Ed only knew that two people from the Wood Spirit Association had arrived last night, but why did the newspaper report it this way?
Dozens of associations are going to the hotel?
Did he really make that much of a fuss?
However, he wasn't too concerned. After all, he wasn't planning to go to the hotel. After a night of meditation, his mind was solely focused on one thing: improving his strength.
He didn't want to think about anything else!
"Iris, why are you holding a newspaper too?"
At that moment, Iris's mother, Mina, walked out.
Iris, reluctant to take her eyes off the paper, replied, "Mom, can't I read the newspaper?"
"I've been fascinated by this mysterious young man who defeated the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association from the very start. I never expected to hear news about him so soon!"
"Whew, just reading the description in the paper makes him sound handsome. I heard he's young, too. I wish he were older than me."
As she spoke, Iris stood up and leaned against the window.
The sunlight poured in, and her short hair was gently blown by the wind, making her look quite stunning.
With her long, slender figure and excellent demeanor, Iris stood out among the young girls of her age in terms of appearance.
Mina, picking up on the conversation, asked, "What's so great about him being older than you?"
Iris didn't hide her feelings and answered directly:
"If he were older than me, I'd be willing to be his girlfriend."
"After all, I'll probably never become a Hunter, so marrying one wouldn't be too bad."
Mina's expression immediately darkened when she heard this. It must be said that Mina was also quite attractive. Mother and daughter were both stunning beauties, cut from the same cloth.
However, right now, Mina's face was cold, and she snorted:
"Then you'd better stop being so infatuated. Don't look at the newspaper anymore. Go to the front desk today and help the hotel greet the guests!"
Upon hearing she had to work, Iris grimaced, clearly reluctant. She began to make excuses to Mina.
Fortunately, at that moment, Uncle Du walked in:
"There's no need for Iris to help at the hotel. Let her relax. The Hunter competition starts in a day, and our whole family will watch it. So tonight, we'll close the business early!"
"Besides, wanting to marry an outstanding Hunter is quite a normal desire, haha."
With Uncle Du's words, Iris was excused from her duties, and she happily ran to her father and gave him a hug.
"You're the best, Dad! I've been looking forward to the Hunter competition for so long!"
"Maybe the mysterious person I want to see will participate!"
"Haha." Uncle Du laughed, then glanced at Ed.
"Actually, Iris..."
"Mr. Ed is also very young, and he's a Hunter too. If he trains well, he might be a good match for my daughter."
Iris had been smiling, but as soon as she heard this, her expression immediately turned sour. She lowered her voice with a hint of disdain:
"Dad, what are you talking about? Who would be a good match for someone like him? How can he be compared to the mysterious person in the newspaper?"
"Look at him, it's broad daylight and he's just sitting here, leisurely, not even practicing. Clearly, he's…"
Iris was implying that Ed was a fraud, but as she was about to say it, she suddenly remembered that she had promised not to reveal this matter last night.
So, she closed her mouth again.
Her whispered remarks, however, were no match for Ed's Hunter senses.
He sat on the chair nearby, and with the slightest movement of his ear, he heard everything clearly.
But internally, Ed didn't feel anything.
He didn't care how Iris saw him.
At the same time, he found it somewhat amusing. What would she think if she eventually learned that the person in the newspaper was actually him?
Before long, Mina and Uncle Du were busy with their own things, and Viktor continued to wander outside.
At this moment, Iris walked over to Ed with a breakfast tray and sat down across from him.
"Your name is Ed, right? This breakfast is from my mom, she made it for you."
Iris sat across from him, with her left leg resting over her right.
"I heard from Viktor that you're both from the village. How about I take you to the city for a stroll later?"
Iris was thinking to herself, though this guy might be a fraud...
But putting the Hunter thing aside, he was still her father's guest.
As long as Ed didn't claim to be a Hunter in front of her, Iris could still treat him kindly.
However, Ed refused expressionlessly:
"Thanks, but I'll pass on the shopping. You should take Viktor instead."
Iris's expression changed instantly:
"What do you mean? The young lady herself offers to take you, and you're still refusing?"
"If it's about last night, I can apologize, as long as you never claim to be a Hunter again."
Ed wasn't fond of Iris's attitude. He spoke coolly, "I'm not going because I need to train."
"And I'm telling you now, I am a Hunter."
With that, Ed didn't touch the breakfast. He simply stood up.
Ever since becoming a Black Iron Hunter, Ed's physical strength had increased dozens of times compared to an ordinary person.
Although he wasn't at the point where he could skip meals entirely, going a day or two without food was no problem. So right now, he wasn't hungry.
After standing, Ed walked straight out.
Just like yesterday, he was going to practice swordsmanship!
He had become addicted to the feeling of significant progress after exhausting his physical strength.
Plus, the Hunter competition was the day after tomorrow.
Ed was preparing to participate because he believed the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association would definitely be there, so he had to make the most of the time he had!
Iris couldn't believe how Ed had rejected her kindness.
Immediately, she muttered angrily to his retreating figure:
"Training? You?"
But Ed just left without looking back, and Iris, infuriated, couldn't help but stomp her foot.
"This damn guy!"
She was angry not only at Ed's attitude but also at the fact that he dared to claim to be a Hunter in front of her!
"Forget it, I can't be bothered with someone like him. I'll just go out for a walk and clear my mind!"
Iris had intended to take a walk to calm down, but suddenly, another thought crossed her mind.
"This guy says he's going to train, but I just can't believe it."
"Why don't I go out and see for myself? Hmph, let's catch him in the act and see what he has to say then!"
With that, Iris decided to follow Ed.
Soon, she saw Ed enter an empty forest.
Iris furrowed her brow.
"Isn't he supposed to be training? Don't Hunter's usually train under the sunlight? Why is he going into the woods? Hmph, he's definitely a fraud."
With that, Iris followed him into the forest.
Meanwhile, Ed had arrived in the woods and found an open area.
"This is where I trained yesterday. It's time to start today's session."
He drew his steel sword and began.
Watching Ed swing his sword in the forest, Iris's eyes widened in surprise.
"What? He's actually practicing swordsmanship?"
She vaguely remembered hearing her father say that only advanced Hunters would start practicing swordsmanship because when their skills weren't high enough, improving their power was the most important thing.
Iris couldn't believe Ed could be an advanced Hunter. She just sneered, spying from behind a tree.
"Fake moves."
Meanwhile, Ed stood in the forest, completely focused, continuing to swing his sword according to the sword techniques in his mind!
...
On the other side.
In a hotel, in a reserved VIP hall, several people arrived as soon as the sun rose. They were from various Hunter associations.
Not only did they bring people, but they also brought lavish gifts. In addition to money, there were other items such as valuable resources for training.
Soon, more groups arrived, one after another.
"We, the Goat Demon Association, have brought gifts worth five hundred gold coins! We're sure to secure Mr. Ed's presence."
"Five hundred gold coins? You think this little will be enough to get Mr. Ed? You must be kidding! Our association's gifts are worth at least eight hundred!"
"Excuse me, we, the Blackstone Association, have brought eight hundred gold coins in cash alone, plus a full set of armor and weapons!"
The leaders of the major Hunter associations had indeed arrived on time and had already started comparing their respective resources.
More and more association leaders continued to arrive.
Soon, over a dozen associations had gathered.
But Ed was nowhere to be seen!
However, none of the associations took this lightly. They decided to keep waiting.
Half an hour passed, and the last Hunter association arrived, but still, no sign of Ed!
Someone began to notice that something was off.
"What's going on? Where is Mr. Ed? Why hasn't he shown up yet?"
"Yeah, did the Wood Spirit Association deceive us?"
"What? I think the Wood Spirit Association doesn't want to continue existing!"