Three days passed.
Three days have passed since the shadow trial, since Jin-Woo materialized as a futuristic ghost, and since I discovered a new ability that still pulsated through my body like a bolt of lightning. I could feel the air tightening, like a calm before a typhoon, but the outside world went on as if nothing had happened.
The murmurs had persisted. If anything, their volume had increased. The teachers at Hunter Academy began to be cautious around me. Even Min-Ho, who used to use me as a stepping stone, avoided making eye contact. However, that paled in comparison to what followed.
A formal summons.
delivered directly to my room.
It was a real letter, sealed with the Korean Hunter Association's crest, not a call or message.
Under the direction of S-Rank Hunter Park Seol-Hwa, you are hereby called upon to participate in a field observation. Discipline may follow nonattendance, which will be interpreted as a refusal of evaluation.
Assessment?
No. It had nothing to do with training.
It served as a test.
They were taking me to a dungeon.
---
The briefing room was clinical and chilly. Steel walls with no windows. To ensure that no one left early, two guards stood at the door, not for protection.
Park Seol-Hwa was seated at the head of the table.
S-Rank.
renowned for her affinity for flames and her ability to burn down a B-Rank Gate in less than five minutes on her own. An E-Rank Hunter might faint from fear just by looking at her.
And she was staring at me now.
She folded her arms and said, "You're Arashi."
I gave a nod. "Yes, ma'am."
"Today, you will be a member of a clearance team for a C-Rank Gate. No help, no rescue. Only you and three other people. Think of this as your initiation.
I arched an eyebrow. "You mean trial."
"Same thing," she said. "Who leaves is the only difference."
One of the other participants snorted behind me.
"What brings *he* here? Isn't it better to have someone who has undergone testing?"
I pivoted. A tall, black-armored man with a lightning crest engraved on his shoulder.
Ki-Tae Jung.
Min-Ho's relative.
An inferiority complex in another A-Rank.
"Careful," I said bluntly. "Your family has a bad habit of underestimating me."
He sneered without answering. Not in this place. Not in front of Seol-Hwa.
She gave the table a tap. "Enough. Prepare yourself. You'll be in in thirty."
---
Like a living wound, the Gate glistened in the air. Pulsing and azure. I was already alarmed by the fact that its mana was denser than that of most C-Rank portals.
Ki-Tae, obviously not trying to conceal his disdain, muttered to his fellow soldiers.
It's unbelievable that we're bringing a student along. I hope he doesn't pass away too soon.
I paid him no attention.
Gate Mana Density Exceeds Expected Threshold [System Alert]. Potential Deviation in Rank: B+ to A
Numbers.
"This isn't C-Rank," I uttered out loud. Seol-Hwa didn't even appear startled.
"It isn't. It's not A-Rank, though. It has been scanned three times. There are no known dungeon classifications that the readings correspond to. That's the reason you're entering."
I gave her a quick look. "You're taking advantage of me."
"No. I am putting you to the test. There is a distinction.
---
The dungeon was filled with whispering winds and bone-white stone. This felt... clean, in contrast to the mossy, dark ruins of most C-Rank dungeons. surgical. False.
The group took careful steps. With swords out, Ki-Tae took the lead. Jung's teammates, the two behind him, made a triangle. I stayed at the back because I wanted room to work in case things didn't work out, not because I was scared.
We arrived at the central chamber sooner than anticipated.
Too quickly.
[System Alert: Lesser Wraith-Class Entities Found.]
All of the statues had empty eye sockets and were arranged like guards along the walls. They turned their heads one by one.
Ki-Tae took a step forward. "It is merely a puzzle chamber. Most likely requires a mana trigger.
I was the first to sense it.
The temperature fell. Shadows gathered.
The scream followed.
From the center, a banshee erupted, its body a spiral of ripped faces and claws. The teammates went cold. Ki-Tae cut, but it went straight through. One of them fell, convulsing, as the creature screamed once more.
[«Storm Pulse» All set]
I didn't hold out.
Blue lightning crackled through my veins as mana rushed up my arm. I pushed my hand out.
"Storm Pulse!"
The banshee's scream was torn apart when the shockwave struck it in midair. It stumbled, then let out a louder screech.
Three others emerged from the darkness.
"They multiply," I whispered. "Perfect."
When Ki-Tae finally noticed something unfamiliar, he turned to face me.
"What are you?"
I moved past him.
"What your uncle forewarned you about."
---
The altercation was chaotic. Swirling shadows. The air was torn with screams. But I was becoming more powerful.
The banshees were pierced by lightning strikes. Every mana pulse sharpened my senses and hardened my limbs.
["Storm Monarch's Wrath» Phase One: Persistent]
However, there was another stirring. Not just me. The dungeon.
In the distance, a huge statue rose. ten feet in height. Armor in black. A solid shadow blade.
[Identified Boss: Variant Wraith Knight]
Without thinking, Ki-Tae charged.
Foolish.
The boss made one swing.
*Crack!*
Ki-Tae's sword broke. He crashed into a pillar as he flew back. Moaning.
I sprang forward.
Once more, the Knight swung. Slashing with my dagger, I ducked low. Sparks were flying.
Insufficient.
Panting, I leaped back.
I required more.
I re-touched the inner storm.
deeper.
[Opening Phase Two of "Storm Monarch's Wrath"... Partial Sync Accomplished.]
I had glowing skin. White-blue eyes blazed. Not only did lightning crackle all around me, but it *was* me.
I never moved so quickly.
Too slowly, the Knight lunged.
I leaped, flipped its blade over, and plunged my dagger into its throat.
The stormlight exploded.
With a roar, the creature burst into a cloud of shadow.
There was silence again.
[Cleared Dungeon]. Bonus Reward Awaiting Assessment.]
Panting, I touched down.
Ki-Tae gazed, alive but bleeding. Horrified.
Excellent.
---
Seol-Hwa was waiting back outside. When we locked eyes, she looked impressed for the first time.
"All right. You *are* his son.
I didn't answer.
She gave me a file.
"A new assignment has been given to you. You are under special observation with immediate effect. elite class.
Ki-Tae gasped. "What? That's—"
"Quiet," she yelled. "What I saw, you saw. He no longer belongs in the academy. He is past it.
I examined the folder.
A new ID is inside. A fresh badge. and a list of names.
One was particularly noticeable.
Yoon-Ho Baek.
*What makes him on the list?*
Seol-Hwa pivoted. "Arashi, get stronger. The tide is shifting. The Monarchs are observing. The Hunters will soon take sides.
Once more, my dagger pulsed.
And thunder rolled in the distance.