What?

My eyes locked onto the new notification that had appeared in the system interface.

________________

[FORTNIGHTLY QUEST]

OBJECTIVE:

Kill 50 Rank A or higher monsters.

TIME LIMIT: 14 Days

REWARD: 3000 EXP

FAILURE: The System and all acquired abilities will be permanently lost.

________________

'Damn it. Just a few weeks ago this quest only asked me to kill Rank C monsters. Then it went up to Rank B. Now it jumps straight to Rank A? Is this a joke?' I cursed inwardly.

But thinking about it, it was... fair. In the few weeks since my awakening, my level had risen too drastically due to dungeon access and... my revenge quests. The system was undoubtedly adjusting the difficulty to match my growth rate.

The problem was: access quotas for Rank A dungeons. Crimson Dawn was only a Rank IV Guild. They only had permits to handle dungeons up to Rank B. Rank A dungeons were the territory of major guilds like Black Sun, or other prime guilds.

This was a serious issue. Would I have to start infiltrating and sneaking into dungeons owned by other guilds? With my current abilities, though annoying, it would be fairly easy to do. And... I had two weeks. There was still a chance to plan something.

Lost in thought, I kept moving. Time was still stopped. I ignored the remaining Thunder Wolves frozen around me and shot straight towards the core of this dungeon.

Although the environment was like a dense forest, its structure was linear. From the entrance gate, it was a straight path forward. And finally, I arrived at the boss room.

The chamber was vast, shaped like a natural amphitheater under the same cracked sky. And in the center, lying calmly, was a Thunder Wolf three times larger than the others. Its fur wasn't gray, but a shimmering steel-blue, with larger, more complex horns that glowed with a steady electrical energy even in stopped time. The aura it emitted was... far more terrifying.

I activated [Eye of Desire].

________________

NAME: Reyday

RACE: Thunder Wolf

CLASS: King of Thunder Wolf

RANK: A

________________

The King of Thunder Wolves. Rank A. But with time frozen, even a king was just a statue.

With [Mindrender] still in hand, I approached. I raised the dark sword, then with one clean slash utilizing all my strength, I severed the giant's neck. No resistance. Just the sound of parting flesh, then its massive body slowly began to collapse—but still in a 'paused' state.

[Successfully killed Thunder Wolf]

[Received 500 EXP]

Good. Decent EXP.

Several hours later, my body still felt tired despite the potions, I stood in Ruth's office. The room was always tidy, minimalist, and smelled of strong coffee. I handed over the report for clearing the B-rank dungeon.

Ruth, as usual, sat behind her desk wearing a simple blue t-shirt layered beneath a black leather jacket and cargo pants. Her dark, long hair fell loosely around her shoulders, slightly untamed. She looked over my report with a flat, unreadable expression.

Then, suddenly, a question that had been simmering since the last quest came out of my mouth.

"Ruth, does Crimson Dawn never get quotas to handle Rank A dungeons?"

Ruth looked at me, her dark blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"You know our guild is only Rank 4," she answered, her voice flat. "Our permit only goes up to Rank B dungeons. For A and above, that's the territory of major guilds with high resources and Hunter Ranks. Why do you ask? Don't tell me... Rank B dungeons have lost their flavor for you already?"

I nodded, honest.

Physically, stat-wise, I was now roughly equivalent to an Awakener Rank S. But still, solo clearing a B-rank dungeon like that was a heavy challenge, not something to be done casually.

Ruth snorted, and for the first time, a small, almost complimentary but cynical smile touched her lips. "Incredible. Just weeks from struggling with Rank C monsters, now you can solo clear a B-rank dungeon. That's an... unnatural rate of growth. How are you doing it? Do you have a secret?"

It seemed Ruth was genuinely curious, her eyes looking at me flatly, but she was definitely thinking of ways to keep me tied to her.

But I answered, "As you know, I'm very talented."

Ruth didn't push further.

Then I spoke. "Are you applying for the guild to rank up? If you show that you alone are a Rank S Hunter, approval would be quick."

Ruth shook her head, her eyes returning to her computer screen. "Unfortunately, I'm not ready to reveal my true rank. And about the rank-up application... it's already in. But guild evaluations are only held next month. Even then, promotion isn't guaranteed. We need a consistent track record, tangible contributions, and... well, guild politics. It's not that easy, Adam."

'So to complete the quest for 50 Rank A monsters in two weeks, the only way is to infiltrate other guilds' dungeons,' I thought.

My mind spun, then suddenly landed on the woman in front of me. Ruth—her sharply beautiful face in its own way, her cold but never condescending attitude. There was something mysterious about her, and it somehow made her more captivating.

After several 'dates' with Sonya, I felt a little more... accustomed to normal human interactions that didn't immediately end in bed or violence. So I gathered the courage to ask her out.

"Ruth," I said suddenly. "Do you have any free time this week?"

Ruth stopped typing. She raised her head, looking at me with a confused and curious expression.

"What for?"

"I just... wanted to invite you to dinner. Or for coffee. Normal activities like that," I answered, trying to sound casual, though it was clearly an invitation.

Ruth looked at me longer. Then, a clearer smile appeared on her lips.

"How unusual. Don't tell me... you're asking me out on a date?" Her words were direct, hitting the mark without any preamble.

Seeing she caught my meaning immediately, I decided not to beat around the bush. "Yes."

Ruth leaned back in her chair, folding her hands on the desk.

"So, you like me? Why? What do you like about me?" Her question was direct, blunt, so very Ruth.

I answered with equal bluntness, courage coming from somewhere. "Because you're beautiful. And your personality is interesting too."

Ruth fell silent. Her eyes widened slightly, as if surprised by the honesty and simplicity of my answer. Her cheeks flushed a little.

"My personality is interesting?" she repeated, as if hearing a strange joke. "You... are very straightforward. But if you knew my real personality... you might run away screaming."

She then fell silent. I raised an eyebrow, wanting to ask what she meant by 'real personality,' but she continued.

"No," she said, her tone flat. "I don't have time this week. As you can see, I'm busy. And... I don't usually make time for things like dates."

That answer, though I'd half-expected it, still made my chest feel tight. A strange, small sense of disappointment crept in. I hadn't gotten my hopes up, but being flatly rejected like that... still didn't feel good.

But before the atmosphere could get awkward, Ruth suddenly added.

"But... if you win and become the brightest star in the inter-academy tournament next week, and you choose Crimson Dawn as your internship guild..." she paused for a moment, her eyes sparkling with a challenge, "...maybe, I could make time the week after."

I looked at her. "Aren't you just shamelessly using me?"

Ruth smiled broadly now, a smile full of pride and a little mischief. "I have high standards for guys I'm willing to have dinner with, Adam. Show me first that you're worth it. Win that tournament, bring reputation to this guild, then we'll go on a date. How about that?"

I sighed, but a small smile appeared on my lips. "I guess I'll have to work hard then."

Ruth nodded. But suddenly, her eyes lit up as if remembering something. "Ah, right. I almost forgot."

She opened a document on her computer. "Two weeks from now, exactly one week after the inter-academy tournament ends, the Official Hunter Examination will be held in Gatehaven. And they've already sent the invitation for you."

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