Silvercrest City was located in the Western Province, a land divided by a vast ocean known as the Devil's Ocean. It separated Aridia into four distinct regions: the Western Province, where Elara resided, the Eastern Dominion where Arcanus hailed from, the Southern Enclave, and the enigmatic Northern Plains. The Northern Plains were shrouded in mystery, rumored to be the breeding ground of malevolence. Few dared to venture there, and its existence remained largely unknown to the citizens of Aridia.

There were some records of the existence of a special place in the middle of the ocean, but no one could ever verify it.

The Western Province, with its comparatively smaller land area, consisted of several villages merged to form four major cities: Silvercrest, Pearl, Valerian, and the largest among them, Starfall City. Legends spoke of a colossal meteorite that had once fallen upon Starfall City, thus bestowing it with its name.

In every city, a City Lord was appointed to oversee its management and safeguard it from the constant threat of monsters and demons. These City Lords were chosen by the Hunters Dominion, a council composed of the most skilled hunters within the Western Province. The Hunters Dominion not only governed the cities but also held a vital position as a member of the Apex Alliance—a coalition formed by hunters from the Western Province, Eastern Dominion, and Southern Enclave.

In the grand halls of the Silvercrest City Lord's Residence, the City Lord, Cedric Ironwood, a distinguished figure with a commanding presence, sat behind a massive desk. Around him were gathered his council members, including the venerable Atticus and a contingent of soldiers, their expressions grave and concerned.

Cedric leaned forward, his finger tapping rhythmically on the desk, a sign of his deep contemplation. "So, Atticus, you're telling me that the investigation yielded no results, and we still remain ignorant of the source of that overwhelming pressure that has descended upon our city?" he questioned, his voice laced with a mixture of frustration and curiosity.

Atticus, an elderly man with a staff in his hand, nodded solemnly. "Yes, Lord Cedric, it is indeed the truth. The area was in complete disarray, and it is evident that our city now faces an unknown danger," he replied, his voice carrying an air of concern.

Cedric's eyes narrowed as he pondered the situation. ‘Could it be related to that item? No, it can't be. No one knows that I possess it. Then what could possibly be the reason for the appearance of such a formidable entity within the confines of my city?’ His thoughts raced, searching for answers.

After a brief pause, Cedric commanded, "We need to investigate further. Instruct the guards to patrol every street, to be vigilant for anything suspicious. I want them to keep an eye out for any strangers who have recently arrived in the city."

Atticus bowed respectfully. "As you wish, my Lord. I shall ensure that your orders are carried out promptly."

As the council members dispersed to fulfill their assigned tasks, Cedric remained deep in thought, grappling with the unknown threat that loomed over Silvercrest City. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily upon him, his mind racing to find a solution that would protect his people.

Meanwhile, in the solitude of Elara's humble abode, she persisted in her rigorous training. Guided by the enigmatic Arcanus, she dedicated herself to mastering the intricate breathing technique. Beads of sweat dripped down her face as she focused all her energy on the task at hand. Four hours had passed, yet she still struggled to form a Zeal Core, a vital step on the path to becoming a true hunter.

Observing Elara's persistent efforts, Arcanus decided to intervene. Realizing that even a hunter in good physical health would have achieved success by now, he extended his Soul Sense, expanding his spiritual perception to inspect Elara's body. Unbeknownst to her, she felt as if numerous gazes were fixed upon her, peering deep into her soul.

The inspection revealed an obstruction—an external energy blocking her heart meridian, a crucial channel through which Zeal flowed. This discovery meant that Elara's path to becoming a true hunter had been deliberately impeded, preventing the formation of a Zeal Core.

Acting swiftly, Arcanus employed his Soul Sense to expel the obstructing energy, causing Elara to involuntarily cough up a mouthful of blood. Shocked and bewildered, she rose to her feet, her gaze fixated on Arcanus. Despite the ordeal, a weight seemed to have lifted from her chest, leaving her simultaneously confused and relieved.

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“What just happened? Why did I vomit blood?”

Arcanus retracted his Soul Sense, and said,” A normal person in good physical health should have been able to form a Zeal in a few hours, but seeing that you were struggling so much I decided to inspect your body. It was then I found that someone had intentionally blocked your heart meridian with external energy, preventing the development of your core.”

Elara's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively clutching her chest. "Blocked... my heart meridian? But why?" she whispered, a mix of confusion and fear creeping into her voice.

With a calm demeanor, Arcanus continued to explain. "This obstruction was meant to impede your progress as a hunter, to halt your journey toward becoming what you were destined to be. It was designed to suppress your innate potential."

Elara struggled to comprehend the gravity of the revelation. A surge of emotions welled up within her, a combination of anger, determination, and a newfound sense of hope.’ Who would do such a thing to me? Why would someone not want me to become a hunter?’ Elara's mind raced for answers but in vain as she could not guess who could have done it.

Gathering her resolve, Elara stood tall, her eyes meeting Arcanus's gaze. "Thank you, Sir Arcanus.” Arcanus nodded, “Go on, try forming your Zeal Core now.”

As she settled back into a meditative position, Elara concentrated her focus. Within moments, she felt the abundant Zeal energy within her coalesce, forming a radiant sphere within her body. With the creation of her Zeal Core, an extraordinary transformation occurred—a surge of heightened awareness expanded her senses far beyond what she had ever known.

Amazed, Elara exclaimed, "Sir Arcanus! I can see everything within a radius of 5 meters, even with my eyes closed!"

Arcanus chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with pride. "That, Elara, is your awakened Soul Sense. As a Zeal Hunter, it empowers you to perceive the world beyond ordinary sight. Your other senses will also undergo a remarkable enhancement."

“Come on, gather your strength in and try punching me with all you got,” He said laughingly.

She then gathered all her strength in her punch and dashed forward but soon found herself hitting an invisible wall. The power in her punch dissipated as she fell to the ground.

Elara wiped the dust off her clothes as she rose from the ground, her eyes fixed on Arcanus seeing him chuckle. A mixture of frustration and determination painted her features. "Why did you ask me to punch you if I couldn't even land a hit?" she grumbled to herself.

“Try again.”

She tried punching numerous times but every time she collided with the invisible wall. Perplexed about the situation she asks, “What is this wall and why is it not visible to me?”

Arcanus approached her, a calm and patient demeanor emanating from him. "Elara, what you just experienced was a demonstration of a special skill I created using my power. It forms an impenetrable force field around my body, acting as a shield. Only someone at my level or stronger can break through it."

Elara's eyes widened in awe and curiosity. She had never witnessed such an extraordinary ability before. "So, you're saying that even with all my strength, I couldn't break through your shield?" she asked, a mix of disappointment and admiration evident in her voice.

Arcanus nodded, his expression serene. "Indeed. But do not be disheartened, Elara. You possess incredible potential, and with time and dedication, you can reach the level required to learn such a skill."

A spark of determination ignited within Elara's eyes. She had always yearned to push her limits and become a formidable hunter. "Teach me, Sir Arcanus. I want to learn how to break through that barrier. I want to become stronger."

Arcanus placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch firm yet reassuring. "Patience, Elara. That skill is reserved for those who have attained the WarSaint Level. It is a pinnacle of power and requires mastery of Zeal. You have just formed your core, and there is still much to learn and experience on your journey."

Elara's curiosity was piqued. "WarSaint Level? This is the first time I've heard of it. I have only heard of the Novice, Adept, Master, and Grandmaster level hunters. Are there more levels?"

Arcanus nodded, his voice taking on a somber tone. "Beyond the Grandmaster Level, Elara lies a realm of power reserved for the most extraordinary hunters. The levels you are yet to encounter are WarLord, WarSaint, WarGod, and Ruler Level Hunter. However, delving into these realms prematurely can have detrimental effects on one's state of mind."

Elara listened intently, absorbing the weight of Arcanus's words. She felt a mixture of trepidation and excitement, knowing that her journey as a hunter had only just begun.

With a reassuring smile, Arcanus continued, "By forming your Zeal Core, you have taken your first step as a Novice Level Hunter. It is now within your rights to participate in raids as a hunter, rather than serving as a porter."

Elara's face lit up with delight. "I am grateful for your guidance. I will make the most of this opportunity and strive to grow stronger. By the way, Sir, what is your level, if you don’t mind me asking."

Arcanus's gaze turned enigmatic, a glimmer of mystery dancing in his eyes. "As for my own level, Elara, that knowledge will come in due time. After a hundred years in solitude, even I don’t know my own level."

With newfound determination burning in her heart, Elara prepared herself for the challenges that lay ahead. She understood that her journey toward becoming a formidable hunter had only just begun, and she would embrace every opportunity to unleash her hidden potential.