The hall of the Guild was dimly lit, a vast chamber carved from ancient stone, its high ceilings adorned with faded banners bearing the insignias of past warriors. The air carried the scent of burning incense, mixed with the unmistakable metallic tang of blood—both fresh and long dried.

  Ren stood among a crowd of new initiates, his expression unreadable as he took in his surroundings. The people around him were a mixed bunch—some young and eager, their eyes burning with ambition, while others looked hardened by the trials of life, much like himself. Each of them was here for the same reason: to prove their worth and earn a place among the Guild’s ranks.

  At the front of the chamber, standing atop a raised platform, was a man exuding an aura of quiet authority. He wore a deep crimson cloak, and his presence alone commanded silence. A pair of curved daggers hung from his belt, and his left arm bore a series of ritualistic tattoos—markings that signified his rank within the Guild.

  Isamu stood beside him, arms crossed, watching Ren from a distance. There was no recognition in his gaze—no familiarity. In this hall, Ren was just another recruit, another potential Hunter.

  The man in crimson let the silence stretch before finally speaking. His voice was steady, cold, and devoid of unnecessary embellishments.

  “My name is Kurogane Saito, and I am the Guild Overseer for this region. You stand here because you have been deemed worthy of an opportunity. But let me be clear—this is not a place for the weak. The Guild does not coddle, nor does it forgive failure. If you wish to survive, you will learn quickly, or you will die just as quickly.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  A murmur rippled through the crowd, but no one dared to speak.

  Ren’s lips curled into a slight smirk. Straight to the point. I like it.

  Kurogane continued. “Today, your initiation begins. You will be taken to the Okuyama Forest, a hunting ground where the weak are culled and the strong emerge as Hunters. There, you will track and kill your first targets: common animals, low-ranked yokai, and if you are skilled enough, an essence beast. The more you kill, the higher your chances of passing.”

  Ren felt a spark of anticipation at the mention of essence beasts. He had fought one before—barely survived, but he had won. He knew just how dangerous they were, but he also knew that the rewards were worth it.

  Kurogane’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd, as if measuring each person’s worth in an instant. “You will be given basic weapons and a tracker. The hunt will last three days. If you return empty-handed, you fail. If you die, you fail. If you cannot follow orders, you fail. The only rule: survive and prove your worth.”

  The room grew heavy with tension. Some of the initiates swallowed nervously. Others gripped their weapons tighter.

  Ren, however, only felt excitement.

  Three days? Sounds fun.

  Kurogane motioned toward a side entrance. “Your instructors will guide you to the armory. Gear up. The hunt begins at dawn.”

  Without another word, he turned and left the platform, disappearing into the shadows beyond.

  Isamu passed by Ren without stopping, but his voice was low enough for only him to hear. “Don’t get cocky, Ren. This isn’t like our training sessions.”

  Ren chuckled under his breath. “Isn’t that the point?”

  Isamu sighed but said nothing more.

  As the initiates began moving toward the armory, Ren glanced around, his calculating mind already assessing the competition. Some looked competent, others… not so much. But in the end, it didn’t matter.

  This was just another step. Another trial. Another chance to carve his own path.

  With a smirk, he followed the crowd. The hunt was about to begin.