The morning air was cool.
Aariz walked slowly along the quiet street, his hands in the pockets of his black hoodie. The city was beginning to wake up—cars moving, shops opening, people talking about yesterday's gate incident.
But Aariz wasn't paying attention to any of that.
His mind was somewhere else.
Aniya…
His sister's words from last night echoed in his thoughts.
"Why not join my guild?"
Aariz exhaled slowly.
"How could I…" he murmured quietly to himself.
Joining the strongest guild in Pakistan wasn't something someone like him could do so easily.
His sister was already an S-Rank awakened. Her presence alone could shake the hunter world.
He stopped walking for a moment.
"I'm still weak," he muttered.
Replica's calm voice appeared in his mind.
"Correction. Your growth speed exceeds normal hunter parameters."
Aariz shook his head.
"That doesn't matter."
He resumed walking.
"Strength is what matters."
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"I need more of it."
Replica responded calmly.
"That is correct. If your objective is to protect your family, rapid growth is required."
Aariz nodded once.
"I know."
After a few minutes of walking, a large white building appeared ahead.
The hospital.
Aariz's expression softened just slightly.
"Let's visit mom first."
Inside the hospital hallway, the smell of medicine and antiseptic filled the air.
Aariz walked quietly through the corridor until he reached a familiar room.
Room 304.
He opened the door slowly.
Inside the room, a woman lay peacefully on the bed.
Her body looked fragile.
Her skin pale.
Machines beside the bed monitored her heartbeat.
Her name was Arisha.
Aariz stepped closer and pulled a chair beside her bed.
He sat down quietly.
For a few seconds, he just looked at her.
His face remained calm, but his eyes softened.
"Mom…" he said quietly.
"You would be surprised if you could see us now."
He leaned back slightly.
"Aniya awakened as an S-Rank."
His lips curved into a faint smile.
"She's as scary as always."
Then he continued softly.
"And me…"
"I became a slayer."
He looked down at his hands.
"They say I'm getting stronger."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Aariz stared at the machines beside the bed.
Then he spoke again.
"I wonder…"
His voice was low.
"Is there any way to cure you?"
Replica was silent for a moment.
Then it spoke.
"There might be a method."
Aariz's eyes widened slightly.
"What?"
Replica continued.
"If your level reaches at least 50, you will unlock the ability to create a rare alchemical item."
Aariz leaned forward.
"What item?"
Replica answered calmly.
"Celestial Vitality Elixir."
The name echoed in the quiet room.
Replica explained further.
"This elixir has extremely powerful healing properties. It can repair damaged organs, restore life force, and remove severe illnesses."
Aariz's heartbeat quickened.
"Then…"
"Then it can cure mom?"
Replica responded.
"Probability: High."
For the first time in a long while—
Aariz's face lit up.
His normally cold eyes shined with happiness.
"So there really is a way."
He stood up slowly.
"Then I just need to reach level 50."
His expression became determined.
"That's easy."
Replica corrected him.
"Incorrect. That level will require many dangerous battles."
Aariz smirked faintly.
"Good."
"Then I'll just win them."
His voice was calm, but his determination was absolute.
"Now I have another reason to become stronger."
Just then—
The door opened.
Aniya walked inside the room.
Her presence immediately filled the space.
Even in normal clothes, her aura was commanding.
"You were already here," she said.
Aariz glanced at her.
"You said you had work."
Aniya nodded.
"It's done."
She walked closer to the bed and looked at their mother.
For a moment, her terrifying public aura disappeared.
Her expression softened.
Then she looked back at Aariz.
"You're leaving already?"
Aariz shrugged slightly.
"I've been here for a while."
Aniya studied him carefully.
"Don't overwork yourself."
Aariz gave a small nod.
"Don't worry."
Then he walked toward the door.
"See you at home."
Aniya watched him leave without stopping him.
But she knew something.
Her brother was changing.
And quickly.
Outside the hospital.
Aariz stretched his neck slightly.
"Replica."
"Yes."
"Let's find a C-Rank gate today."
Replica answered immediately.
"Understood."
They began searching.
About thirty minutes later—
Replica spoke.
"Gate detected. C-Rank signature confirmed."
Aariz stopped.
In front of him was a swirling purple gate.
But hunters and guards were nearby.
Aariz pulled his hood lower.
"Not here."
He touched the gate surface briefly.
A strange black energy flickered.
The gate's energy copied into his system.
Replica confirmed.
"Gate data copied successfully."
Aariz turned around.
"Let's move."
Far outside the city.
An abandoned rocky area surrounded by hills.
No people.
No witnesses.
Aariz raised his hand.
A swirling purple distortion appeared.
The copied gate.
"Paste."
The gate stabilized.
Aariz smirked slightly.
"Let's see what kind of gate this is."
He stepped inside.
The environment changed instantly.
Cold wind.
Rocky ground.
Massive stone formations everywhere.
Replica analyzed the area.
"Terrain: Mountain cave system."
Suddenly—
A loud roar echoed.
Several monsters emerged from behind the rocks.
Large gray creatures with sharp claws.
"Rock Beasts," Replica reported.
Aariz moved immediately.
No hesitation.
His sword flashed.
One clean slash.
A monster fell.
Another attacked from behind.
Aariz ducked.
Then activated—
"Dark Slash."
A wave of shadow energy sliced through the enemy.
The monster collapsed instantly.
Aariz moved through the cave like a shadow.
Fast.
Precise.
Efficient.
One monster after another fell.
After several minutes—
Replica spoke again.
"Mini-Boss approaching."
Heavy footsteps shook the ground.
Then it appeared.
A massive creature stepped forward.
Three meters tall.
Skin like solid stone.
Massive claws scraping the ground.
Replica announced its name.
"Stoneclaw Troll."
The monster roared violently.
Abilities analysis appeared in Aariz's vision.
Ground Smash.Regeneration.Rock Throw.
Aariz observed it calmly.
"Looks tough."
The troll ripped a giant rock from the ground and threw it.
Aariz jumped aside.
The boulder exploded against the cave wall.
The troll charged forward.
Its claw smashed the ground.
"Ground Smash."
A shockwave spread across the floor.
Aariz slid back but stayed balanced.
"Durable," he muttered.
The troll roared again.
Then its wounds began slowly healing.
Replica confirmed.
"Regeneration ability active."
Aariz tilted his head slightly.
"So head attacks then."
He rushed forward.
The troll swung its massive claws.
Aariz dodged narrowly.
Stone shattered everywhere.
He jumped upward and slashed across the troll's shoulder.
But the blade barely cut through the rock-like skin.
"Tch."
The troll punched downward.
Aariz rolled aside.
The ground cracked beneath the impact.
The monster was strong.
Very strong.
But Aariz didn't panic.
He observed.
Calculated.
Three moves ahead.
The troll raised another boulder.
Aariz used that moment.
"Dark Slash."
A shadow blade flew forward.
It struck the troll's face.
Black flames spread across its stone skin.
The troll roared in pain.
Shadow burn began draining its mana.
Its regeneration slowed.
Aariz moved again.
Fast.
He ran up a rock formation.
Jumped high.
Then—
One precise strike.
His sword pierced directly into the troll's eye.
The monster screamed.
It swung wildly.
Aariz jumped back.
The troll staggered.
Its movements became slower.
Mana depletion was working.
Aariz lifted his hand one final time.
"Dark Slash."
The shadow wave cut across the troll's neck.
Stone cracked.
The massive creature collapsed.
The cave shook.
Then silence returned.
System notifications appeared.
[Mini-Boss Defeated]
[Experience Gained]
[Level Up]
Aariz exhaled slowly.
"Not bad."
Replica spoke.
"Your combat efficiency continues improving."
Aariz looked at the troll's corpse.
Then quietly said—
"Level 50…"
His eyes sharpened.
"I'm coming for you."
Because somewhere in a hospital bed—
His mother was still waiting.
And Aariz would become strong enough to bring her back.
No matter what.