Chapter 27: " A Promise of Support "

Alex genuinely wanted to know more about Elizabeth's situation, and his desire to make her his ally remained strong. 

He knew from his past life that she was a righteous person who always extended her help to those in need. In his previous life, she had even left the top guild, "Dragon Born," in America due to their unethical tactics and cruelty. 

This decision resonated deeply with Alex, as they both shared similar backgrounds, marked by struggles and hardships. Securing her as an ally represented a golden opportunity that he didn't want to miss.

Noticing Elizabeth's hesitation, Alex decided to break the ice and encourage her to share her story. "Elizabeth, you and I both understand the difficulties faced by middle-class families in our society," he said warmly. "Feel free to speak openly with me."

Elizabeth let out a light sigh, appreciating the support she felt from Alex's words. She began to explain her current situation, saying, "Today, I came here to determine if I could become a hunter. However, I haven't awakened yet, and as a result, I didn't meet the necessary mana requirements for becoming a hunter." This revelation gave Alex a deeper understanding of her circumstances.

Alex couldn't help but sense that Elizabeth hadn't shared the whole truth with him. He had a keen understanding of her speaking style and detected that she was concealing something. However, he decided not to press the matter further for now.

Shifting the conversation, Alex mentioned Elizabeth's younger brother, Daniel. "By the way, Uncle Allen also showed me a picture of your younger brother—what was his name again? Oh, yes, Daniel. I noticed he's not here with you today," Alex asked. 

Elizabeth's response was discreet, a faint tremor that she skillfully concealed from him. Nevertheless, Alex's sharp observation skills allowed him to take notice of her reaction.

Understanding began to dawn on Alex. He remembered from his previous life that Daniel Miller had been an A-rank hunter and a close supporter of Elizabeth. 

In one of her interviews, Alex had learned that early in her career, her brother had suffered a serious accident that required costly surgery. To cover the expenses, Elizabeth had been forced to sell her family's properties and everything they owned, leaving both brother and sister homeless for a time.

Alex realized that Elizabeth's reticence likely stemmed from the painful memories associated with her brother's accident and the sacrifices they had made to ensure his recovery. 

This insight into her past further deepened his empathy for her situation and strengthened his resolve to support her in any way he could.

After carefully deducing the situation, Alex became increasingly convinced that Elizabeth needed more help, and her circumstances seemed rather urgent. It was clear to him that providing assistance, if possible, could be of immense value to her.

'I need to raid that F-rank dungeon as soon as possible,' Alex contemplated inwardly, recognizing that this endeavor might hold the key to resolving Elizabeth's predicament.

Without explicitly broaching the topic, Alex and Elizabeth engaged in a 10-minute conversation, discussing various matters before Alex prepared to depart for his third test.

It was a polite and cordial interaction, with neither of them directly addressing the pressing issues they both knew existed.

However, as they bid farewell, Alex took the initiative to offer his support. "Although I'm genuinely sorry for what happened to Uncle Allen, if he hadn't saved me and my brother, I don't know where our family would be today. So, if there's anything I can do to help, please feel free to contact me," he sincerely expressed, sharing his phone number with her.

Elizabeth had thoughts she wished to convey, but she chose to remain silent for the time being. As Alex's figure receded into the distance, she couldn't help but ponder 'why a stranger would extend such a generous offer of assistance to her'.

While she harbored hope that Alex might be able to help her, she hesitated to make any direct requests. 

Living as a middle-class family in the post-apocalyptic world was an exceedingly arduous endeavor.

With a maelstrom of emotions and thoughts swirling within her, Elizabeth eventually departed the solitary waiting area and left the hunter association building, where her own complex journey continued.

…

With his encounter with Elizabeth and the offer of help extended, Alex temporarily shifted his focus to the upcoming test. 

The examination room was located on the same floor as the previous one, which made his journey there relatively straightforward. Alex arrived in front of the designated room a little more than five minutes before the scheduled start time.

Alex's gaze swept across the room, taking in the other candidates who were also waiting outside the examination room. Compared to the second test room, this one appeared slightly larger, possibly due to the nature of the third test.

Choosing an empty seat, Alex settled in and patiently awaited any further instructions. The atmosphere in the room was a mix of anticipation and nervousness, as everyone was aware of the importance of this test in determining their hunter rank. 

Alex remained focused, and determined to perform to the best of his abilities and make the most of this opportunity._

One notable advantage of the hunter test was that candidates were tested individually, preventing any interference or distractions during the examination.

However, it also had its drawbacks. On the ground floor of the Hunter Association building, a digital board displayed the results of each candidate's test, categorized by their ranks.

This system allowed different guilds and organizations to monitor the performance of the candidates closely. It served as a means for potential recruitment or identifying promising talents. 

For those who excelled, it could open doors to joining reputable guilds and securing valuable contracts.

As the clock ticked down to the beginning of the third test, Alex took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally. He knew that this test would be crucial in determining his hunter rank. The second test had already evaluated his mana capacity and revealed his lack of elemental affinity, but the third test focused on physical capabilities.

With determination in his heart, Alex steadied himself, ready to give his all in the upcoming examination. The room's door loomed before him, and he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he was ready to face them head-on.

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[Author here: Hi guys how was you experience till now , mention it in the comment,]