Seven days passed, and now Rain, along with his team, was navigating a narrow passageway deep in the underground 10th floor—the lowest level. Their mission was to clear a strange area known as the "Dark Iron Zombie Domain." The week leading up to this mission had been uneventful, giving Rain plenty of time to practice and prepare. Though nervous about what awaited them, Rain moved with a noticeable spring in his step, having reached the threshold to break through to middle D-rank.
Personal Panel:
- Name: Rain
- Realm: Beginning D-rank
- Physical: 5.42 (20)
- Agility: 3.7 (20)
- Genetic Energy: 5.2 (20)
- Genetic Energy Refinement: 10 (100)
- Techniques:
- Poison Claw 1st Chapter (9/9) (familiar) – 1.2%
- Life Vine Shield – 100 (Start)
- Spring Sword Art – 40 (Master)
- Mysteries:
- Poison Stone – 0.12%
- Sap of Devil Trap – 0.001%
Rain planned to advance into middle D-rank upon returning home from this mission, feeling that his genetic energy was pushing against the current limits of his body.
While his physical strength and genetic energy were above the average for beginning D-rank, his agility still lagged. Additional data from the Star Immortal World provided extra insight into technique mastery stages, clarifying that mastery levels were divided into: Start, Familiar, Proficient, Master, and Grand Master. Rain had initially believed he had mastered the Poison Claw technique, but with this new knowledge, he realized he had only reached familiarity.
Damian turned to Rain with surprise, "Rain, why are you so happy?" Everyone's attention shifted to him, noting Rain's unusual cheerfulness despite the pungent, narrow path they were walking through.
Rain thought about sharing the news after the mission but realized breaking through to middle D-rank would take at least a full day. "I've reached the limit of D-rank. After we complete the mission and return, I plan to break through to middle D-rank."
The team halted in front of him as he spoke, turning to face him in astonishment.
Damian shouted, "What?"
Lily grinned, "Wow! We have a monster genius in our team, second only to Leader Sky." Each team member—and the entire Ghost Department—was considered a genius, having broken through D-rank by opening their spirit gate before the age of eighteen, a requirement for joining the department. To be called a genius among geniuses was no small feat.
Siobhan smiled, "Awesome, Rain! After entering D-rank, you've advanced even faster than me."
Sky nodded, "Congratulations, Rain! I'll inform the captain—he'll be pleased and will send over the resources you need for the breakthrough to middle D-rank."
Rain perked up, "Really? I won't have to buy the resources myself?"
Sky reassured him, "In the Ghost Department, everyone receives the resources they need for advancing to higher realms directly from the department."
Lily turned to Siobhan, "How's your practice going?"
Siobhan responded happily, "I've finished my training in genetic energy control. Now, I just need to clear out the genetic waste."
Sky nodded approvingly, "Then you'll also reach middle D-rank before the competition. Lily, how's your progress?"
Lily smiled confidently, "I should be able to break through to Peak D-rank before the competition."
Sky asked, "Damian, what path are you planning to take?" Rain understood Sky's question: Damian, having reached the peak of D-rank, had two options—to take a C-rank genetic medicine and break through directly to a C-rank genetic warrior, or to advance to the True Body Realm.
Damian hesitated, "I'll take the True Body path."
Sky's expression turned serious. "Damian, you're already 22, and for three years now, you've been unable to break into the True Body Realm. With the competition approaching, if you breakthrough to C-rank, you could secure a solid ranking."
Damian nodded, "I know, but I heard that this year's competition will be the first of several held over the next four years."
Sky confirmed, "Yes, the Spark Genius Competition begins every four years, and our city is aiming to become a tier-1 city. Our previous performance was only average, so this time, the city has decided to host multiple competitions to select representatives for the Spark Genius Competition. There will be four competitions back-to-back over the next four years."
Lily frowned, "But I'm already 19, so I'll be ineligible for the under-20 bracket after four years when I'm 23."
Sky nodded, "These competitions aren't solely for the Spark Genius Competition. They're also meant to elevate our city's overall strength and prepare participants for future competitions. Even if you don't make it to the top 5 in your bracket, a good ranking can still earn you valuable resources and privileges awarded by the city."
The weight of his words set in, and everyone's expression turned serious, recognizing this as a key opportunity to ease their genetic warrior paths.
Siobhan then asked, "How is the Spark Competition structured?"
Sky explained, "It starts with local competitions in each Spark city. After every city faces off against each other, the two cities with the most wins advance to the final rounds."
After this discussion, the group continued their journey. As they walked, Rain took in his surroundings. The weird domain had formed in an abandoned mine, a place integral to the city's founding. The city had been built around this mine because of the valuable dark iron it contained. Dark iron was a food source for the aggressive iron worms, which required genetic warriors to protect ordinary miners, as robots couldn't maneuver effectively in the narrow passages where iron worms thrived. Eventually, after clearing the mine, it was left untouched, and over time, a weird domain took shape within it.
As the passage widened, the group came to a stop. Rain noticed a large metal gate ahead, signaling their arrival at the weird domain's entrance.
Sky announced, "Everybody ready?" All three teammates and Rain replied affirmatively. "Then let's enter the domain," Sky said, pushing open the massive metal door.
Rain watched as Sky led the way, followed by the others, with Rain bringing up the rear. Once inside, he saw that the narrow passage was no longer lined with concrete or electric lights. Instead, rocky walls surrounded them, illuminated by glowing mushrooms and other unfamiliar plants that cast an eerie light, brightening their path in this otherworldly place.
Rain and his team moved cautiously along the narrow passage without making a sound, knowing that zombies were drawn to noise. After a while, a low growling echoed through the corridor. The team stopped as Sky moved forward to check. A few seconds later, she returned.
"There's a small cavern ahead with five beginning D-rank zombies," Sky informed them. "Rain, Siobhan, the two of you can handle them. Consider this combat training for the upcoming competition."
Rain nodded, and Siobhan agreed. They took the lead, moving carefully toward the cavern.
As they walked, Siobhan asked, "What's the plan?"
Rain replied thoughtfully, "We'll position ourselves side by side where the passage meets the cavern. Let's draw the zombies toward us, and keep them from surrounding us since they outnumber us."
"Okay, I agree," Siobhan said as they reached the mouth of the passage leading into the cavern. Inside, they saw five zombies, their pale skin contrasted by dark grey hands and heads. Rain began making noise to draw their attention, and soon, the zombies turned and started shambling toward them.
As the zombies approached, energy claws formed around Rain's hands—his taking the shape of lizard claws, while Siobhan's claws resembled those of a cat. When the first zombie to reached him, it swung its darkened hand, and Rain met the attack head-on,which clashed against Rain's energy claws with a metallic clang, but Rain pushing it back with ease, his strength clearly greater. To Rain's surprise, while his attack could leave a scratch on a middle D-rank being, the zombie's hand bore no damage at all.
An idea flashed in Rain's mind. Before the zombie could steady itself, he stepped forward and slashed at its chest, his energy claws tearing through flesh and revealing the faintly glowing grey heart within.
"Siobhan, the pale white body of the zombie has weak defenses!" Rain called out, not slowing his attacks as two more zombies closed in. Dodging their strikes, he slipped behind one, thrust his claw into its back, and tore out the grey glowing heart, tossing it aside. The heartless zombie crumpled to the ground, motionless.
Rain continued, evading and defending against the other two until he found an opening to pull out their hearts, dispatching them efficiently. Turning toward Siobhan, he saw her finishing off her last opponent, pulling out its heart with a swift motion, marking the end of their battle.