REINCARNATION OF THE STRONGEST WAR HERO

After hearing Ali's words, Logan fell into deep thought.

"What should I do then? Should I strike at the Third Eye Sect first, or should I continue training?"

The questions twisted in his mind like chains. "Even if I manage to reach the level of an S-class hunter, it'll take me four, maybe five years at least. And if the Guild Master's words are true… if the Third Eye Sect really has someone above S-class, then defeating them could take a decade or more. Ten years… am I supposed to keep wandering around in hiding all that time, pretending to be someone else?"

A bitter weight settled heavily in his chest.

"And now Gideon's team knows I have five affinities. None of them is the type to betray me, I can see that. But it would've been so much better if I didn't have to carry this tension every moment of the day."

These thoughts circled endlessly in Logan's mind, refusing to fade.

Noticing the tension on Logan's face, Ali spoke calmly. "I know why you seem so worried. If you want, we can organize a joint mission—bring together a group of strong hunters and wipe them out once and for all."

Logan lifted his gaze, his expression firm.

"No. I don't want to trouble anyone for my own matters."

Ali shook his head slowly, his eyes narrowing with quiet authority. "This isn't about troubling anyone. Monsters aren't our only enemies. Creepy organizations like the Third Eye Sect are our targets too. All we'd need is clearance from the Mage's Court. That's it."

Logan fell into silence once again. He didn't want to be indebted to anyone. Accepting this help would mean owing the Guild Master a debt he wasn't ready to carry. His pride—and his instincts—rejected it.

Yet the truth gnawed at him.

He exhaled quietly. "I need to get rid of this trouble as soon as possible. I can't wait another ten or twelve years." The words left him in a whisper.

The silence between them stretched until Logan finally asked, his tone sharp with urgency: "Alright… but how many hunters are we talking about here? Who else will be involved? And do you know where their base is? When will we attack?"

The questions tumbled out of him in a single breath, betraying the pressure building inside.

Ali raised his hand, motioning for him to calm down, and leaned back in his chair. His expression carried both reassurance and a hint of challenge. "It'll be me and Noah—you already know he's aware of your situation. Along with us, four or five A-class hunters will join. And you, of course. Let's see if your claim of being strong is real… or just a facade. As for when the mission will happen, I can't give you an exact date. But I can assure you this much—it won't be long."

Logan gave a small nod, his breathing steadying.

"For now, take a break and get some rest. Tomorrow, your training begins again," Ali said firmly. His gaze lingered on Logan for a moment longer, sharp and measuring, as though weighing his spirit.

"Understood," Logan replied respectfully before taking his leave.

______

Logan walked slowly down the corridor, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished wooden floor. The faint glow of lanterns lit his path as he made his way toward the main hall.

And then he suddenly stopped.

At the far end of the hall, Gideon had just entered through another passage. Their eyes met across the wide room.

Neither spoke.

For a few moments, the silence stretched between them, heavy and awkward. Gideon's calm face revealed little, but the depth in his eyes carried unspoken questions. Logan's steady gaze mirrored the same silence, though inside he wrestled with the weight of secrets.

Finally, Logan broke it. "I need to speak with you. Privately."

Gideon studied him for a heartbeat before giving a slow nod. Without a word, he turned and motioned for Logan to follow. They left the bustling hall behind, moving into a quieter corner of the hunter's guild where no one else lingered.

There, beneath the dim glow of a hanging lamp, Logan spoke firmly. "I don't know if you've already told anyone about my affinities… or my strength. But if you haven't, I'd prefer it if you kept it that way. At least for now."

The seriousness in his tone made the air heavier, as though the weight of his request filled the space between them.

Gideon folded his arms across his chest. His towering frame remained relaxed, but his voice was steady, reassuring. "You can rest easy. Neither I nor any in our party will ever betray your trust. That's not who we are."

Logan felt the tightness in his chest loosening slightly. During the dungeon raid, the moment Logan saw Nolan's face, he completely lost control of himself. And so he completely let loose without thinking what would happen next. He inclined his head. "Thank you." After a brief moment of thought, Logan asked again, "How is everyone else? Are they okay now?"

"Yes. They're all out of danger and almost fully healed. Nothing to worry about," Gideon replied.

"That's good then. I think they should rest for now. You as well—it was a tough raid today," Logan said.

"Yeah. We'll meet later then. You should get some rest too."

"Sure." With that, Logan turned to leave. The day had already slipped into late afternoon, and the golden glow of dusk filtered faintly through the high windows.

---

In Delicia, he ate a simple meal of bread and broth, though his appetite was thin. His thoughts remained unsettled, circling back again and again to Ali's words, to Gideon's promise, to the looming shadow of the Third Eye Sect.

By the time he retired to his room, night had fallen completely. After a shower and a change of clothes, he hit the bed. "I can't rely fully on Gideon's party not to tell anyone. I should be ready. Other than any S-class hunter or that mysterious person from the third eye sect, I can take down anyone. But I should utilize every moment to grow even stronger." While staring at the ceiling his mind raced. But it didn't take long for him to fall asleep.

The night passed without any disturbance.

When morning arrived, the first light of dawn spilled across Solvane. Logan rose early, his mind sharpened by resolve. After washing and dressing, he stepped into the cool air of the inn's courtyard. He then headed toward his destination.

Before long, he was once more standing before Ali Arkman in the hunter guild's fighting arena.

The Guild Master awaited him, hands clasped behind his back, his presence as imposing as ever. The weight of his gaze pressed on Logan like a silent trial.

"Are you ready?" Ali asked, his tone calm but filled with excitement.

Logan straightened, his expression resolute.

"Yes."

"Good," Ali said. His eyes narrowed faintly, as though glimpsing the fire hidden within the boy. "Then today… Your training begins again."

And so, beneath the rising sun, the next trial of Logan's path began.