Amidst the countless excited voices from the crowd below.
Iris and Viktor were no exception. Iris widened her eyes in surprise:
"Is that person the vice captain of the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association? That's a Silver Rank Hunter!"
While she was focused on the stage, suddenly, a figure sat down in the empty seat beside her.
"Hey, Iris, are you admiring Vice Captain Reve?"
The voice was extremely familiar, making Iris freeze for a moment. Turning her head, she saw that the person sitting beside her was Phirna!
Her expression immediately turned sour: "How did you end up sitting here? Go away, I don't want you here!"
Phirna smiled and continued, "So, you were just admiring Vice Captain Reve, huh?"
"Oh, did you know who that one-eyed person next to Reve is?"
Phirna's tone was filled with boasting and superiority.
Because that one-eyed person was Phirna's uncle, a senior figure in the prestigious Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association.
Iris's expression darkened, but she couldn't retort, feeling inferior.
Seeing Iris's reaction, Phirna became even more smug, reclining in her seat and crossing her legs.
"Haha, there's no need to be so discouraged just because you can't compare, right? I'm sitting here just to stop you from getting bored watching the match."
Iris snorted coldly.
She could already imagine how much this person would brag throughout the entire competition with her sitting beside her!
For a moment, Iris's mood sank, and even her interest in watching Reve's interview faded.
On stage.
Jason looked at Vice Captain Reve: "It's a great honor to have the famous Hunter here."
"Mr. Reve, I'd like to ask, for this competition, as the strongest association in all of Dorey City, which three Hunters will your association send to compete?"
At such times, other associations typically selected the best of the best.
Generally, except for the leader, all other associations would send their three strongest members.
But Reve answered with a proud and aloof expression:
"Firstly, if the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association sent our strongest, winning this competition would be a piece of cake, and all other associations would lose their eligibility to compete!"
"But, we won't do that. This insignificant, under-the-table competition isn't worth our attention."
"So, I won't participate, nor will I send any seasoned members. We'll only send two of our youngest new apprentice Hunters, who've been in our association for less than a month."
Reve paused for a moment, then glanced toward the back, looking at the one-eyed figure.
"And the team will be led by the one-eyed person!"
Once again, a ripple of excitement swept through the entire crowd!
Jason's face changed several times. As the host of this competition, representing the organizing party, he was openly belittled by Reve, with the competition being called an insignificant event.
But there was nothing he could say!
After all, this was the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association, and only they in all of Dorey City had the authority to say such things.
Jason was completely powerless to respond.
Meanwhile, the countless spectators below were even more thrilled!
"Oh my god, that was such a badass statement!"
"Did the other demon hunting association's fans hear that? Our Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association hasn't even gone all out yet, we're just using this competition to train new recruits!"
"But somehow, even with that, I feel like Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association is still going to lock in the victory. If I remember correctly, the one-eyed guy is also a Silver Rank Hunter, right?"
Standing on the edge of the stage, Ed also saw the audience's excitement after Reve's words. He furrowed his brows slightly.
"It feels like one of those superstars' concerts from back in the day, doesn't it? Not only are there so many crazy fans, but the fans from different associations are also dissing each other."
"Looks like Hunters in this world really are stars, the top of the top."
As he muttered to himself, Ed heard Thomas and some of the other Hunters nearby discussing similar things.
Thomas had a lively expression on his face: "Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association is as arrogant as ever, huh? But even though they're arrogant, I still think the first place will be theirs."
Ed raised an eyebrow: "Why do you say that? Didn't they send two rookies?"
Thomas's expression changed: "Buddy, you really don't know enough, do you? If you're saying that, then you don't understand the difference between Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association and other associations."
"Let me tell you, you only need to know one thing. In other associations, the strongest ones are just Black Iron level, and maybe the leader might be Silver."
"But Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association? Reve is a Silver Rank Hunter, and those rookies who joined less than a month ago? They're already Black Iron level! Do you get the difference now?!"
After hearing Thomas's vivid and longing explanation, Ed thought about it and realized he was right.
"So, the strong ones in other associations are that rare?" Ed murmured.
Thomas replied, "Exactly, Dorey City isn't the capital, there aren't that many strong Hunters here. I wish I could be an Apprentice in the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association."
"I don't even know how they train people!"
Ed didn't respond, lost in thought.
Back on stage, the interview with Reve was approaching its final phase.
Jason looked at him and said, "I have two final questions."
"First, since Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association doesn't see this competition as much of a challenge, what's your main goal for participating?"
Reve answered, "It's simple. Besides defending, the main goal is to solidify our Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association's undefeated position in Dorey City."
"But most importantly, we aim to make a push for the Capital's Hunter Tournament! We're using this competition as a stepping stone to secure tickets for the Capital's Hunter Tournament!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the audience erupted once again, and this time, the shock and astonishment were even greater than before.
Even the other major Hunter associations couldn't help but be stunned.
Because the scale of the Capital's Hunter Tournament was far beyond that of Dorey City!
Dorey City only had a local city Hunter competition, but the Capital Tournament was a grand event that attracted Hunters from all over to compete!
That's right, all Hunters!
The level of competition could easily be imagined!
And to participate in the Capital's Hunter Tournament, there was a threshold: you had to have participated in a city-level demon hunting competition.
And you had to have placed in the top three.
Such a large-scale event was something that, at present, no other association in Dorey City even dared to dream about, and for a moment, all the other associations felt deflated.
They knew, when the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association stated that their goal was the Capital Tournament, the other major associations had already lost!
Because they were not of this world, their mindset and vision were completely different!
For the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association, this competition wasn't even worth mentioning. It was just a stepping stone to the Capital's grand tournament!
Jason's expression flickered with a trace of surprise. He quickly regained his composure and asked, "Then, the final question."
"Vice Captain Reve, you must be aware that recently, a remarkably talented Hunter has appeared in Dorey City. He defeated your Apprentice, Brown, correct?"
Jason looked at the individual Hunters standing nearby:
"We believe that the young man, who is now the subject of much public discussion, is among this group. He must have signed up for the competition as well."
"So, Mr. Reve, are you worried that this young man will once again steal the spotlight from you?"
When the unpleasant topic was brought up, Reve's expression subtly chilled.
"Host, I don't like the tone you're using, but I'll answer your question."
"That young man, the so-called mysterious figure everyone's talking about, is nothing more than a small player in our eyes. On his own, he can't possibly overshadow us."
"Furthermore, I'd like to announce here, in front of everyone, that after this competition, that mysterious figure will become one of our disciples!"
After saying this, Reve lost interest in the interview and turned away, heading back to his team.
Jason stood there awkwardly. "Alright, thank you, Vice Captain Reve, for the interview. Now... without further delay, let's begin the competition!"
All the Hunter associations had finished preparing.
After the leaders of the various associations reminded their teams to give it their all, they all left together, heading toward the designated resting area prepared for them.
Reve was no exception.
As for the individual Hunters, they were far more casual. They were here representing themselves, and no one really cared about what results they would achieve.
Ed rubbed his hands together. "Alright, it's finally starting."