CHAPTER 222: AFTER TWO YEARS

Inside the Hunter Guild’s main hall, round tables were placed across the room. Groups of hunters sat together, drinking, laughing, and talking. Some bragged about their power. Others swapped stories of dungeon raids.

And even though two years had already passed, one topic still refused to die down. Here and there, whispers about Logan still lingered.

"I still remember that wyvern incident," a female hunter said, gulping down ale at Vanessa’s table. "But I never saw his face clearly. Hard to believe someone that young could take down a wyvern single-handedly."

Vanessa’s party was mostly women, with only a couple of men. She simply never preferred working with men.

Hearing her teammate’s words, Vanessa’s eyes softened with the same feeling. "It’s been two years already. Maybe he’s really dead by now. What a shame... Good people never live long. Especially the men."

The two male hunters at the table glanced at each other but said nothing. Instead, they focused on their drinks again.

Gideon’s and Leo’s parties were absent, both out on raids.

As the hall buzzed with countless voices, the wooden door creaked open. A boy stepped inside.

His shoulder-length black hair, tied loosely at the back, left some strands hanging at the sides of his face. He wore a long-sleeved tunic with rolled-up sleeves and loose trousers. Simple leather bands wrapped his wrists.

Yet even in such plain clothing, something about him stood out. The way he entered, the way he walked, the subtle movement of his body.... it all carried an imposing weight.

And the moment he stepped in, the air inside shifted right away.

"Look at that boy," whispered the same hunter who had spoken to Vanessa earlier. "He looks h—" Her words caught in her throat.

All around the hall, eyes turned toward him. Many frowned slightly, sensing something familiar, though none could put it into words.

"Have I seen him before?" one hunter muttered aloud.

"You feel it too, right? Like we’ve met him... but I just can’t remember when."

The boy ignored the murmurs. Step by step, he walked straight to the reception desk.

"I want to meet the Guildmaster," he said flatly to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, who had also been staring at him curiously like everyone else, blinked out of her daze. "The Guildmaster?! He isn’t someone you can just meet because you want to. And lately, he’s been in a terrible mood. He hasn’t allowed anyone to see him."

The boy’s eyes swept the hall, locking momentarily with those who were watching him. After a pause, he turned back to Elizabeth.

"Just let him know that someone named Logan wants to meet him."

It was Logan. After two years of vanishing without a trace, he had finally returned. Two days earlier, he had made a breakthrough. And now, he was back for unfinished business.

In those two years, he had grown taller again. Even beneath his tunic, the cuts of his triceps were clearly visible, the butterfly lines along his back stood out, and the ridges of his shoulders were sharp and defined.

His voice was deeper, and his posture far more confident. But the intangible presence he radiated made people recognize him; it wasn’t mana or Qi, just an unmistakable vibe. But without Logan wearing the mask, they just failed to put the pieces together.

Elizabeth’s breath caught. The name had sparked something in her memory. She, too, had heard of a Logan. A boy who was said to be dead.

For a long moment, she just stared at him. Finally, she sighed. "Alright. I’ll inform him. But don’t get your hopes up."

With that, she turned and walked inside, leaving Logan to find an empty table.

Her footsteps echoed down the quiet hallway until she reached the Guildmaster’s private chamber. She paused, steadied herself, and then knocked firmly.

"Who is it?" Ali Arkman’s gruff voice came from inside.

Elizabeth straightened her posture. "It’s me, Guildmaster. Elizabeth."

There was a pause before Ali’s voice sounded again, weary and impatient. "What is it? Why have you come?"

She cleared her throat politely. "There’s someone here who wishes to meet you."

"I don’t want to see anyone," Ali replied curtly.

Elizabeth knew this would happen. She hesitated, then mustered up her courage. "He said his name is Logan."

The moment she said that, a heavy thud echoed as the door was yanked open. Elizabeth staggered back in surprise.

Ali Arkman barged out, his eyes sharp and searching. "What did you say his name was?" he demanded.

"Logan," Elizabeth stammered, regaining her balance.

Ali’s face changed in an instant. "Quickly, bring him here. Now."

Elizabeth nodded and hurried back to the main hall, heart pounding. "Why the Guildmaster is suddenly so worked up? Who is this kid? I swear I have seen him somewhere. I just can’t remember."

At the reception desk, she found Logan waiting, still the center of attention. "The Guildmaster has agreed to meet with you," she told him quickly.

Logan nodded.

Around them, curious whispers and murmurs swept through the room as Logan followed her down the hallway.

When they reached Ali’s chamber, the Guildmaster’s expression lit up with recognition and relief instantly. "Elizabeth, you can leave us," he said to Elizabeth.

She slipped out, closing the door gently behind her.

Ali turned to Logan, eyes sharp. In a low, urgent voice, he asked, "What took you so long? I thought you’d fallen into another mess and gotten yourself killed. It’s been two years."

"I was busy with some training. That’s why it took time," Logan said calmly.

"Huh? That was your urgent matter?" Ali raised an eyebrow. "The reason you had me station capable hunters around your residence before you disappeared into the night with two vials of potion? Couldn’t that training have been done here?"

"It wasn’t ordinary training," Logan replied. His tone was steady, giving nothing away.

"Not ordinary?" Ali’s eyes lit up with curiosity. "Then tell me—just how strong are you now?"

"You’ll find out soon enough," Logan said, his lips curving faintly.

"Soon enough? That doesn’t sound soon at all." Ali grinned, leaning forward with anticipation.

"How about a spar right now?"