The sky darkened as the A-Tier Raft hovered over the city like a malignant sun. Its energy pulsed violently, shaking buildings and sending shards of concrete scattering through the streets. Kalyan stood atop a collapsed rooftop, aura flaring around him. His radiant sword hummed softly, and the Wind Slash skill glimmered faintly along his forearm.
"Recommended Action: Extreme Caution. Survival Chance: Low."
The system's calm voice contrasted with the chaos around him. Kalyan's heart raced, but fear was a luxury he couldn't afford. This wasn't a training exercise. Lives, including his sister's, depended on his success.
From the portal poured the creature: a towering monstrosity with four glowing eyes and jagged armor-like plates over its body. Its roar was deafening, shaking the streets and scattering debris. A-Tier monsters weren't just stronger—they were intelligent hunters, predators who calculated weaknesses as fast as humans could blink.
Kalyan moved instinctively. His aura surged into the sword, leaving trails of glowing light with every motion. The Wind Slash skill extended his range, cutting the monster's armored forearm. Sparks flew. The creature staggered, growling in frustration.
He remembered the system alert: "Permanent Skill Integration Progress +3% per successful strike." Every hit counted—not just for survival, but for mastery.
Suddenly, from a nearby rooftop, two figures in Hunter Association uniforms observed silently, tablets in hand.
"His skill output is… unprecedented for an unregistered hunter," one whispered.
"He's fast, calculating… almost too confident. Keep monitoring. Don't intervene unless necessary."
Kalyan's eyes flicked to the observers for a split second. They were measuring him, judging whether he was an asset or a threat. It didn't matter. The system and his own instincts were all that counted now.
The monster charged, swinging a massive arm. Kalyan rolled, aura flaring, and slashed upward, sending a shockwave that tore through the creature's plated armor. Another strike, and sparks exploded from its shoulders. The system chimed:
"Permanent Skill Integration Increased: 8%."
The battle raged on, the city trembling beneath their fight. Kalyan realized that points weren't just numbers—they were survival. The more he practiced, the more control he gained. Every strike, every movement, sharpened his connection with the system.
Finally, with a precise leap and Wind Slash combo, Kalyan struck the monster's core, sending it staggering back into the Raft. The portal collapsed, sucking the creature into oblivion.
Breathing heavily, Kalyan felt the system's approval:
"Tier A Monster Defeated. System Points Awarded: 15,000. Skill Mastery +12%. New Skill Slot Available."
Above, the Hunter Association agents exchanged glances. The taller one murmured, almost grudgingly, "He's more than a rogue. He might become… unstoppable."
Kalyan wiped sweat from his brow, feeling exhilaration and fear in equal measure. One thing was certain: this was only the beginning. Rafts, monsters, and the world itself had no idea what was coming next.