The Hunter Registration Hall was still partially destroyed.
Broken tables.
Scorched walls.
And a large crater where the Eclipse Order assassin had crashed.
Hunters whispered nervously as they looked at Kael Varyn.
In just one day he had:
Defeated a dungeon boss
Obtained an Eternal relic
Survived an assassination attempt
And now…
Three major guilds stood before him.
The leader of the Iron Legion stepped forward again.
A tall man with heavy armor and battle scars.
"Kid."
"You've got raw power."
He pointed toward Kael's gauntlets.
"That relic suits warriors like us."
He folded his arms.
"Join Iron Legion."
"We'll turn you into a battlefield monster."
Before Kael could answer, the mage from Celestial Tower spoke.
"You don't need to become a brute."
Her glowing staff tapped the ground.
"That relic is part of ancient Eternal technology."
Her eyes studied the runes on Kael's gauntlets.
"Our guild can unlock its secrets."
Then the leader of the Stormbreakers laughed.
"All of you are thinking too small."
He pointed at Kael.
"This kid isn't just strong."
"He's fast."
"He learns quickly."
"Stormbreakers train elite hunters who dominate tournaments."
The room filled with tension.
Every hunter present knew this moment was important.
Choosing the wrong guild could change Kael's entire future.
Kael scratched his head.
"…This is harder than fighting a monster."
Some hunters laughed quietly.
Then a deep voice echoed from the entrance.
"You're all wasting your breath."
Everyone turned.
The air itself seemed heavier.
A massive figure stepped into the hall.
His height alone made him tower over most hunters.
His armor looked like it had been forged from mountain steel.
The Iron Legion leader immediately straightened.
"Commander."
The newcomer was one of the ten strongest hunters in the world.
A Myth Rank warrior.
Valerian the Titan.
Even Ardyn Solis had paused at the doorway.
Valerian walked slowly toward Kael.
His heavy footsteps echoed across the hall.
When he stopped in front of Kael, he stared directly into his eyes.
Then he looked down at the gauntlets.
"…Worldbreaker fragments."
He nodded slowly.
"Good weapon."
Kael blinked.
"Uh… thanks?"
The giant warrior crossed his arms.
"You're a berserker."
"Yes."
Valerian's eyes gleamed with approval.
"Then the choice is obvious."
He pointed toward the Iron Legion banner.
"You belong with warriors."
But Kael didn't answer immediately.
Instead, his system appeared.
System Notification
New Skill Available
A glowing interface appeared before him.
Skill Unlocked
⚔ Titan Grip (Rare)
Effect: Increases physical attack power when using gauntlet weapons.
Kael flexed his fingers slightly.
The fragment of the Worldbreaker Gauntlets pulsed with energy.
He looked up at the guild leaders again.
"I appreciate the offers."
The hall became quiet.
"But I need something specific."
The Celestial Tower mage tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
Kael spoke calmly.
"I want to become the strongest hunter in Aetherion."
Some hunters chuckled.
Others looked impressed.
Kael continued.
"To do that, I need three things."
He raised one finger.
"Training."
Second finger.
"Strong enemies."
Third finger.
"And access to the best dungeons."
The Stormbreakers leader grinned.
"That sounds like us."
But Valerian spoke again.
"No."
He looked at Kael seriously.
"That sounds like Iron Legion."
Silence filled the room.
Kael thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Alright."
The hall waited.
"I'll join Iron Legion."
The Iron Legion leader slammed his fist against his chest.
"Excellent!"
Some hunters cheered.
The Celestial Tower mage sighed.
"A shame."
The Stormbreakers leader laughed.
"Guess we lost this one."
But Valerian stepped closer to Kael again.
"Joining the guild is only the first step."
His voice became serious.
"There's something you should know."
Kael frowned.
"What?"
Valerian looked toward the horizon beyond the city walls.
"A few weeks ago…"
"A new dungeon appeared on the edge of the continent."
Kael waited.
Valerian's eyes darkened.
"It's not normal."
The arcanist from earlier spoke quietly.
"…A Cataclysm dungeon?"
Valerian nodded.
"And it's connected to a forbidden place."
He spoke the name slowly.
Umbraxis.
Even the guild leaders looked uneasy.
That continent was believed to be sealed.
Home to void monsters and ancient horrors.
Valerian looked back at Kael.
"If you want strong enemies…"
"You'll get them soon."
Kael smiled.
"Good."
Because somewhere beyond the known continents…
Dark forces were beginning to move.
And the rise of Kael Varyn had already begun to attract their attention.