The registration center at the base of the mountain buzzed with activity. Newly awakened individuals milled about, their faces painted with a mix of relief, confusion, and nervous excitement. Holographic displays hovered above the room, showcasing instructions on the registration process and glowing infographics about awakening ranks.
An officer gestured toward an empty chair near the far corner of the room. "Take a seat. Someone will assist you shortly."
I nodded, the weight of the Metallic Gate's trials still pressing on me. My bag dropped onto the floor with a dull thud as I slumped into the chair. For a moment, I let myself sink into the relative comfort, closing my eyes briefly as the noise around me ebbed and flowed.
---
I opened my eyes and let my gaze wander. Most of the awakeners here were Filipino—familiar faces with the warmth of shared language and culture. A few foreigners stood out in the crowd, their accents cutting through the Tagalog chatter.
Some people were animated, sharing snippets of their gate experiences in hurried whispers. Others sat quietly, their eyes distant as if still replaying the trials in their minds.
The hum of voices was underscored by the occasional bark of orders from Hunter Association officers. Their efficiency was impressive, though it carried a certain detachment. For them, this was just another day of managing awakeners.
I leaned back, exhaling slowly. No one knew what someone else had experienced in the dungeon. That was part of the gate's design—tailored, intimate challenges meant to push you to your limits. I glanced at the holographic displays, where bright animations explained the importance of keeping one's results confidential.
---
"Pretty wild, huh?"
The cheerful voice came from a woman a few chairs away. She shifted closer, dragging her chair with her, and I got a better look at her—blonde hair tied back in a loose ponytail, bright eyes that seemed incapable of holding still, and a smile that could've lit up the room.
"Yeah," I replied simply, keeping my tone neutral.
She extended a hand. "Sophie Mills. Canadian, vacationer, accidental awakener. Nice to meet you."
I hesitated before taking her hand. "Ji Zeus."
"So, Ji Zeus," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. "What did you think? Pretty insane in there, right? I mean, the mental trial? I was this close to losing it!" She held up her fingers, pinching a millimeter of space. "But hey, we're alive, so that's something!"
Her energy was exhausting, but I found myself faintly amused. "You were on vacation, and you decided to walk into a gate?"
"Of course! When in Rome, right? Or, well, when in Antipolo. I'd heard about the gates, and when this one opened, I thought, 'Why not?'" She laughed, a bright, bubbling sound that stood out against the muted tension of the room. "And now, here I am. Awakened and probably about to break the news to my poor family back home."
"You're lucky it opened while you were here," I said.
"Lucky?" she repeated with a grin. "Is that what you call it?"
I glanced at the dormant Metallic Gate, visible through the large glass windows of the registration center. Its carved metallic frame looked dull now, almost lifeless, though the memory of its energy lingered like an afterimage.
"The thing about gates," I began, "is that after their first activation, there's no pattern to when they open again. It's completely random. They could stay dormant for years or activate twice in a month. And when they do, it's only one at a time, anywhere in the world."
Sophie tilted her head, her curiosity evident. "So… this is, like, a one-in-a-million chance?"
"Something like that," I replied. "When they first appeared, all the gates—Wood, Stone, Metallic—activated at the same time. People flooded in, desperate for a chance to awaken. After that? No one's been able to predict their behavior."
Her eyes widened. "That's nuts. So I really was in the right place at the right time."
I nodded, my thoughts turning inward. For me, it hadn't been about chance—it had been about clinging to my last opportunity before my potential faded.
---
Before Sophie could launch into another question, an officer approached, holding a tablet.
"Ji Zeus?" he asked, his tone brisk but polite.
"That's me."
He handed me the tablet, the holographic display already glowing with instructions. "You'll need to create an account, input your personal details, and confirm your results from the gate. Once that's done, you're free to leave."
I accepted the device, glancing over the screen. "My results?"
The officer gave me a knowing look. "We simply do not know it. Only you have that information and it stays confidential unless you choose to share it. Only you can input your rank and assessment data. I just want to set your expectation though if we found out any discrepancy to the information that you have provided, appropriate sanction will be applied."
Basically, they have basis and the means of knowing what your Rank couldreally be.
I nodded, appreciating the security measures. The officer lingered for a moment before adding, "Take your time, but don't forget—the wrong people finding out could put you at risk." With that, he moved on, leaving me to the task.
---
The tablet was intuitive, guiding me step by step through the registration process. Name, age, and region of origin were simple enough. Then came the results section, where I had to manually input the data the system had displayed to me after the tutorial dungeon:
> Awakening Rank: S
Class: Advanced Alchemist
Trial Assessment: Above Average (Physical), Exceptional (Mental), Exceptional (Spiritual), Outstanding (Final).
I stared at the screen for a moment. Rank S. It wasn't just rare—it was monumental. There were only whispers of people achieving it, and even then, the attention it brought could be dangerous if you are in the wrong place and on the wrong time.
I hesitated before confirming the information, the weight of my decision settling in. With a deep breath, I completed the form and handed the tablet back to the officer.
---
The noise of the registration center faded as I stepped outside, the crisp mountain air filling my lungs. For the first time since entering the gate, I felt a sliver of calm.
My comms device buzzed in my pocket, Gale's name flashing across the screen. A smile tugged at my lips as I answered.
"You're out!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of relief and frustration. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"
"Sorry," I said, my voice softening. "I made it."
"Yeah, you'd better have!" Her tone was lighter now, teasing. "So? What's the verdict? How'd you do?"
"S-Rank," I said simply.
There was a pause, then a burst of excitement. "S-Rank?! Ji, that's incredible! I knew you'd pull it off!"
I laughed softly. "It's still sinking in."
"Well, you'd better start celebrating. I'm so proud of you!"
Her words hit harder than I expected, warmth spreading through my chest. After everything, hearing her voice felt like coming home.
"I'll tell you everything when I get back," I said finally. "I'm heading down now."
"Good. And don't stop for anything, okay? Just come home straight."
"I will," I promised.
The call ended, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I looked back at the gate one last time before starting the long walk down the mountain.
One step at a time.
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