The car slid forward with a low, thrumming hum, the beast core's power smooth and steady beneath the hood.
Anand leaned back, one arm resting on the door, watching as the city rolled past. Towering skyscrapers lined the streets, their glass facades flashing with runic patterns that pulsed like veins. Holographic displays shimmered overhead, projecting guild rankings and dungeon statistics as casually as weather reports. People moved below in orderly streams — some dressed in fine silks threaded with monster hide, others carrying weapons slung casually across their backs, as if blades were no different from briefcases.
"This place…" Anand murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It looks like peace. But I can still smell the blood in the stone."
Aryan gave him a side glance but didn't comment. Instead, he steered onto a wide highway where armored convoys and sleek private vehicles passed in steady streams.
After a moment, Anand spoke again. "You mentioned the shielding holds against a tier VI strike. What's that supposed to mean?"
Aryan blinked, then frowned. "Right. I forgot. You really don't know."
"No," Anand said plainly.
Aryan exhaled and tapped a panel on the dash. A holographic chart appeared, eleven glowing steps climbing into the air.
"Both humans and monsters are measured the same way now," Aryan began. "Eleven tiers, from Novice up to Eternal. Most arisen people barely scratch the bottom." He gestured to the first rungs. "Tier I to III are common — foot soldiers, dungeon fodder, city guards. Ranks IV to VI are rare enough to earn names. Squad leaders, enforcers, guild commanders."
"And the top?" Anand asked.
"Scarce." Aryan's voice lowered slightly.
"Tier VII — Kings — there are maybe a few hundreds across the world. Tier VIII — Emperors — less than a hundred. Tier IX — sovereign — around thirty. Tier X — Divines — maybe ten . Tier XI — Eternals…" He hesitated, then shook his head. "Only three known to exist."
Anand's eyes narrowed, a glint of amusement sparking. "And above them?"
Aryan gave a humorless smile. "Above them are the Saints. The Dual Saints. They don't even belong on this scale anymore. They're something else. Untouchable."
The hologram faded, and silence settled in the car, broken only by the soft growl of the engine.
The car pulled smoothly to a stop before a towering structure of black alloy and white stone. The building rose like a fortress, its surface etched with faint glowing lines that pulsed in rhythm, giving the impression of a heart beating inside the walls. Above the gates, a holographic banner shimmered into view:
Central arisen Testing Bureau.
Anand stepped out first, tilting his head back to take in the size of the place. The air here carried a faint hum, thick with the energy of the cores powering the facility. The entrance was busy — lines of hopeful candidates, armored escorts, and guild recruiters waiting outside. Some wore expressions of nerves, others of arrogance, as if already imagining their names flashing on the public rank boards.
Inside, the hall opened wide, polished metal floors reflecting the lights above. Giant screens displayed live feeds of dungeon raids, guild rankings, and the statistics of freshly tested awakeners. Everything carried the cold precision of a system refined over decades.
Aryan spoke as they walked past the registration desks. "There are three stages. First, the resonance test — you place your hand on a crystal obelisk, and it reads your raw energy and affinity. Second, physical capacity — force, speed, reaction. Last, combat projection — fighting simulated beasts inside a barrier field."
Anand listened in silence, eyes roaming over the glowing crystals, the armored test chambers, the buzzing crowd.
He leaned slightly toward Aryan, voice calm but tinged with curiosity.
"Can I take a private exam?"
Aryan gave a short nod, already walking toward the nearest counter. He slid a card across to the receptionist with practiced ease. "We'd like to request a private exam."
The receptionist barely spared them a glance at first, her tone sharp and professional. But the moment her eyes fell on the card, her entire demeanor shifted. The haughty posture melted away, replaced by a docile politeness.
"Y-yes, sir," she stammered softly. "Of course. I'll have someone escort you immediately."
She pressed a button beneath the desk. A faint crackle of static filled the air before a voice came through from the other side.
"What's the matter?"
"Someone has requested a private exam," the receptionist replied. "Prepare the instruments. And… send Lena."
"Understood."
Aryan turned back, sliding the card neatly into his pocket. He walked over to Anand, his expression unreadable.
"Someone will come to take us in."
Anand only smiled faintly, his eyes still drifting around the hall, as though he were studying every detail for amusement's sake.
After a short wait, the sound of heels clicking against the polished floor drew Anand's attention. A young woman emerged from the inner corridor, moving with an easy grace that caught more than a few stares from those in the hall.
She was striking — her blouse and skirt tailored close, her figure accentuated just enough to blur the line between professional and distracting.
Anand's eyes lingered for a heartbeat longer than necessary, the corner of his mouth curving slightly. In his younger days, he'd kept the company of many women . Beauty was an art he'd always appreciated, but unlike most men, he never let it own him.
By the time she reached them, his expression was composed, the smile faint but unreadable.
"Good afternoon, sir," she greeted, her voice smooth and clear. "I'll be the one conducting your examination. If you'll follow me, please."
Aryan gave a brisk nod and stepped forward. Anand followed at his own pace, his eyes flicking briefly around the facility before returning to her. His tone was calm, almost playful, but never crossing the line.
"Lead on."
With that, she guided them toward the reinforced doors leading deeper into the Bureau, the receptionist behind the counter bowing her head as the trio disappeared into the restricted halls.
The reinforced doors slid shut behind them with a soft hiss, sealing the lobby away. The private chamber beyond gleamed with alloy and glass, its walls humming faintly with the pulse of embedded cores. Three stations waited in a line: a towering crystal obelisk, a reinforced alloy pillar with glowing sensors, and a domed arena sealed by mana barriers.
Lena walked ahead of them, her heels tapping lightly against the polished floor. Her voice carried the smooth professionalism of someone trained to deal with elites.
"The private exam consists of three stages. First, the resonance crystal, to measure core energy. Second, physical capacity: strength, speed, and reaction. Third, the combat projection. Straightforward enough."
Anand gave a short nod.
She gestured toward the crystal. "Please begin."
Anand stepped forward, placing his palm on the cold surface. For a heartbeat nothing happened. Then the obelisk pulsed — faintly at first, then violently, colors shifting from gold to crimson as light surged upward. The entire crystal trembled, hairline cracks spidering across its surface before stabilizing again.
Lena's eyes widened despite herself. "…King level."
Aryan's brow twitched, though his expression remained carefully composed.
Anand withdrew his hand, silent, and moved on.
The alloy pillar waited for the strength test. Lena's tone was even, though she couldn't quite mask the tension in her shoulders. "Strike once, as you would in combat."
Anand adjusted his stance. His fist blurred forward in a clean, precise punch.
The impact cracked like thunder. The pillar's sensors exploded in sparks, a long fracture tearing down its center as smoke hissed from ruptured vents.
Lena froze for half a breath, her lips parting. "It… wasn't designed to measure beyond Rank VI." She pressed a series of buttons, forcing the system to register what little it could. "That confirms Rank VII. King-tier."