This world… wasn't fair.
At the very heart of the Aegis Dome—
only the rich lived.
Clean streets.
Unbroken lights.
Guards stationed at every corner.
A place where people slept peacefully—
without fear of Rifts tearing open the sky…
without monsters clawing their way into their homes.
But the farther you moved from the center—
…the uglier the truth became.
I had seen it.
That day.
After killing the Level 2 boss—
the Rat Queen.
The smell of blood still lingered in my memory.
Bodies scattered across the ground.
Broken weapons.
Lifeless eyes staring into nothing.
Adventurers.
People who were supposed to be strong.
And yet…
they still died.
"…So this is reality."
If even they could fall so easily…
Then what about normal people?
My family.
A quiet thought formed in my mind—
And once it appeared…
it refused to leave.
"I want them to live in the center."
Somewhere safe.
Somewhere clean.
Somewhere no one had to die just to survive.
Far away from Rifts.
Far away from monsters.
Far away from this cruel world.
My hands slowly clenched.
"And the only way to do that…"
"…is to become stronger."
I lifted my gaze and looked straight at Elias.
"I want to become an adventurer."
My voice didn't shake.
It was firm.
Certain.
Elias stared at me, his sharp eyes searching for doubt.
"…Do you understand what you're saying?"
"I do."
"You're not even eighteen," he said.
"You haven't graduated from the Awakener Academy."
"I know."
Silence fell between us.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
"To officially register," Elias continued slowly,
"you need to be at least eighteen years old."
My fists tightened.
So that was it…
"…But," he added.
I looked up instantly.
"There are exceptions."
Something sparked inside my chest.
Hope.
"If someone proves they're capable," Elias said,
"…they can be recommended directly."
My heartbeat quickened.
"…Recommended?"
He met my eyes.
"By someone with enough authority."
I didn't need to think twice.
"You mean… you?"
Elias didn't answer.
But he didn't look away either.
That was enough.
He turned his back and started walking.
"Come with me."
"Huh?"
"If you're serious," he said, his voice calm but firm,
"then I'll test you properly."
I followed without hesitation.
We moved deeper into the guild building—
away from the crowded hall filled with voices and transactions.
Past the reception counters.
Past the request boards.
Into a quieter corridor.
The air changed.
The further we went…
the heavier it felt.
At the end of the hallway, Elias stopped in front of a thick metal door.
Without a word, he pushed it open.
Clang—
Inside—
was a wide, empty space.
A training room.
The floor was reinforced with dense stone.
The walls were thick, lined with impact marks.
Burn scars.
Deep dents.
Cracks that had been repaired over and over again.
This wasn't just a room.
It was a place where people fought seriously.
"…This is the sparring room," Elias said.
I stepped inside.
The moment I crossed the threshold—
my body tensed.
The air felt different.
Heavier.
Like it carried the weight of countless battles.
Elias walked to the center and turned to face me.
"Leo."
His voice was calm.
But there was no warmth left in it.
"If you want me to recommend you…"
"…then show me you're worth it."
He lowered his stance.
Casual.
Relaxed.
Yet…
perfect.
"Fight me."
My heart started pounding.
Loud.
Heavy.
This was it.
No more running.
No more hesitation.
I stepped forward.
"…Alright."
My breathing steadied.
My eyes sharpened.
"For my family—"
"…I will win."
Elias's gaze changed.
Sharp.
Cold.
"…Good."
In that instant—
the friendly man I knew disappeared.
What stood before me now…
was something else entirely.
A predator.
A veteran who had survived countless battles.
A former A-rank adventurer.
And even with his injuries—
his presence alone was overwhelming.
The air between us grew tense.
Heavy.
Explosive.
One step forward—
and the fight would begin.
End of Chapter 13