Morning sunlight spread across the towering walls of Virelden.
But the city was far from peaceful.
Rumors were spreading everywhere.
Hunters filled taverns and guild halls discussing the same thing.
"A trainee killed a dungeon boss."
"He bonded with an Eternal relic."
"Even the Sun Heir appeared."
Inside the Hunter Registration Hall, the atmosphere was chaotic.
Dozens of hunters crowded around the mission board.
At the center of the room stood Kael Varyn.
His simple armor was still stained with blood from the dungeon raid.
And his fists were wrapped with dark metal gauntlets.
The fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets.
Everyone in the hall was staring at him.
The receptionist leaned forward nervously.
"Kael Varyn."
She held up a glowing crystal tablet.
"Your dungeon raid report has been verified."
The room went quiet.
"Confirmation of dungeon boss elimination."
"Reward granted."
The crystal flashed.
Hunter Rank Updated
Previous Rank: F
New Rank: E
Murmurs spread across the hall.
"That fast?"
"Most hunters stay F Rank for years."
But the receptionist continued.
"Additionally…"
"The Hunter Council has issued a special evaluation."
Another screen appeared.
Special Recognition
Dungeon Boss Slayer
Bonus Reward:
1,000 Spirit Coins
+5 Stat Points
Kael blinked.
"Five?"
The system appeared instantly.
Stat Points Available: 5
He distributed them quickly.
+3 Strength
+1 Endurance
+1 Agility
Updated Stats
Level: 5
Rank: E
STR: 28
AGI: 11
END: 21
SPI: 6
INT: 3
LUK: 1
Kael felt the increase immediately.
His body felt heavier with power.
But the room suddenly became even quieter.
Because the large guild doors opened.
Three groups of hunters walked inside.
Each wearing powerful armor and guild emblems.
The first group wore steel armor with a crimson wolf crest.
The leader stepped forward.
"We represent the Iron Legion."
One of the strongest warrior guilds in Valtheris.
The man crossed his arms.
"Kael Varyn."
"Join our guild."
"We'll train you to become a true berserker."
Before Kael could answer—
Another voice interrupted.
"Don't listen to those brutes."
A tall woman wearing rune-covered robes stepped forward.
Her cloak bore the symbol of the Celestial Tower.
"We offer something far better."
"Knowledge."
"Resources."
"Relic research."
She looked at Kael's gauntlets.
"And answers about your weapon."
A third group approached next.
Storm symbols decorated their armor.
The leader grinned.
"Kid."
"You've got talent."
"Join the Stormbreakers."
"We produce the strongest hunters."
The entire hall had gone silent.
Three major guilds.
Recruiting a newly awakened hunter.
That almost never happened.
The spear fighter from Kael's dungeon party whispered from the side.
"Kid…"
"You just hit the jackpot."
Kael looked at the three guild leaders.
Then he scratched his head.
"…Do I have to decide now?"
The Iron Legion leader shook his head.
"No."
"You have time."
But the Celestial Tower mage spoke again.
"Not much time."
Her voice lowered.
"The relic you obtained belongs to an ancient Eternal weapon set."
"Many powerful groups will want it."
Kael frowned.
"Meaning?"
Before she could answer—
The system flashed violently.
WARNING
Hostile presence detected.
Kael's Battle Instinct activated instantly.
His head snapped toward the ceiling.
Something moved in the shadows above the hall.
A dark figure dropped silently from the rafters.
Black cloak.
Silver mask.
Twin daggers glowing with poison.
The assassin landed directly behind Kael.
Gasps filled the room.
The man spoke coldly.
"Target confirmed."
"We of the Eclipse Order claim the relic."
The guild leaders moved instantly.
But the assassin was faster.
He lunged toward Kael's back.
The system screamed.
Threat Level: High
Kael spun around.
His gauntlet shot forward.
CLANG.
The dagger struck the Worldbreaker Gauntlets fragment.
Sparks exploded.
The assassin's eyes widened behind his mask.
"So fast…"
Kael grinned.
"Nice try."
Then he punched.
BOOM.
The assassin crashed through three wooden tables.
Hunters jumped back as the floor cracked.
The Eclipse Order assassin stood up slowly.
Blood dripping from his mask.
"…Interesting."
But suddenly—
A blazing wave of fire burst through the hall entrance.
Everyone turned.
A familiar voice echoed across the room.
"You idiots are causing trouble again."
Flames swirled as a tall figure stepped inside.
Golden eyes.
Burning aura.
It was Ardyn Solis.
The assassin froze.
"…You."
Ardyn cracked his neck.
"This city is under my guild's protection."
His flames ignited the entire hall.
"So leave."
Or burn.
The assassin clicked his tongue.
"…This isn't over."
He vanished into the shadows instantly.
Silence followed.
Then Ardyn looked at Kael.
"You attract trouble fast."
Kael shrugged.
"Seems like it."
Ardyn smirked.
"Good."
"That means you're becoming interesting."
Then he turned toward the guild leaders.
"Recruit him if you want."
"But remember something."
His eyes returned to Kael.
"He's mine in the Aetherion World Tournament."
A grin spread across Kael's face.
"Looking forward to it."
And somewhere far away…
Inside a hidden fortress…
The Eclipse Order had already begun preparing their next move.
Because Kael Varyn had just become their number one target.