Kael stepped out of the dungeon into the warm sunlight, letting the golden rays wash over him. The cold stone, the smell of blood, and the hum of the Dragon Core were gone… replaced by the city's noise: carts rolling over cobblestone, merchants shouting their wares, children laughing in the streets.
He took a deep breath. Fighting monsters had its clarity. City life… was unpredictable.
Bell trailed behind him, her usual fiery grin softened by fatigue. "You survived again. E-rank or not, that was impressive."
Kael smirked faintly. "It's not about impressing anyone. I just… survive."
Bell laughed. "You're impossible."
---
The guild hall loomed ahead, a massive building of stone and metal. Inside, the chatter of hunters was relentless. Boards displayed dungeon raids, rankings, and loot auctions. Kael's previous S-rank dungeon report had already made waves. Whispered rumors followed him wherever he went.
They're watching, Kael thought, feeling the subtle pulse of attention. Some with curiosity. Some with suspicion.
A familiar voice called out. "Kael!"
It was Mira, the healer from his first dungeon run. She waved timidly. "I… I heard about the S-rank dungeon. You really survived?"
Kael shrugged. "Barely. But yes."
Her eyes widened. "I… I never thought… I mean…"
Kael raised a hand, stopping her before she could overpraise. "Don't. I'm not looking for praise. It doesn't matter."
Yet inside, he felt something shift—a recognition he had never sought. People were noticing him. And with recognition came attention… and danger.
---
At the guildmaster's office, Kael was summoned. The man sat behind a massive oak desk, hands steepled, eyes studying him like a hawk.
"Kael," the guildmaster said, voice calm but firm. "Reports of your survival are… unusual. Very unusual. You've drawn attention—not just from hunters, but from the guild. How did you manage it?"
Kael met his gaze evenly. "Luck isn't enough. I… do what I need to survive."
The guildmaster's lips twitched in the faintest smile. "Hmph. That may be the truth. But know this: the world is watching. Some will see potential. Others… will see a threat."
Kael's pulse quickened slightly. Threats… already? He had just survived his first real test.
---
Later, Kael wandered through the city streets with Bell. Merchants hawked strange exotic goods—spices that glowed faintly, mechanical limbs, and enchanted trinkets. Children played with miniature holographic creatures that flickered with light. The city felt alive in a way the dungeons never were.
Bell nudged him. "You look tense. Relax for once. You survived—don't overthink it."
Kael glanced around. He did feel tense, but it wasn't fear. It was awareness. The city had rules, hierarchies, politics, and invisible dangers. Unlike dungeons, he couldn't manipulate every variable. Not yet.
As they walked, a group of mid-tier hunters approached. One sneered. "So, this is the so-called E-rank who survived an S-rank? I'll believe it when I see it."
Kael didn't reply. He let Bell handle the subtle warning. She stepped forward, flames flickering faintly around her fists, enough to make them think twice.
The hunters scowled but backed off. Kael exhaled slowly. This is different. This is the world I live in now.
---
That evening, Kael returned to his modest apartment, watching the sunset from the rooftop. The city stretched endlessly, alive and unpredictable.
No dungeon. No monsters. Just people.
But Kael knew better. Every whisper, every rumor, every rumor of S-rank anomalies—they were watching him. And soon, he would have to show them what kind of power a hidden E-rank could wield.
The Dragon Core pulsed warmly, as if acknowledging his thoughts. Kael smiled faintly.
Tomorrow… the city changes.