Chapter 13: The Test of the Hunter

As the door closed behind Alex, he found himself enveloped in utter darkness, a stark contrast to the lively atmosphere of the Hunters' Guild he had just left. The sudden shift to complete blackness was disorienting, and he paused for a moment, allowing his eyes and senses to adjust.

Within seconds, the darkness began to transform. Small orbs of light, like ethereal fireflies, started to fall gently around him, illuminating the space in a soft, otherworldly glow. As each orb touched the ground, it seemed to dissolve, revealing beneath it patches of a landscape that was eerily familiar to Alex. It resembled the tutorial area he had first encountered upon arriving in this world – a vast grass field that stretched into the horizon, under a sky that was a tapestry of twilight colors.

This magical landscape, conjured by the blend of technology and sorcery of the testing chamber, was both beautiful and unsettling. The tranquil scenery belied the challenge Alex knew was about to unfold.

His contemplation of the landscape was abruptly interrupted as more light spots cascaded down in front of him, converging on a specific area. The lights merged and swirled, coalescing into a more solid form. Before him now stood a creature that resembled a giant rat, about 4 feet tall, its fur bristling, eyes glinting with a feral intelligence.

The creature let out a menacing hiss, its sharp teeth glinting in the dim light, and Alex could sense the aggression emanating from it. This was his first opponent, a monster conjured for the test – a trial to prove his worth as a hunter.

Instinctively, Alex reached into his system inventory and summoned his Scythe of Evolution. The weapon materialized in his hands, feeling familiar yet imbued with a sense of growing power. He gripped it tightly, feeling its balance and weight, a reassuring presence in the face of the impending battle.

The scythe, black and adorned with red carvings, seemed to thrum with energy, as if eager for the fight. Alex took a moment to center himself, recalling the combat skills he had honed. He knew that every move, every decision in this fight, would count towards his evaluation.

With the rat-like monster cautiously circling him, Alex took a fighting stance. He held the scythe confidently, ready to demonstrate his combat prowess. His eyes locked onto the creature, and he prepared to make his move, aware that this was just the first of what could be many challenges in the test.

The air in the chamber was charged with anticipation. In this simulated yet perilous environment, Alex was about to be tested in a way he had never been before. It was a moment of truth, a chance to prove his abilities and earn his place among the hunters of Valoria.

As Lucian waited in the main hall of the Hunters' Guild, his attention fixed on the door through which Alex had disappeared, the receptionist gently tapped his shoulder. "Would you like to watch the test?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.

Lucian, surprised by the offer, quickly nodded. "Yes, I would very much like that," he replied, his interest piqued.

The receptionist led him to a side door, opening to a staircase that spiraled upwards. They ascended to the second floor, emerging into a corridor lined with numerous doors. The atmosphere here was quieter, more subdued than the bustling activity below.

She guided him to one of the rooms along the corridor. The door opened to reveal a comfortably furnished space, featuring a red leather couch arranged around a central table. The décor was elegant yet functional, designed for observation and discussion.

Lucian and the receptionist took their seats on the couch. The room had a calm, almost studious air to it, a stark contrast to the combat chamber below.

Without a word, the receptionist produced a clear, smooth stone from a drawer in the table. She placed it on the surface and tapped it lightly. In response, the stone came to life, emitting a soft light that quickly expanded into a holographic screen hovering above the table.

The screen flickered into clarity, displaying the interior of the testing chamber where Alex was. The image was sharp, detailed, giving them a near-real-time view of the unfolding test.

On the screen, Alex could be seen standing in the simulated grassy field, his figure poised and ready for combat. In his hands was the Scythe of Evolution, its black surface adorned with red carvings that seemed to pulse with an inner light.

Lucian watched, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration. The scythe was unlike any weapon he had seen before. Its unique design and the aura it exuded spoke of ancient power and mystery. He had known Alex was capable, but the sight of him wielding such an extraordinary weapon added a new layer of intrigue to his character.

As the holographic display showed Alex taking his fighting stance, facing off against the conjured rat-like monster, Lucian leaned forward, his eyes intent on the scene. This was more than just a test for Alex; it was a revelation of his abilities and the hidden depths of his potential.

The room was silent except for the soft hum of the holographic projector. Lucian's focus was entirely on the screen, anticipation building as he watched Alex prepare to engage in combat. This was a pivotal moment, one that would not only determine Alex's fate within the guild but also reveal the true extent of his prowess as a hunter.

In the midst of the simulated battlefield, Alex's attention was momentarily drawn to the dragon tattoo on his arm. Its intricate design seemed almost alive, faintly glowing with an ethereal light. The visibility of the tattoo, especially in a setting like this, concerned him; it could lead to unwanted questions and attention.

As if in response to his thoughts, the system interface materialized before him with a query: "Would you like to hide bloodline tattoos once acquired? Note: Tattoos will become visible when their powers are in use." Grateful for the timely intervention, Alex quickly agreed. He valued the system's ability to adapt to his needs, making his journey in this world a bit smoother.

No sooner had he confirmed his choice, the tattoo faded from view, seamlessly blending into his skin. Relieved by this newfound discretion, Alex refocused on the task at hand.

The rat-like creature, bristling with hostile intent, made its move. It lunged at Alex with surprising speed, its sharp teeth bared for an attack. But Alex was ready. With practiced ease, he swung his Scythe of Evolution in a swift, graceful arc. The blade connected with the creature, and in a flash of light, its head separated from its body, disintegrating into particles that faded into the air.

Almost immediately, Alex's system interface pinged with a notification. He had earned a point for defeating a Qi refining stage level 1 monster. A surge of exhilaration ran through him. This test was not just a challenge; it was an opportunity. Each monster he defeated was a chance to accumulate points, a way to continually enhance his skills and abilities.

As Alex contemplated this new revelation, another creature materialized in the chamber. It bore a striking resemblance to the spider he had fought in the tutorial area, though it was slightly smaller. Its multiple eyes glistened menacingly in the simulated daylight, and its legs twitched in anticipation of the attack.

Alex steadied himself, the scythe feeling natural and powerful in his grasp. He knew what to expect from this type of creature, his experience in the tutorial area giving him an edge. Yet, he remained cautious; the testing chamber's simulations were designed to be unpredictable and challenging.

He took a deep breath, his senses heightened, ready to face the next creature. This test was proving to be more than a mere formality; it was a crucible forging him into a hunter, sharpening his instincts and abilities with each encounter.

As Lucian watched Alex's performance on the holographic screen, he was initially unfazed by the efficient way Alex dispatched the rat-like creature. However, his attention sharply piqued when he noticed the dragon tattoo on Alex's arm vanish into thin air. In all his years within the Hunters' Guild and his broad experience in Valoria, Lucian had never witnessed or heard of such a phenomenon. His brow furrowed in thought, intrigued and puzzled by this unexpected turn of events.

Before Lucian could delve deeper into his thoughts about the tattoo, another creature appeared in the chamber. It was a spider-like creature, reminiscent of those from late-stage Qi refining levels – a significant jump from the previous challenge. Lucian's eyes widened in surprise; such rapid escalation in the difficulty of a test was unusual, to say the least.

The receptionist, who had been observing the test alongside Lucian, seemed to read his confusion. "The chamber analyzes everything about a participant," she explained calmly. "It appears that when your friend wielded his weapon, there was a surge in his power. The chamber's systems recalibrated his ranking based on that and adjusted the difficulty of the test accordingly."

Lucian nodded, his excitement growing. "That makes sense," he said. "It'll be interesting to see how far he can go." He leaned forward, his eyes glued to the screen, eager to witness Alex's response to this heightened challenge.

Meanwhile, the receptionist, though maintaining a composed exterior, felt a flicker of surprise internally. In her years at the guild, such a drastic recalibration during a test was a rarity. It indicated an exceptional level of potential and power in Alex, something that went beyond the usual scope of new recruits. This observation added a layer of intrigue about Alex, and she found herself keenly interested in how he would handle the escalating challenges.

As the holographic display showed Alex squaring off against the spider-like creature, Lucian's anticipation was mirrored by the receptionist's concealed curiosity. Both were now intently focused on the unfolding test, aware that they were witnessing something out of the ordinary – a display of talent and potential that could set Alex apart within the ranks of the Hunters' Guild.