This was the first time Ed had spoken his full name, Ed Lucifel.

What had begun as a spontaneous, casual ritual now felt like something more significant. It was as if something more brilliant than just a team bond was slowly forming.

Ford instinctively said, "Maybe, when we become legends in the future, this ritual will be recognized by all Hunters."

Toronto didn't make a sarcastic remark. He simply nodded firmly.

Ed smiled and said, "I believe that day will come."

After that, things became much simpler. Ed continued to have Toronto and the others investigate the previous matters, reminding them to avoid taking action themselves and to ensure their own safety.

After Ed left, Ford looked at Toronto and casually asked, "What do you think makes someone a real Hunter?"

Toronto shook his head and replied, "I don't know, but I have a feeling that if we follow the Captain, we'll understand what it means to be a real Hunter."

Toronto thought back to the Hunters who had turned their backs on his parents before they were killed by monsters—turning away because they didn't have enough gold. He took a deep breath.

What kind of person was truly a Hunter?

At least, it shouldn't be like that.

...

In the streets of Dorey City, Ed was riding his black warhorse, a satisfied smile on his face.

It was indeed different from regular warhorses. This one, with its white lightning-shaped mark on its forehead, didn't need his commands. It could smoothly navigate through the crowded streets without any guidance.

Ed thought for a moment, deciding that it was time to give this warhorse a name. He patted its head, and the horse immediately moved to the side of the road and stopped.

Ed spoke directly, "Although I don't know what you were called before, from now on, your name will be Lightning. How does that sound?"

Lightning raised its head slightly, lifting one hoof in excitement.

Ed chuckled, but just then, his Hunter senses alerted him to a gaze behind him—someone was watching him.

He was being followed.

Ed took a deep breath. This was exactly why he had left the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association and had been wandering around Dorey City.

There was a risky way to gather information faster—by actively making the enemy act. Once they took action, they would leave behind a clearer trail.

But the protective scroll that Melissa had given him minimized the risks. Without that scroll, Ed would never have done this, as the danger was too high.

Pretending not to notice, Ed continued to allow Lightning to move slowly along the road.

As time passed, the number of pedestrians on the road gradually decreased. Ed quietly guided the person following him toward a less-traveled area.

Soon, in a corner where no other passersby could be seen, the warhorse, Lightning, turned a corner, causing the person behind to lose sight of Ed.

The follower didn't hesitate. He quickened his pace, intending to continue trailing Ed.

However, as soon as he stepped around the corner, a sharp long sword was pressed against his neck.

Ed's voice slowly echoed, "Don't make any sudden moves. This sword is incredibly sharp. With just a little pressure, it can slice through your throat and send a stream of steaming blood gushing out."

"Now, speak."

The man's face turned pale, his legs trembling slightly. Fear had overtaken him. He spoke cautiously, terrified that the sword in Ed's hand might cut his throat at any moment.

He stammered, "Speak... speak about what?"

Ed, his expression devoid of emotion, replied, "Everything."

Ed didn't ask any specific questions, as that could lead to missing important details.

Not knowing exactly what Ed wanted to hear, the follower had no choice but to start revealing everything.

He was sent by Andrew, the son of the Lord of Dorey City, to follow Ed. The follower didn't know Andrew's exact intentions. He had simply been ordered to shadow Ed the moment he left the Moon Eclipse Demon Hunter Association and report Ed's movements back to Andrew.

Ed furrowed his brow instantly. Why would it be Andrew who sent him?

He had assumed it was the person who had followed Melissa yesterday, someone investigating the events. Ed had figured out that he discovered the ruins and went to the old library to decipher the texts there.

But since Andrew was the son of the Lord of Dorey City, the tracker sent by him should have some knowledge of matters concerning the Lord's Mansion.

With that in mind, Ed decided to inquire about the information he wanted to know.

Just as he was about to speak, however, an unusual sound reached Ed's ears—an arrow!

In an instant, Ed didn't hesitate. He pulled the steel sword that had been pressed against the follower's neck back, positioning it in front of him to protect his vital areas.

The expected sound of the arrow clashing with the sword didn't come. Instead, the sound of the arrow piercing flesh and blood gushing out filled the air with a "plop."

The follower, sent by Andrew, now had a sharp arrow sticking out of his neck, having pierced his throat. He was desperately reaching out with both hands, trying to stop the blood from flowing.

It was all in vain. Within just two or three breaths, the man collapsed to the ground, losing his life completely.

Ed took a deep breath. He hadn't expected there to be another person behind him!

Not far away, a mysterious figure dressed in a black cloak was quickly reloading a crossbow. In a hoarse voice, the figure spoke to Ed:

"Some things aren't for an ordinary Hunter like you to inquire about. Isn't it better to stay alive? Why seek death?"

In that instant, Ed realized that this was the person he had been trying to lure out!

Without hesitation, Ed tightened his grip on his steel sword and quickly advanced toward the mysterious figure. He had to capture this person alive to obtain more useful information.

The next moment, the crossbow, now reloaded, was aimed at Ed.

Ed didn't dodge. His gaze was locked on the mysterious figure's finger. Just as the figure's finger was about to pull the trigger, Ed abruptly changed direction.

The sharp bolt pierced through the Hunter's cloak, grazing past Ed's body.

At this point, Ed was already very close to the cloaked figure. The mysterious person didn't have time to reload a second bolt.

Instead, the mysterious figure tossed the crossbow to the ground, then extended his right hand and drew a steel sword from his back.

This person was also a Hunter!

Ed's eyes sharpened. Without hesitation, he swung his steel sword and thrust it toward the figure's front.

Thanks to the swordsmanship mastery gained from his Hunter rank increase, Ed's swordplay was exceptional. Against almost any other Hunter, his sword skills would easily overwhelm them.

However, this time, despite using all his strength, Ed's sword strike didn't cause any significant damage to the cloaked figure. The mysterious figure's reaction was swift. Instead of defending, he aimed for Ed's vital spots!

Ed had to change the trajectory of his steel sword to block the attack.

The next moment, the sound of clashing metal filled the air as Ed's steel sword collided with the mysterious figure's steel sword with a harsh, ear-splitting clang.

"Cling!"

Ed's steel sword left a deep mark on the mysterious figure's blade.

He hadn't been able to sever the mysterious figure's sword, which was clearly no ordinary blade. It seemed to be made of steel similar to Ed's own, with added high-quality steel.

In the brief exchange, purely from a swordsmanship standpoint, the two were nearly evenly matched in strength.

The mysterious figure spoke with some surprise, "I didn't expect your swordsmanship to be quite strong, and you even have Silver level lower-tier strength. Looks like the information I had was wrong."

Ed didn't respond. What he wanted now was to figure out how to subdue the figure and force him to reveal some useful intelligence. For example, who had sent this mysterious person to track him?

Without hesitation, Ed stepped back, putting distance between himself and the mysterious figure.

The figure sneered dismissively and said, "Oh, so now you're thinking of backing down?"

Ed smiled briefly. He quickly made several hand gestures, and then a blue flame erupted from his arm, swirling into the shape of a small dragon and charging fiercely toward the mysterious figure.

The mysterious figure was immediately startled and hurriedly raised his steel sword to defend himself.

But the flame produced by the Blue Fire Seal caused his sword to turn a bright red, signaling that it was starting to melt!

The intense heat made the figure's palm emit a sizzling sound, like meat cooking, and a foul odor filled the air.

Ed didn't hesitate. As soon as he used the Blue Fire Seal, he took advantage of the roaring flames to obscure his figure.

By the time the flames of the Blue Fire Seal dissipated, Ed's figure had already closed the distance again. He gripped his steel sword tightly and swung it toward the figure's head.

Yes, Ed was using the sword's blade to strike. He intended to leave the figure alive.

Just then, something unexpected happened. A thick cloud of black smoke suddenly burst from the mysterious figure's body, quickly concealing his form.

By the time Ed's sword passed through the smoke, the mysterious figure had vanished.

Ed was momentarily stunned. What kind of escape method was that?

A scroll?

But he hadn't seen the figure pull out a scroll.

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