Chapter 1: The Lesson
The clouds roared ominously, darkening the sky above the graveyard that had become my reluctant home. Thunder cracked like a whip, and bolts of lightning illuminated the twisted branches of ancient trees, casting eerie shadows across the tombstones. I huddled in the hollow of a towering Deodar tree, my heart racing as I watched the gate creak open. "Please don't let them see me," I whispered to myself, pressing deeper into the tree's embrace. Two wild humans stepped through, their bodies draped in leafy posakh —a strange amalgamation of foliage and fabric that made them look both fearsome and otherworldly. They strode in with an air of authority, wielding weapons that glinted menacingly in the storm's light. Instinctively, I pressed myself deeper into the tree's embrace, my pulse quickening. "These are the wildings," I thought, recalling tales from mythic tomes. "Beings of legend who dwell in darkness." Whispers of their past echoed in my mind. Once, they had roamed the surface freely, but a cataclysmic event had driven them underground, where they now lived in fear and darkness. My breath caught in my throat as I realized I was witnessing something extraordinary—and terrifying. "What do they want?" I wondered aloud, barely able to suppress my fear. From what I had learned, they consumed anything their teeth could crush, and their presence sent a shiver down my spine. The wildings were not just brutish marauders; they followed a peculiar religion called Traucism, worshiping strange deities and practicing bizarre rituals that were foreign to me. But enough about them; you must be wondering about me. I am Ragner, a 17-year-old homeless novice from Baston City whose profession is that of a learner and I am one of the weakest in this world. In this realm, power and prestige were dictated by a unique leveling system where individuals strove to ascend the social ladder. At the pinnacle stood the Legendary tier, where the most exceptional shone with unparalleled brilliance. Within this elite circle, the Unique few possessed talents that set them apart. "Just once," I muttered under my breath, "I wish I could be one of them." As one descended from this lofty status, the Epic tier commanded respect, filled with individuals whose skills were marked by exquisite refinement. Yet lurking in the shadows were those driven by dark ambitions—the Demonic aspect of society. In the Rare realm, some bore the weight of a Cursed past while others shone as Blessed, radiating resilience. Further down, Mediocre individuals formed the backbone of society. The Uncommon held a flicker of potential waiting to be ignited. At the very bottom lay the Weak—a category filled with those deemed Worthless or Broken; their stories often overlooked and their potential lost to the shadows. There were also professions of mythic nature, with only one such existence in the world. These professions could be stronger than the legendary or even weaker than the weakest. The wildings continued to whisper in their own tongue; their words lost to me like leaves carried away by the wind. A mix of fear and curiosity bubbled within me. What were they planning? What did their presence mean for the world above? "I need to know," I thought urgently as I held my breath, straining to hear their conversation. Desperate for knowledge, I reached for my book of "ALL LEARNINGS." This ancient tome was my only source of power; however, I could use it only once a month for an 18-hour time limit. "Come on," I whispered to myself as I opened its pages. "Just let me understand." As I focused intently on learning their language, the wildings' words began to decipher in my mind; their guttural sounds transforming into coherent thoughts. To my astonishment, I learned they were planning an attack on the Alost Guild located in a state named Arcemedece—a beacon of opportunity for those seeking to make their mark in this world. "This is bad," I muttered under my breath. "If they attack..." Baston is situated in the heart of this state, bordered by lush forests to the north and expansive plains to the south. This vibrant city serves as a cultural and economic hub for travelers and adventurers from across the land with its towering spires and bustling markets. "A guild is a place where individuals of various professions work under a guild leader," I recalled from my studies. "Their primary role is to clear dungeons filled with dangerous monsters threatening to invade our world." When these monsters gain enough power, dungeon gates break open and unleash chaos. That is why guilds play a crucial role in closing these gates by defeating boss monsters. "Someone has to warn them," I thought frantically. In return for their efforts against these threats, guilds receive precious gems and treasures. Dungeons are ranked from SSS to E; some instances contain another dungeon inside them—these are called Asterals. Asterals close entry gates and open passages to unknown realms leading to no return until cleared. "It's all so complicated," I sighed as anxiety washed over me. Parties are formed to tackle dungeons; it takes four common professionals to clear an E-rank dungeon. The problem arises with SSS dungeons requiring Supreme Guilds worldwide to send their leaders to confront them—the strongest known professionals in existence. "When they fight against an SSS dungeon," I remembered grimly, "entire cities must evacuate." No one knows what would happen if such dungeons broke free. The government organization known as GOD—Guild Organizing and Development—serves as central authority for all guilds granting licenses for formation while registering humans as professionals. "They claim ten professionals exist within mythic tier capable enough to manage dungeons single-handedly," I recalled skeptically; yet no one has seen these professionals nor provided proof regarding their existence. As I became engrossed in this world of wildings and guilds, I noticed they had submerged into one grave—a sense of urgency washed over me compelling me to follow them. "I have no choice," I thought desperately but hesitated at first before deciding what must be done. However, with no clear direction and nowhere else to go during the storm, I settled deeper within the hollow of the Deodar tree. Thinking all this over—I closed my eyes drifting into restless sleep while storm's fury echoed turbulent thoughts within me—tomorrow I would train to improve my skills in preparation for CGPT (Common Guild Professional Test) organized by GOD. If I passed, I would be assigned to an appropriate guild.
Chapter 2: The Learning
I woke early the next morning, the sun barely peeking over the horizon, casting a soft golden hue across the landscape. The air was crisp and invigorating, filled with the promise of a new day. With determination coursing through my veins, I set off for training, a daily ritual that had become as essential as breathing. My routine was grueling but necessary. I pushed my body through 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 crunches, and 100 squats, each repetition a testament to my resolve. Sweat poured down my brow as I completed a grueling 10 kilometers of running, my legs burning with exertion. Every drop of sweat was a step toward my goal—a promise to myself that I would not remain a mere learner forever. After my exercises, I used my skill and retrieved the Book of ALL LEARNINGS, its leather cover worn but still exuding an aura of ancient wisdom. I knew I had only two hours left of its power, a fleeting window to uncover the knowledge that could change my fate. Initially, I intended to search for information about the upcoming examination, but my curiosity about the wildings compelled me to dig deeper. As I flipped through the pages, I discovered that the wildings were not part of any known breed—Giants, Elves, Dwarves, Demihumans, Fishmen, or the Dragonkinds, who were the sworn enemies of humanity. Instead, they were a unique race, existing outside the established order of the four continents. Each continent was home to different breeds, separated not just by borders but by massive walls towering as high as 20 kilometers. The Elves, Dwarves, Humans, and Dragonkinds each had their own territories, while the Fishmen and Demihumans were often relegated to servitude, treated as little more than slaves or playthings. However, the fifth continent remained a mystery—a place spoken of only in bardic poems and ancient history books. Some believed its inhabitants were so powerful that they chose to live high above the clouds, looking down on the rest of us with disdain. Others whispered that this continent had been erased from existence, obliterated by the same cataclysmic event that had driven the wildings underground. Intrigued, I decided my next search would focus on this imaginary continent. I needed to know more about its legends and the truths hidden within them. Days passed, and the exam date loomed closer, each moment filled with a mix of anticipation and dread. I trained harder, pushing my limits, but the weight of the wildings' impending attack hung over me like a storm cloud. Finally, the big day arrived. All my practice over the past two years would play a crucial role in determining my future. As a homeless individual, my first priority was to secure a place in the Alost Guild which is one of the Elite Guilds and is best suited for me because of its great library and friendly environment. I arrived at the examination center at 3:45 PM, my heart pounding in my chest. I joined my friends, Dante and Cyrus, near the gate, their presence a comforting reminder that I was not alone in this daunting endeavor. Dante towered over most people at nearly 7 feet tall, his imposing frame and powerful physique reminiscent of a modern-day Hercules. Every muscle was finely honed and clearly defined, a testament to his dedication. As a tank wrestler, he was defined by unparalleled resilience and sheer physicality, making him a formidable opponent who could endure and outlast any challenger. I couldn't help but think, with his strength, he could easily tank E-rank monsters of dungeons alone. Cyrus, on the other hand, exuded an effortless charm that drew the admiration of countless girls who swooned over him. Yet, despite the attention, he maintained an aloof and reserved demeanor, keeping others at arm's length. He was a swordsman, wielding a two-handed sword known as Divine Conqueror, a black blade as strong as those wielded by legendary swordsmen. I knew he was stronger than Dante and had defeated him in mock battles with ease. He's going to become number one this year, I thought, and will get his desired guild. He also had the ability to rise to legendary tier.
"So, what's your strategy for the exam?" Dante asked, his voice low but confident. "I'm planning to rely on my strength and endurance. Those one-on-one matches are going to be a breeze. "Cyrus chuckled, "Always the brute, aren't you, Dante? You know, not everything can be solved by brute force alone." He turned to me, his piercing gaze meeting mine. "What about you, Ragner? What's your plan?" I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I've been training hard, but I know I'm not as strong as either of you. I was hoping to rely on my speed and agility to make up for it." Dante let out a booming laugh, slapping me on the back. "That's a good plan, Ragner! Use your strengths to your advantage. And don't sell yourself short. You've got more potential than you know." Cyrus nodded in agreement, a rare smile gracing his features. "Dante's right. We all have our own strengths. The key is to play to them and not get caught up in comparing ourselves to others." I felt a surge of gratitude towards my friends. Their unwavering support and belief in me gave me the confidence I needed to face the challenges ahead. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you." Dante grinned, "You'd probably be lost and confused, that's what! But seriously, we've got each other's backs. No matter what happens in there, we'll face it together." Cyrus placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. "Exactly. We're a team, and we're going to prove it in there. Just remember to stay focused and trust your instincts." I nodded, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. "I will. And I know you two will be right there with me, kicking ass and taking names." The three of us shared a laugh, the camaraderie between us palpable. We exchanged one last look, silently acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead. "Let's do this," Dante said, his voice laced with determination. A security guard whistled, breaking my reverie. "Hurry up! You can now go inside the examination hall!" Nervousness bubbled within me as I stepped through the gate, my eyes widening at the sight of thousands of participants from different cities. Each one appeared stronger than me or even stronger than Cyrus. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation and tension. The guild leader of the Alost Guild, Raygan, entered the hall, his presence commanding immediate respect. This year's CGPT in Arcemedece was managed by the Alost Guild, with Mr. Raygan serving as the chief examiner. "Greetings to everyone present here. I am Raygan, the guild leader of Alost Guild. Let me be clear: you can sustain serious injuries during this exam, and your life may be in danger. "My heart raced at his words, the weight of his authority pressing down on me. His aura was overwhelming, making everyone sweat under his gaze. "The exam will be held in five stages, each overseen by one of the five examiners present here. In the end, I will give a special task to those candidates who survive until the last. Raygan's reputation as a legendary detective preceded him. He possessed the ability to analyze his surroundings and deliver critical hits in every attack. His most formidable skills were Full Analyze-which allowed him to predict the future actions of his opponents, revealing their strengths and weaknesses, Psychometry-By touching objects, Raygan can see visions of their past interactions or the emotions tied to them. This ability allows him to gather crucial evidence from seemingly innocuous items. There were also hidden skills which he hides from the world.
He also wielded a destructive skill known as Complete Removal, capable of obliterating everything within a 10-meter radius before delivering a Death Shot to his opponent. As I stood among the throng of hopeful candidates, I felt a surge of determination. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, not just for myself, but for the world that depended on us. The wildings were coming, and I would not be caught unprepared. I wanted to meet him personally but that was impossible for current me.
We were moved to a huge hall inside, which was a big forest monitored by cameras everywhere. The examiner was guild leader of the Siege Guild, one of the Elite guilds in Arcemedece and a guild focused towards physical strengthening. His name was Greogon the Unbreakable. His profession was of a Sumo, and his skill Unbreakable made his defense the strongest in Arcemedece. He was even bigger than Dante, about 9 feet tall. He was a good friend of Mr. Raygan. Greogon stood before us, his voice steady and commanding. "You have to collect a note written on red-colored sheets hung with the tail of a Fourtail, a B-ranked monster," he explained, his eyes glinting with excitement (This means there are monsters outside the dungeon as well.) The thought of facing monsters in the wild was both thrilling and terrifying. Greogon continued, "These monsters are categorized into four types: land, water, air, and insect. They're weaker than dungeon monsters, but still life-threatening for humans. Some professionals even keep them as pets and store them inside a summon box." "I want one," I muttered, half to myself. "Moving on to the task," Greogon said, snapping me back to attention. "You can either group up or go solo. You can attack anyone to decrease competition, but you cannot kill; otherwise, you will be arrested. The goal is to get yourself a note to pass this stage, either by stealing from others or by defeating a Fourtail." I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. "It's dangerous to go alone," I thought, glancing at my friends. I didn't want to become a burden. Dante, always the cheerful one, broke the tension. "Which way should we go?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Cyrus chimed in, "Why don't we let Rag choose?" (Rag was my pet name), I smiled at them, grateful for their support. "North should be a good option. Fewer participants went that way," I suggested, trying to sound confident. "North it is!" Dante exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "Let's go!" As we started moving, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. The forest loomed ahead, shadows dancing among the trees. "Do you think we'll actually find a Fourtail?" Cyrus asked, his brow furrowed in thought. "Maybe," I replied, trying to keep the mood light. "Or we might just run into some pesky insects." Dante laughed. "As long as we don't get eaten, I'm good!" We pressed on, the thrill of the unknown driving us forward.