Aeron slowly regained consciousness.
At first, he could only hear sounds—blurred and distant, as if they were coming from deep underwater. Then came the sensation of light. Not harsh, but sharp enough to sting his eyes. A dull ache throbbed in his head, yet his body felt strangely steady, as if it had settled into a new balance.
"Hm…"
His lips moved.
"He's awake."
The voice was calm, but authority lingered within it. Aeron opened his eyes. A white ceiling greeted him, illuminated by bright lights. The faint scent of medicine filled the air. He was in the medical wing. Standing beside him was the same B-Rank Hunter, watching him closely. There was fatigue beneath her eyes, but also unwavering vigilance
"How long… was I unconscious?" Aeron asked quietly.
"About an hour," the woman replied. "Your body needed time to endure the sudden surge of power."
Aeron inhaled deeply. Something still stirred within him, like an energy resting just beneath the surface—calm, yet far from dormant. He tried to sit up.
"Slowly," the woman said. "Physically, you're fine. But the mental pressure hasn't faded yet."
Aeron obeyed, sitting upright. The questions in his eyes were impossible to miss.
"You said… I'm an Irregular."
The woman nodded. "Yes. And that is exactly why you're here."
"Then why," Aeron asked directly, "am I still being sent into the Qualification Trial?"
She remained silent for a few seconds before answering. "Because in this world, truth is more dangerous than lies. If it becomes known that an Irregular has awakened, chaos will follow. Some will fear you, some will covet you, and some will try to erase you entirely. That's why, for now, you are just a normal candidate."
Aeron clenched his fist. "I understand."
Not long after, he was standing again. His clothes had been changed, and a simple candidate badge was pinned to his chest. But he knew—nothing about him was ordinary anymore.
The Qualification Arena lay on the outskirts of the city. A massive stone field surrounded by towering walls. Above them were observation stands where Hunters, officials, and record keepers sat. Tension thickened the air.
"All candidates, pay attention!"
A powerful voice echoed across the arena.
"The Qualification Trial will now resume."
Aeron stood among the other candidates. Some looked nervous. Some confident. Others had eyes burning with hunger and ambition.
"The first stage—Survival Assessment," the announcement continued. "You will be sent into the Run Area. Your reactions, endurance, and mental stability will be evaluated."
Heavy gates opened.
A forest awaited them.
Dense, dark, and unnaturally silent.
The moment Aeron stepped inside, the air shifted. This was no ordinary forest. Every shadow, every rustling leaf felt as if it were watching him. He instinctively controlled his breathing.
"Do not reveal your power," the B-Rank Hunter's voice echoed in his mind.
Time passed. Five minutes. Ten.
Suddenly, the bushes shook.
"Fall back!" someone shouted.
An F-Rank beast emerged—long, brown-skinned, with sharp fangs and crimson eyes. Panic spread among the candidates. Aeron's gaze locked onto it, and something inside him stirred. The world slowed. Every movement of the beast became crystal clear.
"No… not yet," he restrained himself.
He grabbed a stone and hurled it with all his strength. It struck the beast directly in the eye. The creature screeched and staggered. The other candidates seized the opportunity and brought it down together.
Aeron stepped back. His heart pounded violently.
"If I slip even once… they'll notice."
Time continued to flow. Attacks came and went. Silence followed chaos. Many candidates were eliminated.
Finally, a voice rang out.
"The first stage is complete."
Aeron remained standing. Exhausted, yet unyielding.
The second stage took place on an open stone platform. At its center stood a towering crystal pillar.
"This is the ability assessment," an official announced. "Touch the crystal."
One by one, candidates stepped forward. The crystal glowed in different colors—red, blue, green.
Then it was Aeron's turn.
He extended his hand.
The instant his fingers touched the crystal, the pillar trembled violently. Color surfaced—then vanished.
Silence fell over the platform.
Words appeared on the crystal:
[Result: Error]
Whispers spread through the crowd.
The official cleared his throat. "A technical malfunction. The candidate will be provisionally passed."
Aeron withdrew his hand. His breath caught.
The dream resurfaced in his mind—endless darkness, a faceless presence.
"…You are not ready…"
He clenched his fist.
"So… this is only the beginning."
High above, in the observation stand, the B-Rank Hunter gazed toward the sky.
"If this boy continues forward," she murmured, "this world will change."
And somewhere far away, within the darkness, someone smiled and softly repeated his name.
To Be Continued....