Kael stepped out of the assessment arena.
The bronze badge rested quietly in his hand.
For a brief moment...
He simply looked at it.
It wasn't made of precious metal.
Its design was simple.
The Hunter Association's crest was engraved at the center.
Along the edge...
A single word.
Bronze.
The receptionist who had registered him earlier approached with a smile.
"Congratulations."
She held out his hunter badge.
"Your records have already been updated."
Kael accepted it.
The familiar black badge looked almost the same.
Except for one difference.
Where it had once read Iron Rank...
It now bore a bronze-colored inscription.
Bronze Rank Hunter.
He slipped it into his pocket.
...
As he entered the mission hall...
A few hunters noticed the new badge.
"Another one passed?"
"Looks like it."
"He doesn't seem much older than twenty."
"Someone's got talent."
The conversations were brief.
No one made a scene.
For Bronze Rank...
Success wasn't common.
But it wasn't rare enough to attract a crowd.
Kael ignored the whispers and walked toward the mission board.
This time...
He didn't stop before the Iron Rank requests.
His gaze moved higher.
Bronze Rank Missions.
The rewards immediately caught his attention.
Thirty silver coins.
Forty-five.
Sixty.
Some even exceeded one gold coin.
But alongside the rewards...
The danger had increased.
Several missions required hunting multiple Bronze Rank beasts.
Others involved investigating monster sightings near villages.
One request had even been marked in red.
Emergency Request.
Two Bronze Rank hunters required.
Kael silently memorized it before looking away.
He wasn't in a hurry.
Reaching Bronze didn't make him invincible.
It only meant...
He had qualified to stand among stronger hunters.
"Smart."
The voice came from behind.
Kael turned.
Cedric approached with his hands behind his back.
"You looked at the rewards."
"But you didn't accept a mission."
Kael nodded.
"I've only just advanced."
"I should understand my limits first."
Cedric smiled.
"Many young hunters do the opposite."
"They advance..."
"And immediately chase the highest-paying request they can find."
"They usually return with fewer companions."
Or...
They don't return at all.
Silence settled between them.
Cedric continued.
"A new rank isn't just greater strength."
"It's greater responsibility."
"The enemies you'll face from now on..."
"Will punish even the smallest mistake."
Kael listened quietly.
"I understand."
Cedric looked at him for a moment before speaking again.
"You've created your own technique."
"That's rare."
"But don't stop there."
"Ripple Slash has room to grow."
"A true technique evolves alongside its user."
He turned to leave.
After taking a few steps...
He stopped.
Without looking back, he said,
"The Association library is on the third floor."
"It contains journals left behind by veteran hunters."
"If you ever find yourself unable to move forward..."
"You may find an answer there."
With those words...
Cedric walked away.
Kael stood silently.
His eyes drifted toward the upper floors of the Association.
A library...
Maintained by generations of hunters.
Perhaps...
That would be where his next step began.
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