moon agreed.

“From now on, we’ll intensify hunting in the weaker zones to help you level up.”

“Yes! We’ll weaken the monsters and let you deal the finishing blow!” Chai Heart declared eagerly.

Their plan was simple:

Hunt as usual, but leave the killing strike to Ethan so that he alone would receive the souls.

Soul-sharing only applied to bosses.

Ordinary enemies granted their souls solely to the one who delivered the final blow.

It was the fastest way for him to level up .

Watching them all ready to go that far for him ..

Ethan smiled sincerely.

“It’s a great plan. And I truly appreciate how far you’re willing to go to help me.”

Then his tone shifted.

“I really do… but I’m sorry. I won’t be joining the hunt.”

Confusion flashed across their faces.

Then frustration.

“What are you saying, Ethan? This is your only chance!” Raiden’s voice rose unconsciously, emotion overtaking him.

The others shared the same sentiment.

Including Moon, who studied him for a moment before speaking.

“What’s your plan? Are you going to surrender and give up your title as a hunter just like that?”

Ethan shook his head.

“No way. I’ll fight to the very end.”

His gaze hardened.

“But I have my own methods. My own plans. So I need you to trust me—just like you did before.”

They did not know how to respond.

There was doubt in their eyes.

Of course, they trusted him .. especially after his contribution to their victory against the Ember Hunter.

But that time, he had relied on all of them.

This time, he would stand alone.

“Then at least tell us your plan,” Moon said quietly. “Maybe we can help.”

Ethan shook his head again.

“I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

That answer only worsened things.

“Don’t you trust us?” young Chai asked, hurt evident in his voice.

Ethan reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you. I said I can’t. There’s a difference.”

His smile faded into something more serious.

“All of you .. continue hunting as you always have. Just without me. I’ll handle the duel myself.”

“You’re telling us to stand by and do nothing?” Raiden asked bitterly.

Ethan did not waver.

“You’ve done more than enough. You paved the road for me. Now I need to walk the rest alone… or I have no right to call myself a hunter.”

With those words, he turned and gave them a casual wave.

“I’ll go my own way from here on out. I hope you’ll do the same.”

And without giving them the chance to say another word ..

Ethan walked away alone.

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