After the Hunter Association tournament ended, Steve lived his life normally without any disturbances from the people around him.
Bored, Steve invited Unknown to go for a walk and do some training.
Unknown had slowly started to return to how he used to be, although his emotions were still unstable.
Steve opened the front door of his house and looked at the beautiful world outside.
Steve: "Hey Unknown, how about we go out for a walk and do some training at the same time?"
Unknown: "Yeah, sure. But I can't help much if I make one wrong move, you could die."
Steve put on his thin black jacket and headed toward Ah Forest, a place where Hunters usually trained.
They walked past dense trees and crossed a rushing river until they arrived at the Hunter training grounds.
The area was bustling with people from the weak to the strong.
"Ahem! Hunters who wish to rise in rank, please register for the power test!"
Steve: "So, Unknown, wanna join?"
Unknown: "Up to you. It's your power, after all."
Steve: "Alright, let's go."
Steve walked toward the crowd of gathered Hunters. In the middle of the commotion stood a large tent with a sign that read:
[ELIGIBILITY TEST: HUNTER RANK PROMOTION]
The line was already long, but Steve stepped forward calmly. Some Hunters began glancing at him some recognized him from the tournament. There were whispers.
"Isn't that guy… the weakest one?"
"What are you talking about? He defeated Acheron, the Rank A Hunter!"
"Crazy, he's joining the test? What for?"
Steve looked down slightly, not interested in reacting.
Unknown: "At least now they can only talk behind your back."
Steve: "Yeah, whatever."
Unknown: "If it were up to me, I'd shut them up with a punch! Hahaha."
After a few minutes, Steve's name was called.
The test officer checked Steve's current rank.
"Steve… huh? Rank C, position 9999+? Alright, go ahead maybe you can get rid of that pathetic ranking."
Steve: "Hehe."
Steve entered the arena. In the center stood a hardened material, compressed many times over, meant to test strength.
The officer gestured. "Come on, hurry up. There's a long line behind you!"
Steve: "Uh, alright then."
He took a deep breath, channeling energy from his body into his hand.
"Huff... woosh... BAM!!!"
He struck the material with immense force. Cracks began to appear… and eventually, the entire block shattered into ashes.
Everyone staff and participants alike stood in shock.
"Impossible…! Only someone ranked S could do that!"
"Are you sure your rank is C?"
Steve: "Well… that was my old rank."
The screen above the testing device lit up, processing the results.
[Assessment Results]
Power Potential: S
Explosive Energy: S
The crowd went wild.
"What the hell?!"
"Only top 10 Hunters can pull that off!"
"How did he get that strong so fast?!"
The test officer, visibly shaken, told Steve to move to the next stage.
"A-alright… proceed to the next test, Steve."
Steve: "Got it."
Unknown: "And that's all it takes to shock these creatures? Pathetic."
Steve moved to the next section of the arena, where a flat area stretched for 50000 meters. On both sides, crystal pillars measured speed and were linked to the central evaluation system.
"This speed test is simple. Just run from the starting line to the end as fast as you can!"
Steve: "Understood."
Steve nodded and stepped to the starting line. Some Hunters in the stands paid closer attention now.
He crouched down, ready to sprint. A thin black aura appeared around his legs.
Woosh! In an instant, Steve vanished leaving only a shockwave in his wake. The crystal pillars lit up one by one, unable to keep up with his blinding speed. Some even cracked under the pressure of trying to register him.
Half a second later, a "TING!" sound rang out from the end of the track.
The system screen lit up with the result:
[Assessment Results]
Completion Time: 0.43 seconds / 50000 meters
Max Speed: 600,000 km/min
"Alright, Steve. Next is the defense test."
Steve nodded and entered the next area, a dome-shaped chamber coated in anti-mana and anti-physical alloys.
In the center stood a glowing blue tower.
Officer: "This is the Tower of Impact. You'll be hit with increasing force from Level D up to SSS. We'll see how far you can withstand."
Steve: "I'm ready."
The tower began pulsing, releasing the first energy wave: Level D. Steve stood still, unblinking. The wave dissipated against his body like nothing.
Level C… B… A…
Each wave grew stronger. The wind stirred, the ground cracked. Hunters outside started to panic and backed away.
When Level S hit, the explosion shook the entire arena. Smoke filled the room. But when it cleared Steve was still standing, barely a scratch on him.
Steve: (That felt like nothing at all...)
Unknown: (A relic like that can't hurt you. Even 1% of my pure darkness power is more than enough.)
Officer: "Alright, since you passed Level S, it's time for Level SSS! Gampler, step in!"
Gampler: "Well, well. Not many make it this far. Prepare yourself!"
Steve: (Oh no… please don't tell me Rank 2 Hunter himself is going to attack I'll die!) "U-uh... okay."
"Activate the Shield!"
A protective shield sealed the chamber.
Gampler: "FIRE BALL!"
From his staff, a giant, blazing ball of fire formed, radiating intense heat.
Steve: "It's… so hot!"
Gampler hurled the fireball at Steve. BOOM! Steve's body was scorched and melted under the heat, even the protective dome began to liquefy.
"Hey!, Gampler! You're gonna destroy everything!"
Gampler: "Alright, alright."
He dismissed the fireball.
Steve, charred and bleeding, began to regenerate. Slowly, his body returned to its original state.
Gampler: "Ah, regeneration. Interesting."
[Assessment Results]
Physical Durability: SSS
Stability Against Destructive Energy: 100%
"Congratulations! You've been promoted to the Top 8 among all Hunters worldwide!"
Steve: "Nice!"