A False Ranker?

Central Park was in chaos. Fires crackled, smoke filled the air, and the sound of crumbling concrete mixed with terrified screams. The Hunters on the scene—fifteen in total—were spread out, desperately trying to manage the civilians and hold back the horde of monsters pouring from the gate. Among them were four C-Rank Hunters: a close-combat specialist, a mage, a healer, and another melee fighter. Eight D-Rank Hunters and two E-Rank Hunters worked alongside them, while a single B-Rank Hunter took command.

"Form up! We have to push them back before more come through!" the B-Rank Hunter barked, slamming his shield into the pavement. His voice barely cut through the roar of battle as he directed three of the C-Rank Hunters to assist him in forming a defensive line near the gate. Their goal was to contain the influx of creatures before they could spread deeper into the city.

"We don't have enough hands for that!" the C-Rank mage shouted back, loosing a blast of wind energy at an advancing monster. "If we commit too many to the front, the rest of these things will tear through the weaker Hunters!"

Before the B-Rank could argue, the ground shook with a deep, guttural growl. The chaos of battle momentarily paused as the monsters themselves parted, instinctively forming a path. A massive presence pressed against them, sending a shiver through every Hunter's spine. Something big was coming.

"That's not possible," one of the C-Rank melee fighters muttered in disbelief. "The gate's mana hasn't fluctuated enough for a boss to appear yet!"

The mage's eyes widened as realization struck. "We're the ones fueling it! The gathered mana from all of us fighting—and the monsters present—it's accelerating the gate's collapse. It's enough to drag the boss through early!"

A low, ominous hum filled the air before a heavy footstep echoed from within the gate. A moment later, an enormous creature emerged.

Standing nearly ten feet tall, its grayish stone-like flesh was riddled with jagged, glowing mana stones protruding from its back. Its humanoid form was grotesquely bulky, its limbs thick with raw muscle. Its gaping mouth revealed uneven, jagged teeth, and it clutched a massive slab of rock as a weapon.

The pressure of its presence alone made the air feel heavier.

The B-Rank Hunter swallowed hard and tightened his grip on his shield. Even from this distance, the monster's sheer power was suffocating. He cast a glance over his shoulder—most of the lower-ranked Hunters were still struggling to protect the civilians. The C-Ranks near him were fending off more advanced monsters, but they were clearly stretched thin.

Then, in an instant, the boss monster moved.

The B-Rank barely had time to register the incoming attack before the creature's massive stone club was inches from his face.

A deafening *CRASH* erupted as stone shattered and dust exploded into the air.

He braced for the impact, but it never came. Instead, he found himself three feet away from where he had just been standing, lying on the ground. His head snapped up in shock.

Standing beside him was a hooded figure, clad in a tattered red jacket. One hand was still gripping the back of his armor, as if he had been plucked away from the attack mid-motion.

*How the hell did he move me that fast… with one hand?!* the B-Rank thought in disbelief.

The monster let out a slow, guttural growl, turning its gaze toward the hooded figure. The hooded figure then began to walk over towards the boss monster.

The B-Rank's instincts screamed at him. He scrambled up, shouting, "Hey! Be careful! Thanks for the save, but don't do anything reckless! Are you a Hunter? What's your rank?!"

The hooded figure paused a foot away, turning his head slightly. "E-Rank." Then, without hesitation, he continued forward.

The B-Rank Hunter stared, dumbfounded. "E-Rank? That's impossible…" His mind raced, replaying the sheer speed and strength the figure had just displayed. Then, realization struck him. His breath caught in his throat. "A False Ranker…?" he muttered in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Xavier walked with an eerie calmness, stopping just a foot away from the towering monster.

With a crackle of electricity, his short sword, [Crimson Fang], materialized in his grasp. He tilted his head up, staring into the beast's glowing eyes.

A slow grin pulled at his lips. His heartbeat quickened—not from fear, but from excitement.

*Let's see what I can do…*