"Growth is limitless. But the world must first acknowledge it."
Hunter Academy Dorms – A New Quest Appears
Joshua stretched his arms as he stepped into his dorm, shutting the door behind him. The day had been… eventful.
The fight with Instructor Zhao had pushed him further than expected. And now, the academy was buzzing with whispers about his strength.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"This will only bring more attention."
And yet—
He couldn't bring himself to care.
Because in the end, strength was meant to be seen.
As he exhaled, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[DING!]
Joshua's gaze snapped up as a blue screen materialized before him.
[NEW SYSTEM QUEST ISSUED!]
Quest Name: Legacy of the Forgotten Ruins
Quest Type: Exploration & Combat
Objective: Investigate the sealed ruins beneath Hunter Academy.
Bonus Objective: Defeat the Guardian of the Ruins.
Time Limit: 3 Days
Rewards:
• +1 Level
• Mystery Skill Unlock
• ??? (Hidden Reward)
Failure Penalty:
• Locked from entering ruins again.
• Potential stat reduction.
Joshua froze.
Ruins… beneath the academy?
He had been at the academy before—lived through this exact time period in his past life.
Yet…
"I've never heard of any ruins beneath the school."
His heartbeat quickened.
Was this something that had always been there? Or was this something only he could access now, thanks to the system?
His lips curled into a slow grin.
"This… is interesting."
Scene Shift: The Teachers' Lounge – A Heated Discussion
The teachers' lounge was a spacious, high-ceilinged chamber within the academy's central building.
It was where the academy's instructors gathered—not just to discuss lessons, but to analyze student progress, strategize, and exchange insights.
Today, however, the room was livelier than usual.
A deep laugh echoed through the chamber as Instructor Li Hong, a 4-star combat trainer, smirked at Zhao.
"Well, well, Zhao," Li Hong grinned, setting down his cup of tea. "Did you go easy on the kid?"
Another instructor, Madam Wei, an agility specialist, chuckled. "Holding back in front of all those students? You almost made it look real."
Zhao, who had been silently sipping his tea, didn't react.
Li Hong leaned forward, still amused. "Come on, tell us—how much effort did you actually put in?"
Zhao slowly placed his cup down.
Then, in a calm, serious voice, he said—
"I didn't hold back."
The room fell silent.
For a moment, no one spoke.
"…What?" Li Hong's grin faltered.
Zhao leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. His sharp gaze flickered toward the others.
"If anything," he continued, "I went overboard."
The instructors stared.
Madam Wei's eyes narrowed. "You're saying… you fought him seriously?"
Zhao exhaled through his nose. "I expected a normal spar. But he forced me to use Aura enhancement early. And even then—he nearly overpowered me at one point."
A deep frown formed on Li Hong's face. "That shouldn't be possible. He's only a 3-star. Even if he's skilled, the difference between a 3-star and a 5-star is—"
"—Massive," Zhao finished. "And yet, his Aura nearly rivaled mine."
A wave of shock spread through the instructors.
Aura wasn't just about raw strength—it was a reflection of a hunter's presence, mastery, and spiritual force.
A 3-star hunter shouldn't be capable of matching a 5-star's Aura output.
Yet Zhao had felt it himself.
The moment Joshua had unleashed his full Aura, the battlefield had shifted.
It hadn't been the Aura of a student.
It had been the Aura of a warrior.
"…That's terrifying," Madam Wei murmured. "If what you're saying is true…"
"It is true," Zhao said simply.
The room was quiet.
Then, a deep voice spoke.
"This isn't normal."
All eyes turned to the man sitting in the corner.
The Principal.
His long robes barely moved as he leaned back in his chair, his gaze unreadable.
He had seen the duel firsthand.
He had felt the collision of Auras.
And deep within his mind, a single thought lingered.
"This boy… what is he becoming?"
Scene Shift: Joshua's Dorm – The Beginning of a New Path
Joshua ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.
A hidden ruin beneath the academy.
A Guardian waiting inside.
And a system reward promising power beyond his current limits.
His fingers twitched with anticipation.
"A chance to grow even further… this is exactly what I need."
He had three days.
Three days to prepare, gather information, and enter the ruins.
Joshua's eyes flickered toward the window, watching as the sun began to set.
A slow, eager grin spread across his lips.
"Time to see what's waiting for me beneath this academy."
End of Chapter 8.