The world was watching.
Across every major city in Aetherion, massive screens lit up simultaneously.
Guild halls fell silent.
Hunters paused mid-mission.
Even underground factions stopped moving.
Because this—
Was history.
Inside the Blood Ascendants headquarters—
Kael Varyn stood with his newly chosen core members.
Behind him:
Zarek Voidborn
Ragnar Kain
Lyra Frost
Darius Stone
Eren Vale
Selene Vire
All eyes were locked on the screen before them.
A distorted figure appeared once more.
The representative of the Global Hunter Council.
"…Hunters of Aetherion," the voice echoed.
"…the time has come."
The screen shifted.
Ten empty slots appeared again.
But this time—
They began to fill.
Top 10 Strongest Hunters — Preliminary Ranking
#10 — Jaxon Reeve
#9 — Mira Solis
#8 — Gideon Kray
#7 — Aric Voss
#6 — Nero Valk
#5 — Seraphina Lux
A pause.
The tension skyrocketed.
"…The remaining positions…"
"…require direct evaluation."
The screen flickered.
Four slots remained.
#4 — Unknown
#3 — Unknown
#2 — Unknown
#1 — Unknown
Zarek let out a low whistle.
"…So they're saving the monsters for last."
Kael remained silent.
But his eyes—
Were focused.
Then—
The screen changed again.
A live feed appeared.
A battlefield.
No—
A massacre.
Hundreds of high-rank beasts lay scattered across a ruined zone.
At the center—
A single figure stood.
Tall.
Calm.
Unmoving.
The camera zoomed in.
Astrael Noctis.
Zarek's expression changed instantly.
"…That guy…"
Even he felt it.
"…He's dangerous."
On-screen—
A massive SSS-rank creature lunged at Astrael.
He didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even look at it.
The creature stopped mid-air.
Frozen.
Then—
Collapsed into nothing.
Erased.
Just like that.
Silence filled the room.
"…Rank 2 candidate confirmed," the broadcast voice said.
The slot filled.
#2 — Astrael Noctis
A ripple of shock spread across the world.
Ragnar clenched his fist.
"…That's insane…"
Lyra's voice was low.
"…He didn't even try."
Kael watched silently.
But something inside him—
Reacted.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Excitement.
Then—
The screen shifted again.
Another location.
A storm.
Lightning tore through the sky as an entire mountain range collapsed under overwhelming force.
At the center—
Another figure stood.
Massive.
Unshaken.
Radiating pure destruction.
Kaizer Stormborn.
Zarek smirked.
"…There he is."
Lightning struck.
Again.
And again.
But Kaizer stood unmoved.
Then—
He raised his hand.
And the storm obeyed.
The sky itself bent to his will.
"…Rank 3 candidate confirmed."
#3 — Kaizer Stormborn
The pressure in the room grew heavier.
Three slots remained.
Then—
The screen went dark.
Completely.
Static filled the broadcast.
"…What now?" Darius muttered.
Suddenly—
A voice spoke.
Not from the screen—
But from everywhere.
"…Rank 1 is not decided by strength alone."
The air turned cold.
Kael's eyes sharpened.
"…Who's talking?"
The voice continued.
"…It is decided by dominance."
Then—
The screen returned.
A silhouette appeared.
Completely obscured.
Unreadable.
But—
The pressure.
Everyone felt it.
Even Kael.
For the first time—
His instincts reacted.
Warning him.
"…Candidate for Rank 1…"
"…Pending."
The silhouette disappeared.
The broadcast ended.
Silence.
Heavy.
Unsettling.
Zarek exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah…"
"…That one's a problem."
Kael turned away from the screen.
"…Good."
The others looked at him.
His aura pulsed faintly.
"…That just means there's something worth surpassing."
Ragnar grinned.
Lyra smirked.
Even Eren's eyes sharpened.
Because they understood.
This wasn't intimidation.
This was motivation.
Suddenly—
The doors to the hall opened.
A figure stepped inside.
Slow.
Confident.
Clapping.
"…Impressive lineup."
Kael didn't turn.
"…You're not invited."
The man smiled.
"…And yet…"
His aura leaked out.
Wild.
Violent.
Familiar.
Nero Valk.
"…I came anyway."
The room tensed instantly.
Zarek stepped forward slightly.
"…You picked the wrong place."
Nero laughed.
"…No."
His eyes locked onto Kael.
"…I picked the perfect one."
Silence fell.
Two berserkers.
Two monsters.
Facing each other.
Nero cracked his neck.
"…Fight me."
Kael turned slowly.
A faint smile forming.
"…I was hoping you'd say that."