Light faded.
The burning wasteland disappeared.
Adrian opened his eyes.
He was back in the hallway.
Same place.
Same time.
But everything felt different.
The air around him—
Heavy.
Dense.
Oppressive.
Like something invisible was pressing down on the world itself.
"…So I'm back."
[Class Acquired: Sovereign of Ashes]
The system window hovered in front of him.
Darker than before.
More… alive.
"…Show me."
[Class Abilities Unlocked]
Ash Authority (Lv. 1)
Dominion Sense (Passive)
Summon: Ash Soldier (Locked)
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"…Summon is locked?"
[Condition: Insufficient Dominion Energy]
"…So I need more."
He exhaled slowly.
"…Ash Authority first."
The moment he focused—
Something responded.
A faint black mist began to gather around his hand.
Adrian raised it slowly.
"…This is…"
The mist twisted.
Moved.
Like it was alive.
Then—
It solidified.
A small blade formed.
Made entirely of ash.
Adrian stared at it.
"…Not bad."
Then—
A voice interrupted.
"…What are you doing?"
Adrian's eyes flicked up.
Vice Captain Seo stood at the end of the hallway.
Watching him.
Closely.
"…Nothing," Adrian replied calmly.
But her gaze didn't waver.
"…That pressure just now."
A pause.
"…Was that you?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
He let the ash blade disperse.
"…Maybe."
Seo's eyes sharpened.
"…You've changed again."
"…Yeah."
No denial.
No explanation.
Just truth.
The air between them grew tense.
Then—
Another presence entered.
Heavy.
Dominant.
Sharp.
Footsteps echoed down the hallway.
"…So this is him."
A man appeared.
Tall.
Lean.
His aura—
Cold.
Refined.
Dangerous.
Even without a system—
Anyone could tell.
He was strong.
Very strong.
"…A-rank," Adrian thought.
The man stopped a few meters away.
Studied him.
"…Adrian Velasco."
His voice was calm.
But carried weight.
"…I heard you cleared a dungeon solo."
Adrian met his gaze.
Unfazed.
"…I did."
A slight smile formed on the man's lips.
"…Interesting."
He stepped closer.
"…Name's Riven."
A pause.
"…I want to test something."
The hallway fell silent.
Seo frowned slightly.
"…Riven, this isn't—"
"It's fine," Adrian interrupted.
Seo looked at him.
Surprised.
"…You're accepting?"
Adrian's eyes didn't leave Riven.
"…Why not?"
A faint smirk appeared.
"…I want to see the difference."
Between him—
And a real high-rank Hunter.
Riven's smile widened.
"…Good answer."
The air shifted instantly.
Pressure surged.
Even Seo took a step back.
"…Don't overdo it," she warned.
Neither of them listened.
Riven moved first.
Fast.
Blinding.
He vanished—
And appeared in front of Adrian.
A hand shot forward—
Adrian reacted instantly.
[Predator Instinct Activated]
Time slowed.
He twisted—
Barely avoiding the strike—
"…Fast."
Riven's eyes gleamed.
"…You can keep up?"
He attacked again.
Faster.
Sharper.
More precise.
Adrian blocked—
Countered—
Moved.
Each exchange—
Closer.
Sharper.
Deadlier.
But—
"…He's stronger."
Adrian could feel it.
Riven wasn't serious.
Not yet.
Then—
"…Let's push it."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
He raised his hand.
Ash gathered instantly.
Forming around his arm.
Riven paused.
"…What is that?"
No answer.
Adrian moved.
This time—
He attacked first.
The ash-coated strike clashed with Riven's defense—
BOOM.
The impact echoed through the hallway.
The floor cracked beneath them.
Riven slid back—
Just slightly.
His eyes widened.
"…You actually pushed me?"
Seo's expression hardened.
"…That power…"
Adrian stood still.
Ash swirling faintly around him.
"…I'm not done yet."
Riven laughed softly.
"…Good."
For the first time—
His aura flared.
Cold.
Sharp.
Overwhelming.
"…Now it's getting interesting."
The air trembled.
And for a moment—
It felt like the building itself couldn't handle them.
Seo stepped forward.
"…Enough."
Her voice cut through the tension.
"…Both of you."
Silence.
Riven clicked his tongue.
"…Tch. Fine."
His aura disappeared instantly.
Adrian lowered his hand.
Ash fading away.
The pressure vanished.
But the feeling remained.
Riven turned.
Then paused.
"…You're not normal."
A glance over his shoulder.
"…Get stronger."
A small smile.
"…I'll be waiting."
Then he left.
Just like that.
Silence returned.
Seo exhaled slowly.
"…You're going to be a problem."
Adrian smirked slightly.
"…For who?"
She didn't answer.
Because they both knew.
For everyone.
Adrian looked at his hand.
At the faint traces of ash still lingering.
His eyes darkened.
"…This is just the beginning."