Five weeks had passed since the auction, and Aiden Shadowbane had risen in both rank and power. From a mere E-rank hunter, he had ascended swiftly to B-rank, mastering not only his combat abilities but also learning how to manipulate the mysterious system that guided him. His days were filled with relentless dungeon raids, facing monstrous enemies and unearthing rare materials from all corners of the world. Yet, today was different.
Aiden stood in his dimly lit room, surrounded by scrolls, vials, and fragments of dungeon relics. On the table before him lay the final ingredients needed to craft the Awakening Restoration Potion (Rank C)—a concoction capable of both healing and awakening dormant powers in a person. His mind was calm, methodical, as he carefully mixed the **Bloodroot Essence**, **Ether Crystals**, and **Tears of a Star**. The materials shimmered in the dim light, casting a surreal glow on his focused expression.
Each drop of the potion sizzled as it melded together, forming a liquid unlike anything Aiden had seen. It pulsed with power, vibrant with possibility. The system's screen flickered in his vision as it analyzed the completed potion.
_"Awakening Restoration Potion (Rank C): Completed. Effects: Full restoration of physical health, enhanced beauty, and awakening latent powers in non-hunters."_
Aiden gazed at the vial, thinking of his family—his sister, Isabelle, and his mother, Evelyn. They had endured so much, living in poverty while his mother struggled with illness. But those days were gone now. With the system's help, he had healed his mother, and now it was time for his sister to awaken her hidden potential.
Later that day, in the warmth of their small home, Aiden handed the potion to Isabelle. She hesitated at first, her eyes wide with both awe and fear.
"Aiden, are you sure this is safe?" Isabelle asked, her voice trembling as she held the shimmering potion.
He nodded, his eyes steady and confident. "I trust the system. This will change everything."
Isabelle took a deep breath and drank the potion. Almost instantly, her body began to glow, a soft golden light enveloping her. She gasped as energy surged through her, her skin glowing with youth and strength. Aiden watched as his sister's beauty became more pronounced, her features sharper, more defined. But what truly mattered was the surge of power that coursed through her veins. She was no longer just a regular person—she was awakened.
Their mother, who had already consumed the Potion of Restoration (Rank D), experienced a less dramatic change but still felt rejuvenated. Her body seemed lighter, her movements more graceful, and there was a new spark in her eyes. For the first time in years, she looked truly healthy.
As the warmth of their small family moment settled in, Aiden's communicator buzzed. He frowned, seeing a message from an unknown source. Opening it, his heart skipped a beat. The message read:
_"The Old Generation M-Rank Hunters request your presence."_
The Old Generation M-Rank Hunters—those who had once been the most powerful figures in the world, before age and battle wounds had taken their toll. But they had returned, thanks to the very potions Aiden had auctioned weeks ago. Their strength renewed, their purpose reignited, they were ready to step back into the world of dungeons. And they wanted him.
Without hesitation, Aiden donned his gear, including the cloak and mask that had concealed his identity at the auction. The same cloak that had once belonged to a dungeon boss, it had now become his trademark.
As he left the house, the streets felt quieter than usual, the city seeming to hold its breath. The weight of what was coming pressed down on him. He wasn't just any hunter anymore—he was being noticed by the most powerful figures in the world. And while that came with opportunities, it also came with danger.
Arriving at the secluded meeting point, Aiden found the Old Generation M-Rank Hunters waiting for him. Their once weathered faces were now vibrant, their bodies strong once more. They radiated an energy that only those who had faced death countless times could possess. Yet, their eyes held something Aiden hadn't expected—respect.
"You've done well, Aiden," one of them said, his voice deep and commanding. "We've been watching."
Another added, "Your father would have been proud."
Aiden stiffened at the mention of his father. It wasn't the first time someone had alluded to knowing more about his lineage than he did. But now wasn't the time for questions.
"What do you want from me?" Aiden asked, his tone even but curious.
The leader, an older man whose presence was as heavy as a storm, stepped forward. "We want you to join us. The world of dungeons is changing. More powerful dungeons are spawning, and we need new blood—new leaders."
Aiden's mind raced. The offer was tempting, but he had his own path to follow. The system had given him power beyond what anyone else could comprehend. But aligning himself with the Old Generation of M-Ranks could give him access to knowledge and resources that even the system couldn't provide.
"I'll think about it," Aiden said, his voice steady.
The leader nodded, seemingly satisfied with the response. "You have until the next full moon."
With that, the meeting ended. Aiden left, his mind swirling with possibilities and the weight of the decisions before him. The system, silent for now, seemed to hum in the background, waiting. It had helped him rise this far, but the world was vast, and so were the dangers ahead.
For now, Aiden would train, perfect his newfound powers, and protect his family. But soon, he would have to decide what kind of hunter—and what kind of leader—he wanted to become.
And as he walked through the darkened streets, a single thought echoed in his mind:
_"The real game has only just begun."_