The arena was silent.
For several long seconds after the combat golem collapsed, no one inside the observation room spoke.
The enormous machine lay motionless on the arena floor, its energy core shattered and flickering weakly.
Thin smoke rose from the damaged circuits.
At the center of the arena stood Auren Kairos.
His slender figure looked almost fragile compared to the destroyed machine beside him.
The glowing Celestial Spirit Blade in his hand slowly dissolved into silver particles.
Those particles drifted away like fading stardust.
Auren exhaled softly.
"…Did I break it?"
Above him, in the observation room, several technicians stared at the screens in disbelief.
One of them rubbed his forehead.
"That unit is rated for B-Rank durability."
Another technician whispered,
"He cut through it like it was paper."
Dr. Malik Hassan stared at the data with wide eyes.
The monitors displayed endless lines of statistics.
Movement speed.
Energy output.
Reaction time.
Every value exceeded what a beginner hunter should possess.
Yet at the same time…
Other readings were strangely low.
Malik muttered quietly.
"This doesn't make sense…"
Beside him, Elena Richter watched the arena calmly.
But her mind was racing.
That young hunter below had demonstrated skill far beyond his registered rank.
Yet the energy readings still labeled him as a low-level hunter.
It was contradictory.
And contradictions in hunter data usually meant only one thing.
Something unknown.
Behind them, Garrick crossed his arms and grinned.
"Well?"
"You wanted an evaluation."
"Looks like you got one."
No one argued with him.
---
Inside the Arena
Auren looked around awkwardly.
The arena lights dimmed slightly as the test officially ended.
A mechanical voice echoed across the chamber.
"Combat Evaluation Complete."
"Please exit the arena."
Auren rubbed the back of his neck.
"…Right."
He walked toward the exit door.
But just before he reached it—
The system window suddenly appeared.
---
System Notification
Combat Evaluation Completed
Experience Gained
---
Level Up
Level 4 → Level 6
---
Auren blinked.
"…Level six already?"
That was faster than he expected.
Then another message appeared.
---
Evolution Progress Updated
25% → 31%
---
Auren tilted his head slightly.
"…Evolution?"
Before he could think further, another window appeared.
This one looked different.
Its color was darker.
More serious.
---
Rank Restriction Notice
Hunter Rank Advancement Locked
Condition Required:
Reach Level 100
---
Auren froze.
"…Wait."
He stared at the message again.
Reach Level 100
"…Before ranking up?"
His eyebrows slowly lowered in disbelief.
"Is that a joke?"
Normal hunters ranked up through evaluations.
If their strength increased enough, their rank would rise from F → E → D → C and beyond.
But Level 100?
That was absurd.
Even experienced hunters often took years to reach that level.
Auren whispered quietly.
"…You're telling me I'll stay F-Rank until level one hundred?"
The system responded immediately.
---
Affirmative
Your growth path differs from standard hunters.
Ranking system adjusted accordingly.
---
Auren sighed.
"…That's not fair."
He could already imagine what would happen.
No matter how strong he became…
The official system would still label him as F-Rank.
He rubbed his forehead.
"This is going to cause problems."
---
Observation Room
Auren stepped through the arena exit door.
Everyone inside the room immediately turned toward him.
The atmosphere was heavy with curiosity.
Several technicians were whispering to each other.
Elena walked toward him calmly.
"That was impressive."
Auren smiled awkwardly.
"…Thanks."
Dr. Malik approached with a tablet filled with data.
"I would like to ask you several questions."
Auren blinked.
"…Sure?"
Malik adjusted his glasses.
"First."
"Where did you learn that combat style?"
Auren hesitated.
"I didn't really learn it anywhere."
The researchers exchanged confused glances.
Malik frowned slightly.
"You mean it's natural?"
"…I guess?"
Garrick laughed from the corner.
"Told you."
"The kid fights like he's dancing."
Auren scratched his cheek slightly.
"That's just how my body moves."
Elena studied him carefully.
There was something unusual about the way he carried himself.
His posture.
His movements.
Even the way he walked had a fluid grace to it.
Almost like a performer.
Not a soldier.
Yet his combat efficiency was undeniable.
She crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"Auren."
"Yes?"
"For now, your official rank will remain F-Rank."
Auren forced a smile.
"…I figured."
Elena noticed the strange tone in his voice.
"You expected that?"
Auren hesitated.
"…Something like that."
He wasn't about to explain the level 100 restriction.
That would only make things more complicated.
Dr. Malik tapped his tablet again.
"There is another issue."
Auren tilted his head.
"What issue?"
Malik turned the screen toward him.
The data chart showed something strange.
Auren's energy levels were fluctuating wildly.
Sometimes low.
Sometimes incredibly high.
"These readings are unstable."
Malik continued,
"It's as if your energy is being suppressed by something."
Auren's heart skipped slightly.
The system masking protocol.
Elena narrowed her eyes.
"Do you feel anything unusual inside your body?"
Auren thought for a moment.
"…Not really."
That was technically true.
The system didn't feel strange anymore.
It felt natural.
Like a second heartbeat.
Elena studied him carefully.
But eventually she sighed.
"We'll continue observing you for now."
Garrick walked over and patted Auren's shoulder.
"You passed the test."
"Not bad for a rookie."
Auren smiled faintly.
"…Thanks."
But deep inside his mind—
The system window still hovered quietly.
---
Current Level: 6
Required for Rank Advancement:
Level 100
---
Auren stared at the invisible window.
Then he sighed softly.
"…Looks like I have a long way to go."
But far beyond the testing facility…
Far beyond the city…
Even beyond Earth itself—
Ancient gates continued awakening.
Because somewhere in the depths of reality…
The Origin Gate had begun reacting.
Waiting.
For the hunter who would one day reach level 100.
The one destined to stand above every rank.
The Spirit Sovereign.