Ash, sleeping in his room, heard footsteps of several people passing by his room.
It was already 6 am, so it was natural, but even yesterday it wasn't a rush of people.
Ash washed his face, checked his full MP stat and 15 bullets in his gun loaded. He put the blade by his waist that he got from Arlan.
The corridor was almost silent now, the people had already gone.
Ash opened the door and closed it, standing in the corridor when a girl rushing fast was about to collide with him.
"Move aside!" the girl screamed at the top of her lungs while trying to control her speed.
Ash had already felt someone approaching at rapid speed, so he moved backward, leaving the way open for the person to pass.
He noticed her wearing tight armour that was clinging to her skin, highlighting her curves.
She had lost her balance while slowing down. Ash was looking at her face that was breathtaking.
His mind racing with different thoughts, 'Looks like beauty is also enhanced in this world.'
Everything was slow motion for Ash and then—
Thud.
The girl fell in front of Ash, head first.
She didn't even stand up for a moment, embarrassed.
"Why did you put your leg in the way?" She stood up, face red.
Ash was unsure if it was anger or embarrassment.
"You are misunderstood, you tripped on your own," Ash said, shrugging.
The face grew redder with this comment.
"So… so at least you could have saved me from falling." The girl pushed the matter.
Ash was completely baffled. "How's that my mistake? You don't even know how to walk."
The girl's face turned red. She thought this guy would be intelligent enough to take the mistake on his own and save her from embarrassment.
She noticed the guy was the same age as her, and his handsome features made the situation more embarrassing.
"You better not talk about this to anyone." She showed a staff on her side, threatening.
"Why are all the people so rushed? If you tell me this, then I may not speak to anyone about it," Ash asked, seeing the opportunity.
"What do you mean by may not speak? You won't." She looked intently.
Ash nodded.
"Are you a ranker?" the girl asked.
"If you mean if I have a profession or not, then yes I do," replied Ash.
"So you are a ranker, then you should rush too. Today the major guilds of the city are taking potential members in, and we will get to enter an E-rank dungeon for free." The girl gave a menacing look.
"You better not speak," she said and started running, murmuring, "I am already late."
He remembered that dungeons were under the guild or government, restricting entries of individuals without permission. It was similar to the previous world.
Guilds paid a hefty amount to the government to take the rights of the dungeon, and the reason the government obeyed was because keeping so many dungeons and maintaining them was an arduous task.
Every dungeon needed to be cleared at some time interval or the beasts would come out. There was another way to destroy the core of the dungeon, which would destroy the dungeon itself.
But it wasn't efficient since humanity would lose important resources if they cleared every new dungeon, so better take money from guilds.
Ash saw the opportunity to enter a dungeon and his foot darted towards the girl, following her out of the inn.
As the girl noticed him chasing, she spat out without looking back, "Why are you following?" She didn't want to fall again.
"I don't know the way to the dungeon," Ash said, noticing the buildings on both sides and people passing by as on a normal day. Some of them were going towards the dungeon with excitement.
She stopped and looked back.
"You look quite young, did you just get your profession?"
Ash nodded but with a smile said, "You're talking like you are 50 years old."
"Of course not, but in just half a year I reached level 8. Do you understand?" The girl scoffed.
"Is it a big deal?" Ash asked, unaware of the reality.
"You will realize. People don't even reach D-rank by age twenty, and I am already about to pass E-rank." The girl flicked her hair back, her head high.
"So you are a genius, cool. Can you show me the way?" Ash said with an aloof expression.
If she knew he had come this far in just 5 days, then she would just collapse.
She looked annoyed by his aloofness but then asked, "Are you a close-range fighter? I can help you level up. I need someone to keep beasts far from me so I can use my spells without fear."
Ash contemplated but then realized, he didn't care. "Yeah, I am a hunter, so some stealth and close-range fight."
"I am Jessie, follow me, and remember I am the leader here." The girl started running, Ash following her.
"Oh, I am Ash"
After some running Ash could see a large blue portal behind a building. Blue light covering some of the area.
The place where the portal was cleared and fenced in radius.
Many new kids of age 16, 17, 18 stood in anticipation.
A big screen showed some names on the top with timing written ahead of it.
1. Hunter Squad (members: 5) - 1:20:47
2. Dem's Squad (members: 3) - 1:37:21
3. Henry's Squad (members: 5) - 1:49:20
The list continued till number 10.
Ages of 16 to 18 were only allowed to take part in this test.
Ash got some idea what it was about. It was a recruitment of guilds so they could capture the rising talent for the future. Getting them early would cost less and make a loyalty bond with the ranker.
There were majorly three guilds in the city, each having a B-rank leader. Which was disappointing for Ash. He had already met a potential S-rank in the settlement.
The commander was above level 50, making him A-rank.
Even Jack was almost level 30, which would put him into the same rank as guild leaders.
Ash decided not to join any guild, but he wouldn't mind stealing some Exp if he came so far.
There were already some squads formed and some of them were clearly privileged and with superiority complexes.
They were eyeing every new contestant with disdain.
Ash remembered his previous life where he enjoyed breaking the ego of these kinds of people. Not out of personal vendetta, he was paid hefty for that.
"Put this band on your wrist before going in, it will count your kills and assist."