Chapter 15: Escalating challenges

Within the confines of the Hunters' Guild's magical testing chamber, Alex found himself facing an increasingly difficult series of confrontations. Each new monster that materialized in the simulated environment posed a unique challenge, testing not only his combat skills but also his adaptability and strategic thinking.

From a serpentine creature that slithered with deceptive speed to a massive beast that relied on brute strength, each encounter pushed Alex to his limits. There were moments where he came perilously close to taking damage, such as a near-miss with a creature's venomous spit and a claw swipe that barely grazed his clothing.

Despite the escalating difficulty and the close calls, Alex persevered. His movements became more fluid and confident with each fight, and his use of the Scythe of Evolution more masterful. He learned to anticipate and exploit the weaknesses of each creature, using his agility and the environment to his advantage.

By the time he faced and defeated the tenth creature – a cunning, chameleon-like adversary capable of blending into its surroundings – Alex had not only maintained his record of no damage taken but had also amassed a significant number of attribute points.

System Notification:

• "10th monster defeated. Challenge progress: 10/15. No damage taken."

• "Current Attribute Points: 50"

• "Reputational Points (RP): Pending challenge completion"

Catching his breath after the tenth battle, Alex took a moment to review his system status. The accumulation of 50 attribute points was a substantial gain, a clear indicator of his successful performance in the test so far. He felt a surge of achievement, knowing that these points would be instrumental in further enhancing his abilities.

As he prepared for the next set of challenges, Alex felt a renewed sense of confidence. With each victory, he was not only proving his worth as a hunter but also rapidly growing stronger. The final five creatures in the challenge awaited, and Alex was ready to face them head-on, determined to complete the challenge without sustaining any damage.

Outside the testing chamber, Lucian and the receptionist watched intently as the holographic screen displayed Alex's every move. Their expressions shifted from interest to astonishment as the system continued to escalate the difficulty of the challenges, now presenting monsters that were two ranks above Alex's current level.

On the screen, Alex engaged with creatures that were of the late-stage Qi Foundation level, a significant step above his own rank of early-stage Qi Refining. These creatures moved with a swiftness and ferocity that far exceeded the previous opponents, their attacks more complex and their defenses stronger.

Lucian, his eyes wide with a mix of concern and admiration, turned to the receptionist. "Has this ever happened before? A test escalating so rapidly in difficulty?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.

The receptionist, her gaze still fixed on the screen, nodded slowly. "Yes, but it's extremely rare," she replied. "Such instances usually indicate a person of remarkable potential. Those who have faced and overcome such escalated challenges in the past have gone on to achieve great things within the guild and beyond."

Her words hung in the air, hinting at the significance of what they were witnessing. This was more than just an exceptional performance in a test; it was possibly the emergence of a hunter who could leave a significant mark on the world of Valoria.

Lucian turned his attention back to the screen, his expression now a mix of respect and anticipation. The receptionist's words had reinforced the idea that Alex was not just another recruit. He was someone who might one day stand among the legends of the Hunters' Guild.

Meanwhile, on the screen, Alex continued to battle with unwavering focus and determination. Each victory against these higher-ranked creatures not only brought him closer to completing the challenge but also seemed to solidify his place as a hunter of extraordinary potential.

Before the arrival of the 11th monster, Alex paused to consider his strategy for allocating the hard-earned attribute points he had accumulated. The battles were becoming increasingly challenging, and he knew that optimizing his abilities was crucial for the trials ahead.

He accessed his system interface, focusing on the distribution of his 50 attribute points. Recognizing the need for increased physical power to match the strength of the higher-ranked creatures, Alex allocated a significant portion of the points to enhance his strength. This would give him the necessary force behind each strike to effectively combat the formidable opponents the system was conjuring.

Next, Alex turned his attention to his mental capabilities. The complexity of the battles required quick thinking and the ability to anticipate and counter the creatures' moves. To sharpen his cognitive abilities, he allocated points to enhance his intelligence and wisdom, improving his decision-making skills and battle tactics.

Lastly, Alex boosted his agility, focusing on enhancing his reaction speed. The agility to dodge, weave, and respond to attacks with minimal delay was crucial, especially as the creatures he faced were becoming faster and more unpredictable.

Satisfied with his choices, Alex reviewed his updated system profile:

Alex's Updated System Profile

• Strength: 21 (upgraded for more powerful attacks)

• Agility: 20 (enhanced for quicker reactions)

• Endurance: 9

• Intelligence: 15 (enhanced for improved decision-making)

• Wisdom: 10 (upgraded for better tactical understanding)

• Charisma: 5

• Remaining Attribute Points: 0

With his attributes significantly enhanced, Alex felt a surge of confidence. He was now stronger, faster, and mentally sharper. Ready to face the next creature, he took a deep breath and readied himself, his grip on the Scythe of Evolution firm and assured.

The chamber began its conjuration, and the landscape shifted in anticipation of the next challenge. Alex stood at the ready, his senses heightened, prepared to face whatever creature emerged next. He was determined to not only survive but to excel in the face of these escalating trials.

Upon allocating his attribute points, an unexpected phenomenon occurred. A sudden aura enveloped Alex, radiating a golden light that shimmered around him for a few fleeting seconds. This radiant display was more than just a visual effect; it signified a significant advancement in his rank - Alex had ascended to the late stage of Qi Foundation.

Unaware of the magnitude of this change, Alex remained focused on the task at hand, preparing for the arrival of the next creature. However, for Lucian and the receptionist observing from the room above, this development was nothing short of astonishing.

Their eyes were fixed on the holographic display, disbelief etched on their faces. Lucian's mouth hung open slightly, and the receptionist's usual composure was replaced by a look of utter shock. Such rapid progression in rank was unheard of, defying the usual norms and expectations of the Hunters' Guild's training and ranking system.

Lucian found his voice first, his words laced with incredulity. "Did you see that? His rank… it just increased to late-stage Qi Foundation. That's… that's not supposed to be possible, is it?"

The receptionist, still staring at the screen, slowly shook her head. "No, it's not. Advancements in rank typically take months, if not years of rigorous training and experience. To witness such a jump in real-time, especially during a test… it's unprecedented."

The revelation of what they had just witnessed began to sink in. This was not merely a case of a recruit performing well in a test; this was a display of extraordinary, almost otherworldly potential. Alex was not just another hunter; he was quickly becoming an anomaly within the guild's ranks.

In the chamber below, oblivious to the shock he had just caused, Alex readied himself for the next challenge. The golden aura had faded, but its implications were just beginning to ripple through the Hunters' Guild.

Lucian, still trying to process what he had seen, leaned forward, his eyes not leaving the screen. The receptionist beside him was equally engrossed, her professional demeanor giving way to a mix of curiosity and awe.