Dawn crept slowly over Kaena City, orange light filtering through the narrow window of Arka Nurdiansyah's room. His heart pounded fiercely, as if chasing after a hazy future. Today, he would take the Official Hunter's Examination—the quickest path to earning a Class E Hunter's license, a dream he'd only ever imagined. Even though the "Hunter System" pulsed with power in his mind, without a license he remained unrecognized by the Hunter community. That license was the ticket to "real-world" leveling: entering dungeons legally, accepting official quests, and gathering EXP without drawing suspicion from local authorities.
Arka exhaled softly, staring unblinking at the "Status" screen floating behind his eyelids:
Level: 1
EXP: 75/100
Health: 50/50 (Regenerating 1 HP/s)
Mana: 10/10 (Regenerating 2 Mana/5s)
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 4
Dexterity: 4
That screen gave him a spark of encouragement, yet his gaze remained heavy—he hadn't gained any EXP since training in the Fire Corridor Dungeon. The exam today would reward no EXP at all, or at most a meager 5 points for those who excelled. But the license itself was more precious than mere numbers. With a Class E license, he could tackle official quests—whose EXP payouts were exponentially higher.
Arka rose in front of the small mirror hanging on his chamber wall. His outfit was tidy: a lightweight undershirt, then his borrowed light armor, and beneath it a loose cotton shirt so sweat wouldn't cling directly to his skin. The Half-Steel Sword hung across his back, its sheath removed so he could draw it quickly if required. Waterproof, slip-resistant boots laced up his feet, and thin leather gloves hugged his hands to reduce friction on the sword's hilt. At his waist hung a small pouch holding one "Small Potion" (Health +20) and one "Novice Elixir" from the Master Alchemist (Mana +50 single use).
Beneath the mirror lay a tattered notebook, open to a checklist:
> 1. Mental and physical preparation
2. Review written exam details on the guild board
3. Check minimal gear: armor, sword, potions
4. Focus on endurance—don't rush recklessly
5. Gather proof of success for the interview
Arka nodded to his reflection. "Okay, I'm ready." He closed the notebook, gripped his sword in his right hand, and headed for the door.
Outside the Guild Phoenix gates, aspiring Hunters filled the open plaza. Some wore full plate armor, their steel blades gleaming; others carried longbows wrapped in protective cloth, or donned thin anti-poison cloaks. Arka dipped his head, acutely aware of how simple his own kit looked by comparison. His heart hammered as he stepped among the examination candidates—some chatting confidently, others stretching, readying themselves physically.
At one corner of the plaza, a guild armorer inspected each candidate's weapons and gear. When Arka approached, the armorer raised an eyebrow at his Half-Steel Sword on Arka's back, then grunted approval. "Half-Steel Sword—acceptable, provided the blade isn't severely cracked. Your armor meets the minimal standard. Potions are allowed. Proceed to registration."
Arka let out a breath of relief and replied, "Thank you," before moving to a long wooden table set up like a registration booth. A woman in a pink headscarf and a white shirt reading "Exam Staff" held a stack of paperwork. "Name?" she asked cheerfully.
"Arka Nurdiansyah," he answered, his voice a bit hoarse from nerves. She scanned her list and nodded. "Very well, Arka Nurdiansyah. Your exam number is E-047. Please arrive at Written Exam Room 3 by 08:00. It is currently 07:15. You may wait outside until you are called."
Arka took the exam slip—a single sheet whose edges were slightly scorched, the tiny print outlining the schedule. He studied it:
07:30–08:30: Written Exam (basic monster knowledge, survival tactics, guild policy)
09:00–11:00: Field Practical Exam (simulated dungeon environment)
11:30–12:00: Brief Interview with Examiners
12:30: Results Announcement
Holding the slip, his heart hammered faster. He found a seat beneath a small tree lining the edge of the plaza. The morning air was crisp, even though the sun was rising. Arka sat down and inhaled deeply. He contemplated the exam questions: would his System prompt help him answer the written portion? If he leaned on "System Lag," answers might pop up instantly. But he refused to rely entirely on the System—this exam measured basic human aptitude. He resolved to focus his mind on recalling monster anatomy, dungeon lore, and fundamental equipment safety.
Soon, a long bell tolled—staff opened the doors to Written Exam Room 3. Arka rose immediately and joined the line of examinees. The exam room was medium-sized, desks and wooden chairs arranged neatly, dim lamps illuminating each seat's exam sheet. Candidates sat in number order. Arka saw E-047 on his paper: Row 3, Seat 5—right by the window that left a cold draft in the room.
Before distributing the exam, an official in a gold-trimmed black guild cloak entered, holding a small megaphone. "Good morning, candidates. Today you will take two parts of the exam: written and practical. For the written portion, please read instructions carefully. No notes or devices are permitted. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified. You have 60 minutes. Please take your answer sheets from the desk now."
Arka swallowed hard—guild rules were strict, and written scores were graded meticulously. He withdrew his pen from his pocket, organized his answer sheet, and waited. "Once instructed, turn over the sheet and begin."
A chime sounded, and the red light above the door glowed. "BEGIN."
The exam paper lay before him, divided into three sections: Multiple Choice (30 questions), Short Essays (10 questions), and Mapping (a dungeon layout to annotate). Arka inhaled deeply and tackled the first question.
> Multiple Choice, Q1: "What is the primary weakness of an Underground Goblin when attacked by a long-range hunter?"
He recalled that Underground Goblins lurked in narrow tunnels, making projectile weapons less effective. He marked B. "High mobility in tight spaces makes arrows difficult to hit."
Question after question flowed, and Arka worked carefully—some questions required logical reasoning, such as analyzing a Giant Spider's nest structure or choosing appropriate gear for a frozen cavern. When he encountered references to "the inner chambers of Kelana Snow Dungeon" and comparing ice resistances, his heart thudded; he remembered the biting cold from last night's guild training in the snow cavern. He answered confidently.
Thirty minutes later, the Multiple Choice section ended. Arka exhaled, flipped to the Short Essay portion. The first essay asked him to summarize evacuation protocols when a Class C Gate opened in a coastal village. Arka recalled the previous chapter's map: "Open escape routes, form two lines, rear guard defends against monsters." He wrote neatly.
The second essay asked him to analyze a Salamandra's weakness in the Fire Corridor Dungeon. His mind clicked: "High heat compromises its endurance; scales become brittle if cooled rapidly." He wrote, "Shatter scales containing molten fluid before severing the tail to minimize lava bursts."
Half an hour slipped by, and the edges of his vision blurred with focus. He marked his last essay and glanced at the mapping section. It displayed a simple layout: "Ground-floor map of 'Gua Serpih' dungeon—indicate the fastest route to the E-Rank boss chamber without triggering basic traps." Arka sketched a thin path in pencil, highlighting floors that collapsed and crumbling pillars. He jotted a note: "Follow the right corridor, avoid the toxic gas passage, use the goblin key from the adjacent room to unlock the northern door, then ambush the boss."
At exactly 08:30, the proctor called time. "Stop writing and place your pencils down."
Arka exhaled a long breath, glancing at his work. He wasn't entirely sure every answer was correct, but he had given it his all—without System assistance, it all rested on his memory and training.
---
About thirty minutes later, the written examinees reconvened on the plaza, awaiting their turn for the practical arena. Everyone wore their exam badges on their armor—Arka studied the tag reading E-047 pinned to his vest. Now the tension tightened: the next exam was field-based, involving direct combat in a guild-engineered simulation that mimicked a real dungeon.
A small stage was set up in the center of the plaza. The Chief Examiner—a sturdy man in a deep purple robe, his silver hair cascading to his shoulders—stepped forward. His gait was confident as he addressed the candidates: "Good morning, prospective Hunters. Congratulations on completing the written exam. Next, you will enter the 'Level E Simulated Dungeon' to the north of this plaza. Your objective: collect three Light Crystals scattered across three different chambers within 90 minutes. You may patrol individually or form small teams, but time will keep running. Each Light Crystal is guarded by a Level E Phantom. Ensure you alone retrieve it; no alliances may form once inside."
Arka swallowed. Three Light Crystals… and Level E. Level E Phantoms meant artificially conjured spirits by the guild—like the phantom orc he'd defeated in Serpi Village, except with advanced AI. This trial would be more challenging than his Salamandra training, since Phantoms had no solid form—they floated, slipped through cracks, and attacked while vanishing from sight.
The Chief Examiner continued, "You have 90 minutes. Upon completion, strike the yellow hammer at the exit door to register your finish. If time expires, you will fail—even if you've collected the crystals. Boundaries are strict: you may only enter the simulation when I give the signal, and exit when you have struck the hammer. The clock starts… now!"
An automated gate slid open, revealing a narrow, moss-covered corridor. A low hiss of arcane magic rolled from within, summoning both courage and dread. Dozens of candidates surged forward, some moving cautiously, eyes scanning faintly glowing walls. Arka edged to the side, opening his "Map" screen in his mind:
[Level E Simulation Map]
• Chamber 1: "Flame of Life" (Phantom Salamandra)
• Chamber 2: "Frozen Ruins" (Phantom Ice Wolf)
• Chamber 3: "Shadow Grove" (Phantom Shadow Goblin)
• Light Crystal locations: One in each chamber
• Exit Door: Beyond Chamber 3, connected by central corridor
According to the legend, Chamber 1 would subject him to intense heat—like the Fire Corridor—but in fantasy form: ribbons of flames and a droning battle hymn. Chamber 2, known as the "Frozen Ruins," featured a slick ice floor and breath-stealing chill. Chamber 3, the trickiest of all, was the "Shadow Grove," where darkness warped illusions and passive shadows misled you.
Arka's throat tightened as he stole a glance at Rika standing to his right—they had agreed to patrol together for safety. Rika nodded briefly, her bow strapped to her back, the light on her arrow quiver glowing softly—ready to support him with ranged attacks.
They stepped into Chamber 1, and searing heat licked their armor despite the light protection. The walls around them shimmered orange, and in the distance three Phantom Salamandras hovered—scales glittering faintly as if lit by an eternal blaze. Arka wiped cold sweat from his brow and tapped the back of his sword, activating Focus Mode.
"Focus, Arka," whispered Rika. "Remember the Salamandra's weakness: limited regeneration in extreme heat."
Arka nodded and danced along the cracked, glowing stones. The first Phantom Salamandra soared into the air, hissing as it launched a fireball at them. Rika immediately readied her bow and loosed a luminous arrow—its glow cutting through the Salamandra's ethereal wing, scattering sparks of phantom flame. The creature roared, recoiling but not dissipating; it drifted backward, creating an opening.
Arka seized the moment, swinging his sword in a straight slash that bisected the phantom's flank, producing a crackling "krisik" of vanishing shadow. However, the second and third Phantoms retaliated in unison, converging on him. The heat intensified with every echoing hiss. Arka dodged swiftly, parrying a few phantom fire-tongues with his blade—each collision sent flickers of orange light dancing across the chamber walls. "Mana = 10/10," flickered in his mind. "Skill cooldown: 5 seconds remaining."
Rika backed up to an ideal vantage point and fired again, shattering a scale on the second Phantom's wing. That Phantom emitted an empty aura before swirling space-energy around itself, triggering a small flare that cracked the ground. Arka vaulted high to avoid the detonation, then landed on fractured stone.
When the skill cooldown ended, Arka tapped the "Blinding Burst" command in his mind—four violet orbs whirled around him, forming a hazy aura. He glanced at them: the third Phantom had melded into the phantom flames, ready to strike from below. Arka inhaled sharply, then unleashed the skill. A thunderous blast of white light reverberated through the chamber, blinding the Salamandras and producing a resonant wave in the air. The first two Phantoms were vaporized into ash, and the third froze in mid-assault—momentarily disrupted by the brilliance.
For a breath's length, Arka paused, then leaped forward and severed the glowing orange core floating in mid-air—Light Crystal 1—a softly pulsing ember of flame. He stowed that crystal in a small, labeled container on his belt ("E-047"). The "Quest" screen flickered in his mind:
> Simulated Quest: Collect 3 Light Crystals (1/3)
No EXP was awarded—such was the exam's rule. But his heart thumped harder; one crystal already eased his mind's weight.
Their sweat chilled on their skin as they hurried down the passage to the "Frozen Ruins." The next chamber enveloped them in a bone-numbing chill, and the ice floor shimmered ghostly pale. Phantom Ice Wolves darted about, their bodies sheathed in crystalline frost like living armor. Arka blinked, shivering as the frigid air cut into him. "Low-temperature environment," flashed in his mind.
The first Phantom Ice Wolf leaped at them, its fangs gleaming silver. Rika sprang aside and fired an ice-imbued arrow—on impact, it shattered the wolf's frosted pelt and sent tiny shards cascading. The wolf yelped and skidded along the ice into the wall, quaking the floorboards. Arka followed that gap with practiced precision: he slashed horizontally with his Half-Steel Sword, cleaving through the wolf's side until the ice cracked into pieces. The wolf erupted a cloud of frigid mist that pushed Arka back, rattling his armor.
That icy blast chilled him to the core. "Health: 45/50," blinked in his mind. He drew a slow breath, pressed himself against the wall, and resisted unleashing Blinding Burst—his mana was down to 5/10, and one more Phantom awaited them. Rika shot another arrow—this time tipped with quicksilver, sticking to the wolf's icy flank. The wolf shook violently, its frosted hide melting in trickles of water.
Arka seized the opportunity. He vaulted behind the second wolf, then slashed at the knee of the third, who had charged from behind. His inner tracker toggled "Focus Mode" again, sharpening his view to see the thinnest ice cracks. He stooped and executed a precise blow, splitting the second Phantom's legs—ice scattered, and the wolf collapsed into a pile of glimmering dust.
The third wolf lunged again—Arka sidestepped, then executed a swift horizontal slash that cleaved its frost-licked rump. The Phantom yipped a final wail before shattering into shards of ice. A hush fell as the ice on the floor melted into thin rivulets. Rika clapped softly, smiling in relief. Arka bowed his head briefly, then looked upward to the pale, false sky:
> Simulated Quest: Collect 3 Light Crystals (2/3)
He retrieved Light Crystal 2—a cool blue orb emanating a faint chill. Again, relief washed over him, though his breath still panted from the cold.
His legs trembled as he stepped into the corridor leading to the "Shadow Grove." The air turned damp, and shadows flickered in his peripheral vision—walls were covered in black moss glowing faint purple. Dim lanterns cast a hunched path, and an eerie stillness settled into his mind. Phantom Shadow Goblins lurked there, silent silhouettes with glowing red eyes.
Arka swallowed hard and checked his "Status":
Health: 45/50
Mana: 3/10
Only one Phantom remained, and he knew if he failed to defeat it, the clock would run out. "Countdown: 60 minutes remaining," his mind reminded him.
Rika frowned. "Keep your distance, Arka. These Shadow Goblins are crafty—they shape the darkness around them."
Arka nodded, straightening his stance and raising his sword in a half-slash stance. The first Phantom Shadow Goblin emerged to his left, darting forward with a phantom dagger. Arka evaded swiftly—his blade clashed against the Goblin's spectral steel, sending a burst of violet sparks drifting into the gloom. The Goblin slipped into the shadow on the wall.
Arka closed his eyes for a heartbeat, then activated Focus Mode: he could see the Goblin's blurred outline in the darkness. Guided by that insight, he skated lightly across the mossy floor, circling behind the first Phantom. With a well-placed slash, his blade cut through the Goblin's aura—its form dissipated into drifting purple mist.
Rika sprinted forward and loosed a dark arrow that pierced the side of the second Phantom's hazy outline. The Goblin emitted a strangled cry, then crashed onto the ground; its shadow shattered. Arka used that brief lull to weave a defensive pattern against the third Phantom's attempt to flank him. He vaulted sideways to dodge, then slashed at its thigh—its shadow cracked, producing a localized ripple of darkness that dissolved into nothingness.
All was silent for a moment. Then a soft speaker announced from above the "Shadow Grove," "Simulation complete. Participant E-047, retrieve Light Crystal 3 at the southern corridor entrance."
Arka looked up. The faint purple glow guided his eyes to the southern threshold, where Light Crystal 3 hovered, casting a gentle lavender radiance. He stepped forward with legs unsteady, the mist swirling in the chamber as he reached out. When his fingers brushed the crystal's surface, it pulsed with pale light—like capturing a fragment of a dark star.
The "Quest" screen blinked in his mind:
> Simulated Quest: Collect 3 Light Crystals – COMPLETED
No EXP flashed—just that brief message, and a wave of relief unfurled in his chest. He turned and walked to the yellow hammer beside the exit door, striking it once to mark his success. A resonant "Dindik" echoed, announcing: "Participant E-047 completed at 52 : 34. Please exit."
Arka glanced at Rika, who waited just outside the door along with two other participants who also finished early. His body trembled, but Rika's proud grin reassured him. "Amazing, Arka. We beat the 90-minute limit."
Arka nodded, guiding himself out of the simulation. The cool outside air felt refreshing—though the sun was high, the harbor breeze carried a soothing salt tang. In the plaza, other candidates were still emerging, some huffing with exhaustion, others smiling, a few wearing disappointed expressions.
By 11:15, Arka and Rika reentered the main hall to await their interview. They sat on simple wooden chairs before a stern-faced examiner in a dark blue robe. His name was Mr. Rizal, Examiner 1, projecting calm authority. He opened a folder with Arka's exam results and regarded him kindly. "Arka Nurdiansyah, your written exam score is above average. How did you find the written portion?"
Arka drew a steady breath, collecting his thoughts. "The questions were challenging, sir. I relied on my training memories—like the structure of a spider's nest and dungeon mapping questions. I hope my answers were accurate."
Mr. Rizal nodded, jotting notes before asking, "Very well. How about the practical exam? Did you face difficulties dealing with the Phantom Salamandras or the Phantom Shadow Goblins?"
Arka lowered his gaze momentarily, steadying the adrenaline still coursing through him. "The first Phantoms—the Salamandras—were tricky because they mirrored the real Fire Corridor. I used 'Blinding Burst' to eliminate two at once. The Shadow Goblins were the toughest—so I turned on Focus Mode to detect them in the darkness."
Mr. Rizal closed his book, offering a respectful nod. "You demonstrated sound tactics, even at Level 1. Your results will be announced at 12:30. Thank you."
At 12:30, a small gong rang—final results time. All candidates assembled on the plaza, standing facing the guild staff. A spokesperson unrolled a scroll. "To the Class E Hunter Exam candidates of this period, we announce that Arka Nurdiansyah (E-047) has PASSED with outstanding performance—Written: 85/100, Practical: 91/100. Congratulations!"
Exultant cheers rose from some candidates, while Arka felt momentarily stunned—he had just earned that Class E license without having to reach Level 2. His heart raced, and then a new icon appeared on his internal screen:
[System Message]
- "Congratulations! You have earned your Hunter License: Class E."
- "No EXP awarded for licensing."
His cheeks flushed as he spread out the shiny license certificate before him: engraved letters declared "Class E Hunter License – Arka Nurdiansyah."
Guild officials patted his shoulders, offering congratulatory handshakes. Rika tapped his shoulder in tribute. "Congratulations, Hunter Arka," she said softly.
Arka managed a shy smile and bit his lip. "Thank you, Rika. I couldn't have done this without you."
That afternoon, before the sun sank below the sea, Arka stepped out of the guild gates with his new license in his pocket, though his EXP remained 75/100. He still held one Novice Elixir, one Small Potion, and his basic gear: the Half-Steel Sword and Light Armor. At the same moment, another System message flickered:
[Reminder]
- "Next milestone: Level 2 (EXP 100).
EXP remaining: 25.
- "Quest: 'Train in the Guild Arena – Simulate Level E Phantom Eliminations (Minimum 5). Reward: 10 EXP."
Arka stared at that message—though he had his license now, the real challenge lay ahead. With a Class E license, he could accept daily official quests, but he still needed 25 more points to reach Level 2. He would have to train harder, enter the guild arena, and pick appropriate missions.
His steps toward the harbor felt lighter, even though he knew tomorrow morning he must return to the guild to begin his new routine with building stamina, hunting phantoms in the training grounds, and undertaking minimal jobs to chip away at that EXP bar.
Beneath Kaena City's starry sky, Arka Nurdiansyah closed the day with a promise, that he would continue climbing until the zero EXP line in his system blacked out and a new "Level Up" message burst forth.