Viktor was surprised when he saw this and said nothing in the end.
Ed's expression was complicated.
This girl, the only one who had stayed by his side through all his hardships, was truly so innocent.
The two of them, Ed and Viktor, continued on their way to Dolay City. It would take them another two days to reach it.
They could only travel during the day, and at night, they rested in a cave.
Viktor was visibly excited, lighting a campfire and rubbing his hands together.
"Wow. I've lived this long, and it's my first time leaving the village. I can finally chase my dreams!"
Ed, who was gnawing on some dry rations, glanced at him upon hearing this.
First time leaving the village? He really was the spoiled son of a wealthy family, overly protected.
"Lord Hunter, you should sleep at the innermost part of the cave. I'll leave the deepest spot for you."
When it was time to sleep, Viktor intentionally offered the deepest part of the cave to Ed.
The cave wasn't very large, and the space was limited. It would be a bit cramped for both of them to sleep there.
This also meant that moonlight could easily shine through, and when it hit Viktor, he couldn't help but grimace and shiver, clearly in great discomfort.
The moonlight's effect on people in this world was surprisingly strong.
Even though Viktor was suffering this much, he still generously gave the innermost spot to Ed.
Ed gave him a calm glance, then walked out of the cave in front of him.
Once outside under the moonlight, he sat down cross-legged and took a deep breath.
He allowed the moonlight to bathe him, but there was no sign of discomfort, which shocked Viktor so much that his eyes widened in disbelief!
"You sleep. I'll meditate."
Ed said, then immediately began practicing the Moonlight Breathing Technique. Moonstone also began to charge.
Although the Moonstone had already integrated into his body, he could still feel that it could continue to charge.
Moreover, because it had fully merged with his body, his physical training and the Moonstone's charging could happen simultaneously!
They even enhanced each other, speeding up the process.
Viktor couldn't stop muttering to himself, constantly amazed:
"So this is what it means to be a Hunter... It's just incredible!"
By the end of the night, Viktor had curled up in the corner of the cave, falling asleep.
Ed, on the other hand, meditated for eighteen hours until morning.
In his mind, a system prompt sounded:
[Congratulations on advancing to a Black Iron Hunter of Mid Rank.]
[The system grants you a special ability: Swordsmanship Mastery.]
[Distance to Upper Rank: 1%.]
In that instant! Ed felt an overwhelming surge of power flood his body!
At the same time, his mind was flooded with knowledge about how to wield a sword!
Even his hands seemed to acquire muscle memory for swordplay out of nowhere.
Even though Ed had never used a sword before, he had now instantly become a swordsmanship master!
"I didn't expect the system to have such an effect!"
Ed understood that other people didn't receive such rewards when they broke through to mid-rank Black Iron Hunters.
But he had the system, which meant he could receive these special bonuses!
Afterward, the two of them continued their journey. Viktor, holding the map, looked at it and said:
"Lord Hunter, we only need to travel another eighty miles to reach Dolay City."
Ed calculated in his mind. Eighty miles meant another full day of travel.
Looks like they would be camping out again tonight.
Viktor, just waking up, rubbed his eyes sleepily, stretched lazily, then immediately wrapped his arms around himself.
This was his first time spending the night in a cave. He had slept terribly, shivering for most of the night!
As a young master who had never experienced hardship, Viktor cursed himself in his mind. Why did he choose to suffer like this instead of enjoying a comfortable life?
But when he glanced over at Ed, his expression immediately became resolute.
"As long as I can follow Senior Hunter and become a Hunter, I'm willing to endure any hardship!"
In the jungle, the morning dew had dampened all the plants.
Ed walked calmly, also activating his Hunter's senses, constantly scanning for any nearby dangers.
Viktor, on the other hand, was walking and looking around, his first time leaving the village, and he was curious about everything around him.
"Lord Hunter," Viktor asked, "I've heard that to become a Hunter, everyone must go through cruel trials. How did you become a Hunter?"
"Lord Hunter, do you think I have talent?"
"Lord Hunter, wouldn't it be a bit boring to eat only dry rations for every meal?"
Ed was starting to get irritated by his constant questioning.
Originally, he had planned to ask Viktor some questions about this world, as that was the reason he had brought him along.
But now, it seemed he had become the one being asked.
He didn't respond to any of these questions. He simply said flatly:
"Shut up, and stop calling me 'Lord Hunter.' Just call me Ed."
The title was starting to give him goosebumps.
However, Viktor persisted, unfazed.
"Lord Hunter, look! There are fruits here! They look so delicious!"
Up ahead, in a thicket, there were some strange plants with bright red fruits that looked plump and vibrant, somewhat resembling dragon fruit.
Having grown tired of dry rations, Viktor eagerly reached out to pick one.
He was about to put it in his mouth.
When Ed immediately grabbed his hand and slapped the fruit away.
"Don't touch it! You can't eat this fruit!"
"Don't even think about eating it! The moment you touch the flesh inside, it will start to rot!"
Hearing this, Viktor was shocked by the fruit's terrifying power.
As soon as the fruit hit the ground and its skin cracked, juice began dripping out, and a thick white smoke rose from a nearby stone, as if it had been burned!
Viktor's eyes widened in fear, and he was filled with regret.
"This fruit is called Snake's Heart Fruit,"
Ed explained. "I know about it because it was used in alchemy in that sorceress's lair."
Viktor patted his chest, grateful he hadn't eaten it. He nearly died, and it was all thanks to Ed!
He was about to praise Ed when he opened his mouth, but Ed quickly covered it with his hand.
Ed's eyes were focused on the depths of the thicket, which were obscured by foliage, and his expression was very cautious.
"Monsters!" Ed whispered. "Don't make a sound!"
Ed's Hunter's senses were picking up the presence of many monsters.
Unsure of the exact threat level, he knew that attracting their attention was out of the question!
After telling Viktor to keep quiet, Ed pushed through the thicket and moved closer.
As he did, he heard a scream in the distance:
"Ah! No! You damn wild wolves, get away from me!"
"Damn it! I was once a Black Iron Hunter, and now I'm being humiliated by you beasts!"
"If I could live again, I'd rather die than retire!"
Ed finally managed to locate the source of the sound.
Pushing through the thicket, the first thing he saw was an overturned cart filled with goods.
A middle-aged man, slightly overweight, stood beside the cart, his face full of panic. Surrounding him were fifteen wild wolves, all with dark purple-black fur.
At that moment, the merchant noticed Ed approaching, clad in Hunter armor, with twin sword scabbards at his side.
Immediately, the merchant shouted in excitement:
"Mr. Hunter! Quickly! Help me kill these beasts!"
"I'll reward you handsomely!"
Hunting monsters on behalf of others was the main way Hunters earned a living.
However, at this moment, Ed wasn't interested in money. What caught his attention was the merchant's mention of once being a Black Iron Hunter, which made Ed's mind stir.
He immediately drew his steel sword and shouted to the merchant:
"Stay there and don't move!"
The fifteen black wolves had been focused on the merchant and were about to attack when Ed suddenly swung his sword.
It was only then that the wolves thought to turn around and retaliate, but it was already too late—one of the wolves was immediately slain with a single strike!
Following up, using his sharp agility and the swordsmanship mastery he had just acquired, Ed moved as if guided by some divine force.
Though it was his first time fighting, his mind and body were in perfect sync, and he knew exactly when and how to strike with perfect precision.
The remaining five wolves were easily cut down.
Then, nine more black wolves charged at him. Ed casually tossed a few of the Snake's Heart Fruits he had picked earlier.
The wolves that were struck immediately began to rot from the inside out, howling in agony!
Ed charged in, and within just a few breaths, all fifteen black wolves were killed.
The merchant's eyes widened in astonishment:
"I didn't expect you to be so young and yet such a powerful Hunter! I'm truly impressed!"
"I fear that even at my peak, I wouldn't have been able to match your strength!"
In response to the merchant's flattery, Ed glanced at him coldly without changing his expression:
"I saved you. Now, where's my reward?"