The morning sun shone brightly on the bustling streets of the Silver District.
Aryan walked towards the Hunter Association but stopped in front of a glass window. He looked at his reflection. His hoodie was torn from the wolf fight, his pants had dried bloodstains, and his shoes were held together by tape.
"I can't go to the exam like this," Aryan muttered. "They might kick me out for violating the hygiene code before I even take the test."
He checked his balance.
[Credits: 5,000]
He looked up. Across the street was a massive billboard featuring a celebrity Hunter wearing a shiny suit. The billboard read:
"Roxious – We Clothe the World."
It was the biggest brand in the country, owned by the richest man in the world, Devendra Verma. They made everything from high-end Hunter armor to cheap plastic packaging.
Aryan walked into a small Roxious Outlet store. He ignored the expensive section where armors cost millions. He went straight to the "Daily Wear" aisle.
He picked out functional, durable clothes:
* A plain black T-shirt.
* Black tactical cargo pants (lots of pockets for carrying items).
* A cheap grey waterproof jacket.
* A pair of sturdy combat boots.
[Receipt: -1,200 Credits]
[Remaining Balance: 3,800 Credits]
Aryan changed in the trial room. He threw his old rags in the dustbin.
When he walked out, he looked different. He wasn't wearing flashy armor, but the clean black outfit highlighted his lean muscles and sharp eyes. He looked like a covert operative, efficient and dangerous.
"Much better," Aryan adjusted his collar. "Now, the Exam."
The Hunter Association Headquarters
He reached the reception desk, where a long line of candidates waited.
"Name?" the receptionist asked without looking up.
"Aryan," he replied.
"Registration fee: 1,000 Credits. Place your hand here."
Aryan transferred the credits.
[Transaction Complete]
[Current Balance: 2,800 Credits]
It hurt to see his small savings shrink, but this was an investment. An F-Rank License was his passport to the Dungeons—and to unlimited EXP.
Just as he finished registering, a hush fell over the crowd outside.
"Hey, isn't that... Sneha Verma?"
"The 'Ice Princess'? The daughter of the Roxious Chairman?"
A sleek white luxury car pulled up. A girl stepped out. She was stunning, with long, silky black hair and eyes as cold as winter. She wore high-grade blue armor—custom-made by Roxious—that probably cost more than Aryan's entire life earnings.
She walked through the crowd with grace. The boys stared at her with open mouths, but she didn't glance at anyone. Her expression was bored, indifferent. Being the daughter of Devendra Verma, the world's wealthiest man, she was used to this attention.
As she passed by Aryan, however, her steps faltered.
Stop.
Sneha turned her head sharply. Her [Mana Sensitivity] was naturally high. For a split second, as she passed the boy in the black cargo pants, she felt a chill. Not the cold of ice, but the cold of a deep, dark abyss.
She stared at Aryan.
Aryan didn't look back. He was busy looking at a vending machine, calculating if he could afford a coffee with his remaining 2,800 credits. He completely ignored the 'Goddess' of the exam.
"Strange," Sneha thought, frowning slightly. "I felt a massive pressure... but he looks like a nobody. Must be my imagination."
She shook her head and walked away.
"Move it, trash!"
A rough shove nearly sent Aryan stumbling.
He regained his balance and looked up. A tall, handsome boy with arrogant eyes was standing there, surrounded by three lackeys. He wore golden-trimmed leather armor and carried a flashy sword.
Rahul Mehra. The son of Vikrant Mehra, the Guild Master of the 'Golden Lion Guild'.
"You're blocking the VIP path," Rahul sneered, dusting off his shoulder as if touching Aryan had dirtied him. "This line is for future Hunters, not for servants."
Rahul's lackeys laughed. "Good one, Rahul bro! Look at him, probably here to apply for a janitor job."
Aryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
[Analysis]
* Target: Rahul Mehra
* Level: 5
* Threat Level: None.
Aryan sighed. He could kill Rahul in less than a second. A single [Void Step] and his head would be on the floor. But...
"Not here," Aryan told himself. "There are cameras everywhere. If I kill a civilian here, I'll be a wanted criminal. I need the license."
"Sorry," Aryan said flatly, stepping aside.
Rahul smirked, thinking Aryan was scared. "That's right. Know your place, F-Rank."
The Mana Measurement Hall
Inside the testing hall, a giant crystal ball sat on a pedestal. This was the Mana Meter.
"To pass, you need a Mana Value of at least 30," the examiner announced.
One by one, candidates went up. Most failed.
"Next, Rahul Mehra!"
Rahul walked up confidently. He placed his hand on the ball and waved to the crowd.
ZNNNN!
The ball glowed with a bright blue light.
[Mana Value: 125]
"Whoa!" The crowd gasped. "125? That's already D-Rank level!"
"Excellent," the examiner nodded. "You have great potential, son of the Lion."
Rahul smirked at the crowd—specifically trying to catch Sneha's eye, who was busy checking her nails—and walked down like a king.
"Next, Sneha Verma!"
Sneha stepped up. She placed her delicate hand on the crystal.
WHOOSH!
The temperature in the room dropped. The ball didn't just glow; it froze. Frost covered the pedestal.
[Mana Value: 240]
Silence. Complete silence.
"Two... Two hundred and forty?" the examiner stammered. "That's... That's a genius level! You are practically a C-Rank already!"
Sneha removed her hand, the ice fading away. She walked back to her spot, her face expressionless. She didn't care about the praise.
"Next... Aryan!"
The examiner called out.
Rahul laughed loudly. "Watch this! I bet he scores a 5. Or maybe the machine will break from how weak he is!"
Aryan walked up to the pedestal. He placed his hand on the cold crystal.
[Warning]
[Void Energy is too potent for this device.]
[Full output will destroy the machine.]
Aryan's internal system warned him. If he poured his 450 Void Energy into this fragile ball, it wouldn't just measure it—it would explode. And an explosion would attract the Viper Guild.
"I need to suppress it," Aryan focused. "I need to lock the Void away. Just let a tiny drop leak out. Just enough to pass."
He built a mental wall around his core. He squeezed his aura tight, hiding the ocean of power and letting only a trickle escape.
Ping.
The ball flickered weakly. A faint, dull light appeared.
[Mana Value: 31]
The examiner squinted. "Thirty... one. Just barely passed."
He sighed and stamped a paper. "Congratulations, kid. You scraped by. You are officially qualified for F-Rank."
"Hahaha! 31?" Rahul roared with laughter, pointing at Aryan. "He is literally the weakest Hunter here! One point less and he would be a civilian!"
The whole hall erupted in laughter.
But Sneha wasn't laughing.
Her eyes were locked on Aryan. When Aryan had touched the ball, she had felt it again. For a microsecond, before the "31" appeared, she felt a fluctuation. It was like standing on top of a sleeping dragon.
"He suppressed it," Sneha realized, her eyes widening. "He didn't barely pass... he chose to pass with 31. Who is he?"
Aryan took his paper and walked back to the corner. He ignored the mockery. He ignored Rahul.
He looked at his hand.
"31 is perfect," Aryan thought, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The world will see a weak F-Rank porter. They won't see the Reaper coming until the scythe is already at their throats."
"Alright, maggots," the examiner shouted. "Mana test is done. Next is the Combat Simulation. Move to the arena!"
Aryan followed the crowd.
[Current Status]
* License Progress: 50% Complete.
* Identity: Successfully hidden.
* Money: 2,800 Credits remaining.
The real test was about to begin.