LightReader

Chapter 26 - Chapter26-Master-Rank Potential

While I was lost in my thoughts, the wolf saw an opening and leaped into the air, its right claw aimed directly at my chest.

But...

It was too slow.

Far too slow compared to its upgraded version from the common rank.

Just before it could strike, still mid-air, I quickly switched my dagger from my left hand to my right and threw it at the wolf, targeting its nose.

The wolf noticed the incoming attack, its eyes widening in surprise. 

It tried to adjust its position in the air, managing to shift a bit—but that only put it in greater danger. 

The dagger, which had been aimed for its nose, was now heading straight for its right eye. 

The wolf could do nothing but watch as the blade closed in, knowing it was finished.

A few seconds later, the dagger struck its right eye. 

The wolf crashed to the ground, howling in pain as it flailed, blood pouring like a fountain from its right eye and staining the earth beneath it.

Damn, that was a brutal hit...

I didn't even expect it to land in its eye.

Seems like today just wasn't its lucky day.

The other wolf, seeing its partner fail, shifted its stance and took a step back, almost like it was scared.

When it noticed I was still focused on its partner's death, it tried to make a run for it.

Not so fast.

I quickly threw my other dagger at it, aiming for its belly. 

But as it moved, the dagger missed and struck its left leg instead, seriously wounding it and slowing its escape.

In less than a minute, I finished it off with my daggers and quickly put them back into my inventory.

With that, the forest grew silent, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves in the breeze and the fading echoes of the wolf's dying cries.

That was too easy...

I glanced at the young boy beside me and quickly moved toward him without wasting any time.

As the quiet settled over the clearing, I knelt next to Ethan, who was still unconscious.

As expected, he was alive, though just barely.

I checked his pulse and examined his wounds, noticing how serious they were.

Without a second thought, I pulled a Gold-Rank healing potion from my pack and administered it to him, watching as the magic began to take effect.

I knew the potion would work.

A few minutes later, my confidence was proven right as color returned to Ethan's face, and his breathing became more steady.

The healing potion closed his wounds and restored his strength, bringing him back from the brink of death. 

Slowly, he stirred, blinking groggily as awareness returned to his eyes.

"Boy, You're safe now," I assured him, helping him sit up against the tree trunk. 

Ethan looked at me with a mix of gratitude and disbelief. 

"Your combat abilities are rubbish. I know that might sound harsh, but it's the truth."

Although I'm also not that great at combat, at least I can fight common-Rank monsters toe-to-toe, unlike him.

But still, I don't think it's his fault... At this young age, who could have?

Forgot it.

'What a pitiful boy...'

"Thank you for saving me, m-mister, but... who... who are you?" he asked, his voice strained from the ordeal.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Michael Frostburne," I said calmly, keeping an eye on Ethan's reaction.

As soon as the words left my lips, Ethan visibly flinched, his eyes widening in recognition or perhaps surprise. He instinctively shuffled back a few inches, putting a bit of distance between us.

"Thanks for saving my life, sir. I'm Ethan Brooks, but you can call me Ethan,"Ethan said quickly, his voice polite and his tone calm. "Can you please tell me how I can repay you?"

I studied Ethan carefully. Despite his ragged appearance, there was something about him that seemed out of place for a slum boy. 

His manner of speaking was too refined, his posture too straight. 

But what caught my attention most was his calm demeanor, even in the face of such a traumatic experience and mostly infront of me.

In the human domain, most people recognized my name even though they had never seen my face, only heard it.

The original Michael didn't used to give interviews to reporters like other wealthy kids.

That's why I believe most people only recognize my name because of my father.

I figured this boy might also mistake me for one of those imposters who use the name Michael Frostburne.

I can't blame him though; when you're famous, many people try to copy your name, identity, and sometimes even your appearance to get attention.

I don't know how many people there are with the same name as Michael Frostburne...

I remembered one time when the original Michael actually met someone who looked exactly like him and shared his name. 

His reaction was quite surprising.

He probably expected all those imposters to just be rumors...

Anyway, I shifted my attention back to him.

"You don't need to repay me," I replied finally, choosing my words carefully. "Helping those in need is what I do."

Ethan blinked, processing my words. "But... Can you please tell me, why did you save me then?"

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Because no one deserves to die alone in the jungle, especially not someone as young as you."

That's nonsense. 

I only saved him because of my quest, nothing more, but I can't just say that to him.

He nodded slowly, seeming to accept my explanation. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome," I said with a nod. "Are you able to stand?"

"Can you go back to the Ambrosia by your own? Do you need any help?"

Ethan nodded again, gingerly testing his strength as he pushed himself upright. 

I offered him a hand, and he accepted it gratefully.

As Ethan steadied himself with my help, my attention was abruptly drawn to the shimmering appearance of my system window in front of me with numerous messages.

(Ding, congratulations host, 2 Monster Essences of Wolf has been added to your Character Profile!)

...

(Ding, Congratulations, host! Quest: [Change the Destiny!] has been completed!)

(Objective complete: Save 1/1.)

(The upgrading process of the Appraisal skill has begun!)

(Progress: 10%, 16%, 30%, 45%, 78%, 89%, 94%, 98%, 100%)

(Congratulations, host! Your Appraisal skill has successfully leveled up to level 2!)

'Oh, perfect timing! I was just about to check my rewards.'

A few seconds later, I decided to use my recently upgraded skill on the young boy to see how it had changed after the upgrade.

'Appraise.'

**Name:** Ethan Brooks 

...

**Evaluation:** Normal-Rank Hunter

**Probability:** There's an 90% chance of reaching Master-Rank by the age of 25.

What?

My eyes widened as I stared at the system screen in shock.

Am I seeing this correctly?

I was so surprised, I couldn't even get a word out.

This is insane. 

Even after checking the system screen over and over, I still couldn't believe it.

It took me a moment to accept that the system's information wasn't a mistake after all.

I mean, come on...

He's like the main character in one of those legendary stories.

Reaching Master rank is already an incredible achievement—but hitting it by 25? 

That's just next-level.

For most people in this world, that kind of progress is nearly impossible. 

The average person lives about as long as people did in my old world. 

But high-ranked individuals—those from Ace to Conqueror—can live well past 100.

Now, you might wonder how we know that, especially since this civilization is only around 100 years old.

The answer? 

There are hunters in both the Association who look like they're in their seventies, but they've actually been alive for over a century.

That's why so many hunters fight to climb the ranks. 

Once you hit 50, your level gets locked, and no matter how strong you are or what you've done, you can't rank up anymore.

And here's the craziest part—when someone reaches Ace Rank, their body just stops aging.

So seriously... what kind of future is waiting for a guy like him?

Lost in my thoughts, I didn't hear Ethan calling out to me repeatedly.

"Sir?" Ethan's voice finally broke through my focus, his hand gently touching my arm to draw my gaze.

Startled, I turned to him, realizing he had been speaking. His words, now registering clearly, conveyed gratitude and a desire to part ways. 

"Sir, I think I can walk back to the domain on my own now. Thank you for the potion and your kind words," Ethan said politely, beginning to turn away.

"Wait! You can't just leave like that." I called out instinctively, my mind racing to process the situation. 

I couldn't just allow him to leave. A young man like Ethan is so rare, it's like finding a one-in-a-million talent. Having someone like him as a subordinate would greatly benefit me in the future.

Ethan paused, turning back to look at me with a mix of surprise, curiosity and his tone a little cautious. "What do you mean, sir?"

"I mean, Ethan," I began, trying to convey my thoughts clearly, "I believe you have a bright future ahead of you. If you're willing, I'd like to offer you the opportunity to be my subordinate, to learn and grow as a hunter. Together, we could achieve great things."

Ethan's eyes widened slightly, processing my proposal. "You want me to be your subordinate?"

"Yes," I confirmed. "I see potential in you, Ethan. With proper guidance, you could reach heights you never imagined."

"But why choose me? I understand you think I might have potential, but sir, let me be clear: I was born in a slum, so I don't believe I have any promising future ahead," Ethan asked.

That was an unexpected question coming from him.

More Chapters