~BOOOOM!~
The resounding eruption caused by the destruction of the earth spread throughout the city.
Everyone within earshot could hear the loud crash, and those who were still too far to listen were greeted by the rumbles that rushed from the ground.
All of this chaos stemmed from a single location.
… The same place where Jet and Lux stood.
"E-EEEEK!"
Upon seeing their leader completely lose consciousness from a single hit, the remaining five stooges began to squeak in fear.
Sango's ebony body was buried in the ground, covered in dirt and debris. He was literally foaming in the mouth, his eyes completely white due to the shock that sent him straight to sleep.
Vestiges of lightning crackled from his body as smoke rose all around the crater that formed on the ground.
Everyone was dead silent, holding their breath as they stared at this amazing sight in awe.
Sango was among the strongest Adventurers in the City, having a Five Star Rank. He was a Master Adventurer, and everyone treated him as such.
Seeing him get his arse handed to him just like that was a surreal experience for everyone who watched.
It didn't take long before murmurs began to echo forth.
"Are you kidding? Just one hit…?"
"Even stronger Adventurers would not have ended it with just one hit…"
"Maybe it's because he was drunk…"
"You idiot! Have you ever seen Sango pass out due to alcohol before?"
"He was sober? You're joking!"
"I couldn't even see the strike. What kind of move… was that?"
All eyes shifted from Sango, and the curious gazes of everyone rested on the perpetrators of the entire mess. The gentleman in black and the maiden in white: their existence caused the hearts of many to tremble.
"If she was able to do that, does that mean that man is also capable of that much?"
"They're partners, after all! It's a given!"
"B-but… even Master Rank Adventurers wouldn't have knocked Sango out like that!"
"Oi, oi! What are you saying? That they're somehow Heroic Rank? Come on!"
"Shh! Don't be so loud, or they'll hear you…"
The Adventurers were terrified, sure. But beyond that, they were fascinated.
Perhaps the two strangers recognized this, because instead of departing the way they previously intended, they remained still.
After soaking up all of the attention for a few seconds, the dark clad gentleman took off his hat, revealing his incredibly handsome face.
Following his lead, the woman did the same.
Instantly, all the noise surrounding the duo sizzled out. Everyone's jaws went loose as they opened wide in reaction to the beauty that they were faced with.
Before they could even take it all in, the confident tone of the man filled the air.
"My name is Jet, and my partner's name is Lux. I won't ask you to remember our names, because soon you will have no choice but to know them."
These would have been viewed as haughty statements if they hadn't just trumped one of the strongest Adventurers in the City.
"My goal is simple… to surpass Jet Zephyr as the strongest Adventurer in the history of this City… and spread my name to the entire world!"
With this declaration made, all the widened eyes served as witnesses.
On that very day, a promise was made to every denizen of the Adventurers City, and it was not received with scorn.
For deep within their hearts, the Adventurers hoped that they would be able to see the time when the young man's dream would ripen and bear fruit.
They all desired the day of the promise's fulfillment.
*********
"Hmph! How pitiful…"
A particular figure stood beside the window of her room and watched the events that unfolded beneath her with a scrutinizing gaze.
Her lips were pursed in disapproval, and her cold gaze narrowed upon hearing the declaration of the man called Jet.
"Surpass Lord Zephyr? What a foolish statement." She muttered with her moist lips.
Her dirty blond hair flowed behind her as she folded her hands beneath her modest chest. She couldn't help but glare at the ridiculously attractive man and woman who were now the center of attention.
'So just because the lady managed to beat Sango, everyone suddenly takes the man's declaration seriously? My goodness, Adventurers really are a bunch of simple-minded buffoons.'
The lady shook her head and sighed, leaving the window as she heard a knock on her door.
'I've seen fools like them more times than I can count, thinking they can make it big in the Adventurers City just because they're a little strong.'
The Six-Star Badge on her chest glistened on her chest as she reached for the doorknob.
She had specifically made sure no one disturbed her in her living quarters. The only exception to this rule was if her urgent attention was needed.
"What is it?" She asked, once her hand was placed on the doorknob.
"Y-yes, Miss Britta! Two Adventurer Candidates wish to take the Heroic Rank Test! I-I came to deliver their forms to you for screening since you're their designated examiner."
The woman closed her eyes and sighed.
Somehow, she already knew this would be the case. That wasn't all she figured out, though.
"Let me guess… the names on those forms are Lux and Jet."
"Y-yes, Ma'am!" The voice from behind the door swiftly answered, though the stuttering made her response too clumsy to be considered proper.
Regardless, her tone indicated surprise. Heroic Rank Adventurers were known to do some pretty amazing things, but clairvoyance was a little too much for a fighter-type Adventurer like Britta.
How could she have perfectly guessed the names?
~CREAK~
The door opened and Britta took the two forms from the trembling delivery staff, who instantly scrambled off once she was done with her delivery.
Britta sighed, closed the door, and took a good look at the document—her green eyes taking in every single detail that was on the pieces of paper.
"Foolish newbies…" Britta smiled as she threw the forms aside and grinned to herself.
Fools who went so far to take the Heroic Rank Test were very rare, but they existed.
Britta had supervised her fair share, so she knew what happened to the few overly ambitious folks who bit off more than they could chew.
Without exception… they all died.