The aftermath of the eastern portal encounter left Nathan and Selena standing amidst jagged rocks and fissures that glowed faintly with residual energy. The air hummed with tension, a subtle warning that the SS-class portal world was never forgiving. Nathan flexed his shadow tendrils, feeling the energy pulse stronger than before, reacting to his every thought with instinctive precision.
Selena crossed her arms, observing him critically. "You survived the creature," she said, her tone even but sharp. "But surviving one monster doesn't make you a hunter of consequence. To rise, you need training, control, and knowledge of the guilds."
Nathan nodded. He had already realized that brute strength alone would not suffice. Survival is only step one. Mastery is step two.
Selena led him to a small plateau, a natural arena formed by cragged stone and glowing fissures. "We start with shadow manipulation drills. Control isn't about strength—it's about precision. You must bend the shadows, extend them, retract them, think through them as if they are part of your body."
Nathan extended his arms, letting shadows writhe around him. They twisted, sharpened, and extended according to his focus. He practiced slicing fissures into perfect shapes, coiling shadows into restraining forms, and manipulating their density to test strength and flexibility. Each exercise left him drained yet exhilarated, the pulse of his shadow tendrils syncing with the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Hours passed—or perhaps it was longer; time moved strangely in the portal world. Selena's critiques were precise, unyielding. "Your shadows respond too slowly in sudden shifts. Anticipate, don't react. Preempt. Predict."
Nathan's lips pressed together. He repeated the exercises, shadow blades slicing through the fissured rocks, coiling into traps for imaginary enemies. With every iteration, his control sharpened. He began to sense potential attacks before they happened, the shadows moving almost autonomously to defend, strike, or bind.
By mid-afternoon, Selena guided him to a series of simulations: holographic projections of high-rank monsters and hunters. "Guilds train this way," she explained. "Zealand, the first-ranked guild, runs simulations with multiple Hunters of S-rank. You think you've fought strategically before? You haven't seen real coordination until you face S-ranked Hunters working as one."
Nathan swallowed, recognizing the scale of the challenge. These simulations were more than practice—they were preparation for life-and-death battles, testing perception, speed, control, and tactical foresight.
The first simulation began. Three S-rank projections materialized, wielding energy blades, enhanced armor, and speed that rivaled Nathan's reflexes. The shadows leapt from his arms, curling defensively and offensively in equal measure. Every attack was countered, every movement parried. Nathan felt the strain but also the exhilaration—the shadows responded to his will more accurately than ever before.
Minutes passed like hours. Sweat and ash mixed on his brow, shadows coiling tighter, sharper, faster. Nathan realized, mid-strike, that this was more than training: it was evolution. Each battle with these holographic S-rank hunters honed instincts, refined techniques, and expanded the limits of his shadow tendrils.
Selena nodded approvingly after the simulation ended. "Good. You survived, adapted, and responded. But this world doesn't reward survival alone. Next, you face real hunters—no simulations."
Nathan's eyes narrowed. Real hunters… S-rank. Not monsters, not projections.
Later that evening, a faint shimmer in the distance indicated an approaching scouting team—hunters from Alkham, sent to test him and gauge his strength against real S-ranked combatants. Nathan's heartbeat quickened. This was the first trial outside controlled simulations. Failure would mean humiliation, or worse.
Selena guided him to the edge of the plateau. "Remember, observation is critical. Attack patterns, energy flow, shadow movement. Use what you've learned. Shadows are your extension, not just weapons."
The team arrived, three hunters, clad in sleek armor and carrying energy weaponry. They moved with lethal precision, testing Nathan with controlled strikes. Each move was calculated, probing weaknesses, analyzing responses. Nathan's shadows flickered, defending, striking, adapting with instinctive timing.
The battle was brutal. Every strike carried force capable of shattering stone. Energy arcs collided with shadows, sending sparks across the rocky plateau. Nathan dodged, countered, and struck with precision, feeling his skills sharpen with every second. His body ached, his muscles screamed, but he continued, each shadow tendril slicing through air, wrapping around weapons, redirecting attacks.
Minutes into the trial, Nathan began to anticipate the hunters' attacks, predicting sequences, manipulating shadows to trap them momentarily. He struck back strategically, targeting weak points in their armor, forcing them to adapt. The hunters' surprise was evident—few F-rank or even D-ranked hunters ever posed such a challenge.
Selena observed from the side, her expression unreadable but her eyes glinting with approval. "Impressive," she said softly. "You're learning faster than I expected. But this is only the beginning. S-rank hunters are not the peak—they are the minimum standard in some guilds."
The trial ended with Nathan standing, breathing heavily, shadows flickering like living extensions of his intent. The hunters stepped back, respect evident in their posture. Nathan exhaled, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration flooding his senses.
As night fell over the portal world, Selena approached him. "Zealand knows of your existence now," she said quietly. "They will observe. Their S-rank scouts are efficient. You've proven potential, but the path forward is more dangerous than you realize. Training with us is only a fraction of what you will face."
Nathan flexed his shadow tendrils, feeling the energy surge and respond faster than ever before. Then I'll rise faster than they expect. I will surpass them.
The portal world stretched vast and dangerous before him, jagged silhouettes of fissures and looming portals piercing the dark violet sky. Nathan felt a thrill run through him, a mixture of fear, ambition, and raw excitement. This was more than survival. This was evolution.
He glanced at Selena, who had already begun recalibrating her energy conduits for further training. "Tomorrow," he said, voice steady, "we train harder. We face stronger."
Selena gave a faint nod, eyes cold but approving. "Good. But remember… guilds watch everything. One misstep, and even your shadows won't save you."
Nathan smiled faintly, the shadows coiling in anticipation. Then I'll step carefully, strike decisively, and rise beyond them all.
For in this world of portals, monsters, and powerful guilds, only the hunter who mastered shadows, strategy, and will could hope to dominate. Nathan was determined to be that hunter.
And the world would soon learn his name.