The once-vibrant forest lay in ruins, its lush garden reduced to a desolate expanse of charred remains. Amidst the bleak landscape, a massive crater yawned open, as if the very earth had been torn by a blazing meteor.
Atkinson stood mildly unscathed at the crater's center, his tattered beginner's robes a striking contrast to his miraculously intact body.
"Thank heavens for Spirit Guard," Atkinson breathed, relief etched on his face. "That skill saved my life."
He recalled the split-second decision that had spared him. When the ball of fire fell down on his head, he activated Spirit Guard to absorb the brunt of the impact, then channeling Second Wind to mend and restore vitality his battered body. However, his health was low.
[Name: Atkinson Edwards.
Age: 27.
Level: 8 (247/800).
Class: Soul Eater.
Job: Hunter (Unofficial).
Titles: Slime Slayer.
Coins: 76.
Health Points: 35/200.
Mana Points: 60/330.
Stamina Points: 40/510.]
[Attributes]
[Strength: 26.
Intelligence: 33.
Dexterity: 21.
Agility: 25.
Vitality: 20.
Unallocated Points: 6]
[Skills]
[Active Skills:
[Evasion] [Second Wind] [Chop] [Soul Absorption] [Shadow Walk] [Soul Guard]
Passive Skills:
[Status Peek] [Mental Fortitude] [Essence Sense]
[Equipment]
[None]
[Items]
[None]
[Name: Spirit Guard.
Tier: Epic.
Type: Active.
Level 1: (1/3).
Mastery: 0%
Description: Absorb And Redirect A Portion Of An Incoming Attack. However, A Portion Of The Attack Will Be Taken.
Additional Effects:
- Grants 10% Boost To Attributes.
Cooldown: 60 Seconds.
Mana Cost: 160.]
Atkinson Edwards rose to his feet, his initial relief giving way to simmering anger.
"(A Dragonic Avatar...)"
***
The Dragonic Avatar Class was planned by Atkinson and introduced by the game developers to provide players with a unique fusion of martial prowess and mystical abilities. It was added for an in-game event and it could only be accessed by new players because it was amongst the starter Classes that could be picked at the start of the game.
This Class had mastery over fire, and lightning and enhanced strength, agility, and durability at the beginning of the Player's experience. Also, the ability to transform into a dragonic form, amplifying stats and abilities. Not to mention access to Class exclusive Skills.
But after the event, Atkinson decided to add it in the game as a Class that could be obtained through a Class-Related Quest or a Class Change Quest.
***
Atkinson gripped his hair above his head and asked himself, "(Am I am idiot?)"
He gritted his teeth to point they felt like they were bleeding. His eyes were intense and filled with wraith. Hands clenched, he tried to keep his blazing rage bounded.
"I must be, right..?" Atkinson asked aloud as he looked at the sky.
The sky was clear without a hint of white. Birds flew overhead to a distance place.
"(I thought I had stop trust people.)"
Betrayal.
"(But some soft boy managed to crawl under my mental defense and stab me with a knife?)"
Atkinson facial expression soon lighten and his mood was seemingly null.
"(Yeah, I am going stop caring about humans.)" said Atkinson. "(If I don't, trust will tear me to shreds.)"
"(So what next?)"
"(It's obvious.)" Atkinson said with a hint of resentment.
He leaped forward and landed smoothly on the ashes of grass, a soft crunch sound being made under his feet.
He glanced at the scorched ground and said, "(I'll have to take my revenge. That's a promise.)"
Atkinson brought up the System Interface and began to scroll.
"(However, I need to become stronger.)" said Atkinson. "(I can't defeat a foe at that magnitude of power yet.)"
"(That's why I'll have to pass the Hunter Exam.)"
"(Thanks for the weapons though. They'll help a ton.)" said Atkinson.
[Name: Draconis Axe.
Tier: Legendary
Type: Weapon
Description: Wield the fury of a dragon with this axe, forged from the scales of a legendary fire-breathing dragon.
Attributes:
- Damage: 350+Strength
- Critical Hit Damage: +70% Of Strength And Dexterity.
Additional Effects:
- Ignites enemies on hit, dealing 50 fire damage over 5 seconds.
- Has a 10% chance to trigger a fiery explosion on hit, dealing 200 fire damage to all enemies within a 5-meter radius and catches them on fire.]
He began to trek through the dull scenery and towards the village.
"(Just you wait, you bastard.)"
***
The sun was about to set and the sky was now dark blue. At the village, Atkinson went to the Licensing Guild. Inside was empty, except for the receptionist.
"Oh, you're here again," she said with a hint of surprise.
Looking at Atkinson blank expression left the woman uneasy.
"(What's wrong him?)"
The receptionist ears perked up as she heard Atkinson spoke.
"I would like to start the test please."
The receptionist was quiet surprise as she asked, "Huh?"
Atkinson continued, "And also, how many people will be participating? I must know."
"Hmm," hummed the receptionist. "36."
"(As expected. Only 3,312 live in Greenhaven and more than 80% doesn't want to wok as Hunters.)" Atkinson thought.
The receptionist added, "Well, that is if all of them come. Lost time it was 72 coming, then it dropped."
"So when will the test begin?" Atkinson inquired.
"Tonight. Which is now," she said as she extended here hand.
Suddenly, a violet, swirling portal opened under his feet. His legs were now stuck and he couldn't move as he was slowly being sucked downwards.
"What the hell, woman?" Atkinson inquired with a hint of confusion. "Now not the time to be playing pranks."
"This isn't a prank."
Atkinson glared and the receptionist. She felt intimidated to held her ground.
She sighed, "You said you wanted to do the Hunter Exam, right? Well I am sending you to the place you have to do the exam."
The next second, the presence of a solid surface beneath Atkinson's feet disappeared and he was suddenly being plummeting downwards. A second later, he sensation of a ground returned.
Atkinson's eyes fluttered wide, and he found himself in an unfamiliar, yet brightly lit room and he was surrounded by a number of other individuals. The clear memory of the receptionist's brought him to his sense.
"(So this is where the exams will be held.)"
Atkinson took in his surroundings. The room was a large, cavernous space with a high ceiling. The air was thick with anticipation, and the smell was sweet. A sea of unfamiliar faces moved about, all sharing a mix of determination and anxiety.
Atkinson said in his mind, "(There isn't a lot of people here, as expected.)"
Atkinson's gaze swept across the room, taking in the rows of chairs, the elevated platform at the front, and the large, ominous-looking wooden doors at the back. A massive stone table displayed the exam's rules and instructions.
The instructions were as followed:
[Written Test Instructions (Phase 1)]
[The written test is a multiple-choice examination designed to assess your knowledge, reasoning, and problem-solving skills.]
[Test Details]
[1. Duration: 2 hours.
2. Number of Questions: 100.
3. Question Type: Multiple-choice (4 options per question)
4. Scoring: 1 point per correct answer.]
[Test Format]
[The test consists of four sections.]
[1. Hunter Confraternity History and Regulations (20 questions)
2. Wildlife and Environmental Knowledge (25 questions)
3. Physical and Mental Abilities (20 questions)
4. Logic and Problem-Solving (35 questions)]
[Instructions]
[1. Read each question carefully and choose the best answer.
2. Select only one answer per question.
3. Do not leave any questions blank.
4. You may not leave the testing area during the exam.]
[Prohibited]
[1. Notes or study materials.
2. Communication with other examinees.]
[Important Notes]
[1. The test is designed to assess your knowledge and skills.
2. Guessing is not encouraged, but it will not be penalized.
3. The Hunter Confraternity reserves the right to modify or cancel the test at any time.]
Atkinson's already realized he was now a participant in the Hunter Exam. The weight of the challenge ahead settled on his shoulders, however it wasn't heavy. Of course, he was the one that planned the game and knew almost everything about it. He felt like a shark in a pond ocean filled with small fish, but he wasn't cocky.
Suddenly, The large door at the back of Hunter Exam Room slid open with a loud clang, echoing through the silent chamber. A man strode in, his imposing figure commanding attention and he was followed by three other individuals. Two were knights and the other seemed to be the invigilator of the test.
He had white hair, blue eyes, a chiseled physique and was 7 feet tall. The male wore a thick white coat over a white collared shirt and a white pant white pants with white shoes. He carried a large bladed sword with a slender handle, which was bright blue. Its set diagonally across his hip and tucked into his waistband with the blade itself being visible from behind.
His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, observing the examinees.
"(The Frostbite?)" Atkinson inquired.
As trekked past the numerous examinees, he said, "Take a seat."
Atkinson listened, and took a nearby seat amongst the hopefuls individuals.
Atkinson then felt a shiver run down his spine as the man's gaze swept over him.
[Essence Sense Is In Effect]
"(For an NPC, he is quite intimidating. But I did make Kaelin the top 10 strongest Hunter in Aetherium.)" Atkinson said in his mind. "(He's apart of The Venatori Elite Vanguard.)"
The air seemed to chill, as if the very presence one of the Venatori Elite's hunter had dropped the temperature.
Kaelin took to the platform. He began to speak, his deep and commanding voice boomed through the room, "Examinees, I am Kaelin Vex, a representative of the Venatori Elite Vanguard. You are here to prove your worthiness to join the Hunter Confraternity's ranks. This written exam will test your knowledge, strategy, and resolve."
His eyes narrowed, "I warn you however, this will not be easy. The Hunter Confraternity demands excellence, and I will not tolerate weakness. Brave Hearts," his tone dripped with malice, "are not welcome here, but that is only my opinion."
"(Oh, I forgot that I made him hate the Players. That's going to be a pain.)" Atkinson said.
Looking around, he could see many nervous faces flowing with sweat.
He said to himself, "(I wonder if there are any Players here.)"
Kaelin paused, surveying the room once more, "You have two hours to complete the exam. Any form of cheating or disruption will result in immediate disqualification and... consequences. Do I make myself clear?"
The room fell silent, with only the sound of nervous shuffling and scribbling breaking the stillness. Atkinson felt odd.
"Good," said Kaelin.
He extended a hand towards the tablet with the rules and it suddenly froze, and shattered into tiny fragments.
Kaelin continued, "Even though Greenhaven lacks quantity, I sincerely hope it produces quality."
Atkinson said, "(Of course he would. Greenhaven is his home land after all and his an representative of Greenhaven as well. More like a candidate that has already been elected and has a seat.)"
Kaelin soon eyed him with his blue, frozen eyes.Kaelin's piercing gaze lingered, watching and waiting for any sign of weakness. Atkinson stood firm and unwavering.
"(Does he know that I am a Brave Heart?)" Atkinson inquired.
"Hmmm," Kaelin muttered."I'll be making my leave now."
Kaelin walked off the stage. He strided to the door but then halted.
"Brave Hearts. If you take my non-aggressive approach as weakness, it isn't any of the sort," said Kaelin." I wish not to appear as a wretch of prejudice."
With a curt nod, Kaelin signaled the start of the exam. He then leaved the room with the two knights following close behind him.
The invigilator raised his hands and suddenly yellow paper and black chark appeared on the desk that occupied an examinee. The room erupted into a flurry of scratching chark and rustling papers.
To Be Continued...
Next Chapter: Hunter Exam (2).