Ep.4

Aiden Stone was merely a Rank 1 Hunter which was the lowest rank. In order to climb ranks within the Hunter Bureau they need to show that their power had increased by their deeds.

But Aiden was restricted because of his only skill, Horizontal Slash.

Hunters gain skills upon awakening and while some were beyond amazing others were simply horrible.

'If only I have something like Beast Taming for my skill instead of Horizontal Slash. I even get laughed at by other Rank 1 Hunters.'

Aiden had longed for an opportunity to learn a new skill but there was only one known method, Skill Stones.

Aiden had heard that some monsters can have a chance to drop a Skill Stone. But he knew that even a low ranked Skill Stone would be worth millions.

But perhaps there was another path forward as he knew deep down that the mark on his hand wasn't normal.

'It's not like I have much to lose if this is just a figment of my imagination. So let's see where this takes me.'

Aiden had placed his fate into the mark on his hand Ashe continued to follow the glow.

But the journey took longer then he had anticipated as he had to cross over several hundred kilometres to finally reach Golden Dragon City.

As he walked through the streets he had notice everyone else was on edge as if a Rift Break occurred.

The Beast's that were attacking Humanity needed a gateway into the mortal realm so powerful creatures create passages between realms known as Rifts.

Normally the Beast's were locked behind a barrier of cosmic energy but after awhile the barrier would shatter which would allow legions of monsters to attack the Earth.

But there were obvious signs of a Rift Break such as blood red skies with black lightning.

So Aiden was quite curious to see what was making everyone on edge of it wasn't a Rift Break but ignored it as he continued to follow the marker.

Meanwhile Jacob continued reading the Magic Tome of Aiden Stone as a Specter watched.

'Let it begin… the age of True Heroes.'

While Jacob watched and waited Mara was nervous as she watched hunters step forward for full body examination for any signs of a mark.

But remembering Jacob's words still frightened Mara as she knew deep down that Jacob was probably more powerful then any hunter on Earth. So to hear him speak of almost certain death for the one barring the mark was frightening.

'I can't help but wonder what is inside that place… but no one has been able to enter so we have no way of knowing.'

The Tower itself was a mystery as was the Ward protecting it.

No matter what they did no one was able to get through.

Even the countless number of magical scholars who were examining every detail of the Tower in searched of a way to break the ward but their efforts failed.

But Mara and the countless other Hunters felt a change in the air as they all simultaneously turned to the tower to see red glowing runes appear on the tower. But only Mara started frantically looking at each hunter again for the mark.

That was until she bumped right into a young boy carrying a rusted blade, backpack and a knife.

"S-S-Sorry! I didn't see you there. Are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm good, are you a Hunter?"

The boy lowered his hood to reveal his face before he instantly recognized Mara.

"Y-Your Mara Thorn! The S-Rank Healer who saved the people of Steelwork City! It's an honour to meet you, My name is Aiden Stone."

Mara had many fans so it was unsurprising to see a fan but Mara noticed the mark on Aiden's hand and immediately grabbed it to look closer.

"Where did you get this? How did you get this?"

"I-I-I don't know how or why but it seems like it was trying to lead me… here."

Mara didn't know what to feel as she had found the one Jacob had chosen but she still couldn't send him off to his death.

"Ms.Thorn! Look! Someone has breached the ward!"

Mara immediately turned back to the tower only to see Jacob wearing the same mask and holding his staff as before but instead of his robes he wore a simple set of black and gold armour without the sleeves.

Jacob locked eyes with Mara and then with Aiden before he entered the Tower.

Everyone then turned around to look towards Mara before she turned to look at Aiden who was visibly shaking.

"EVERYONE! Leave us! Go home and do not come back until the day has passed!"

Everyone present around the Tower was ordered to follow Mara's orders to the letter no matter what she asked them to do.

So as everyone left Mara was practically dragging Aiden to her Mobile Command Center.

"M-M-Miss Thorn what is happening? H-H-Have I done something wrong?"

Mara remained silent as she poured two glasses of bourbon for herself and Aiden.

"Drink… it helps calm the nerves… for me at least."

Aiden almost coughed the bourbon back up as he saw Mara almost undressing completely. Soon she was wearing nothing but a pair of pants and a sports bra.

"Relax kid, your not my type. What are your skills? How much training you got? What's your Rank?"

If Mara was to send the boy into the Tower then she would want to know everything about him.

"A-Aiden Stone, Rank 1 Hunter. My skill… it's called Horizontal Slash… I've… I've only ever been apart of harvesting crews in Rank 1 Dungeons."

Mara held her head in frustration as it was even worse then she had ever imagined.

'All the kid has is some busted up weapons, no armour and a garbage skill… I have to help him.'

It went against everything Mara believed in to sent Aiden into the tower without being prepared.

Even Gaia was shocked to see such a weak hunter and if she knew anything about the Tower it was that it would definitely be dangerous.

"Come with me… we're going shopping."

"E-Excuse me?"