CHAPTER 10 — THE HALL OF RESONANCE

The moment the giant gates opened, Dev felt as though he had stepped into another world.

The hall beyond was enormous.

Hundreds of young men and women stood in long lines stretching across the chamber. Some looked nervous, while others stood confidently with pride on their faces.

The atmosphere felt heavy.

Everyone here carried the same dream.

To become a Hunter.

Dev silently observed the crowd while walking beside Shaurya.

For the first time, he noticed that many candidates weren't much older than him.

Some were children.

Some were adults.

Some looked strong enough to fight monsters with their bare hands.

Others looked terrified.

Dev frowned slightly.

Then he looked toward Shaurya.

"Are all of them here to obtain a weapon?"

Shaurya nodded.

"Yes."

Then he shook his head.

"Well... not exactly."

Dev raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Shaurya folded his arms.

"Many of them will leave with a weapon."

His expression became serious.

"And many of them will leave with nothing."

The answer surprised Dev.

"So not everyone succeeds?"

Shaurya laughed.

"If everyone could become a Hunter, there wouldn't be any value in becoming one."

Dev nodded slowly.

That made sense.

As they continued walking through the crowd, people constantly entered and exited a massive chamber ahead.

The line moved slowly.

Everyone waited patiently for their turn.

Then suddenly—

THUD.

Someone collided with Dev's shoulder.

The impact was strong enough to push him back slightly.

Dev immediately frowned.

"Don't you have eyes?"

The entire hall became silent.

People nearby instantly froze.

Several candidates turned toward him in shock.

Others looked horrified.

Dev blinked in confusion.

"What?"

Whispers immediately spread through the crowd.

"Is he insane?"

"Doesn't he know who that is?"

"That idiot is dead..."

Dev looked around, completely confused.

Then he slowly turned toward the man who had bumped into him.

The stranger stood nearly seven feet tall.

His muscular body looked like solid steel.

Long black hair rested behind his shoulders, and a massive sword was strapped to his back.

Most frightening of all...

His eyes.

They carried the confidence of someone who had never known defeat.

For several seconds, the man simply stared at Dev.

The entire hall held its breath.

Then suddenly—

Shaurya rushed forward.

"I'm so sorry!"

He bowed immediately.

"Please forgive him!"

Sweat covered Shaurya's face.

"He just arrived in the city. He doesn't know anything."

The giant man remained silent.

His gaze moved toward Dev one final time.

Then—

He turned around and walked away without saying a single word.

Only after he disappeared into the crowd did the atmosphere finally relax.

Dev looked toward Shaurya.

"Who was that?"

Shaurya wiped sweat from his forehead.

"You really have a death wish."

Dev frowned.

"I'm serious."

Shaurya lowered his voice.

"That was Veer."

Dev waited.

"And?"

Shaurya stared at him.

"And?!"

His voice almost cracked.

"Veer is one of the strongest weapon holders in the entire world!"

Dev froze slightly.

"What?"

Shaurya nodded immediately.

"His weapon is called Magma Fang."

The name alone sounded dangerous.

Shaurya continued.

"They say he can defeat a hundred Giants by himself."

Dev slowly looked toward the crowd where Veer had disappeared.

Then he released a relieved sigh.

"Good thing he didn't get angry."

Shaurya stared at him in disbelief.

"That's all you have to say?"

Dev shrugged.

"What else am I supposed to say?"

For a moment, Shaurya looked completely defeated.

Then he sighed deeply.

"Just try not to insult any legendary Hunters again."

Dev nodded.

"I'll try."

The answer didn't make Shaurya feel any better.

As the line continued moving forward, Dev eventually reached a point where he could finally see what was happening inside the chamber.

A giant circle had been carved into the floor.

Ancient symbols covered its surface.

One by one, candidates entered the circle and sat down.

Then they closed their eyes.

Moments later, a brilliant white light appeared around them.

And when the light vanished—

A weapon rested in their hands.

Some received swords.

Others received bows.

Some even received spears and daggers.

Every weapon looked unique.

Every weapon felt alive.

Dev watched silently.

The Hunter world truly was different.

Then suddenly—

A voice spoke beside him.

"First time?"

Dev turned around.

Standing behind him was a girl around his age.

Long black hair.

Bright blue eyes.

A friendly smile.

Unlike most people, she didn't seem nervous.

Dev nodded.

"Yes."

The girl smiled.

"I thought so."

She extended her hand.

"My name is Maya."

Dev hesitated briefly before shaking it.

"Dev."

"Nice to meet you."

For the first time that day...

A small smile appeared on Dev's face.

And neither of them knew that this meeting would change far more than they expected.