Chapter 1: The Unpromising Hunter

Declan Greyford, a humble janitor in the Xiuyan Hunter's Guild, with unremarkable features, had always been the unseen presence in the bustling world of hunters. In a modern-day society where gates to interdimensional realms brought forth monstrous threats, he was content with his role as a custodian of the guild.

It was a quiet evening when destiny led him to the hidden basement beneath the guild hall. Amongst forgotten relics and dusty tomes, he stumbled upon the Ascendant System, an otherworldly power that would change his life forever. The ancient artifact's glow captivated him, and without hesitation, he bonded with it, sealing his fate.

[Ascendant System]

- Host: Declan Greyford

- Class: Ascendant

- Level: 1

- Experience Points: 0/100

- Strength: 10

- Agility: 5

- Intelligence: 7

- Stamina: 6

- Skill Points (SP): 0

- Stat Points (STP): 0

As the power surged through him, Declan realized that he was no longer just a janitor. He had become an Ascendant, a hunter with access to untold knowledge and abilities unique only to him. Determined to unlock his newfound potential, he knew he had to venture through the gates, earn experience points, and upgrade his skills and stats.

To keep his true power hidden from prying eyes, Declan chose the class of "Warrior" for his guild card, a facade that masked the existence of the Ascendant System.

With newfound confidence, he left the basement and headed straight for the Xiuyan Hunter's Guild, the place he had always called home.

Inside the bustling guild hall, hunters of various ranks bustled about, their conversations filled with tales of their latest gate encounters and exploits. It was a world he had observed from the sidelines for years, and today, he was taking his first steps into it as a fledgling hunter.

Walking up to the reception desk, he greeted the receptionist, Lily, who had known him for years. "Hey, Lily, I need to register as a hunter," Declan said.

Lily blinked in surprise, her pen hovering over a sheet of paper. "Declan, are you sure? You've been a janitor here for as long as I can remember."

Declan nodded firmly. "I'm sure. I've found something that can change my life."

With a hint of skepticism, Lily handed him the registration form, and Declan quickly filled it out. His name, class as "Warrior," level, and stats like strength, agility, intelligence, and stamina were now part of the guild's records, thanks to the Ascendant System.

[Guild Record - Declan Greyford]

- Name: Declan Greyford

- Class: Warrior

- Level: 1

- Strength: 10

- Agility: 5

- Intelligence: 7

- Stamina: 6

As the form was processed, Lily handed him a hunter's license, complete with his new title as an F Rank Hunter. It was the beginning of his journey, and he felt a sense of purpose wash over him.

Just as he was about to step away from the counter, the Ascendant System's interface lit up, and a quest notification appeared.

[Ascendant System]

- New Quest Available: "Goblin's Lair"

- Quest Description: Eliminate goblin threats in the lair.

- Reward: Experience Points, Goblin Shards, and 10 Gold.

- Progress: 0/10 Goblins Defeated.

Declan accepted the quest without hesitation, guided by the system's prompt. It was his first step into the world of hunters, and he was determined to prove himself, all while keeping his true class hidden from the world.

Heading to the gate's location, he entered the dimly lit cavern that was the entrance to the goblin-infested lair. The damp, echoing sounds of water droplets filled the air as he ventured deeper, the sounds of the guild fading behind him.

Inside the cavern, he spotted a group of goblins huddled around a campfire, their crude weapons gleaming in the flickering light. As they noticed his presence, the goblins snarled and brandished their weapons, their beady eyes filled with malice.

[Enemy Interface]

- Goblin Grunt x3

- Level: 1

- Strength: 5

- Experience Points: 10 each

Declan didn't hesitate. Drawing his newly acquired dagger, he lunged forward, skillfully dodging their attacks. With precise strikes, he incapacitated the goblins one by one, their defeated forms dissipating into sparkling particles of light.

[Ascendant System]

- Experience Points Gained: 30

His heart raced with exhilaration as he registered his first combat experience. With the goblins defeated, he proceeded deeper into the lair, ready to face more challenges and grow as a hunter, all while keeping his true class hidden from the world.