Quest: Slay all the beasts, kill the dungeon boss, and clear the dungeon.
Duration: 3 hours, 5 minutes, 20 seconds.
Status: Complete.
Darian glanced at the system notification, a proud smirk tugging at his lips. Despite the odds, they had finished the dungeon with over three hours to spare. His beast—a majestic yet ferocious creature—had once again proven her worth. She had fought valiantly, but the toll on her was evident. With a brief mental command, Darian sent her back to the taming space, where she could heal and recover.
The dungeon now lay eerily silent. The once-turbulent space twisted and collapsed in on itself as Darian stepped through the shimmering portal at its heart. The world around him distorted into a whirlwind of colors before solidifying once more. In an instant, Darian was back outside, standing before a crowd of onlookers as the rift sealed shut behind him, leaving no trace it had ever existed.
Murmurs and whispers erupted among the spectators, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion. Darian caught fragments of their hushed conversations.
"Did he just clear it alone?"
"Impossible. No one solos an A-rank dungeon."
"What kind of beast does he even have?"
Darian ignored them. The opinions of those too afraid to step into the fray themselves held no weight with him. He strode past the crowd, heading toward the registration office to return the standard-issue armor he had borrowed. It had been more of a hindrance than a help, but regulations were regulations.
As he walked back to the academy dorms, a new prompt materialized before him.
Quest: Raid an A-rank dungeon, kill the dungeon boss, and collect rewards.
Status: Complete.
Rewards: Flameborn Ability Awakened.
"Flameborn Ability?" Darian muttered under his breath, his brow furrowing. The name was familiar, and not just because it matched his current level. Was there some deeper connection between the two?
"System," he called inwardly, "show the description for the Flameborn Ability."
The system responded instantly, bringing up a new prompt.
Flameborn Ability
Description: The host can only awaken this ability while at the Flameborn level. This ability allows the user to control and manipulate natural elements: fire, earth, air, and water. As the host evolves, so does the ability, eventually granting mastery over all elements on a grand scale.
Darian's eyes widened as he read. Elemental manipulation was one of the rarest abilities among awakened. Most could control only one or two elements, depending on their mana pool and aptitude. The potential to wield all four—and eventually more—was unheard of.
"Elemental control…" he murmured, feeling both excitement and trepidation. Such power was a double-edged sword. Mastery over even a single element could take years of grueling training. With four, the challenge would be exponentially harder. But Darian wasn't one to back down. If anything, the difficulty only strengthened his resolve.
No matter how long it took, he would master this power.
As he approached the academy, a sleek, black aeromobile pulled up in front of him. The vehicle's futuristic design caught his attention, its tinted windows obscuring the occupants within. The door opened smoothly, revealing a familiar face.
"You…" Darian muttered, his jaw tightening.
The man stepping out was Drake, a high-ranking guild officer Darian had encountered at the hospital weeks ago. Behind Drake sat Bianca, her legs crossed as she exuded an air of effortless authority.
"Hey there, kid," Drake greeted, forcing a grin. "I'm guessing you remember me?"
Darian remained silent, his expression cold. He had no desire to get involved with the guild's politics or their incessant probing. The last time they had crossed paths, they'd asked questions he'd been unwilling—or unable—to answer.
"What do you want?" Darian asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
Drake's grin faltered slightly, but his demeanor remained professional. "We need to have a conversation. In private." He gestured toward the aeromobile parked nearby.
Darian hesitated, his instincts screaming that this was trouble. Getting tangled up with the guild had never been part of his plans. But walking away now would likely escalate the situation. Reluctantly, he nodded and followed Drake into the vehicle.
The door slid shut behind him, sealing the three of them inside. The interior was sleek and spacious, but the tension in the air was palpable. For a moment, no one spoke.
"So," Darian finally broke the silence, "what's this about?"
Drake exchanged a glance with Bianca before leaning forward. "Kid, when you came out of that anomaly, you were in bad shape. You had injuries that should have killed you. The doctors gave you three days to live." He paused, his voice lowering. "But you didn't just survive—you walked out of that hospital like nothing had happened."
Darian's jaw clenched. He had suspected this was about the anomaly he had cleared weeks ago.
"You told us you soloed the dungeon with a summoned beast," Drake continued, his tone growing sharper. "But when I looked into the beast categories, I couldn't find a match for the one you described."
Beads of sweat formed on Darian's forehead. He had fabricated parts of his report to the guild, knowing full well they wouldn't believe the truth. Now it seemed his lies had caught up with him.
"I'm going to ask you one more time," Drake said, removing his glasses and locking eyes with Darian. "How the hell did you clear that dungeon?"
Darian's mind raced, weighing his options. Lying further would only dig him into a deeper hole, but the truth was too dangerous to reveal. His silence stretched on, the tension in the car thickening.
Bianca, who had remained silent until now, leaned forward. Her piercing gaze bore into Darian, her voice as sharp as a blade. "Listen, kid. We're not here to play games. Whatever you're hiding, it's better for everyone if you come clean now."
Darian met her gaze, his expression hardening. "I've already told you everything I know. I used my beast and my skills to clear the dungeon. That's it."
Drake leaned back, studying Darian with a scrutinizing gaze. "You're not giving me much to work with, kid. And trust me, the guild doesn't take kindly to half-truths."
Darian's fists clenched at his sides. "If that's all you wanted to ask, then we're done here," he said firmly.
Drake's lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn't press further. After a moment, he nodded toward the driver, and the aeromobile came to a smooth stop. The door slid open, letting in a gust of cool air.
"Consider this a warning," Drake said as Darian stepped out. "The guild will be watching you."
Darian didn't reply. He walked away without looking back, his mind already racing with plans. The guild's interest in him was a problem he couldn't afford to ignore, but he wouldn't let it deter him from his goals.
As he reached the academy gates, another notification appeared before him.
Flameborn Ability Acquired. Training Recommended.
A wry smile crossed his lips. The path ahead would be long and fraught with challenges, but Darian had never been one to shy away from a fight. If the guild wanted to keep an eye on him, so be it. He had no intention of hiding—not from them, not from anyone.