The silence in the clinic was broken by Old Man Park's ragged cough. He pushed himself up on his elbows, his eyes fixed on Xung. The bandages on his chest strained with the effort.
"A Hunter?" Park's voice was a mix of disbelief and fear. "Xung, no. That is not a path for us. It is a dream for others. For people with money. For people with… with power from the beginning."
Ms. Mina finally found her voice, gesturing at the money on the table. "This is more than enough for his medicine. Take it, Xung. Pay off Boran. Go back to your life. This power… it will only bring you trouble."
Xung looked at the coins. They were a fortune to them. But to the world outside this clinic, it was nothing. He felt the warm stone in his pocket, a constant, silent promise of more.
"I am not going back," Xung said, his voice low but firm. It was the first time he had ever said something like that and believed it completely.
Before anyone could argue, the clinic door opened. A man stood there, silhouetted against the morning sun. He wore the crisp, blue uniform of the Hunter's Association. On his lapel was a bronze badge shaped like a tower.
Everyone froze. An Association official here, in the slums? It was unheard of.
The official's eyes scanned the room with cold efficiency. They lingered on the coins on the table, then on Xung's torn and bloodstained clothes. His expression was one of pure disdain.
"I am looking for the cleaner," the official said, his voice bored. "The one involved in the incident with Boran's men. There is a complaint."
Ms. Mina and Park looked at the floor. This was it. The trouble had already found him.
Xung took a step forward. "I am the cleaner."
The official looked him up and down. "You? I find that hard to believe. Regardless. Brawling with registered civilians is a violation of the City Code. You will come with me to face fines or community service."
Xung's heart sank. Fines would take all his money. Community service would mean leaving Park alone.
Then, the stone in his pocket grew warm. Not a burning heat, but a steady, pulsing warmth.
`[New Quest: Prove Your Worth]`
`[Objective: Register as an Official Hunter Applicant]`
`[Reward: Official Hunter Applicant Status. Temporary Legal Immunity.]`
Hunter Applicant? It was the first, lowest step. But it was a step.
"I wasn't brawling," Xung said, the words coming to him as he spoke. "I was defending private property. And I intend to register as a Hunter Applicant. The code gives Applicants temporary legal protection during their registration trial."
The official's bored expression finally cracked. He looked shocked, then amused. He let out a short, harsh laugh. "You? Register? Don't waste my time, boy. The application fee alone is five hundred credits. The physical test has a 90% failure rate. You are a cleaner."
Xung didn't blink. He walked to the table, scooped up five hundred credits, and held it out. The coins filled his hand. "I have the fee."
The official stared at the money. His smirk faded. He looked from the coins to Xung's determined face. He saw something there that confused him. "This is highly irregular," he muttered. But he took the money. "Very well. If you wish to throw your money away, that is your business. Come now. The Association does not wait."
"Xung, don't—" Park began, but a fit of coughing cut him off.
"I will be back," Xung said. He followed the official out the door.
The Hunter's Association building was in the center of the city. It was made of shining glass and steel. It was the tallest building Xung had ever seen. People in fine clothes walked in and out. Everyone ignored him.
Inside, the air was cool and smelled clean. The official led him to a large hall filled with people. Most were young, well-dressed, and looked confident. They carried expensive weapons. They were all here to apply.
A giant screen dominated one wall. It showed a list of names and letters.
**Hunter Ranking System:**
* **S-Rank:** National Assets. Can alter the course of wars.
* **A-Rank:** City Guardians. Can defeat disaster-level threats.
* **B-Rank:** Elite Hunters. Guild Leaders and Officers.
* **C-Rank:** Professional Hunters. Stable income, high respect.
* **D-Rank:** Journeyman Hunters. Capable of regular dungeon dives.
* **E-Rank:** Hunter Applicants. Have passed the test but are unproven. The lowest rank.
Most of the people in the room were from wealthy families, hoping to become D or C-Ranks. They sneered as Xung walked past in his dirty clothes.
The official handed Xung a form. "Fill this out. Then you will take the physical exam. When you fail, you will come with me to begin your community service."
Xung took the form. He found a corner to sit in.
`[Quest Update: Prove Your Worth]`
`[Step 1: Complete Application Form]`
He filled out his name, age, and previous occupation: **Dungeon Cleaner**. He saw the official watching him and smirk.
Then came the hard part. **Primary Skill Manifestation.**
He didn't know what to put. He had the stone. The system. But he couldn't write that.
The stone warmed in his pocket. Words appeared on the page, visible only to him, overlaying the official form.
`[Suggestion: Material Reclamation]`
`[Description: Can identify and extract latent potential from residual monster parts and materials.]`
It was perfect. It was close enough to the truth without revealing his secret. It sounded like a weak, support-class skill. Something for a cleaner. He wrote it down.
He handed the form to the official. The man read it and snorted. "Material Reclamation? A fancy word for trash collecting. How fitting. This way."
He led Xung to a large training room. In the center was a strange, man-shaped machine made of metal and magic crystals.
"This is a Combat Simulator," the official said. "It creates a phantom opponent based on your detected energy level. You must land a clean hit on it to pass. Most Applicants only need to face a Level 1 Phantom. For you…" The official typed on a control panel. A cruel smile played on his lips. "Let's see what you're made of. Level 3."
The machine hummed to life. A figure made of shimmering blue light appeared. It looked like a basic swordsman. It held a glowing sword.
`[Combat Simulator Phantom - Level 3]`
`[Weakness: Predictable attack pattern]`
The other applicants watching from the window laughed. "Level 3? For a cleaner? He's finished before he starts."
The Phantom lunged. It was fast. As fast as the wolves.
But Xung was faster. His new speed stat made the Phantom's movement seem slow. He saw the thrust coming. The words `[Predictable attack pattern]` flashed in his mind.
He didn't dodge. He stepped inside the thrust. He didn't have a weapon. He just balled his fist and punched.
His fist, empowered by the Wolf's Essence and his level-up, slammed into the Phantom's chest.
There was a sound like shattering glass. The Phantom exploded into a million pieces of blue light.
The room went completely silent.
The official's mouth hung open. The other applicants stared, their laughter dead.
The screen on the wall flickered and updated.
**Applicant: Xung**
**Previous Occupation: Cleaner**
**Result: PASS**
**Recommended Initial Rank: E-Rank**
**Assigned License Number: E-7391**
The official slowly printed out a small, plastic card. He handed it to Xung with a trembling hand. It was Xung's Hunter Applicant License. E-Rank.
"H-how…" the official stammered.
Xung took the card. It felt light, but its meaning was heavy. He was official. He was in the system.
He looked at the official. "The community service. Is it still required?"
The official shook his head, too stunned to speak.
Xung turned and walked out of the room. The other applicants moved out of his way, their faces pale.
He had done it. He was an E-Rank Hunter Applicant. The lowest of the low.
But he had a license. He had a rank.
And he had a very long way to climb.