Melina hurried back to Atreus, as if something was calling her. It didn’t take long before she found what she was looking for — a descent portal straight to Apex.

The moment she arrived on that floor, the atmosphere changed. It was like breathing familiar air after days away from home. Her legs moved on their own, carrying her to the small rented house she called home. There, she prepared a warm bath, filled with soap, flower petals, and whatever delicacy she could gather in such a cruel world.

Sinking into the warmth of the water, her mind wandered.

Memories…

Darius: What class did you get?
Melina: I’m an Appraiser… Beginner.
Darius: An Appraiser, wandering around Ares alone? That’s interesting… Haha.
Melina: I know… [her eyes dropped, sadness in her voice.]
Darius: That’s actually amazing. Melina, the Appraiser. Honestly, you’re making me want you in my team.
Melina: Your team…?
Darius: We’re on the Fourth World, Antares. I came down to Ares to recruit people who want to climb. Soon, the floor master of my world’s second sector will respawn… and I’ll challenge for my Second Dan Master title.

Melina slid deeper into the water. Her eyes were open, but her mind was already far away.

Melina’s thoughts: Second Dan Master… That’s top level. To even qualify for that test, I need to reach Advanced rank… and defeat Apex’s boss. That’s… impossible, for now.

After what felt like an eternity, she left the tub. The scars on her body were still healing. Standing in front of the mirror, she quietly examined the marks of the battle that nearly killed her.

She remembered the bitter taste of that lizard she ate. A small act — but it changed everything.

System:
— Skill Consumed.
— New Skill: Scarlet’s Adaptive Regeneration (Lv.1)
— Description: Consumes mana to speed up physical recovery. Current stage: 2x normal speed.

Melina: “Now I’ll have to live on seaweed just to refill my mana… Probably in a month, my arm will be back. One of my ribs is already fixed…”

She took a deep breath.

Melina: “Better head to the guild… and report what happened.”

But before she could leave, her eyes began to water. She dropped to her knees, right there, in front of the mirror.

Melina (thinking): That’s weird… even if they hurt me, now that I’m safe, all I want is to cry for their deaths…

And so, she cried. A lot.

Later, back at the Hunter’s Guild…

Receptionist: “Good morning, Melina! How was your expedition?”

She simply nodded. Calm on the outside, chaos inside.

Melina (thinking): They don’t know yet… Time flows differently between the worlds. The higher you go, the slower it passes. I spent six days in Ares… but here in Apex, barely a day and a half has passed.

Melina: “I’m here to report an incident.”

Receptionist: “Please place your hand here.” She gestured to a glowing totem.

Melina did as told. The totem lit up.

Receptionist: “All done! The report’s been logged for review.”

Melina: “Thanks.”

But then the receptionist froze, reading something on her panel.

Receptionist: “Wait — it says here you ranked up to Beginner Appraiser! Let’s see your records…”

She tapped the panel:

Melina’s Record

• World: Apex – Group expedition

• World: Atreus – Group expedition

• World: Ares – Solo expedition

• Monsters defeated: Common class, Ares

Receptionist: “Wait… Ares, solo? Manager!”

The manager hurried over, reading silently.

Manager: “Hmm… An Appraiser, alone in Ares… and killed monsters? Expedition time: six days? Interesting. Let’s record this.”

Manager (smiling): “Congratulations, young lady. Your name’s going into our guild records.”

Melina left the counter a bit awkwardly, her face flushed.

Melina (thinking): I have to get stronger… I want to join Darius’ team… It’s a shame he couldn’t pass through the portal…

That’s when a familiar voice echoed through the hall:

Saicha: “MELINAAAAAA!”

Melina (thinking): Oh no…

Before she could react, she was crushed in a bone-crushing hug.

Melina: “Saicha! Let go, you clingy thing!”

They laughed and headed to a small restaurant, eating until they could barely move.

Saicha (excited): “Did you hear?! Faenton passed the Second Dan Master test! The boss respawned yesterday — and died TODAY! Everyone’s trying now.”

Melina: “Yeah… the higher your status, the better the perks.”

Saicha: “You know I’m an Advanced Healer, right? My master wants me to try. But… fighting a boss alone?”

Melina thought quietly. Healers don’t become Masters. The system’s cruel. Appraisers like me are for trade, not for combat. Weaponsmiths might make it… Healers, maybe… But hardly anyone survives past the second boss.

Saicha: “MELINA?! You alive?!”

Melina: “Huh?!”

Saicha: “You zoned out again! What world were you in just now?”

Melina: “Uhm… you should take the test.”

Saicha: “But what if I die?!”

Melina: “They give you a rare necklace to keep you alive during the test, right? So… do it.”

Saicha (tearful, hugging her): “THAT’S WHY YOU’RE MY BEST FRIEND!”

Melina: “I am, huh…”

Saicha: “Now — let’s drink!!”

Melina: “…Eeeeh…”

Hours later…

Melina stumbled down the streets of Apex, tipsy.

Melina: “Hic…”

She collapsed onto her bed, falling asleep instantly.

✨ Flashback:

Darius: “Those are the monsters you’ll face when you’re ready.” He pointed to a village of orcs in the distance.

The next morning…

Melina: “Uuuugh… sleepy…” She stretched.

Melina: “Ugh… why does my breath smell so bad after drinking…”

System:
— Skill evolved: You are now immune to poison and nausea effects caused by consumption.

Melina (grinning): “That’s cool…”

She was surprised to see that her abdominal scars were gone.

Melina: “Wow… that lizard really was a miracle. Three days… Better head to the hunting grounds.”

On her way, a notification popped up:

Guild Message
Dear Melina,
I, Don Rosario Martins — former Hunter, Guild President, former leader of God’s Wings, and Second Dan Master Appraiser — congratulate you for surviving Ares. As a reward, accept this gift.

A small amulet floated before her. The moment she touched it, it shattered.

System:
— Class Evolved: Beginner Appraiser → Intermediate Appraiser.

Melina: “Thank you, President…”

Melina (thinking): Now I can hunt solo. I can climb to Atreus without needing permission…

She gazed at the horizon.

Melina (thinking): In this field… monsters from inferior to superior classes. Will I be strong enough to hunt them?

She took a step forward. Then another.

The path to walking beside Darius… had begun.