Chapter 82

The portal led to a vast, amphitheater-like arena. Fighters of all kinds sat on the tiered benches. I thought I’d stand out against this crowd. Yeah, right. Werewolves, velen, blood knights, paladins, rogues, mages, archers, beastmasters, and some I couldn’t even name. God, where the hell did I end up? This must be a gathering of every freak under the sun. Oh, and that’s unexpected—about twenty people were sitting invisible behind the stands. There were around five hundred kids here, far outnumbering the adult players.

I took a seat in the third row and turned to the guy next to me with the question that had been bugging me:

"Mister, what are Hunters?" It was funny, feeling like an idiot while everyone stared at me—some curious, others pitying.

"Girl, you should leave," he said. Well, at least my disguise wasn’t blown.

"Jerk. I’ll kill you if I get the chance for hiding info."

"Kids these days are so vicious."

"..."

"You’ll hear everything soon enough. Once it’s time, the host will explain."

"How do you know?"

"I tried last year. That’s how."

"Oh, so this is like a selection trial?"

"Yeah. They test your combat skills under different conditions."

"Hard trials?"

"Impossible! You won’t make it, that’s why I’m telling you. No point keeping enemies over useless info."

"Ah—" I didn’t get to finish.

A man in light plate armor appeared at the center of the hall, chainmail visible beneath. Twin blades—a sword and dagger—hung at his belt. The host, apparently.

"Good day, honored guests. Today marks the trial to join the Hunters. For the children who made it here, the level and skill restrictions are lifted. But you won’t get a class until you’re twelve. That’s all—you’re free to go."

The hall erupted in noise—kids shouting, cheering, chattering. How stupid I was, thinking I’d get a class. This trial was for those eager to enter the adult world early, who’d gone out of their way to learn about it and arrive on time.

As the kids celebrated, I stared at my hands and thought: Power. I’ll gain power. Then I felt eyes on me—the noise died down. The host was looking straight at me.

"Little miss, it’s time for you to leave."

"I was invited to the Hunter trials," I shrugged. "I didn’t even know about the kids. So, what are Hunters? What kind of class is that?"

The entire hall burst into laughter.

"Oh, so you don’t even know why you’re here? Very well, I’ll explain. The Hunter League is an independent group—the best of the best in this world. Elite warriors, assassins, mages, artificers, strategists—they all become Hunters. It’s not a class. It’s a collective of individuals with exceptional skills, tasked with the world’s most dangerous missions. What ordinary people can’t handle, we do."

"That’s… pretty vague."

"You’re right, little miss. Hunters have three core skills: Manipulation for mages, Enhancement for warriors and rogues, and Precision for archers. Wisdom, Athleticism, and Spirit vanish from your stats. Endurance now governs stamina, mana, and health. Vitality handles mana and health regeneration."

"What’s the point?"

"For example," the host drew his sword and obsidian dagger—twin-blade style, just as I thought—"I’m a mage and swordmaster. I became a Hunter while still a regular mage." He raised his sword, making it glow red-hot while the dagger crackled with energy. A small lizard familiar appeared on his shoulder. "These weapons were custom-made to channel magic. My Manipulation skill lets me freely adjust spell magnitude. Right now, my limit is 320% amplification with a mana charge. The max is tenfold power—or 1,000 Manipulation units."

"Interesting. What about the other Hunter skills?"

"Hmm." He looked at me like I was an idiot—which, fair, I was a classless kid who’d just unlocked skill progression. "Well, for your future, it’s good to know. Enhancement works similarly—boosting a warrior’s physique." (Wait, I already have that?) "Maximum output is the same: tenfold or 1,000 units. Precision sharpens senses, slows time perception, and increases archers’ damage."

"And the stats? Why the changes?"

"Everything has a cost. Enhancement drains stamina first, then health. Mages burn mana, then life force. Archers, same deal. It’s advanced synergy between body and mind. Your body is one system—when energy runs out, it consumes itself. Logical, right? Oh, and Hunters feel 20% more pain when burning health instead of stamina."

"Thanks. Can I become a Hunter without a class?"

"Yes, but…" He sighed. "Little miss, you won’t make it. This year’s trials are harder. The undead are rising, and we’re joining the fight. Survive, and you’ll be inducted."

"Wait, what’s the Hunter League?"

"You’ll learn if you pass."

A portal opened behind him. Players stood, preparing to leave.

"All present may attempt the first trial. You’ll be split into four groups, sent to different regions. Your task: fight the undead nonstop for 24 hours. Survivors advance. Die later, and you can retry next year."

And they thought I’d refuse this chance?