"So, this is the Hunters Association headquarters. It's a bit underwhelming," Kieran muttered to himself as he stared up at the twenty-story building. He had expected something grander, perhaps more imposing, but the structure was rather ordinary, blending in with the surrounding cityscape.
He approached the automatic doors, ready to finally step into this new world, but as he was about to enter, he was suddenly shoved aside by a horde of people.
"What the...?" Kieran exclaimed, stumbling slightly as he regained his balance. He looked closer at the group that had pushed past him and realized they were... unawakened. They were ordinary people, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Kyaaaahhh! I can't wait to see Andrew! I heard he awakened as an Advance Hunter!" one girl shrieked, her voice filled with adoration.
"Not only that, he's so handsome too!" another chimed in, her eyes sparkling.
"Yeah, he was so popular when he was an actor. And now he's awakened into an Advance Hunter! He's even more amazing!" a third girl gushed.
Hearing their conversation, Kieran realized they were a group of fans, likely waiting to catch a glimpse of a famous awakened celebrity. He couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. Someday, people will also adore me like that, he thought, a flicker of ambition igniting within him.
Finally managing to navigate through the crowd, Kieran stepped inside the building. The lobby was a stark contrast to the relatively plain exterior. It was a vast, bustling space, packed with various types of people. Some were gathered around large screens, presumably checking available missions. Others were huddled in groups, seemingly recruiting for parties or guilds. The air thrummed with a sense of purpose and energy.
So, this is the world of Hunters, Kieran said to himself, clenching his fist slightly. And I will be a part of it now.
As he stood there, taking in the sights and sounds, a friendly voice approached him. "Good morning, sir. May I know your business today?"
Kieran turned to see a young woman in a crisp uniform standing behind a reception desk. She had a warm smile and an efficient demeanor.
"I would like to register as a Hunter," Kieran replied, his voice firm.
The receptionist's smile remained, though her eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. "Oh, a late awakener. Okay, sir. Please fill out this form and input as much information as you want. The more details you provide, the better our evaluation will be."
As Kieran began filling out the forms, he couldn't help but be curious about the receptionist's comment. "Excuse me," he said, pausing his writing. "What do you mean by 'late awakener'?"
The receptionist explained patiently, "Basically, late awakeners are those who awakened to their Hunter abilities later in life. Usually, Hunters start awakening in their teens. It's during those formative years that the body and spirit are most receptive to the change."
She continued, "And most organizations tend to prefer younger awakeners because they generally have a much higher potential for growth and becoming stronger. It's believed that their bodies adapt more readily to the changes and that they have more time to hone their skills."
She glanced at Kieran, her expression neutral. "But cases like yours are not rare. There are others who awaken later in life. And although many say that late awakeners have lost a significant portion of their potential, there are some who get lucky and awaken with a high rank or achieve great things. Take the rising star, Andrew, for example. He was already in his late twenties before he awakened as an Advance Hunter."
Kieran nodded, digesting the information. It made sense. He had always felt like he was playing catch-up, and it seemed that even in this new world, that was still the case. But the example of Andrew gave him a renewed sense of hope.
"Speaking of ranks," Kieran said, turning back to the receptionist, "could you tell me more about them?"
"Of course," she replied. "For starters, all awakened Hunters undergo a series of tests to evaluate their capabilities. Based on the results, they are assigned a rank, from the lowest to the highest."
She proceeded to list them off:
"Novice Hunter. You can identify them by the insignia they wear, which is a Bronze Badge."
"Intermediate Hunter. Silver Badge."
"Advance Hunter. Gold Badge."
"Elite Hunter. Platinum Badge."
"Ace Hunter. Diamond Badge."
She paused, then added, "Then, we have the Star Hunters, but they are far beyond your current level of understanding. Just so you know, Ace Hunters are considered national treasures."
Kieran nodded again, processing the information. So, there were clear tiers of power, a hierarchy that he would have to climb. Based on what the System had told him, he was currently at the very bottom: a Novice Hunter. He had a long way to go.
"Okay, sir Kieran," the receptionist said, interrupting his thoughts. "I would like you to proceed to the testing room on the fifth floor in order for us to determine your Hunter rank."
Kieran thanked the receptionist for her help and made his way towards the elevators, following her directions. As he ascended to the fifth floor, he couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The tests would determine his starting point, his place in this new world. He was about to take the first step on a long and arduous journey.
Kieran stepped out of the elevator onto the fifth floor and found himself in a wide hallway. Outside the testing room, a queue of people was already lined up, presumably waiting for their turn to be evaluated. Most of them seemed nervous, whispering amongst themselves and fidgeting with their clothes.
Kieran, still feeling like an outsider, kept to himself. Nobody approached him, and he didn't initiate any conversations. He stood at the back of the line, observing the other applicants. They were a diverse group, a mix of ages and backgrounds, all united by the fact that they were newly awakened Hunters.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his turn arrived. He took a deep breath and walked into the testing room.
The room was brightly lit and filled with various pieces of unfamiliar equipment. At the center of it all was a large, imposing machine with a complex array of wires, tubes, and screens. It looked like something out of a science fiction movie. A man in a white coat, presumably a doctor or technician, stood beside the machine, adjusting some dials.
"Hello," the doctor said, turning to Kieran with a professional smile. "Please come in. I'm Dr. Lee. I'll be administering your evaluation."
Kieran nodded, his eyes fixed on the intimidating machine.
Dr. Lee gestured towards a padded platform. "Please lie down here. We'll need to attach some sensors to you."
As Kieran lay down, Dr. Lee began to attach a series of tubes and wires to his chest, temples, and limbs. The cold, metallic touch of the sensors sent a shiver down his spine.
"This machine," Dr. Lee explained, "will allow us to accurately measure your mana capacity. It can sense the flow of mana within your body. Additionally, through a series of mild electrical charges, it can also provide a rough estimate of your physical capabilities – your strength, vitality, and agility."
Kieran's eyes widened in alarm. A rough estimate? That was putting it mildly. The machine would essentially reveal his stats, and he was acutely aware of the discrepancy between his high mana capacity and his abysmal physical abilities. He might have the mana capacity of an intermediate Hunter, but his other stats were firmly in the novice range. This could raise some serious questions.
"Don't worry," the System's voice suddenly chimed in, breaking his train of thought. "This machine is just a toy in my eyes. I can easily tweak the results so you won't attract any unwanted attention."
Kieran let out a silent sigh of relief. He should have known the System would have his back. With that reassurance, he felt a wave of tension dissipate. He could go through with the test without fear of exposing his unique situation.
"Are you ready?" Dr. Lee asked, his voice bringing Kieran back to the present.
"Yes," Kieran replied, trying to sound confident.
The test began. He felt a strange sensation as the machine whirred to life, its lights flashing and its various components humming. He focused on his breathing, trying to remain calm as the machine did its work.
After a few minutes that felt like an eternity, the machine finally fell silent. Dr. Lee studied the readings on the screen, his expression thoughtful.
Finally, he turned to Kieran with a smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Kieran. You have successfully awakened as a Hunter. Your evaluation is complete."
Kieran sat up, his heart pounding in his chest. "And my rank?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Based on the results, you have been classified as a Novice Hunter," Dr. Lee said. "Your mana capacity is... within the normal range for a beginner, and your physical stats are also typical for someone who has recently awakened."
Kieran nodded, relieved that the System had done its job. A part of him was disappointed to be ranked so low, but he knew it was for the best. For now, at least.
"You should proceed to the administration office down the hall," Dr. Lee continued, handing him a small slip of paper. "They will process your registration and provide you with your Hunter's badge."