Knock… Knock…
"Yes, coming," a woman's voice answered from inside the cabin.
The door opened, and two people entered. One was a young woman in her twenties, sharp-eyed and composed. Beside her stood an older man, somewhere between fifty-six and sixty, carrying an air of authority that came only with experience.
"Ma'am, this is the newly awakened—Sui Ruhi," the older man said. "An S-class hunter."
"Yes, Director. I'll take over from here," the woman replied, placing the file she was holding neatly onto the table.
She looked up, her gaze settling on the girl standing quietly before her.
"So, you're the new S-class awakener," she said calmly. "Tell me—what is your S-class skill?"
"It's Undefeated Sword Master Will," Sui replied, her voice steady and dignified.
"Oh?" The woman raised an eyebrow slightly. "Undefeated Sword Master, you say?"
The disbelief in her tone was subtle, but unmistakable.
"As far as I know, awakened individuals are sent directly into the Tower after awakening," Sui asked. "Then why have I been called here instead?"
The woman leaned back slightly in her chair. "You said your skill is Undefeated Sword Master Will, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then we're going to verify something," she said. "Specifically, whether your skill can defeat the trainer of our Sword Province."
Sui's lips curved upward faintly. "I can defeat anyone in a one-on-one sword fight, as long as they're not overwhelmingly stronger than me," she said confidently. "According to my skill description, I can win any duel as long as I wield a sword, provided my opponent's level is within a ten-level gap."
She spoke as if stating a simple fact.
"Oh, you don't need to worry about level gaps," the woman replied coolly. "He's just a commoner. He hasn't awakened."
Sui blinked, momentarily surprised.
They soon arrived at the training area.
The air was thick with the sound of clashing steel. Two figures were locked in fierce combat inside the arena, their movements sharp, precise, and relentless. As Sui looked around, her eyes suddenly widened.
She recognized one of them instantly.
"Sword Emperor… Jun Si?"
Sword Emperor Jun Si—one of the world's top hunters. When he held a sword, there was no one alive who could defeat him at the same level. Rumor said his sword skill was ranked SSS class, a realm most hunters could never even dream of touching.
Without hesitation, Sui rushed toward him.
"Sir! I'm a huge fan!" she said brightly. "Could I have your autograph?"
Jun Si paused, surprised for a moment, then chuckled. "Oh… sure."
He signed swiftly and handed it back.
"But sir," Sui asked, eyes sparkling, "what are you doing in a newbie training area?"
Jun Si smiled. "Who told you this was a newbie training area? This place is for everyone. Swordsmen from all over the world come here to train."
He then pointed toward the arena.
"All of them come here… for that person."
"Oh!" Sui exclaimed. "So it's a fight between two S-class hunters?"
Jun Si shook his head. "No. You misunderstand. It's a duel between an S-class hunter… and a commoner trainer."
"What?" Sui stared at him in disbelief. "How can a commoner fight an S-class hunter at this level?"
Jun Si's eyes followed the movements inside the arena, admiration clear in his gaze. "I asked him the same question once. He said it was the result of nothing but relentless sword training."
He glanced back at Sui. "Why don't you ask him yourself when you get the chance to duel with him?"
Then, more seriously, he added, "Learn whatever you can from him."
Sui was shaken.
She had never imagined that someone could reach such heights without the Tower's power. Excitement surged through her as she watched the duel unfold.
Hours later, the fight finally ended. Two men stepped out of the training room, both drenched in sweat, their breathing heavy.
"Every time I spar with you, I learn something new," one of them said sincerely.
Shiddharth smiled faintly. "It's nothing special. As a trainer, it's my duty to share whatever knowledge I have."
After exchanging a few words, they headed off to bathe.
When Shiddharth returned, he was greeted by the woman who had brought Sui earlier.
"Xio Chi," he said, "who's the new trainee?"
"This girl," Xio replied, pushing Sui forward slightly.
"Name: Sui Ruhi.
Awakened: Two days ago.
Skill: Undefeated Sword Master Will.
Skill Rank: S class."
She gestured toward the table. "That file contains her complete details."
Shiddharth rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Undefeated Sword Master Will… That's new. I've never heard of such a skill."
He looked at Sui. "Alright. Put on the safety suit and step into the arena."
Moments later, they faced each other inside the ring.
"Use only your skill," Shiddharth said calmly as he took his stance. "Don't put too much raw power into it. I'm still just a commoner—my strength isn't much higher than that of beginner Awakened."
Sui nodded.
She summoned her sword from her inventory, the blade gleaming as it appeared in her hand. She took her stance, eyes locking onto her opponent.
The moment she sensed his readiness, she surged forward, intent on ending the duel in a single strike—determined to prove the absolute gap between an awakened… and a commoner.