A cool breeze was blowing on the sidewalk, gently caressing Damons' face. Hands in his pockets, he waited in front of the house, his hair still damp after the shower. The morning mist floated in the air, light and silent.
VRRR VRRRR…
The hum of an approaching engine echoed through the still quiet street. He looked up at the sky.
"Hey, System… what was that portal earlier?" he asked softly. "That wasn't normal, right?"
"I temporarily hacked Earth's system."
"An F-rank portal breach was exploited to send you into a training environment."
"But it was a one-time opportunity: the human system detected it. I won't be able to do it again."
Damons sighed, slightly disappointed.
"Oh… Too bad. I was hoping to cheat a little and go through portals without ranking up. That would've been easier."
The taxi headlights pierced through the mist as the vehicle slowly stopped in front of him. With a smooth step, Damons moved forward, opened the door, and climbed in.
The ride was quick. Staring out the window, Damons watched the city go by with the strange feeling of being about to turn a page.
Once he arrived, he got out of the taxi, briefly thanked the driver, and closed the door.
The taxi drove off immediately, leaving him alone at the foot of the Silvercrow Player Association building in the Adaxias district.
In front of him, the city's beating heart was already stirring with overflowing energy.
BROUHAHA… BROUHAHA…
Beginner and veteran players crossed paths in cheerful tumult. Some proudly displayed their new weapons, others wore the loud colors of prestigious guilds. Banners fluttered in the wind; business cards exchanged hands in a flash.
Damons stood still for a moment, observing the scene.
"This excitement is crazy…" he thought.
"But I'll leave my mark here too."
His gaze slowly rose to the imposing black and silver building, its emblem struck with a sword piercing a globe.
[HEADQUARTERS OF THE HUNTERS' ASSOCIATION OF VELEDRIS]
He took a deep breath, then stepped forward, calm but determined.
In the middle of the noise, several conversations burst out:
"Apparently someone got a unique class this morning!"
"I hope I at least get an E-rank, otherwise it's embarrassing…"
"The Obsidian guild is recruiting right on site, did you see?!"
Damons smirked.
"They're all hyped… but I'm not interested. I'd rather build my army."
AI :
"Caution."
"Recruiting monsters is not that simple."
"For a bond to be stable, they must feel loyalty… or affection."
"The link with your first royal guard was only possible because your rank was still low. But if his loyalty wavers, that link will break."
Damons looked up at the sky, exasperated.
"With that hyperactive rabbit… it's not gonna be easy. But hey, I've seen worse."
The automatic doors opened with a quiet hiss.
PSHHHH
He stepped into the building's vast, bright hall.
The moment he passed through the glass doors, the contrast struck him.
Inside, it was a different world. A human tide in suits moved around with confidence, each seeming rushed, focused, driven by some urgent mission.
The main hall stretched across several visible floors, connected by transparent elevators and suspended walkways. The place pulsed with energy, like a heart beating to the frantic rhythm of technology.
Giant screens covered the walls, continuously broadcasting information, alerts, and mysterious rankings, while countless reception desks were spread throughout, each staffed by impeccably dressed assistants.
Everything looked new, modern, almost futuristic. Even the air felt full of ambition.
At the reception, a man in a black suit looked up as he arrived.
"Hello," he said politely. "You're here for…?"
"I just awakened. I'm here to register as a player."
"Very well. Please fill out this form."
Damons filled in the required fields without delay.
"Thank you. Take the elevator on the left. Go down to the third basement level. The exams are held there."
"Alright."
The elevator was already waiting. He entered and pressed the button for the third basement.
DING.
The cabin quickly descended, its shiny walls reflecting his image.
Third basement. The doors opened onto a large waiting room lit by artificial white light.
About twenty young people were already seated. Some looked nervous, others overly excited: all were waiting for their turn. Eyes turned toward him as he entered, curious, assessing the newcomer.
Damons said nothing, simply walking calmly to an empty seat.
"Luckily, thanks to my previous jobs, I'm already used to being around this many young hunters… Without that, I think I'd be frozen with anxiety."
He gave a nervous smile, trying to mask the slight tension in his voice. Around him, the sharp gazes and imposing auras constantly reminded him that he was not on home turf here.
The exam is about to begin.