Chapter 2: The Test of Strength
Max's heart was still racing from his first real kill. The Brute had been a rush. The rush of the fight, the feel of the knife sinking into the creature's hide, the surge of power when the system activated—it all made his head spin. He had never felt anything like that before. But now, walking back through the streets of Haven City with Sam, he couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. The world around him felt sharper, more vivid, and he couldn't ignore the sense of new strength coursing through his body.
"Hey, you okay?" Sam's voice broke through his thoughts. He glanced at Max with a concerned look, the usual calm in his eyes.
Max nodded, though his mind was still scattered, his emotions in turmoil. "Yeah… I think I'm fine. Just still processing everything, you know?"
Sam let out a short laugh. "I get it. That first kill can be a lot to take in." He paused and then added, "But there's no time to dwell on it. The test is next. You ready for that?"
Max blinked, confused for a moment. "The test?"
Sam glanced at him with a slight smirk, though there was no humor in his eyes. "You didn't think that was the end of it, did you? You've got to prove you're ready to be ranked. You're not officially a Hunter until you pass the test."
Max felt his stomach tighten. Test? His pulse quickened. He had just fought a monstrous mutant, barely scraping through. Was he ready for another fight? Was he even ready for the test? A cold shiver ran down his spine, but he pushed it away, trying to focus.
Sam must have noticed the change in Max's demeanor. "Relax. The test is part of the process. You'll face a creature that's about the strength of an F-rank Hunter. No worries—it won't be anything crazy." He gave Max a wink, though it did little to soothe his nerves.
F-rank Hunter? Max knew what that meant—the lowest official rank a Hunter could have. The weakest, the beginners. It was a rank given to those who had just joined the Guild but hadn't yet proven themselves in battle. A Hunter's rank was more than just a title; it was a measure of their ability. Being placed in F-rank wasn't a failure, but it wasn't something to be proud of either. It was a rank that said, "You're still learning."
Max had come here to become more than that.
"F-rank," Max muttered to himself. "Okay, I can handle that."
Sam chuckled. "I don't think you'll be complaining about your rank once you've made it through the test. But hey, you can always surprise me. Let's get moving." Sam led him through the winding streets of Haven City, toward the Guild.
The Guild was a massive, imposing building, a fortress nestled in the heart of the city. It was a place where the bravest of the brave, the strongest of the strong, gathered to accept missions, hunt monsters, and work together to protect the remnants of humanity. It was the only place Max could think of when he thought about becoming a Hunter.
As they entered the Guild's main hall, the familiar hum of activity surrounded them. Hunters of all shapes and sizes moved in and out of the bustling corridors, carrying weapons, discussing strategies, and looking ready for anything. It was like stepping into another world—one where survival was a daily struggle and strength was the currency that bought you respect.
Sam led him to a back hallway where they stopped before a small office. A middle-aged man sat behind a desk, sorting through some papers. He looked up briefly, his eyes dull, as if he had seen this all too many times.
"Here for the test?" the man asked, his voice flat and uninterested.
"Yep," Sam replied, sounding much more upbeat than the man. "My friend here is ready to earn his rank."
Max couldn't help but notice the lack of enthusiasm from the man. It was like he had seen too many hopefuls come and go, their excitement quickly crushed by the brutal reality of the world they lived in. This was it. This was the point where dreams were either realized or shattered.
The man didn't waste any more time. He pushed a small, glowing card toward Max. "Take this. It tracks your progress during the test. When you pass, it'll update your rank. Until then, you're unranked."
Max took the card in his hand, its faint glow warm against his skin. He felt the weight of it, knowing that this simple object was the key to everything. "What happens if I fail?" he asked, his voice quieter than he intended.
The man didn't look up from his papers, but he answered with a detached tone. "If you fail, you remain unranked. You can retake the test in a week's time. But failing twice will make things more complicated. So… don't fail."
Max's throat went dry at the thought. This wasn't just some formality. This test mattered. If he didn't pass, he wouldn't be able to call himself a Hunter. He would stay in limbo, stuck on the outside looking in.
"Alright," Sam said, clapping Max on the back and drawing his attention back to the moment. "Let's get going. Time to show the Guild what you're made of."
They walked toward a large set of double doors. Beyond them, Max could already see the Arena—a massive open space surrounded by high stone walls and reinforced barriers. The air was heavy with tension, and Max's stomach turned with nerves. This was the test—the moment that would determine his future.
As they approached the edge of the arena, Max's eyes locked onto the creature inside.
It was a massive mutated beast, its hulking frame covered in patchy, matted fur. Its eyes glowed a sickly yellow, and its claws were long enough to slice through stone. It resembled a bear, but it was so much more monstrous—its movements were erratic, unpredictable, and filled with the kind of savage aggression that came from years of mutation.
Max took a steadying breath, his grip tightening on the card in his hand. This was it. He had to defeat this beast to prove himself.
Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. It's an F-rank test. That means you're up against a creature with the strength of an F-rank Hunter. The same power you'll be expected to wield when you officially rank up. So, stay focused. You've got this."
Max nodded, his heart pounding. "Alright… I'll do my best."
The creature growled, its yellow eyes locking onto Max, and it charged with a terrifying speed. Before he could even react, the beast was upon him, its claws slashing through the air. Max barely dodged in time, feeling the wind from the claws brushing past his face. His instincts kicked in as he sidestepped the next swipe, adrenaline surging through him.
The creature wasn't letting up. It came at him again, faster this time, its claws swiping in a deadly arc. Max's mind raced, but his body was already moving, dodging and weaving with reflexes he didn't even know he had. He had to stay sharp—he couldn't afford to hesitate.
"Focus, Max," Sam's voice echoed in his mind as he dodged another blow. "Use the speed and agility you have. Don't let it catch you off guard."
Max shifted his weight, readying himself. This wasn't about brute strength—it was about strategy. The creature was strong, but its movements were predictable. If he could find a weakness, he could strike.
The beast lunged again, but this time Max was ready. He ducked low and came up behind it, slamming his blade into the creature's exposed flank. The monster howled in pain, spinning around to face him. Max barely had time to jump back before the beast's claws came swinging toward him. His feet slid across the ground as he scrambled to gain distance.
But Max wasn't about to give up. He had trained for this, had prepared for this moment his whole life. He wasn't going to let fear hold him back now. With renewed determination, he sprinted toward the beast once more, slipping past its claws and thrusting the blade deeper into its side.
The creature let out a final roar as it collapsed to the ground, defeated. Max stood over it, panting heavily, his chest heaving with each breath. His hands were slick with sweat, and his pulse still raced, but he had done it. He had passed the test.
The arena was silent except for his own heartbeat as he took a moment to collect himself. Then, a familiar notification echoed in his mind:
You have defeated a mutated creature. Experience gained: 500. Strength increased. System activating…
Max stood there, frozen, staring at the screen as the information flowed through him. He had done it. He had passed the test. The creature was down, and with it, his path had been cleared. But as he looked down at his status, he realized something.
He wasn't ranked yet. He couldn't be until after the test results were processed.
A voice called out from the side. It was the Guild official, a look of approval in his eyes. "Congratulations, Hunter. You've passed. You're officially ranked."
Max exhaled in relief, but his journey had only just begun. He was a Hunter now, and the road ahead would be filled with challenges. But for now, he had earned his place. F-rank or not, it was a start.
As he left the arena, Max knew that this was just the beginning.