The Hunter Association building stood tall—cold, imposing, and absolute.
Adrian walked through its doors without hesitation.
Eyes followed him instantly.
Whispers spread just as fast.
"That's him."
"The F-rank who cleared a dungeon solo."
"No way…"
He ignored all of it.
Because today—
They were going to measure him again.
Testing Chamber – Floor 3
The room was larger than before.
Cleaner.
More controlled.
But the pressure inside was heavier.
This wasn't a public test.
This was official.
Standing at the center—
Vice Captain Seo.
"You're on time," she said calmly.
Adrian nodded.
"…Let's get it over with."
Her lips curved slightly.
"Straightforward. I like that."
Three examiners stood behind a reinforced glass panel.
High-grade measuring equipment surrounded the platform.
Far more advanced than the usual testing crystals.
"This time," Seo continued, "we're doing a full evaluation."
Adrian stepped forward.
"Mana output. Physical capacity. Reaction speed."
She looked directly at him.
"And combat ability."
A pause.
"…Try not to hold back."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"…I wasn't planning to."
Test 1: Mana Output
A large orb—twice the size of the previous crystal—descended from above.
It pulsed with dense blue light.
"Place your hand on it," an examiner said through the speaker.
Adrian raised his hand.
Placed it on the surface.
For a second—
Nothing happened.
Then—
The orb flickered.
And spiked.
[Mana Output: 9 → 12 → 15]
The numbers kept rising.
"…It's increasing?"
"Impossible—his last recorded was 3!"
The orb vibrated violently.
Then—
It stopped.
[Final Output: 18]
Silence.
"…That's… borderline D-rank," one examiner whispered.
"But his rank is still F…"
Seo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Adrian pulled his hand away.
Unimpressed.
"…That all?"
Test 2: Physical Strength
A reinforced impact machine rolled forward.
"Strike with full force."
Adrian looked at it.
Then at his hand.
"…Alright."
He stepped forward.
Twisted his body—
And punched.
BOOM.
The machine shook.
Numbers flashed.
[Impact Force: 2.3x F-rank average]
"…That's E-rank level strength."
"Maybe higher…"
Adrian flexed his fingers.
"…Feels low."
The examiners went silent.
Test 3: Speed & Reaction
Mechanical drones activated.
Floating targets.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
"Dodge and counter."
The drones fired.
Projectiles shot toward him—
Adrian moved.
Effortlessly.
He weaved through every attack.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Then—
He struck.
One.
Two.
Three.
Each drone dropped instantly.
[Reaction Speed: High E-rank]
[Combat Efficiency: Above Average]
"…He's not F-rank."
"Not even close."
Seo crossed her arms.
Watching him closely now.
"…Final test."
Test 4: Combat Simulation
The lights dimmed.
A holographic field activated.
A figure formed.
A humanoid opponent.
Armed.
Fast.
[Simulation Opponent: C-Rank Hunter]
A ripple spread through the room.
"That's too much—"
"He'll get injured—"
Seo didn't move.
"…Begin."
The simulation attacked instantly.
Fast.
Precise.
Deadly.
Adrian's eyes sharpened.
"…Finally."
The opponent struck—
Adrian vanished.
Gone.
The next second—
He reappeared behind it.
The dagger flashed.
SLASH.
The simulation froze.
Then shattered.
Silence.
Complete.
Total.
Silence.
"…One move…"
"He… one-shot a C-rank simulation…"
The system screen appeared.
[Combat Result: Overwhelming Victory]
Seo stared at Adrian.
Long.
Carefully.
"…You've changed."
Adrian met her gaze.
"…I'm just getting started."
A pause.
Then—
A new screen appeared in front of him.
But this time—
It was different.
Darker.
Heavier.
[Hidden Requirement Fulfilled]
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"…What now?"
[Class Awakening Available]
His heartbeat spiked.
"…Class…?"
The screen flickered.
[Unique Class Detected]
The air around him shifted.
Even Seo felt it.
"…What is this pressure…?"
The message completed.
[Class: Sovereign of Ashes]
Status: Locked
Requirement: Complete Trial of Dominion
Adrian stared at the words.
"…Trial…"
A slow smile formed.
"…Then I'll clear that too."
Seo stepped forward.
"…Adrian Velasco."
Her voice was serious now.
"No more tests."
A pause.
"You're being promoted."
The room held its breath.
"…Effective immediately."
"…You are now—"
"E-rank Hunter."
Silence.
Then chaos.
"…From F to E in one day?!"
"That's unheard of!"
But Adrian—
He didn't react.
Because his focus was elsewhere.
On the screen only he could see.
[Trial of Dominion: Pending]
His eyes darkened.
"…Next."