The crystal platform still pulsed faintly in Souta Kaede's mind. The word that had appeared there echoed louder than the crowd's whispers.
[Boundless]
The host had frozen on stage, staring at him like Souta had awakened trash.
"…Boundless? What… what is that supposed to mean?"
The name didn't glow in a golden text or silver. It was just there, normal. A low tier path.
Murmurs rippled through the audience of hunters and bystanders. Some gasped like they had seen a divine revelation, others laughed openly, mocking what sounded like a mistake.
Boundless? That's not even a path, must be a bug, fake awakening.
But Souta only smirked, his sharp eyes sweeping across their faces. He could feel their stares drilling into him with doubt and curiosity.
Good, Let them wonder.
…
Later, at the Adventurer's Guild, reality hit him like a brick.
"So… you're telling me I can't take on a dungeon that's A-rank or higher?" Souta asked flatly, leaning on the counter.
Across from him stood Luna, the white haired receptionist. Her patience had already been tested three times in the last ten minutes. Her arms were folded, her lips pressed tight, and one eyebrow twitched as if begging for release.
For the third time, Souta, she said, enunciating each word like she was teaching a stubborn child, yes. You are technically an F-rank hunter. You literally just awakened You cannot, under any circumstances, take on a C-rank, much less an A-rank dungeon, are you that dumb or desperate to die?
Souta winced, "Not helping."
The truth was annoying. In his world, they had similar rank checking systems. It made sense that the guild couldn't see his actual stats only his recorded rank. To everyone else, he was just another clueless F-rank rookie.
But he wasn't just a rookie, he was a reincarnated awakened one, carrying experiences no one here could even imagine. That little detail, however, was a secret.
Luna sighed and slid a parchment across the counter, here are beginner jobs only, Build up some mission records before your rank means anything.
Souta glanced down at the list his face fell.
—Weed-Pulling at Westfield Farm – 10 coins
—Pest Extermination in Old Warehouse – 20 coins
—Escort Granny Mava to Church – 8 coins
—Wolf Pack Outside the City – 30 coins
—Dungeon: F-rank – 45 coins (Party Recommended)
Escorting a granny?! Since when is that a quest? he muttered.
Luna's flat stare didn't waver.
He sighed dramatically, tapping the wolf pack listing. Wolf pack? I literally wiped out an entire dire wolf tribe when I first got here. I am basically their man.
That doesn't count, Luna said instantly. Those weren't dungeon creatures. Just wild beasts and it wasn't registered through us. If it's not logged, it doesn't count, Simple as that.
How did you even do that alone? a guild worker muttered from nearby. "Unless you're lying."
Souta groaned, Fine, fine, I will take the F-rank dungeon.
Luna raised a brow. "Alone?"
He smirked, sliding the paper back. Why not? I've got my dagger and a healthy amount of trauma I am good.
Whatever you can die for all I care Luna muttered.
…
Later that day, Souta crouched near a column of shimmering blue light on the outskirts of Drelmire. The dungeon portal hummed softly, swirling like liquid glass. Some called them a portal, fractures in reality leading into monster infested zones.
Shirt, pants, dagger, That's it. He wasn't about to waste money on second hand armor.
The air shimmered as he stepped through and the world twisted.
A damp cave spread before him. The walls glistened with moisture, the air thick with the smell of moldy cheese and wet socks, Unfinished buildings with crumbling walls, A faint, unnatural glow illuminated the jagged walls.
A message flickered before his eyes
[You have entered an F-Rank Dungeon: First Layer]
Souta smirked. This should be easy with my past experience, I will clear this in no time.
He moved silently, crouched low like a shadow.
Then
A shriek pierced the cavern.
A goblin stepped out from behind a rock, jagged dagger in hand. Its beady eyes locked onto him.
Big mistake.
…
Souta's dagger flashed, the goblin gurgled as steel cut through its throat It collapsed instantly.
Another goblin rushed him, swinging a rusty axe souta ducked low, kicked it into the cavern wall, and pinned it with a clean stab.
Two down.
The rest of the group seven, maybe eight or more rushed him like angry chickens. Their shrieks echoed off the walls.
He exhaled. I hope you guys don't have a respawn point.
They didn't stand a chance.
Tak, his dagger, moved like an extension of his arm. Souta's body remembered every motion from his past life feints, spins, precise cuts he dodged clumsy swings with minimal movement, using his speed and sharp instincts.
A goblin lunged, he caught its arm, twisted, and drove his dagger into its chest. Another tried to flank him, he pivoted, severing its wrist before slashing its throat.
Blood sprayed, cries echoed but Souta's face remained calm and almost bored.
He was faster, stronger and sharper. Each strike was effortless and guided by instinct.
[Level Up!]
Level 1 — Level 3
+3 Attribute Points
Souta exhaled slowly, wiping his blade on the fallen goblin's.
The loot wasn't impressive a cracked iron ring, a chipped bronze sword and some other rusty things.
"Poor," he muttered.
But the real prize was the points.
He paused to tally it up. "Two points per goblin plus boss ten points twenty-one kills total. That's about fifty points? Ugh! Too slow! If I keep going like this, I will never crawl to the next rank but this is just my first time. Next time I will make sure I go through the whole first layer.
A low chuckle escaped his throat.
…
Status Screen
He called it out. "Status."
The familiar glowing panel appeared before his eyes
———~†~———
Name: Souta Kaede
Age: 18
Race: Human
Class: Hunter of Boundless Path
Title: Reborn One
Level: 3 [20/30]
Rank: SSS
Attribute Points: 3
Strength: 32
Agility: 39
Endurance: 36
Intelligence: 27
Luck: 9
Skills: 2
Traits: 3
—————————
Looks good, he murmured.
…
He cleaned himself up in a nearby stream no way was he walking into the city smelling like goblin guts. Once presentable, he strolled back to the guild and dropped the loot onto Luna's desk like it was a medal.
She looked up, blinking. You went alone? A
And came back this fast?
"Yup."
Her eyes flicked from his blood stained shirt to the pile of loot. She pressed her lips into a line. I will l pretend I am not surprised, but I am.
As she processed the paperwork, Souta felt eyes boring into his back, whispers floated around the hall.
That's the guy who awakened a mysterious path.
He went to the first layer alone at his first time?
No way he's just F-rank.
Souta rolled his eyes, leaning closer to Luna. Is it always like this? Fame, gossip and doubters?
She smirked faintly. Welcome to the guild, Mr Souta you'd better get used to it.
He pocketed his reward enough for two more nights at the inn and a decent meal. Not quite bad.
Stepping out into the evening air, Souta glanced up at the fading sky.
A few more levels, a few more dungeons, maybe a cool finishing move. His grin widened and i need to get stronger so I can complete my purpose in this world and enjoy an happy life.
Deep inside, something stirred, He wasn't here just to survive, he was here to change the game.