Morning sunlight reflected off the towering skyscrapers of Astra Prime.
Airships floated between massive towers.
Holographic billboards displayed rankings of hunters, guild announcements, and news about the upcoming World Hunter Tournament.
Crowds of hunters filled the streets.
Some carried massive weapons.
Others radiated dangerous auras.
This city truly was the center of power in Aetherion.
Walking through the busy plaza was Kael Varyn.
He looked up at a giant screen displaying the tournament countdown.
6 Days Until the World Hunter Tournament
Kael smiled.
"So it really starts soon."
His system appeared in front of him.
Quest Active
Enter the World Hunter Tournament
Objective: Register at the Hunter Arena
Reward: Unknown
"Guess I should register."
Kael began heading toward the massive stadium at the center of the city.
The Hunter Arena.
It was a colossal structure capable of holding hundreds of thousands of spectators.
This was where the strongest young hunters in the world would fight.
As Kael approached the registration building, he noticed something strange.
The crowd had gathered in a circle.
Hunters were whispering nervously.
"Someone challenged him?"
"That guy's insane."
"No one under level 100 can beat him."
Kael pushed through the crowd.
At the center of the open training area stood a tall young man with silver hair.
Lightning crackled around his body.
The ground beneath his feet was scorched black.
The system immediately identified him.
Hunter Identified
Name: Kaizer Stormborn
Bloodline: Elemental Human — Lightning
Global Rank: Top 10
Kael's eyes widened slightly.
One of the strongest hunters in the world was standing right in front of him.
Opposite Kaizer stood another hunter who was clearly terrified.
"Please… I was just training."
Kaizer's voice was calm.
"You stepped into my ring."
Lightning surged violently around him.
"If you enter my arena…"
"…you fight."
BOOM.
Kaizer moved instantly.
The lightning strike sent the challenger flying across the arena.
The fight ended in one attack.
The surrounding hunters went silent.
"That's why they call him the Thunder Tyrant…"
Kaizer looked bored.
He turned toward the crowd.
"Anyone else?"
No one stepped forward.
The pressure around him was overwhelming.
Then Kaizer's eyes suddenly stopped on someone.
On Kael Varyn.
He tilted his head slightly.
"…You."
Kael blinked.
"Me?"
Kaizer walked forward slowly.
The crowd parted instantly.
Lightning flickered across his shoulders.
"I heard rumors."
"A berserker rookie who cleared the Crimson Abyss."
The crowd gasped.
"That's him?!"
"The Abyss Breaker?!"
Kael scratched his head.
"Word travels fast."
Kaizer smirked.
"Fight me."
The entire crowd exploded into whispers.
"He challenged him!"
"Is he crazy?"
Kael looked at the arena floor.
Then back at Kaizer.
"I'm actually here to register for the tournament."
Kaizer shrugged.
"Then this will be practice."
Lightning erupted around him again.
The pressure alone cracked the ground.
Kael sighed.
"Well…"
His system appeared.
Combat Situation Detected
Potential Opponent: Kaizer Stormborn
Threat Level: Extreme
Kael slowly cracked his knuckles.
Red berserker energy flickered around him.
The crowd held their breath.
Because two powerful young hunters were about to clash.
And this fight would decide who the real rising star of Aetherion was.