Chapter 19: Uncovering Hidden Depths

The following morning, Olutola woke up feeling unusually energized. The events of the previous day replayed in his mind as he prepared for another day of training. After a quick breakfast of akara with bread, he headed to the training grounds, his determination unwavering.

The moment he arrived, he noticed a new face among the usual crowd. A tall, imposing figure with a stern expression was speaking with the head examiner. Intrigued, Olutola approached Adebayo, who was stretching nearby.

"Who's the new guy?" Olutola asked, nodding towards the stranger.

Adebayo glanced over and shrugged. "No idea. But from the looks of him, he's someone important."

As the morning progressed, Olutola focused on his training, pushing his limits further. The routine drills felt almost effortless now, thanks to his system's continuous enhancements. Each move was executed with precision, his reflexes honed to near perfection.

"Olutola," the head examiner called out suddenly, interrupting his thoughts. "Come over here. There's someone who wants to meet you."

Olutola wiped the sweat from his brow and walked over, curiosity piqued. The stern-looking man turned to face him, his gaze appraising.

"Olutola Ojetola, I presume?" the man said, his voice deep and authoritative.

"Yes," Olutola replied, maintaining eye contact.

"I am Commander Okoro," the man introduced himself. "I've heard about your recent accomplishments. Impressive, for someone of your rank."

Olutola inclined his head slightly. "Thank you, sir."

Commander Okoro studied him for a moment before continuing. "I have a proposition for you. I'm looking for capable hunters to join a special task force. Given your performance, you could be a valuable asset."

The offer was tempting, but Olutola was wary. He had no desire to get entangled in government affairs. "I appreciate the offer, Commander, but I prefer to work independently."

Commander Okoro's expression remained neutral. "I understand. However, consider this: the task force offers access to exclusive resources and information. It could significantly boost your capabilities."

Before Olutola could respond, a commotion erupted at the entrance. Several hunters rushed in, their faces pale with fear. "There's an emergency! A high-rank dungeon has appeared downtown, and it's wreaking havoc!"

The news sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. High-rank dungeons were rare and extremely dangerous. Without a moment's hesitation, Olutola sprang into action, his instincts taking over.

"I'll take care of it," he declared, his voice firm.

Commander Okoro raised an eyebrow. "Alone? That's suicide."

Olutola met his gaze steadily. "Not for me."

---

The scene downtown was chaotic. Buildings were damaged, and civilians were fleeing in panic. In the midst of the destruction, a colossal beast, unlike anything Olutola had seen before, roared menacingly.

He activated his system, gathering intel on the creature.

[Beast Rank: S] 

[Weakness: Eyes - Sensitive to Light]

"Perfect," he muttered, formulating a strategy.

Drawing his weapon, Olutola advanced towards the beast. The air crackled with tension as he closed the distance. The beast noticed him, its eyes narrowing as it prepared to attack.

Olutola moved swiftly, dodging the beast's massive claws with ease. He aimed for its eyes, launching a series of precise, blinding strikes. The beast roared in pain, thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off.

In the midst of the battle, Olutola could hear the crowd's discussions.

"Is that Olutola? What's he doing here alone?"

"He's insane! That beast is an S-rank!"

"Maybe he's got a death wish, or maybe... he's just that good."

Ignoring the chatter, Olutola focused on the fight. He exploited the beast's weakness relentlessly, each strike weakening it further. Finally, with a powerful blow to its head, he brought the creature crashing down.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, their disbelief turning into admiration. Commander Okoro, who had watched the entire battle, approached Olutola with a newfound respect.

"Impressive," he acknowledged. "You handled that beast like a true professional."

Olutola nodded, slightly out of breath. "Thanks."

Commander Okoro studied him for a moment. "My offer still stands. Think about it."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Olutola to bask in his victory. As he made his way back to the training grounds, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. But he knew this was just the beginning. There were greater challenges ahead, and he needed to be ready.

---

Back at the training grounds, his team greeted him with a mix of relief and excitement.

"You did it again, boss," Adebayo said, clapping him on the back. "That was incredible!"

Ifeoma nodded, her usual stern expression softened. "You've proven yourself beyond doubt, Olutola. We're lucky to have you as our leader."

Ada grinned. "I knew you could do it. You're unstoppable!"

Olutola smiled, feeling a rare sense of camaraderie. "Thanks, everyone. But we can't get complacent. There are bigger threats out there, and we need to be prepared."

As they resumed their training, Olutola couldn't shake the feeling that something big was on the horizon. The city was unpredictable, much like his journey. But with his team by his side and his system guiding him, he felt ready for whatever came next.