"So you're telling me I can't take on a dungeon that's rank A or higher?"
Souta stood in front of the guild receptionist, her arms folded, one brow raised like he was serious. Luna the same white-haired lady was already rubbing her temples.
For the third time, Souta, she said, clearly trying not to lose it, yes, you're technically an SSS-rank hunter. But you're also Level 1. That's like handing a toddler a nuke."
"Well... sounds like a very efficient toddler to me."
"Not helping."
Yes, in my world we did the same type of rank checking, but as I cracked the orb with my magic it's supposed to be a news that another SSS-rank as arrived, instead they are looking at me like a fool because am only in level 1 now I bet they are thinking it's a system glitch.
She slid a paper across the counter with a sigh. Here's what you can take for now. Beginner jobs only. You will have to build up some actual mission records before your rank means anything."
Souta looked down. The quests were... not impressive.
Weed-pulling at Westfield Farm – 10 coins
Pest extermination in an old warehouse – 20 coins
Escort Granny Mava to church – 8 coins
Wolf pack outside the city – 30 coins
Dungeon: F-Rank Goblin Nest – 45 coins (party recommended)
Since when did escorting a granny become a quest? Souta thought, while dropping is heard down.
He stared.
"Wolf pack? I literally wiped out a whole dire wolf tribe in the forest when I first got here. I'm basically their boogeyman."
That doesn't count those are not even from the dungeons they are just forest animals and it was before you registered," Luna said, flat. "If it's not logged by us, it doesn't count."
He groaned again. "Fine, I'll take the goblin nest one."
She raised a brow. "Alone?"
He smirked. "Why not? I've got my dagger, and a healthy amount of trauma. I'm good."
***
Goblin Nest
Later that day, Souta was crouched near a cave about two miles outside Drelmire. Shirt, pants, dagger. That's it. The cave smelled like moldy cheese and wet socks.
Goblins, he muttered. The punching bags of every fantasy world."
He stepped in.
[Mini-Dungeon: F-Rank Goblin Nest]
Visibility: Low
Danger: Slippery ground
Threat Level: Easy
Level F dungeon, ugh…I better get going so I can finish fast.
He moved quiet, crouched low.
One goblin shrieked.
Big mistake.
Tak flew straight through its neck. Another goblin came running with a rusty axe Souta ducked, kicked it into a wall, and stabbed it clean.
Two down.
The rest rushed him like angry chickens. He counted maybe seven or eight.
He sighed. "I hope you guys don't have a respawn point."
***
Goblin Overkill
It wasn't even close.
Tak danced like a bride. Souta felt faster, stronger, sharper than usual. Like muscle memory mixed with rage, instinct and experience.
[Level Up!]
Level 1 → 3
+3 Attribute Points
He wiped his blade clean. "Now we're talking."
Most of the loot was junk. But he did find a pouch with a bronze sword and a cracked iron ring.
"poor."
Hm, so for killing a f-rank monster, I earn 2 points and for the final boss 3 points, and now I killed 20 + 1, making it around 43 points. Ugh…that's still too slow I won't be able to get anywhere if I continue like this.
"STATUS."
———~Ω~———
Name: Souta Kael
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Hunter of Boundless path
Title: Reborn one
Level: 3 [23/30]
Rank: SSS
Attribute points: 3
Health: 100%
Mana: 300
Stamina: 500
Strength: 32
Agility: 39
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 27
Luck: 9
Skills: 2
Traits: 3
—————————
He cleaned up in a nearby stream, no way he was walking into town smelling like goblin, sweat was all over him he cleaned up fast and headed back to the city.
Back at the guild, he dropped the loot on the desk like he'd just won a medal.
Luna looked up. You went alone and came back so fast
"Yup."
She stared at his blood-stained shirt, then the loot. "…I'll pretend I'm not surprised but I am
As she processed it, Souta heard whispers behind him.
"That's the guy who cracked the orb."
"He just registered, right?"
"SSS-rank my foot—he's only level 3."
"But how did he solo clear a dungeon so fast for his first time."
"It's just an F-Rank dungeon it should be easy."
He rolled his eyes. Leaned toward Luna.
"Is it always like this? Fame, gossip, doubters?"
She smirked. "Welcome to the guild, Mr. Souta. Better get used to it."
He grabbed his reward coins, just enough for two more nights at the inn and a decent meal.
As he stepped outside, he glanced up at the sky.
"A few more levels... a few more dungeons… maybe a cool finishing move and nobody will doubt me again."
And deep inside, he felt something shift.
He wasn't just here to survive.
He was here to change the game.