The four hunters had been scattered across the guild's evaluation grounds, each sent to different rooms and arenas for their E-rank license tests.
Riven Holt found himself in a hall filled with swinging mechanical targets, pressure plates, and timed doors. His heart pounded. This was it—the test that could push him to E-rank.
"Focus," he muttered to himself. He moved, dodged, and struck the targets with precise timing. Each motion felt sharper, more fluid than before. He didn't realize it, but Kael's system quietly rewarded his success, enhancing his reflexes with every perfect strike.
Lyra Tane stepped into a dimly lit archery arena, where moving targets and illusionary enemies tested her aim and focus. Arrows flew from her bow in perfect rhythm, hitting each target dead center. Her senses seemed sharper, reactions faster—but to her, it was just the thrill of performing under pressure. Behind the scenes, Kael's system quietly recorded her actions, preparing the enhancement she would feel later.
Taren Vale's test was a combat course: swinging dummies, moving platforms, and timed obstacle maneuvers. He ducked, dodged, and struck with precise timing, his body moving almost instinctively. Each success triggered the silent system quest, gradually sharpening his coordination and precision.
Calen Vire faced a mixed test: a combination of agility, combat, and tactical decision-making. Traps triggered, targets appeared suddenly, and he had to make split-second choices. His nerves threatened to overwhelm him, but he remembered Kael's words: "Just pass the test." Every careful step, every precise strike, silently fueled the system quest, enhancing his reflexive and tactical abilities.
Meanwhile, Kael quietly oversaw his own "task" from afar, monitoring the progress of all four F-ranks. He moved through the shadows of the guild hall, adjusting challenges subtly where needed. Each success by his F-ranks quietly triggered their system quests, enhancing them without their awareness.
Hours passed. Sweat poured, hearts raced, and each F-rank pushed themselves to the limit. Finally, one by one, they completed their evaluations, exhausted but exhilarated.
Kael met them at the designated gathering point outside the E-rank dungeon two days later. Riven's eyes glimmered, Lyra's chest rose steadily, Taren Vale's stance radiated confidence, and Calen Vire's hands trembled slightly—but with controlled focus.
Kael's lips curved faintly. "Good. You all passed."
They didn't know why they felt… different. Stronger. Faster. Sharper. It wasn't just passing the test—they were changing, silently, under Kael's guidance.
Riven broke the silence, a broad grin spreading across his face. "I… I feel… awesome!"
Lyra nodded, tears of relief in her eyes. "Everything… feels sharper. I can react before I even think."
Taren Vale and Calen Vire shared the same sentiment, all silently acknowledging the strange new strength coursing through them.
Kael's eyes flicked over them. "E-rank licenses in hand. The guild will process your approval, and once that's complete… our real journey begins."
The E-rank dungeon loomed before them. Inside, danger, growth, and a new world of power waited.
For the first time, the four hunters—once invisible F-ranks—felt the edge of something greater. And Kael knew, silently, that this was only the beginning.