Chapter 162 – The Chief of Korvan
The sun had already dipped behind the cliffs when Kael, Hunnt, and Alder followed Chief Maerin into her longhouse. The air inside was warm and smelled faintly of smoke and iron — a mixture of old hunts and burning forges. Weapons lined the walls: blades dulled from age, trophies faded by time, memories etched into metal.
Maerin poured them each a small cup of hot herbal brew before sitting across the table.
"Been a long time, Kael," she said, her voice steady but softer than her presence. "Didn't expect to see the day you'd come walking into Korvan again."
Kael smiled faintly, the hearthlight reflecting in his eyes. "Didn't expect to still find you here either. You always said you'd retire somewhere colder."
Maerin gave a quiet laugh. "I tried. The cold didn't suit me. This forge keeps me warmer."
She glanced at the two men beside him. "And who are your friends?"
Kael gestured toward them. "Hunnt and Alder. Hunters — but they walk a different path now."
Maerin studied them both for a heartbeat. "Different how?"
Hunnt inclined his head respectfully. "We help those the Guild won't."
Kael nodded. "It's called the Eternal Wanderer. We stand where the Guild refuses to, no ranks, no records, no coin. We act when others wait."
Maerin's brow furrowed, though there was admiration in her gaze. "Sounds like what I used to believe in."
Kael smiled. "That's why I came. I want you to join us — not as a hunter, but as an Elder. Your wisdom could guide the next generation."
Maerin stared into the fire for a long while before sighing. "You're flattering an old woman, Kael. My bones creak before sunrise. I'm too old to chase monsters."
"You wouldn't have to chase anything," Kael said gently. "Just lead."
She smiled sadly. "Lead? I can barely walk down the ridge without tripping." Her gaze softened as she turned toward the forge outside. "But… there is someone you should meet. Her name's Seren. One of my best. She's out on a quest now — young, fiery, reckless. Reminds me of you."
Kael nodded slowly. "Then I'll wait for her return."
Maerin smiled faintly, then rose from her seat. "Rooms are still open at the hunter's inn. Tell them I sent you, and they won't overcharge."
Kael laughed softly. "You're still running this place with favors, I see."
"Someone has to keep it alive," she said, walking them to the door.
---
The night air greeted them as they stepped outside, cool and faintly tinted by embers from the forge. The streets of Korvan were quiet — only the soft clinking of anvils and the distant bark of a watch hound broke the calm.
Hunnt and Alder spoke quietly as they walked down the street. Neither wanted to return to Draconis anytime soon — too much smoke, too much pride. Korvan felt peaceful, grounded. The kind of place where a hunter could breathe without the weight of politics pressing down.
They made their way to the local hunter's inn, a broad wooden structure glowing with lamplight. The scent of roasted meat and oil drifted from within as laughter echoed faintly from the tavern hall.
A young servant approached with a polite bow. "Welcome to Korvan Inn. Rooms for three?"
Kael nodded. "Yes, one each."
"That'll be five hundred zenny per room."
Kael turned toward Hunnt and Alder expectantly.
Hunnt shrugged. "No zenny left. It all melted fighting Ignis."
Alder sighed. "Mine's still back in Draconis."
Kael closed his eyes for a long, suffering moment. "…Of course it is."
He reached into his pouch and paid. "You two owe me dinner. For a month."
---
They found a quiet corner table near the fire. The tavern was nearly empty now, the glow of the hearth painting their faces gold. Muffled chatter came from a few other tables where tired hunters counted coins and nursed old wounds.
Alder leaned back with a grin. "So, when are you going to start teaching me that technique stuff — the Rokushiki and Haki you mentioned?"
Kael blinked mid-sip. "Wait… what?"
Alder looked genuinely confused. "You didn't know?"
Kael frowned, setting down his cup. "No, I didn't! What in the Nine Hells are you two talking about?"
Hunnt rubbed the back of his neck, half-laughing. "Ah… I might've forgotten to explain it before. Sorry. This is still a newly formed group — three official members as far as I know."
Alder's eyes widened. "What?! This is a new group?"
Kael crossed his arms, leaning back. "For your information, there are already nine of us. I've recognized others while traveling — two scholars, one artisan, one scout, two healers, plus us three. That makes nine."
Hunnt blinked. "Nine already?"
Kael smirked. "Let's call it following orders from the founder." He looked directly at Hunnt.
Hunnt exhaled slowly and nodded, feigning seriousness. "Well… you can't really refuse the founder's orders."
Alder and Kael exchanged a glance and said in perfect unison, dripping with sarcasm, "Right."
They all laughed, the tension breaking like cooling steel.
---
Kael set his cup down. "Alright, Hunnt. So what are these techniques you've been hiding from me?"
Hunnt crouched slightly, tracing faint lines on the tavern floor with a piece of charcoal from the hearth. "They're called Rokushiki — the Six Paths of the Body. Movements that push the body past human limits. Strength and precision molded through control, not brute force."
He lifted a finger. "Any Eternal Wanderer can learn all six. But Haki… that's different. It's the manifestation of the spirit's will. A hunter can only master one form — either Observation or Armament. Using both burns through stamina faster than most can handle."
Alder listened, wide-eyed. "And you can use both?"
Hunnt smirked faintly. "Exceptions exist."
Kael shook his head. "You really are impossible. You could've told me this when I joined."
Hunnt leaned back. "I'm telling you now."
---
He drew six symbols on the tavern floor, each one glowing faintly in the firelight.
Rokushiki – Six Paths of the Body
1. Soru (Shave) – Blinding movement, instant motion between spaces. To an untrained eye, it looks like teleportation.
2. Tekkai (Iron Body) – Muscles hardened like forged steel. Unyielding defense at the cost of movement.
3. Kami-e (Feather Form) – Body becomes weightless, flowing around attacks like drifting feather.
4. Geppo (Sky Walk) – Kicks the air itself to leap across the sky, each step a controlled explosion of force.
5. Rankyaku (Wind Fang) – Compressed air slashes released by powerful kicks — blades of wind born from motion.
6. Shigan (Cannon Strike) – The fingers sharpened through willpower, striking with precision strong enough to pierce monster scale.
Hunnt straightened, his tone quieter. "These are the forms that make up the foundation of every Eternal Wanderer's combat art."
Then he looked at Kael and Alder.
Haki – The Spirit's Manifest Will
1. Observation Haki – The sense beyond sight. You feel intent, emotion, and killing will before it reaches you. The calm within chaos.
2. Armament Haki – Spirit hardened into armor. The strength to strike and the will to protect — unseen steel wrapping your body.
"Most can only manage one," Hunnt continued. "Armament burns stamina like fire through oil. Observation drains your focus. Try both too early, and you collapse before you even fight."
Kael let out a low whistle. "And you've mastered all of this?"
Hunnt smiled faintly. "Still learning."
Alder chuckled. "Then what chance do the rest of us have?"
"Plenty," Hunnt said. "These aren't powers — they're discipline. Earned, not given."
Kael leaned back, smirking. "Remind me never to spar you again."
Hunnt grinned. "Too late for that."