The moment I stepped out of the \[Green Paradise] portal, clutching the faintly glowing \[Alpha Vitality Core], the world outside looked strangely normal.
Vendors shouted prices for healing potions. Freshly awakened hunters compared scratches and loot. Squad leaders barked orders as parties regrouped before diving back in.
But then the sky rippled.
\[System Notice]
**Dungeon Boss of \[Green Paradise] has been defeated.**
**Hunter: Logan Reed**
**Rank: F**
The words glowed above the entire city for all to see.
For a heartbeat, silence fell over the plaza.
Then the whispers began.
"Did it just say… F-rank?"
"No way. A rookie killed the Alpha alone? He must've had backup."
"He's holding the Core though… that's proof."
I froze. My name lingered in the sky like a brand. Dozens of hunters turned their heads toward me, eyes flicking between my satchel and my face.
Heat rushed to my ears. I wanted to shrink into the ground—but then another screen opened privately before me.
\[Skill Acquired: Flame Control (Passive)]
*Allows user to manipulate the trajectory, speed, and intensity of fire spells. Efficiency increases with higher intelligence.*
I opened my status right away.
\[Status Open]
\[Name: Logan Reed]
Level: 5
\[HP: 18/18]
\[MP: ∞ ]
\[Strength: 14]
\[Defense: 15]
\[Agility: 14]
\[Trait: Infinite Mana]
\[Skills: Fireball (F), Flame Control (E)]
I blinked hard. Not only had my stats grown, but this new ability meant fireballs didn't have to be clumsy straight-line blasts anymore—I could bend them, accelerate them, even slow them to curve around enemies.
Before I could savor the discovery, a small group approached me.
They weren't officials—just a squad of three F-rankers with worn gear and tired smiles. One of them, a lanky swordsman, scratched the back of his neck.
"Hey, kid. You really soloed the Alpha?"
I nodded once. His eyes widened.
"That's… impressive. Dangerous, but impressive."
Another, a woman with a short spear, stepped forward. "Listen, you shouldn't dive dungeons like that alone, no matter how strong you are. If you want, we can guide you through your next run. Safer, steadier profits."
A couple of hunters on the sidelines laughed.
"Or he could just join our squad," one shouted.
"Yeah right, after a stunt like that he's bound to get snatched up quick."
More hunters began circling, tossing out casual offers—guides, team invites, even tips on how to sell Cores for better prices. Their attention wasn't hostile, just… curious.
It struck me then: I wasn't invisible anymore.
To the higher-ups, maybe I was still a nobody. But to the other F-ranks and small fry grinding through daily runs, my name glowing in the sky was enough to make me stand out.
I clutched the Alpha Core tighter, reminding myself of one truth.
The wolves in the dungeon had been dangerous.
But the hunters outside might be even more unpredictable.