Three days passed quickly, and it was time for the first-year students to head to the Hunters’ Guild for official registration.

The academy arranged carriages to transport the students to the capital’s main guild branch—a towering structure made of reinforced stone and enchanted metal, filled with hunters, merchants, and adventurers of all ranks.

As the students entered, the atmosphere was tense yet exciting. This was the first step toward becoming true hunters.

---

Hunter Registration & Ranks

Each student had to undergo a combat and mana assessment to determine their starting hunter rank.

Ranking System:

S-Rank – The strongest hunters, legendary status.

A-Rank – Elite hunters capable of leading large missions.

B-Rank – Strong, experienced hunters.

C-Rank – The standard for trained hunters, competent but not extraordinary.

D-Rank – Beginner hunters, often working in groups.

E-Rank – Novices, barely qualifying as hunters.

One by one, the elite students stepped up for evaluation.

Elite Students’ Hunter Ranks:

1. Ivan – B-Rank

2. Rean – B-Rank

3. Ivansia – B-Rank

4. Arther – B-Rank

5. Sylpiette – B-Rank

6. Nether – C-Rank (Hid his true strength)

7. Celestine – C-Rank

8. Alistair – C-Rank

9. Darius – C-Rank

Nether smirked to himself as he stepped away from the assessment area.

("If I went all out, I’d probably get a B-Rank like the others… but I don’t need that attention right now.")

He had his own plans—and drawing too much attention too soon wasn’t part of them.

---

First Mission Briefing – C-Rank Dungeon

After receiving their hunter licenses, the students gathered in the guild’s briefing hall, where a Guild Instructor explained their first mission.

“For your first real test as hunters,” the instructor announced, “you will form small teams and clear a C-Rank Dungeon.”

The students whispered among themselves.

A C-Rank Dungeon wasn’t something to take lightly. It meant real danger—and real combat.

Nether cracked his knuckles.

("This is going to be interesting…")

---C-Rank Dungeon: The True Test Begins

As Nether’s team moved deeper into the dungeon, the air grew colder, and the blue veins along the stone walls pulsed like a heartbeat. It was unsettling.

Darius tightened his grip on his shield. “This place feels cursed.”

Nether remained calm but alert. “Stay focused. We don’t know what else is lurking.”

Sylpiette, walking beside him, narrowed her eyes. “I can hear something ahead… a lot of movement.”

She wasn’t wrong. A deeper growling echoed through the corridors, a stark contrast to the goblins they had just fought. Whatever was ahead wasn’t small or weak.

---

A Split-Second Decision

They reached a massive stone chamber, lit by eerie blue torches, with two pathways leading forward.

Before they could decide which way to go, the ground shook.

THUD… THUD… THUD…

Emerging from the shadows of the left passage was a Hobgoblin Captain—a seven-foot-tall creature wielding a massive iron club. Its bloodshot eyes locked onto them, filled with killing intent.

Two smaller Hobgoblin Warriors flanked it, each carrying rusted swords.

Sylpiette took a deep breath, steadying her bow.

Darius raised his shield, stepping forward. “I’ll hold the big one back.”

Nether’s grip tightened around his swords. “Sylpiette, take the small ones. I’ll back you up if they get too close.”

She smirked. “Don’t slow me down.”

---

The Battle Begins – Precision vs. Brute Strength

Darius vs. The Hobgoblin Captain

The massive hobgoblin roared, lifting its club and bringing it down with earth-shaking force.

BOOM!

Darius barely managed to brace himself, the impact sending cracks through the stone floor beneath him.

“Damn… this thing is strong.”

The hobgoblin swung again, but Darius sidestepped, slamming his shield into its ribs.

The captain stumbled but didn’t fall. Instead, it grinned, showing its sharp, yellow teeth.

("It’s enjoying this?")

Darius gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to fight defensively—one wrong move, and that club would crush him instantly.

---

Sylpiette’s Sniper Precision

The two smaller hobgoblins charged at Nether and Sylpiette, their swords raised.

Sylpiette was already moving.

FWISH!

She released an aura-infused arrow that pierced through the first goblin’s shoulder, pinning it to the wall.

The second one lunged at her, but Nether intercepted it mid-strike, parrying its sword with ease.

“Careful, don’t get distracted,” he teased.

Sylpiette rolled her eyes. “I had it under control.”

BANG!

A second arrow shot through the pinned hobgoblin’s skull, ending its life instantly.

She turned to Nether. “See?”

Nether smirked. “Not bad.”

---

Nether’s First Use of Gravity Magic in Combat

The remaining hobgoblin warrior was faster than expected. It swung wildly, forcing Nether to dodge backward.

Sylpiette was preparing another arrow, but the goblin was too close.

("If I dodge again, it’ll reach her.")

Instead of retreating, Nether focused his mind, channeling his newly discovered gravity magic.

A faint black aura surrounded his hand.

“Gravity Shift.”

Instantly, the weight around the goblin doubled—its movements slowed dramatically, like it was sinking into mud.

It tried to swing its sword, but Nether was already in motion.

SLASH!

One clean strike through the chest—it fell without a sound.

Sylpiette’s eyes widened as she lowered her bow. “What was that?”

Nether exhaled. “Gravity magic.”

Sylpiette tilted her head. “Since when could you use magic?”

“…Since today.”

She stared at him for a moment before shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

---

The Captain’s Last Stand

Meanwhile, Darius was struggling.

The hobgoblin captain’s strength was overwhelming. His shield was dented, and each attack forced him backward.

Nether stepped forward. “Darius, step back.”

Darius didn’t hesitate. He rolled to the side, giving Nether a clear opening.

The hobgoblin roared and charged at Nether—its massive club raised high.

But Nether’s hand was already glowing with gravity magic.

“Gravitational Pressure.”

The hobgoblin suddenly staggered, its body being pushed down by invisible force.

Its club slammed into the ground, unable to lift it.

Before it could react—

Sylpiette’s arrow pierced its throat.

Nether’s sword slashed across its chest.

Darius’s shield bashed into its skull.

THUD!

The monster collapsed, blood pooling around it.

The chamber fell silent.

---

Aftermath & Moving Forward

Darius exhaled. “That thing was a monster.”

Sylpiette stretched her arms. “Not bad, though.”

Nether wiped his blade clean. “Let’s keep moving.”

They looked ahead—where the darkest part of the dungeon awaited them.

The real challenge had yet to come.

C-Rank Dungeon: The True Test Continues

As Nether, Sylpiette, and Darius finished their battle, deep inside another passage of the dungeon, Ivan, Rean, and Arther were facing their own challenges.

---

Ivan’s POV – A Mage’s Pride

Ivan stood at the center of an open cavern, his blue robes barely fluttering in the still air. Five goblins surrounded him, each wielding crude daggers and clubs.

Unlike Nether, who fought up close, Ivan was a mage—his battlefield was the entire dungeon.

One goblin lunged at him, blade flashing—

"Wind Burst."

A sudden blast of air exploded around him, sending the goblin soaring into the cave wall with a sickening crunch.

The other goblins hesitated.

Ivan smirked, raising his hand. "You should’ve run while you had the chance."

With a simple motion, he conjured five fireballs, one for each remaining goblin.

"Multi-Cast: Firebolt."

FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!

Each fireball shot forward, burning through the goblins in an instant.

As the smoke cleared, he adjusted his robes. "Hmph. As expected."

From the shadows, Ivansia watched with a neutral expression. "Overkill as always, Ivan."

Ivan turned, meeting her gaze. "And yet, you're still watching."

She scoffed. "Just making sure you don’t burn yourself out before the real fight."

He smirked but said nothing.

---

Rean’s POV – The Shadows Dance

Unlike Ivan’s flashy magic, Rean preferred the quiet.

He had slipped into a dark corridor, moving undetected past the goblins. His task was simple: scout ahead and eliminate any threats silently.

A pair of goblins stood guard at a stone door, speaking in their guttural language.

Rean emerged from the darkness behind them.

SHING!

Before either could react, his daggers sliced through their throats.

They crumpled without a sound.

He wiped his blades clean, muttering, "Too easy."

Then, he heard something bigger breathing behind the door.

His grin faded. ("Something's waiting for us.")

---

Arther’s POV – The Warrior’s Challenge

Arther had never been one for tactics.

Unlike his brothers, who used strategy or stealth, he preferred brute force.

Right now, he was surrounded by three goblin brutes—each bigger than the ones Ivan faced.

He cracked his knuckles. "Finally, something worth hitting!"

One of the brutes swung a massive axe at him.

Instead of dodging, Arther caught the axe with his bare hands.

SNAP!

The wooden handle shattered in his grip.

The goblin’s eyes went wide—just before Arther’s fist caved in its face.

Another brute came from behind, swinging a spiked club—

Arther turned, grabbed the club mid-air, and swung the goblin into the ground.

The third goblin hesitated.

Arther grinned. "Come on, don’t stop now."

The goblin dropped its weapon and ran.

Arther blinked. "Huh? That’s no fun."

---

Back to Nether’s POV – A New Threat Approaches

Nether, Sylpiette, and Darius continued deeper into the dungeon.

The air was growing heavier.

Suddenly, Rean’s voice echoed from the shadows.

"Everyone, get ready," he whispered. "We’ve got a problem."

Nether narrowed his eyes. "What kind of problem?"

Rean pointed behind him—where the door he had scouted earlier slowly creaked open.

A pair of glowing red eyes stared back.

Something was waiting for them.

( To Be Continued… )