Return Of The SSS-Class Hunter

For almost an hour, Derek and Yami continued to spar. Derek was drenched in sweat, his movements growing sluggish from exhaustion.

But he still didn't stop. There was no hesitation, no intention of ending the fight anytime soon.

Finally, Yami had to intervene. "Alright, Derek. That's enough for today."

Derek was mid-motion, about to launch another attack, but halted the moment he heard Yami's voice.

He quickly bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily… and then collapsed onto his back, utterly exhausted.

"Thank… thank you, master."

It had been a long time since Derek had pushed himself to this extent.

"That was amazing, Derek," Meridith said as she approached them. "Your strength really has increased — and by a huge margin at that. But why would your cultivation realm drop? I've never seen such a thing happen before."

"I wish I knew, ma'am," Derek replied between ragged breaths, trying to steady his breathing.

"I think I know the reason," Yami said. "There's something called body tempering. It's a way of improving the body as a vessel. It can happen in different forms. Sometimes it strengthens the dantian — meaning that even if two people are in the same cultivation realm, the one with the tempered dantian will have far greater internal energy."

He continued, "Among all forms of body tempering, improving the dantian is the most difficult. Then there's tempering the meridians — widening them to increase the speed of cultivation. There are also elemental temperings. For example, tempering with fire to increase one's fire resistance, using poison to increase poison resistance, and using lightning to increase lightning resistance. And normal temperings that harden the body to increase defense."

"Oh… now that you mention it, master, I think I've heard about such techniques as well. But I never had the chance to experience it with my own eyes," Derek said.

"So you're saying his dantian was tempered somehow? And even in the same cultivation realm, he'll be much, much stronger?" Meridith asked.

"Yes," Yami said. "Now, even Aurans and mages may not stand a chance, even if they are in the same realm as you. I don't know how you achieved it, Derek, but you really got lucky. Once you learn how to conceal your internal energy, this will also help you hide your true strength."

Derek clenched his fist and stared at it.

'Even though my realm decreased… I actually became stronger. That demon core was a blessing in disguise. If I somehow refined that demon core… does that mean I can refine more and get even stronger if I get my hands on more demon cores?' A dangerous but thrilling idea surfaced in his mind.

"Well, you should rest for today," Yami said. "You were unconscious for two days, and we still don't know for sure whether you're completely out of danger. So take the day off. You won't need to attend classes today."

Derek got up and bowed. "Thank you, master. I'll take my leave then."

Then he turned to Meridith. "See you soon, ma'am."

With that, he left the training chamber.

Meridith had originally come to talk with Derek, but seeing his condition, she stayed back. Derek needed rest — and she also had matters to discuss with Yami.

Once Derek was gone, Meridith looked at Yami. "Master, his growth… It's astounding. Shocking, even. What do you think is happening? According to Emma, Leo consumed the same crimson core and turned into a beast. But Derek consumed the same thing and instead became stronger."

Yami didn't answer immediately. Images of Derek interrogating Peter flashed through his mind. 'He's clearly hiding something. Is it really safe to trust him? But I feel no malice from him.'

Years of experience had sharpened Yami's instincts. He could judge people to a great extent. And Derek… Derek felt like a good kid — honest, pure-hearted, talented. But the circumstances around him placed him in a questionable position.

Yami sighed. 'Only time will tell…'

"I don't know how," he finally said. "But keep a close eye on him. Try to track his progress and whatever he's doing."

"Of course, master."

"And keep him safe as well. The incident of the three students being taken and one of them dying has already spread widely, despite our efforts to contain it. Normally, he shouldn't be in immediate danger, but we can't be certain."

Meanwhile, Derek reached his room quickly, took a shower, and collapsed onto his bed.

But he didn't fall asleep.

"I got lucky this time… my strength increased a lot. But things could've gone much worse. I could've died… or worse, ended up like Leo — turned into a beast." He murmured the words under his breath, eyes fixed on the ceiling.

"I need to get stronger. As soon as possible. And…"

His fists tightened.

"That upper rank nine… I just hope he doesn't make a move before I'm ready. I wish I could rely on others, but I know the truth. Even if everyone stood together against him, we'd still lose. Just like in my past life."

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"I need to get stronger… and I need to find that person Miss Elowen spoke about as well. I thought I had enough time to get stronger… but now I see that's not the case."

After resting for almost two hours, Derek headed back to the training chamber.

As soon as he entered, he sat down in a lotus position and began cultivating. But the moment he initiated his breathing technique, he froze in shock.

'What is this! This tremendous qi absorption speed!'

His cultivation speed had skyrocketed — at least five times faster than before.

He forcefully suppressed the excitement bubbling inside him and focused on his breathing.

A small whirlpool formed in front of him as spiritual energy was drawn in at an astonishing rate. If anyone else had witnessed it, they would've been utterly stunned.

Time passed quietly. Derek didn't move an inch. Day turned into night… and night passed into the following dawn.

Only then did Derek finally open his eyes.

He exhaled slowly, a stream of concentrated, smoke-like air escaping through his nose.

"That was amazing… I can feel it. It won't take long before I break through to the E-class realm again."