After obtaining his Hunter Rank F certification, Evan prepared himself the next day to enter his first Dimensional Rift. With simple equipment—a regular iron sword and light protective clothing—he stood before the Rift portal, which emitted a bluish glow.
"Don't be careless, Evan. Even if this is just a Rank F Rift, there's still danger inside," said Myra, standing beside him with a worried expression.
Evan nodded. "I know. I'll only hunt weak monsters and leave as soon as I get enough hunting materials."
With that firm resolve, he finally stepped into the Rift.
Upon entering the Rift, the air inside felt heavier than outside. The sky was grayish, with towering trees surrounding the area. The ground was covered in tall grass, creating an atmosphere resembling a wild forest.
[System Activated.]
[Limitless Blade System – Beginner Guide Mode.]
[Objective: Survive and Hunt in a Rank F Rift.]
Evan's eyes gleamed as the system notification appeared before him. This was the first time the system had activated in a real hunting situation.
"Alright… I need to find my first prey."
Encounter with a Rank F Monster
It didn't take long before he spotted a Rank F Goblin wandering through the forest. The creature had green skin, stood about a meter tall, and wielded a dull dagger.
[Target Information: Rank F Goblin]
[Weaknesses: Neck, Chest]
Evan gripped his sword and stealthily approached the creature. With a swift strike, he slashed the goblin's neck, making it collapse without a chance to fight back.
[Monster Defeated – Exp +10]
Evan let out a relieved breath. "So far, so easy..."
However, as he ventured deeper into the Rift, something unexpected happened.
A Near-Death Struggle
By accident, Evan stumbled upon a Shadow Wolf, a monster that should still be Rank F, but its body was larger, and its aura was stronger than usual.
[Warning! Target is on the verge of evolving to Rank E.]
Evan's heartbeat quickened. This was no opponent to underestimate.
The wolf growled and lunged with a speed far greater than the previous monster. Evan barely had time to react as its claws nearly slashed his face.
Swish!
Evan rolled to the side, but his shoulder was still grazed, leaving a deep wound.
"Damn it! This is much harder than the previous monster," he muttered, feeling the stinging pain.
[Recommendation: Use a technique from the Limitless Blade System.]
Evan was surprised that the system provided a recommendation. He quickly accessed the system and found a technique he could use.
[Available Technique: Shadow Step – Enables rapid movement for a short duration.]
Without hesitation, Evan activated the technique. His body felt lighter, and he could move faster than before.
As the wolf charged again, Evan dodged nimbly and countered with a slash to its leg. The wolf howled in pain but was still standing.
Evan steadied his breathing. "I have to end this quickly."
Summoning all his courage, he leaped onto the wolf and plunged his sword straight into its nape.
Brak!
The wolf struggled for a moment before finally collapsing to the ground.
[Monster Defeated – Exp +50]
[Level Up!]
Evan sat on the ground, panting heavily, but a sense of satisfaction filled him. He had survived a near-fatal battle.
"Hah… Hah…" As he gasped for breath, he suddenly let out a joyful laugh, celebrating his first successful hunt in a Rank F Rift.
Selling the Hunting Loot
After ensuring there was no more danger, Evan collected several valuable monster parts, such as the wolf's fangs and the goblin's mana crystal.
Upon exiting the Rift, he headed to the Hunter Hunting Sales Center to exchange his loot for money.
The shopkeeper, an old man with thick glasses, inspected Evan's haul and nodded.
"Not bad for a beginner. You get 300 silver coins for everything."
Evan accepted the money with a satisfied smile. This was enough to support him and Lilia for several days.
As he left the shop, he felt more confident.
"This is just the beginning... I'll get stronger and earn even more."
With newfound determination, Evan prepared for his next journey in the world of Hunters.