Returning to the Guild

  The streets of Portland were still quiet in the early morning light as the party made their way back to the Adventurers’ Guild.

  After everything they had endured in Nightshade Caverns, returning to civilization felt strange—almost wrong.

  Ethan’s body still ached from the battle with the Mutated Alpha Nightfang.

  His side throbbed where the monster’s fangs had nearly torn into him, and though Leah had patched him up, he was still sore.

  But beneath the exhaustion and pain—

  He felt different.

  More alive than he had in a long time.

  Because for the first time since the System descended—

  He wasn’t just surviving.

  He was growing.

  The Truth Behind the Mission

  The moment they stepped inside the Guild Hall, the usual noise of adventurers drinking and haggling over jobs barely registered.

  Gareth led the party to the reception desk, where a stern-looking man in formal robes was waiting.

  Elias Thurman.

  A Guild Overseer.

  His gray eyes scanned the group, pausing briefly on Ethan.

  “You made it back,” Elias said.

  Kara scoffed. “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.”

  Gareth ignored her.

  “You sent us into that dungeon for a reason,” he said. “Why?”

  Elias exhaled.

  Then, he pulled out a tattered leather journal and placed it on the desk.

  “This belonged to an F-Rank adventuring team that entered Nightshade Caverns two weeks ago,” he said.

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  Ethan felt a cold weight settle in his stomach.

  “They never came back.”

  Leah’s face paled. “You sent us to find out what happened to them.”

  Elias nodded.

  “And based on the fact that you all look half-dead, I assume you found your answer.”

  Ethan clenched his fists.

  That mutated boss… it hadn’t been normal.

  Had the previous team triggered something?

  Had they died feeding the monster that nearly killed them?

  Elias’ expression didn’t change.

  “Your report will confirm whether we need to close the Rift permanently.”

  That was it?

  They were just a test run?

  Ethan hated it.

  But there was nothing he could do.

  Not yet.

  Elias turned his gaze to Ethan.

  “You. You entered that dungeon as a porter.”

  Ethan nodded.

  “But now?”

  Elias studied him for a moment.

  “You’re not just a porter anymore, are you?”

  A flicker of curiosity crossed the Guild Overseer’s face.

  “We need to determine your Adventurer Rank.”

  Ethan’s heart pounded.

  A Guild worker motioned toward a large, circular stone platform.

  [RANK ASSESSMENT STONE]

  Scans and measures a combatant’s Class, Level, and Power.

  Determines their starting Adventurer Rank.

  Elias gestured.

  “Step forward. Place your hand on the crystal.”

  Ethan did as he was told, pressing his palm against the cold surface.

  And suddenly—

  The crystal glowed.

  Ethan’s Awakening & Skill Gain

  [RANK ASSESSMENT IN PROGRESS…]

  [ANALYZING CLASS…]

  [CALCULATING POWER LEVEL…]

  [DETERMINING ABILITIES…]

  A new window appeared in Ethan’s vision.

  Class Assigned: Shadowcaster (Hybrid Assassin-Mage)

  [CLASS TYPE: HYBRID – ROGUE/MAGE]

  [BASE ATTRIBUTES: HIGH AGILITY, BALANCED MAGIC]

  [SPECIALTY: STEALTH, DARK MAGIC, HIGH MOBILITY]

  Starting Skills Unlocked:

  Rogue Skills:

  Shadow Step (Active – Movement)

  Instantly dash 5 meters in any direction.

  Grants momentary invisibility for 1 second. (Cost: 20 MP, Cooldown: 15 sec.)

  Silent Blade (Active – Attack)

  Enhances melee weapons with shadow energy.

  Attacks deal +15% extra damage and ignore weak armor. (Cost: 25 MP, Duration: 30 sec.)

  Mage Skills:

  Dark Grasp (Active – Control)

  [5:37 PM]Rine Frostfang: Creates shadow tendrils that restrain enemies for up to 5 seconds.

  Weaker enemies are immobilized completely, stronger enemies slowed. (Cost: 35 MP, Cooldown: 25 sec.)

  Void Lance (Active – Attack)

  Fires a compressed bolt of dark energy at high speed.

  Pierces non-magical defenses and causes minor splash damage. (Cost: 40 MP, Cooldown: 10 sec.)

  Predator’s Absorption Activation:

  [PREDATOR’S ABSORPTION TRIGGERED]

  Skill Absorption Roll: SUCCESS (1/10,000 CHANCE ACTIVATED)

  New Skill Gained: Shadow Cloak (Rare - Passive)

  Shadow Cloak (Passive – Rare)

  Ethan’s presence is harder to detect in low-light environments.

  Increases stealth effectiveness by 30%.

  Reduces enemy perception range toward Ethan by 20%.

  Gains a 5% chance to avoid detection from skills that reveal hidden enemies.

  Elias frowned slightly, staring at the crystal.

  “…Odd,” he muttered.

  Kara leaned in, raising an eyebrow. “Something wrong?”

  Elias shook his head.

  “No. Everything checks out—but there’s a gap in the system scan.”

  His gaze flicked to Ethan.

  “You don’t have any registered Passive Skills.”

  Ethan’s heart skipped a beat.

  It didn’t register Predator’s Absorption.

  His SSS-Rank skill was hidden.

  But for now?

  That was his secret.

  And his journey was just beginning