The reassessment hall inside the Hunter Association Headquarters was unusually crowded. Normally, only a few staff members attended rank evaluations. But today… almost twenty people had gathered. Rumors had spread quickly. An E-Rank hunter killed a B-Rank boss. Most people didn't believe it. But they still came to see.
At the center of the testing hall stood Kai Draven. Calm. Unbothered. Across from him stood Director Han. His sharp eyes quietly observed everything. Behind the glass observation wall, analysts whispered among themselves.
"That's the hunter?"
"He doesn't look special…"
"Still… defeating a B-Rank boss…"
One of them shook his head. "Impossible."
The Reassessment Begins
An association officer stepped forward. "Kai Draven. Today you will undergo a rank reassessment test." He pointed toward a tall crystal pillar surrounded by metal sensors. "The crystal measures your mana output and combat potential."
Kai nodded. "I understand." Director Han crossed his arms. "Begin." Kai walked toward the crystal. The hall became completely silent. He placed his hand on the smooth surface. For a moment—nothing happened. Then the crystal glowed faintly. Blue light filled the pillar.
One analyst nodded. "D-Rank level mana." But the glow continued growing stronger. Blue turned to green. Green turned to yellow. Someone leaned closer to the monitor. "It's already past C-Rank." More whispers filled the room. But the numbers kept rising. Yellow turned orange. Orange turned red. The machine suddenly started beeping rapidly.
WARNING — ENERGY LIMIT APPROACHING
The analysts looked shocked. "That's A-Rank level output!" The crystal began shaking violently. Cracks spread across the surface. CRACK. Then—BOOM. The crystal exploded. Glass fragments scattered across the floor. Smoke filled the hall. Silence followed. The analysts stared at the broken machine. One of them slowly checked the final reading. His eyes widened. "Director…"
"The last recorded output…"
"…was beyond the machine's A-Rank limit."
Gasps filled the room. Someone whispered, "That means…"
"…his power might exceed A-Rank."
Director Han raised his hand calmly. "Stop the test." Everyone froze. Han walked toward the broken machine. Then he looked at the analysts. "Delete the last recording." The staff looked confused. "Director?"
Han's voice became colder. "That is an order." The analysts quickly obeyed. The data on the monitors disappeared. The hall became quiet again. Then Han turned toward the staff. "Official reassessment result." He paused. "Kai Draven will be registered as C-Rank."
The room froze. "But Director—!" The protest died instantly when Han looked at him. "That is the official result." No one argued again. The hall slowly emptied. Soon only Kai and Director Han remained. Han stood beside the broken crystal. "You understand why I did that."
Kai nodded slightly. "If the real result became public…"
"Things would get complicated."
Han smiled faintly. "That's an understatement." He continued. "Hunters who grow too fast become targets."
"Guilds would fight over you."
"Foreign hunter organizations would investigate you."
"Some might even try to eliminate you."
Kai crossed his arms. "So you're hiding my strength."
Han nodded. "For now."
Han tapped his tablet. A new screen appeared. Several dungeon records appeared. But they were marked with a red stamp.
CONFIDENTIAL!!
"These are restricted dungeons."
"Gates the Hunter Association handles quietly."
Kai understood immediately. "You want me to clear them."
Han nodded. "You grow stronger."
"We resolve dangerous gates."
"And your power remains hidden."
Kai looked at the list. C-Rank gates. B-Rank gates. And even a few A-Rank gates. Perfect hunting grounds. Inside his mind, the system appeared.
Hidden Quest Activated
Quest: Growth of the Abyss
Objective: Clear secret dungeons
Reward: Abyss Evolution
Kai smiled slightly. "This arrangement works for me." Han extended his hand. "Then welcome to the Association's confidential program." Kai shook his hand. A quiet alliance was formed.
Later that night, Kai left the association building. The city lights stretched across the horizon. Behind him, the Shadow Warlord walked silently. The system appeared again.
New Objective
Devour stronger monsters.
Expand Shadow Army.
Abyss Level: 5%
Kai looked at the first confidential dungeon location and whispered quietly, "Let's begin."
END OF CHAPTER 16