Melina returned to Atreus with hurried steps, as if something was calling her. It didn't take long for her to find what she was looking for: a descent portal straight to Apex.
As soon as she arrived on the floor, the atmosphere changed. It was like breathing familiar air after days away from home. Her legs led her automatically to her rented house. There, she prepared a hot bath with soap, flower petals, and all the delicacy she could gather in such a brutal world.
In the bathtub, immersed in foam and heat, Melina's mind wandered.
Memories...
— Darius: What class were you given?
— Melina: I'm an Appraiser... Amateur.
— Darius: An Appraiser walking alone in Ares? How interesting... hahaha.
— Melina: I know... — she lowered her eyes, saddened.
— Darius: That's amazing. Melina, the Appraiser. Honestly, my interest in having you in my group grows by the second.
— Melina: In your group?
— Darius: We're in the fourth world, Antares. I descended to Ares to recruit people who want to climb. Soon the master of my world's second floor will respawn... and I'll take the test to become a Second Dan Master.
She sank a little deeper into the water. Her eyes were open, but her mind was far away.
Melina, thinking: Second Dan Master... He's high-level. For me to be allowed to take that test, I need to be Advanced and defeat the Apex master. That's... impossible, for now.
After long minutes, she stepped out of the bath. The scars on her body were still healing. Facing the mirror, she observed the marks of a battle that nearly killed her.
She remembered the bitter taste of the lizard she had eaten. A small gesture that had changed everything.
System:
Abilities consumed.
New Ability: Scarlet's Adaptive Regeneration (Level 1).
Description: Consumes mana to accelerate bodily regeneration. Current phase: 2x faster than normal.
— Now I have to live on algae to recover mana... — she muttered. — My arm should be fully healed in about a month. One of the ribs is already fixed...
She took a deep breath.
— Better go to the guild and report what happened...
But before leaving, her eyes started to water. She dropped to her knees right there, in front of the mirror.
— That's strange... — she thought, tears falling uncontrollably. Even though they mistreated me... now that I'm safe, I just feel like crying over their deaths.
And so, she cried. She cried a lot.
Some time later, already composed, she entered the Hunters Guild.
— Good morning, Melina! How was the expedition?
She only nodded. Calm on the outside. Confused inside.
— They don't know yet... — she thought. But worlds have different flows of time. 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 gone by.
— I'm here to report an incident.
— Place your hand here, please, — said the receptionist, pointing to a glowing totem.
Melina obeyed. A shimmer traveled through the totem.
— All set! The incident has been recorded and will be evaluated.
— Thank you.
The receptionist then blinked in surprise:
— I see here that you've been promoted to Amateur Appraiser! Let's check your achievements...
She tapped on her panel:
Melina's Panel
World Apex: Group expedition
...
World Atreus: Group expedition
...
World Ares: Solo expedition
...
Monsters killed: Ares common class
— Wait... Ares solo? — she widened her eyes. — Manager!
The manager approached, curious. He read the logs silently.
— Hmm... An Appraiser, alone in Ares... And she killed common monsters? Expedition time: 6 days? Interesting. Let's register it.
— Congratulations, young lady, — the manager said with a slight smile. — Your name will go into the guild's records.
Melina left, a bit shy, face flushed.
— I need to get stronger... I want to join Darius's group... Too bad he couldn't cross the portal...
Suddenly, a familiar voice called out:
— MELINAAAAAA!
— Oh no... — Melina thought just before being crushed by a hug.
— Saicha! — she said, smiling despite the suffocation. — Let go, you clingy girl!
They went together to a restaurant. They sat and ate until they were exhausted.
— Did you see? — said Saicha, excited. — Faenton passed the Second Dan Master test! The boss respawned yesterday and died today, can you believe it? Lots of people are trying now.
— Yeah... the higher your status, the better the perks.
— You know I'm an Advanced Healer, right? My master wants me to take the test. But... fight a boss alone?
Melina thought in silence. Healers don't become Masters. The system is cruel. Appraisers like me are for trade, not combat. Blacksmiths might go far if they're good... Healers maybe... But barely anyone passes the second boss.
— MELINA?! Are you alive?
— Huh?!
— You spaced out! What world were you in now?
— Uh... take the test.
— What if I die?!
— They give a rare necklace during the test to prevent death, right? So... go for it.
— Melina! — said Saicha, tearfully moved. — That's why you're my best friend! — She hugged Melina and kissed her cheek.
— I know, I know...
— Now let's drink!!
— Eeeh...
Hours later, Melina staggered through the streets of Apex. When she got home, she collapsed onto the bed, sobbing:
— Hic!
She fell asleep. And dreamed.
Flashback:
— These are the monsters we'll face once you're ready, — said Darius, pointing at a village of orcs ahead.
The next morning...
— Aaaaah, so sleepy... — Melina murmured, stretching.
— Ugh! Why does my breath stink so bad after drinking?
System:
Evolved ability: You no longer suffer from poisoning or nausea upon consumption.
— That's awesome... — she murmured, surprised to see that there were no more scars on her abdomen. — That lizard was miraculous. It's been three days... Better go to the hunting field.
On the way, a notification popped up on her panel:
Guild Message
Dear Melina,
I, Don Rosário Martins — former hunter, guild president, and former leader of the Wings of God, Master Appraiser 2 Dan — congratulate you for surviving Ares. For that, receive this gift.
An amulet appeared before her, floating. When she touched it, it shattered. The system responded:
System:
Class evolved: Amateur Appraiser → Intermediate Appraiser.
— Thank you, president... — Melina said, moved. — Now I can hunt alone. And I can ascend to Atreus without needing permission...
She stared at the horizon.
— This field... monsters of both lower and upper classes. Will I have the strength to hunt them?
She took a step forward. Then another.
The path to becoming worthy of walking beside Darius... had begun.