The streets were chaos. Sirens wailed as people scrambled to evacuate, their faces pale with fear. The S-rank Rift loomed ominously in the sky, swirling with dark energy. Mark weaved through the panicked crowd, his mind racing. He knew he was powerless against such a threat, yet his feet wouldn't stop moving.
"If that thing isn't stopped… everything will be destroyed," he thought, his eyes narrowing with determination. He couldn't just run away, not while his family was still in the city.
As he approached the Rift's location, the ground shook violently, causing nearby buildings to crack and sway. A massive creature emerged from the portal, its body covered in black scales that shimmered with an unnatural glow. Its eyes burned with malice, and its roar shattered windows, sending a shockwave across the area.
Mark's blood ran cold. An Abyssal Dragon—a creature said to be invincible, even to the strongest Hunters. He stumbled back, fear clawing at his chest.
"This is insane… There's no way I can fight that!"
A powerful gust of wind surged past him as Al Reign and his team arrived on the scene. Al's aura flared as he summoned his weapon, a blazing spear that crackled with electricity.
"Alright, let's take this thing down!" Al shouted, charging forward with Erwin and Andrei following close behind.
Mark watched in awe as they engaged the monster, their movements swift and precise. Al's spear struck the dragon's scales, creating an explosion of light. Erwin circled around, launching a barrage of energy blasts that shattered the ground beneath the beast. Andrei leaped high, his sword glowing with a golden aura as he brought it down with devastating force.
The Abyssal Dragon roared, retaliating with a torrent of dark flames that engulfed the area. The ground melted, and the air became heavy with smoke and ash.
Mark shielded his face, his body trembling from the sheer power on display. "They're incredible… That's the strength of an S-rank Hunter."
Despite their strength, the battle was brutal. The dragon's scales deflected most of their attacks, and its speed was terrifying. It whipped its tail, smashing Erwin into a crumbling building. Al narrowly dodged a blast of dark energy, but Andrei took the hit head-on, skidding across the street, his armor shattered.
"No… They're losing?" Mark's heart sank. If they failed, Manila would be destroyed. His family… his friends… everything would be gone.
As despair began to set in, he noticed something odd. The dragon's eyes flickered for a moment, its movements slowing. A strange symbol glowed on its forehead, pulsing with an eerie light.
"What is that?" Mark whispered, narrowing his eyes.
The ground suddenly gave way beneath him as the dragon's tail crashed down, creating a massive crater. Mark fell, his body tumbling into the darkness below. He hit the ground hard, pain exploding through his body as his vision blurred.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a vast cavern beneath the city. Stalactites hung from the ceiling, and the air was thick with an ancient, suffocating energy. In the center of the cavern stood a pedestal, radiating a faint blue light.
Drawn to it, Mark stumbled forward, his body moving on its own. As he reached out, the light enveloped him, and a cold voice echoed in his mind.
[You have been chosen.]
[System Activation: Auto Max Skill Holder.]
Mark's eyes widened as a system window appeared before him, its letters glowing with a mystical hue.
[Congratulations! All skills acquired will be automatically maxed out!]
[Would you like to acquire the skill 'Eternal Hunter's Instinct'?]
His heart raced. A skill? Maxed out? He had never heard of such a thing. His fingers trembled as he pressed 'Yes,' and a surge of power coursed through his veins, overwhelming his senses.
[Skill Acquired: Eternal Hunter's Instinct – Max Level]
[All senses enhanced to the peak of human and inhuman capability. Movement speed, perception, and reflexes maximized.]
Mark gasped as his body felt lighter, stronger, faster. His vision sharpened, every detail in the cavern crystal clear. He could hear the faintest whispers of wind, feel the vibrations of the earth. Power flooded his muscles, his fatigue vanishing in an instant.
He looked down at his hands, disbelief and awe mixing on his face. "Is this… real?"
A deafening roar echoed from above. The Abyssal Dragon was still rampaging, its power shaking the entire cavern. Al and his team were struggling, their attacks weakening as exhaustion set in.
Mark's fists tightened. He couldn't just stand by and watch them fall. Not when he finally had the strength to help.
He took a deep breath, his newfound instincts guiding his movements. His body blurred as he dashed up the cavern wall, moving at a speed he never thought possible. In seconds, he emerged from the crater, facing the dragon head-on.
Al's eyes widened. "Fernandez? What are you doing here?! Get out before you—"
But before Al could finish, the Abyssal Dragon's massive claw descended, aiming to crush Mark. Time seemed to slow as Mark's instincts took over. His body moved on its own, effortlessly dodging the attack with a graceful leap.
The dragon's eyes flickered in confusion, but Mark didn't hesitate. He charged forward, his senses guiding him to the weak point on its forehead—the glowing symbol. He could see the flow of energy, the rhythm of its movements, as if the creature's life was laid bare before him.
With a burst of speed, Mark leaped into the air, his fist glowing with a vibrant blue aura. "This is for everyone you've hurt!"
His punch connected with the symbol, and a shockwave erupted, splitting the sky. The Abyssal Dragon roared in agony as cracks spread across its body, light pouring from within. In a blinding flash, the monster disintegrated, leaving behind a pile of shimmering dust.
The world fell silent. Al, Erwin, and Andrei stared in shock, their faces pale with disbelief.
Mark landed gracefully, his body pulsing with power. His heart raced as the system window appeared once more.
[Congratulations! You have defeated an S-rank Abyssal Dragon.]
[Experience gained. Level Up! All skills maxed.]
He looked at his hands, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. He—the weakest Hunter in Manila—had defeated an S-rank monster with a single blow.
Al stepped forward, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Just who… are you?"
Mark looked up, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I don't know yet… But I'm going to find out."
End of Chapter 2