Ethan navigated the dim corridors, Shadowfang resting against his back, its faint glow a constant reminder of his new reality. Genesis had gone quiet for a while, but Ethan knew better than to think he was alone.
"Alright, Genesis," Ethan muttered, breaking the silence. "You said you'd explain what's going on. Where exactly did you come from? Why do I have this Abyssal Core?"
["Oh, straight to the existential questions. I love it. Let's just say I've been around for a while, watching, waiting for someone... interesting. You fit the bill."]
Ethan scowled. "Not an answer."
["It's the best you'll get for now. You're still too weak to understand the full picture. Focus on surviving, and maybe I'll fill in the blanks later."]
Ethan sighed. "Fine. Let's talk about something useful. You mentioned a ranking system. How does it actually work? What makes someone go from F-rank to E-rank, or higher?"
Genesis let out a mock sigh. ["Finally, some practical curiosity. The world of hunters uses a standardized ranking system. F through S, the higher the rank, the stronger the hunter. To advance, you have to hit certain stat thresholds across all attributes. Let me show you."]
A translucent screen appeared in Ethan's mind, detailing the ranking system.
World Hunter Ranking System
F-Rank: 1-20 in all attributes.
E-Rank: 21-40 in all attributes.
D-Rank: 41-60 in all attributes.
C-Rank: 61-80 in all attributes.
B-Rank: 81-100 in all attributes.
A-Rank: 101-120 in all attributes.
S-Rank: 121-140 in all attributes.
Ethan frowned as he scanned the screen. "So hunters just have to grind their stats until they hit the threshold?"
["Precisely. But for most hunters, S-rank is the limit. It's where the human body's natural potential caps out. Beyond that, you're either dead or dreaming."]
"But you said I'd go beyond S-rank?"
Genesis chuckled. ["That's where things get fun. The Abyssal Core isn't limited by your world's rules. Once you break into S-rank, your journey doesn't end there. Let me show you the extended path."]
The screen updated, adding more ranks below S.
Extended Abyssal Core Ranks:
SS-Rank: 141-160 in all attributes.
SSS-Rank: 161-180 in all attributes.
EX-Rank: 181+ in all attributes.
Ethan's eyes widened. "SS? SSS? EX? I've never even heard of those."
["You wouldn't have. Your little hunter guilds don't even know these ranks exist. They can't reach them. But with me, you'll surpass limits that no one even dreams of."]
Ethan stared at the screen, the weight of the revelation sinking in. "So, I'm supposed to be the first?"
["Correct. And don't think it'll be easy. The road to EX is paved with monsters that could squash an S-rank like a bug."]
"Sounds like a death wish."
["Oh, it absolutely is. But you're the stubborn type, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it."]
Ethan shook his head, a wry smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "And what about you? You've clearly been around. What's your role in all this?"
["Think of me as a guide, a mentor... and occasionally your lifeline. But don't get too comfortable. I'm not here to coddle you."]
"Why me, though?" Ethan pressed. "There are stronger hunters, better candidates. Why pick a porter?"
Genesis was silent for a moment before answering, ["Sometimes the ones overlooked by the world have the most to prove. And sometimes, it's just about being in the right place at the right time."]
Ethan frowned, but before he could push further, Genesis interrupted.
["Now, enough of the chitchat. Let's focus on what's ahead. You've got a long way to go before you even sniff E-rank. Open your status again and let's see what we're working with."]
Ethan sighed. "Status."
The familiar translucent screen appeared once more.
Abyssal Core Interface: User Status
Name: Ethan Gray
Title: The Forgotten
Rank: F
Attributes:
Strength: 15 (+5)
Agility: 18 (+8)
Intelligence: 20 (+12)
Stamina: 14 (+5)
Luck: 10 (+7)
Skills:
Abyssal Stab (Active): Enhanced thrust attack that ignores basic armor.
Cooldown: None.
Shadow Dodge (Passive): Increased evasion rate and temporary invincibility for 0.5 seconds during dodges.
Predator's Instinct (Passive): Detects weak points in enemies within a limited range.
System-Linked Abilities:
Abyssal Surge (Active): Temporarily boosts Strength and Agility by 20% for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 5 minutes.*
Void Mark (Active): Mark an enemy, reducing their defense and tracking them within dungeon environments.
Cooldown: 10 minutes.*
Weapon: Gun-Blade: Shadowfang (Growth-Type)
Type: Hybrid Weapon (Sword/Gun)
Growth Mechanism: Absorbs energy from defeated enemies to unlock new abilities and enhance stats.
Ethan studied the numbers, his mind already racing. If these were his starting stats, how far could he go? How far did he need to go?
["Not bad, huh?" Genesis chimed in. ["Now let's see if you can live up to the potential."]
Ethan grinned. "Let's find out."