Ranking System

"State your name and your reason for being here," the guard's voice cut through Arden's stupor.

Instantly, he turned to look at the guard, who had a suspicious grin on his face.

Since this was the East gate of the city, it could only mean this was the guard in charge of this gate.

Arden noticed he was the first to arrive. Other adventurers were approaching from behind—some in groups, discussing among themselves, while others were on their own.

Though he had never left the city before, he had a general idea of how things worked.

'I'm supposed to have an adventurer card, but the process is too long. I'll have to sort it out when I get back.'

An adventurer card was essential for all adventurers. It acted as a license or form of identity. With that card, it was easier for adventurers to be recognized and gain access to certain benefits. To leave the city and hunt beasts, one needed this card.

Arden didn't have the card yet, but he had a plan.

He walked towards the guard, and in a matter of seconds, he was standing in front of him.

"State your name and your reason for being here," the guard repeated, his grin widening.

'I already know the kind of man you are,' Arden thought, noting the guard's expression.

"I'm Arden, and I want to hunt beasts," Arden said, as if it were rehearsed.

"Of course, I know you want to hunt beasts," the guard replied, but his next words were what Arden had anticipated.

"Now, where is your adventurer card?" the guard asked.

'I've never seen him here before; there's a possibility that he doesn't have an adventurer card,' the guard thought.

And well, he was right!

"I don't have an adventurer card," Arden admitted.

'I knew it!' the guard thought.

"Ahh, so how am I supposed to let you hunt beasts?" the guard asked, faking a stoic expression.

'I hate to do this, but I have no other choice,' Arden thought, sighing.

The other adventurers were getting close, so he wanted to finish quickly.

'Thankfully, I left some bronze coins in my pocket,' Arden thought.

With no other choice, he reached into his pocket and pulled out five bronze coins.

A smile appeared on the guard's face for a moment before vanishing.

Arden extended his hand with the coins, and, as expected, the guard took them.

'I knew he was that kind of man. It seems they don't get paid enough.'

"Okay, you can go hunt some beasts," the guard said, opening the gate and allowing Arden to pass.

Without another word, Arden left the city and was greeted by the beautiful meadow terrain.

The lush green grasses stretched out as far as the eye could see, though they were obstructed by a forest not too far from where he was standing.

That forest was his destination.

The lush green forest, known for the number of weak beasts it housed, was indeed a place meant for gaining experience.

Arden turned back and noticed the other adventurers he saw were not too far from him.

"For them to be here, they're probably not high-ranked mages," Arden muttered. "They're probably between First Step Rank 1 and Rank 2 mages."

In this world, a ranking system was used to measure a mage's strength. The system ranged from Rank 1 to Rank 9, with Rank 1 being the lowest and Rank 9 the highest. Each rank had five steps, and a person could rank up by absorbing enough Mana.

These adventurers were likely low-ranked, so they were hunting low-ranked beasts. The ranking system also applied to beasts, weapons, and potions, though weapons and potions didn't have steps.

With that aside, Arden had already reached the forest, so he entered immediately.

The trees were tall, and the leaves were dark green. The gentle breeze brushed past his face, making his black hair flutter.

He looked back and saw that the other adventurers had entered different parts of the forest. That was good; he didn't want company.

Since he was now in the forest, anything could happen at any time, so he had to be alert and prepared.

Yes, the beasts here were Rank 1, but that didn't mean he would let his guard down.

Arden summoned the Rank 2 dagger he had received as a reward and gripped it tightly.

He chose not to wear the cloak and mask for two reasons. First, he wanted to test his combat power and ability energy without any buffs. Second, he anticipated needing the cloak and mask for another purpose later, so he didn't want anyone to see him with them.

"Okay, it's time," Arden said, moving forward with his eyes scanning for any beasts.

He continued moving for a few moments but had yet to spot anything.

"Has someone been here recently?" he wondered aloud.

If that were the case, he would have seen signs of battle, unless the person was strong enough to kill the beasts easily.

But even with that, the forest was teeming with beasts, so he was confident he would see one soon.

And indeed, he didn't have to wait long.

"Grrrr... grrrr... grrrr..."

Arden heard growling sounds and knew a beast was approaching.

In moments, the beast stood before him, its eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

A grin spread across Arden's face as he tightened his grip on the dagger.

"I've found my first prey."