A shockwave rippled through the chamber.
Damon and Jurion spun around—and froze.
The Lightning Wyrm towered behind them, its entire thirty-meter length coiled like a throne. Lightning crackled from scale to scale, but its eyes—
Blazing yellow.
Exactly like the woman's.
Damon's expression darkened.
"She's… controlling the boss monster?"
Jurion swallowed, realization hitting hard.
"No doubt. Only one person in CARDS can override a monster's core like that."
The woman stepped forward, heels clacking, ponytail swaying like a whip.
"Correct," she said with a mocking bow.
"Sasha of Hypnotism. CARDS No.1. Remember the name, boys—because it's the last one you'll hear before you're taken."
---
Some time ago
---
Another C-rank monster fell, dissolving into particles as Damon shook the blood off his shining black hand-claws.
His wristband flickered.
+250 Points
That made six D-ranks and four C-ranks so far—
Total points: 1300.
And he had zero intention of slowing down.
⟦Are you going for B-rank monsters now?⟧ Aphrodite's voice echoed inside his head.
"Not exactly… what I'm really after is the boss room."
⟦But if you find a B-rank before reaching it, you'll kill it anyway?⟧
"Obviously."
⟦You're way too confident for someone who refuses to summon.⟧
⟦Do you really think you can take a B-rank alone?⟧
"Well… it's not impossible. These monsters aren't going all out. And sure, maybe I'll get proven wrong."
⟦Right?⟧ she teased.
"But even then, I don't plan on summoning until the boss room. If I want to become a close-combat specialist, I need experience."
⟦Then let's leave already.⟧
"Of course."
---
As Damon made his way toward the deeper section, the forest grew eerily quiet.
Not a single growl.
Not a single rustle.
Almost like the dungeon itself was holding its breath.
⟦So… what are your plans after exams?⟧ Aphrodite asked suddenly.
"Hm?"
⟦I'm asking—after this test, what will you do? Planning to join one of the four great guilds?⟧
Damon hesitated.
The four great guilds—
Spades.
Diamonds.
Hearts.
Clubs.
In the hunter world, they were second only to the Association.
Back when he still thought he might awaken, Damon used to dream of joining them.
But now?
Now he had a system with no growth limits.
Now he had summons ranging from C-rank to above S-rank.
Now he literally had a goddess talking inside his head.
He was a literal walking guild with summons ranging from C to even above S class.
"Honestly… what can they even give me? A good starting point? That's it."
⟦So?⟧
"For now, I just want a B-rank license. Then I can start clearing real gates."
⟦Hmm, I see. I see.⟧
Just as she spoke, the wristband vibrated again.
Multiple C-rank Signatures Detected
Damon stopped instantly.
He crouched low, claws drawn, and approached carefully.
Three jackal-type C-ranks came into view—
He was just about to charge—
—when footsteps approached.
A pair of silhouettes appeared.
He instantly hid in the shadows.
Normally he wouldn't bother hiding.
But this was different.
One of them was Jurion Valenhart—
Second prince of Yggdrasil.
A prodigy with terrifying expectations placed on him.
After all, both his elder siblings were S-rank hunters.
His sister, specifically, was the youngest elf in history to reach S-rank… and currently the strongest contender for future ruler.
So of course, everyone expected greatness from Jurion.
And they weren't wrong.
Jurion lifted his wand—
A geometric magic circle formed—
And with a single spell, he erased one C-rank instantly.
Nathan, the bodyguard, finished another with mechanical precision.
Together, they cut through the three monsters flawlessly.
Damon watched silently as the pair moved toward the boss room.
A slow grin spread across his face.
⟦What are you doing? If you don't move, they'll kill the boss before you even arrive.⟧
"Relax. I'm going to steal their kill."
⟦You WHAT?!⟧
"Steal their kill. What's wrong with that? It happens all the time in these exams."
⟦But—⟧
"Don't worry. Makes me look like an asshole, sure, but they won't do anything. I get points without exhausting myself on a summon."
⟦You really hate paying us back, don't you?⟧ Aphrodite sighed.
"I'd love to repay you—if you guys had limits. But no, you bottomless monsters drain every drop of me."
⟦Not all of us are like that. The low-rank summons are manageable for you.⟧
"Manageable? Nah I'll pass."
⟦But he's a prince. Won't this get political?⟧
"If he had a faction, maybe. But he's the "bastard" son. Elves won't care, they only care about the high ones like his siblings."
⟦Honestly… I think you're the real bastard here, for stealing his kill.⟧
"We already agreed I'm an asshole."
Damon slowly made his way to the Boss room.
---
Back to present
---
Jurion had stepped back.
"Nathan" had stepped forward.
And that "Nathan" suddenly raised his blade—
—aiming straight for Jurion's spine.
Before the strike could land—
CLANG!
A shining black hand-claw intercepted the attack, the metal screeching.
Damon dropped from the shadows.
"What were you thinking?" he muttered, glaring at the attacker.
Jurion turned slowly, realization washing over his face.
He had almost died.
⟦You're pretty kind for an asshole, though. Most people don't jump in to save others.⟧
Damon sighed.
"I wasn't planning to save anyone. My body just… moved." he said in his mind.
Then Damon's eyes narrowed—the scene in front of him reflected in his golden irises.
"What a hassle," the fake Nathan hissed. "You brat were hiding here? Trailing us?"
"Wh-Who are you!?" Jurion pointed his wand, magic circle spinning.
"You're not Nathan… are you?"
"That's correct, Second Prince," the attacker smirked.
Her disguise melted away—
Revealing a blonde woman with a long ponytail, yellow eyes gleaming unnaturally, dressed in a tight black gothic bodysuit.
"Now that you know," she said coldly,
"You are coming with me."
Her gaze slid to Damon.
"You too, hand-claw brat."
Damon clicked his tongue.
"(Shit. I was just trying to steal the kill.)"
Jurion clenched his fists.
"CARDS… you think I'm going anywhere with you?"
"I insist," Sasha smiled.
---