Ascension

Itachi stood amidst the remnants of his battle with Vulkan, his heart still racing from the intense fight. As the demon's massive corpse began to disintegrate, particles of dark energy swirling in the air, a series of system messages appeared before him:

[Item Obtained: Demon Monarch's Earring]

[Item Obtained: Orb of Avarice]

[Item Obtained: Vulkan's Horn]

[Item Obtained: Fragment of the World Tree]

A mix of curiosity and satisfaction washed over him as he examined each item in turn. The Demon Monarch's Earring glinted with an otherworldly light, its intricate design speaking of ancient power. The Orb of Avarice pulsed with a hungry energy, seeming to draw in the very mana from the air around it. Vulkan's Horn radiated an aura of strength and ferocity. Finally, the Fragment of the World Tree appeared deceptively simple – a small, leaf-shaped piece of wood that hummed with life.

Itachi's eyes lingered on the Fragment of the World Tree. As he read its description, a thoughtful expression crossed his face. "This could be invaluable in the future," he mused, carefully storing it away in his inventory. The item's potential for growth and healing could prove crucial in the challenges to come.

He then picked up the Demon Monarch's Earring, admiring its intricate design before putting it on. Immediately, he felt a surge of power course through his body, his strength and vitality noticeably increasing. The earring seemed to meld with his very being, enhancing his already formidable abilities.

Lastly, he turned his attention to the Orb of Avarice. After reading its description, Itachi nodded to himself. "This would be perfect for a powerful mage shadow," he thought, already planning for future acquisitions. The orb's ability to amplify magical power could turn even a moderately strong mage into a formidable force.

Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room at the Federal Bureau in the USA, Hwang Dongsoo and Sung Il-hwan were deep in conversation. Their hushed tones and serious expressions hinted at the gravity of their discussion. Documents were spread across the table between them.

Back in the dungeon, Itachi found himself face to face with a necromancer. The air around them crackled with dark energy as the undead mage prepared to attack. Bones rattled ominously in the shadows, and the stench of decay filled the air.

"Igris, Baruka," Itachi called out, his voice calm despite the tension in the air. His shadow soldiers materialized instantly, ready for battle. Igris, the knight commander, stood tall and imposing, his spectral armor gleaming in the dim light. Baruka, the ice elf, appeared silently beside him, frost already forming around his feet.

"Clear a path to the necromancer," Itachi commanded, his eyes fixed on his opponent. The necromancer, a skeletal figure draped in tattered robes, sneered at the challenge.

Igris unsheathed his long sword, the blade glinting with an otherworldly light. Baruka twirled his dagger with practiced ease, ice crystals dancing along its edge.

The necromancer raised his arms, bones cracking as he moved, and the ground began to tremble. Skeletal hands burst from the earth, followed by the rest of the undead bodies. Within seconds, a small army of skeletons stood between Itachi and his target, their hollow eyes fixed on the intruders.

Igris charged forward, his sword a blur of motion as he cleaved through the undead ranks. Skeleton fell in droves, their bodies crumbling to dust as the knight's blade severed their magical ties to the necromancer. Each swing of his sword was precise and powerful, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

Baruka danced between the remaining undead, his movements fluid and graceful. His dagger left trails of frost in its wake, each strike freezing his enemies solid before shattering them with precise follow-up attacks. The ice elf's speed was remarkable, allowing him to dispatch multiple foes in mere seconds.

The necromancer, seeing his minions fall so easily, began to chant a more powerful spell. Dark energy swirled around him, promising a deadlier summon. The air grew heavy with malevolent magic, and the very ground seemed to pulse with unholy life.

But Itachi was faster. With the path cleared by his shadows, he closed the distance in an instant. His blade flashed once, twice, and the necromancer's chant ended in a gurgle. The undead mage crumpled to the ground, his dark magic dissipating into the air like smoke. The remaining undead collapsed, their animating force extinguished.

As the necromancer's body faded away, a series of system messages appeared:

[You have defeated the Soul Shepherd, Metus]

[Item Obtained: Spring Water from the Forest of Echoes]

[Item Obtained: Demon Monarch's Necklace]

More messages followed, each detailing various rewards and achievements. Itachi's eyes scanned the notifications, cataloging each new acquisition with methodical precision.

Itachi's brow furrowed as he contemplated the necromancer's summoning abilities. "Perhaps I could make use of him," he thought, reaching out to extract the shadow. The ability to command undead forces could be a valuable asset in future battles. However, a system message quickly dashed his hopes:

[The mana of the target is contaminated]

[Shadow extraction cannot be used]

Itachi's expression remained neutral, but inwardly he felt a twinge of disappointment. The necromancer's power, while formidable, was too corrupted to be safely harnessed.

Pushing aside his disappointment, Itachi equipped the Demon Monarch's Necklace. As he did so, he realized he was only one item away from completing the set. The necklace settled against his chest, its weight comforting and its power palpable. A quick check revealed that he had collected the required 10,000 demon souls, yet the dungeon showed no signs of ending. Many floors still lay ahead, waiting to be conquered.

With his quest completed, Itachi accessed his rewards. For his first choice, he selected a blessed random box, curiosity piquing his interest. The box shimmered and vanished, replaced by a key to an unnamed dungeon, its designation marked only by "???". The key was cold to the touch, radiating an aura of mystery and danger.

His second reward granted him 20 ability points, a substantial boost to his already impressive stats. After careful consideration, Itachi distributed them evenly among his attributes, further enhancing his overall capabilities.

The third reward, labeled as "undisclosed," turned out to be a blueprint for something called the "Holy Water of Life". As Itachi read the item description, his mind raced with potential uses for such a powerful artifact. The ability to create a substance with profound healing and purifying properties could be a game-changer in many situations.

Satisfied with his progress, Itachi exited the dungeon. He knew he needed time for preparations, though the exact nature of these preparations remained a closely guarded secret. His mind was already formulating plans, strategies for the challenges that lay ahead.

Later that evening, Itachi sat at his dining table, his dinner barely touched as his mind whirled with thoughts. The soft glow of the city lights filtered through his apartment window, casting long shadows across the room. He couldn't help but draw parallels between his current situation and his past life. Where once Danzo had watched his every move, now Itachi found himself free from such scrutiny. Yet, he remained cautious.

"I can't hide my powers forever," he mused, absently twirling his chopsticks. "But I need to be smart about this. Raiding high-rank dungeons as an E-rank hunter would raise too many questions." He suspected that greater challenges lay ahead, challenges that the mysterious 'system' had been preparing him for.

"Whatever comes," Itachi resolved, his eyes hardening with determination, "I'll be ready."

The next day, Itachi made his way to the Hunter Association for a re-evaluation. The bustling lobby fell silent as he entered, whispers following in his wake. Minutes after his arrival, Baek Yonhoo received an urgent phone call, his face growing pale as he listened to the voice on the other end.

Itachi went through the familiar re-evaluation process, waiting patiently in the designated room. The sterile white walls and bright fluorescent lights did little to ease the tension in the air. When called, he entered and placed his hand on the magic orb as instructed. The orb, usually a calm blue, began to pulse erratically, its light growing brighter and brighter.

The attendant frowned, beads of sweat forming on her brow as she informed Itachi that the machine was experiencing an error. Before long, a man in a crisp suit appeared, his eyes wide as he whispered something to the attendant. Itachi was then politely asked to return in three days, the staff's forced smiles doing little to hide their unease.

Though he kept his expression neutral, Itachi knew the truth – the mana orb simply couldn't handle his power level. It was a development he had anticipated, but one that would undoubtedly complicate matters.

As Itachi left the evaluation room, whispers and murmurs filled the air. "Did you hear? They say he's S-rank!" "No way, him?" The gossip spread like wildfire, all eyes on Itachi as he walked calmly through the building. He could feel the weight of their stares, a mix of awe, curiosity, and a hint of fear.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A hush fell over the crowd as a man entered the building. His presence was commanding, drawing attention without effort. "I-It's Choi Jong-in!" someone whispered in awe. "What's he doing here?" another wondered aloud.

Itachi frowned slightly, the name ringing a faint bell, though he couldn't quite place it. He observed the newcomer from the corner of his eye, noting the respectful way the crowd parted for him.

Woo Jinchul, accompanying Jong-in, couldn't hide his surprise at the news of Itachi's S-rank status. His eyes darted between Itachi and the mana measurement room, disbelief evident on his face.

Jong-in, however, seemed unfazed. "The Association's confirmation is a mere formality," he thought, observing Itachi. "His aura alone speaks volumes. This is no ordinary hunter."

As Jong-in opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to introduce himself or to question Itachi, he found himself addressing empty air. Itachi's mind was already elsewhere, focused on his next moves. Without a word, he brushed past the renowned hunter, leaving Jong-in with a mix of surprise and intrigue on his face.

Itachi left the building, his thoughts focused on completing the demon dungeon as quickly as possible. The city bustled around him, oblivious to the powerful beings that walked among them. He made his way home, his mind racing with plans and possibilities.

That evening, as Itachi sat down for dinner in his modestly furnished apartment, his senses suddenly prickled. Two powerful presences were approaching, their auras unmistakable even at a distance. His chopsticks paused midway to his mouth as he calmly assessed the situation.

"Interesting," Itachi thought, setting down his utensils. "It seems my re-evaluation has stirred up more than just gossip." He rose from his seat, moving towards the door with measured steps. The air seemed to thicken with tension as the presences drew nearer.

Whatever – or whoever – was coming, Itachi was prepared to face it head-on, his mind already formulating strategies for the encounter that lay ahead. He stood before the door, his posture relaxed but ready, years of training allowing him to appear calm despite the potential threat.

As he reached for the doorknob, Itachi couldn't help but feel a familiar rush of adrenaline. It reminded him of his past life, of countless missions and unexpected confrontations. But this was different. This time, he was in control of his own destiny, free to choose his path and his allies.

With a deep breath, Itachi opened the door.

-----------------

Should I make Igris more powerful than Beru. I like Igris more and he was very underrated throughout the series. He was with Ashborn and with Jinwoo from the start. So I think it should be like Bellion > Igris > Beru > Baruka