Elara's Zeal Core pulsed with newfound energy as she stood before Arcanus. It was a testament to her determination and the progress she had made under his guidance. But her journey as a hunter had just begun, and there was much more to learn.

Arcanus looked at Elara with a curious expression. "Tell me, Elara, how do hunters these days learn battle skills?" he inquired, his voice tinged with intrigue.

Elara took a moment to gather her thoughts before answering. "Once a hunter has registered with the Hunters Dominion, they gain access to the Dominion's extensive library of battle skills. Each hunter is allowed to choose a single skill to start with," she explained.

Arcanus raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised. "Just a single battle skill? Do they not want their hunters to grow stronger?" he questioned, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

Elara nodded, understanding Arcanus's confusion. "Well, the first skill is provided for free, but battle skills have fixed prices. The hunters who created those skills receive royalties every time they are sold. It serves as both an income for the creators and an incentive for more hunters to develop stronger skills," she clarified.

She continued, mentioning a prominent hunter named Lady Valeria Fireheart. "For example, Lady Valeria Fireheart, also known as the Iron Maiden, has created numerous fire-based battle skills such as 'Flame Whip' and 'Inferno Burst.' Each of those skills is sold for over a million gold coins."

As Elara mentioned Valeria's name, a faint smile crept across Arcanus's face, barely noticeable to Elara. However, she remained focused on her explanation, unaware of the emotions it stirred within him.

Elara proceeded, sharing her plan. "Before I can choose a battle skill, I need to register myself with the Hunters Dominion and obtain my hunter's license. Once I have that, I can select a skill that suits me."

Arcanus fell silent for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. After contemplating for a while, he asked in an anticipatory tone, "Do the people still remember me?"

Elara hesitated, understanding the weight of her response. She carefully chose her words, considering the impact on the man who had dedicated his life to protecting humans from demons and had endured a century of isolation. "Some still remember your name, Sir Arcanus. Your name is part of our history books. However, only those who read those books will truly know who you are. I recognized your name because I've studied those books," she replied honestly..

Arcanus sat in silence, his face a mask of stoicism as he absorbed Elara's response. The room was filled with an air of anticipation as he finally broke the silence, his voice steady and controlled, "And what about the other nine?"

Elara's eyes sparkled with reverence as she began to explain, her words filled with admiration, "Yes, the remaining legendary hunters are widely renowned throughout the continent. Their presence is ingrained in the hearts of the people, to the extent that their followers have erected grand statues in their honor. They are revered as the pillars of our society, symbols of strength and inspiration. However, the legend of the ten legendary hunters has expanded. New names have emerged, hunters whose power rivals that of the original ten."

Arcanus nodded knowingly, his mind already grasping the inevitable outcome. He had anticipated that the followers of his ex-comrades would perpetuate their names and accomplishments. A furrow formed between his brows as he inquired further, "What do you mean by those who are still alive? Has someone among them perished?"

Elara's voice turned somber as she replied, "There is no certainty regarding their fate. For decades, there has been no news about four of the ten legendary hunters. It's as if they have vanished from the very fabric of our continent, leaving behind only whispers of their existence."

A flicker of concern passed through Arcanus's eyes as he pressed on, "Can you tell me the names of these four hunters who have disappeared?"

Elara took a moment to recollect her thoughts, her brows furrowing in concentration. Finally, she responded, "The missing hunters are Ezekiel Blackthorn - the Shadow Reaper; Orion Stormrider - the Thunder Lord; Selene Nightshade - the Moonlit Assassin; and Alistair Frostborne - the Frost Warden."

Arcanus couldn't suppress a bitter laugh as Orion and Ezekiel's names escaped his lips. A mix of pride, anger, and unwavering determination filled his voice as he declared, "I refuse to believe that those traitors will meet their end so easily. They will face the justice they deserve, and I shall be the one to deliver it."

A wry smile played on Arcanus's lips as he regained his composure. "Indeed, they have been granted impressive titles," he remarked. "But for now, let us focus on the task at hand. First, we must ensure your registration with the Hunters Dominion.

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Elara gently kissed her sleeping mother on the forehead and proceeded to get dressed in her hunter's attire. As she made her way downstairs, ready to leave the house, her eyes caught sight of Arcanus's worn-out clothes. She forced a smile and said, "I think it's about time we get you a new set of clothing, Sir Arcanus."

Arcanus glanced down at his tattered garments and let out a hearty laugh. "What do you expect? I've been wearing these for the past century."

Locking her house and securing the keys around her neck, Elara joined Arcanus outside. She suggested that their first stop should be the Hunter's Market to purchase Umbragear.

Confused, Arcanus inquired about Umbragear, curious to learn more about it.

Elara explained, "Umbragear is the name given to the set of clothes that hunters typically wear. It consists of a strong and durable t-shirt, jacket, trousers, and boots, all crafted from the leather of various monsters. Each set of Umbragear possesses unique properties derived from the materials used. For example, Ice Umbragear is made from Flame Lion's leather, designed to keep hunters warm in cold climates, while Ice Umbragear, made from Ice Bear's leather, keeps hunters cool in hot regions."

Arriving at the market, Elara and Arcanus entered a shop. An attentive lady attendant approached them, her eyes fixated on Arcanus as if captivated by his charismatic presence, despite his worn attire. "Greetings, hunters! How may we assist you?" she inquired.

"We would like to purchase Umbragear," Elara responded. "Second floor," the attendant pointed, her gaze still lingering on Arcanus. Unfazed, Arcanus paid no attention to her subtle admiration.

Arcanus carefully observed the array of items available in the shop, from boots to gloves, and capes. Eventually, they made their way to the second floor, where they encountered another attendant, a friendly gentleman who greeted them with a smile. Elara approached him directly, while Arcanus followed behind, quietly observing their surroundings.

"Hello, could you show us Umbragear for him?" Elara asked the attendant.

"Certainly. What kind would you like?" the attendant inquired.

Arcanus replied in his stoic voice, "Something dark."

The attendant promptly fetched two sets of t-shirts, jackets, trousers, and boots, all of them in a rich, ebony black color. "These are made from the Phantom Bat's leather, specially designed for hunters skilled in stealth and night-time camouflage," the attendant explained.

Elara glanced at Arcanus, waiting for his decision.

"This will do," Arcanus replied with a nod.

"Great! That will be five gold coins," the attendant cheerfully declared.

Upon hearing the price, Elara was taken aback. Although her own Umbragear had cost only five silvers, the realization that Arcanus's attire would require five gold coins left her stunned.

She mustered a wry smile and turned to Arcanus, "Sir, I only have five silvers with me."

Arcanus was moved by her gesture of wanting to purchase the clothing for him. He chuckled and inquired whether the shop bought demon cores.

"Cores? Yes, we do buy monster cores... Wait a minute, demon cores? Please don't jest with me. Hunters rarely come across demons these days, let alone acquire their cores," the attendant expressed in disbelief.

Arcanus smiled, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a spherical object, which he placed on the counter before the attendant. He then asked, "What is your name?"

The attendant responded, "I am Max, Sir."

Arcanus continued, "Do you know what this is?"

Max examined the object closely, his fear growing. "It looks like a monster core, but it's larger than usual. Moreover, the Zeal contained within appears more potent than that of a regular monster core. Is this... Is this a demon core?" Max asked, his voice trembling.

Arcanus maintained his silence, a sly smile playing on his lips. Max hurriedly ascended to the third floor, exclaiming, "I must call my senior!"

Shortly after, a plump middle-aged man named Shen Wu arrived, accompanied by Max. He greeted Arcanus and Elara, his eyes fixated on the core displayed on the counter. "Greetings, fellow hunters. I have been informed that you possess a demon core you wish to sell. May I have a look?" Shen Wu requested.

Arcanus gestured for Shen Wu to proceed. Picking up the core and thoroughly examining it, Shen Wu's eyes widened. He composed himself and coughed before stating, "This... This is an authentic demon core. I am willing to offer you five hundred thousand gold coins for it. That is my final price; I cannot increase it," Shen Wu emphasized, though greed flickered in his eyes, discernible to Arcanus.

Arcanus realized that demon cores had become exceedingly rare, and their value should have increased significantly. Nonetheless, he gestured to Elara, silently encouraging her to accept the deal. After all, he possessed numerous demon cores acquired from his encounters in the realm.

Elara gasped upon hearing the price, momentarily overwhelmed. However, seeing Arcanus's gesture, she understood and accepted the deal. The thought of the significant sum of money, considering the demon cores she had also collected, filled her with excitement and the hope of providing her mother with the best possible care.

Meanwhile, Shen Wu struggled to conceal his avarice. He thought to himself, 'Only fools would accept a deal worth five hundred thousand gold coins for a demon core. This is a rare commodity. If I were to sell it to the Alchemist, the Weapon Association, or even the Hunter's Dominion, I could fetch two or three million gold coins easily.'

With a sense of composure, Elara managed to calm herself and said, "Very well, we accept the deal." Shen Wu's grin widened at her response. Inwardly, he sneered, believing they were merely commoners who had stumbled upon the core by chance.

"Haha, good, very good... Consider this Umbragear a gift from me," Shen Wu declared. He then turned to Max and instructed, "Get the lady a new set of Umbragear as well."

Arcanus interjected, "No need. We will purchase it separately. Just deduct it from our deal."

Shen Wu's attempt to make them feel indebted failed to go unnoticed by Arcanus. He scoffed inwardly, thinking, 'Do you take me for a naïve child, expecting me to believe we owe you a favor?'

Elara and Arcanus left the shop, now in possession of four hundred fifty thousand gold coins. Arcanus bought a few sets of Umbragear for Elara, and as they donned their new attire, they set off toward the Hunter's Dominion.