2. SSS-rank talent

The skies were darkened, and the night sky was covered with stars. The air was tense as people walked into the hunters association building.

Kyle's boots scraped against the cracked pavement as he walked by. His dark eyes stared ahead at the association building, a beacon of hope for humanity.

His rough black hair and dark circles made him seem gloomy as he approached the building.

"Why the hell are you keeping your face like that? You're making me tense." A voice came from beside him, and he looked to see a young man around his age with blonde hair and grey-colored eyes walking next to him.

"I'm just nervous, that's all," Kyle said as he sighed, and Don held his arm and shook him.

"Shake it off. If anything, I have more to worry about; my mana rating was so low. I might get a useless talent," Don said, taking a deep breath.

"Haha, potato farming wouldn't be a bad talent," Kyle laughed, and Don frowned.

"What made potatoes come to your mind? You fool." They both laughed as they entered the association building.

They both had papers in their hands with registration numbers on them, and numbers were being called one after the other.

Kyle and Don quickly found seats and then relaxed.

Beside Kyle was another boy who was fidgeting in his seat, and he understood the boy's worry. It was only natural as no one would anticipate their fate.

[- 1 life point]

[Life points remaining: 25]

A message popped up in front of Kyle in the form of a virtual message, and he couldn't help but sigh at this.

Ever since a hundred years ago, on Judgement Day, the world has been cruel ever since the Evernight descended.

After the skies darkened and the emergence of the dungeons pouring out demons, the human race was on its last leg.

That was when the Awakened, people who developed supernatural talents called blessings, came forth to end the demons pouring from the dungeon gates.

That wasn't all; each person now had to pay for the air they breathed with life points. After hunters defeated demons, they earned these points. Money in this world was no longer valuable, and everything was traded with life points.

Every life point was another day added to your life.

Today was the awakening ceremony, one which Kyle had been looking forward to. He was finally 18 years old and eligible to become a hunter.

"S-rank physical talent: Eye of the Sage!"

The announcer's voice came from the speakers, and Kyle couldn't help but look to see who it could be.

"Oh! Kyle, isn't that Rein from our school, the one you like?" Don asked as he saw the black-haired girl with her hair tied in a ponytail.

Her every step radiated confidence, and her aura was catching everyone's attention at that moment.

Her cyan-colored eyes were charming, and Kyle couldn't help but feel nervous now that he knew this.

'Damn, only one in a thousand people can get an S-rank talent. For sure, she's going to be scouted by some of the big guilds. I can only hope I get something good enough to live on my own,' Kyle couldn't help but think with a sigh, and he glanced at Rein again as she walked out of the testing area.

"Number 387!"

"Oh, that's me." Don stood up from his seat and looked at Kyle. "Wish me good luck."

Kyle watched Don walk over to the testing room and then relaxed his back on the seat.

"You didn't tell me you were going to attend today."

A voice came from behind Kyle, and he knew goddamn well who had that voice.

"Oh, hey Rein." He smiled as he turned around and saw the Asian beauty staring at him with a frown.

"You're drawing attention; sit down. Please," Kyle said with a sorry smile, and she reluctantly sat down.

Rein took the seat next to Kyle, a sigh left her lips as she looked around. Kyle couldn't help but notice how her presence seemed to radiate confidence, yet there was a faint unease in her cyan eyes.

"You didn't answer my question," she said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Why didn't you tell me you were attending today?"

Kyle shrugged, trying to play it off casually.

"Figured it wasn't that big of a deal. Besides, you seemed busy. I didn't want to bother you."

Rein narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.

"Busy? Kyley, you've known me since high school. That's the worst excuse you could come up with." Her pink lips twitched at his words.

Kyle coughed as he heard his nickname from her. "Well, I didn't want it to seem like I was simping over you."

Rein tilted her head, her expression softening.

"You're impossible, you know that?" She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a quieter tone. "You've always underestimated yourself. You're a lot more capable than you think, Kyle."

Kyle blinked, unsure how to respond to that.

"Yeah, well, I guess we'll see what the test says, huh? Who knows, maybe I'll get a talent for growing potatoes."

Rein let out a laugh, and Kyle couldn't help but marvel at how easily her smile lit up her face. "You and your potatoes," she teased.

The sound of the announcer calling another number brought them back to reality. Rein glanced toward the testing area and then back at Kyle. "You know, I think it's kind of nice we're doing this on the same day," she said, her voice softer now. "It reminds me of when we used to talk about this back in high school."

"Yeah," Kyle agreed, his tone wistful. "Back when everything seemed simpler."

"Kyle..." Rein began, hesitating for a second before continuing. "Whatever happens in there, don't lose sight of your dreams. Promise me."

Her words caught Kyle off guard. He turned to look at her, and for a brief moment, it felt like the bustling association building faded away. "I promise," he said, his voice steady despite the nerves twisting in his gut.

Rein smiled, a genuine warmth in her expression. "Good."

She was one of the few people who knew the story of how he got here, so he understood why she was like this.

Before Kyle could say anything else, Don emerged from the testing room, a wide grin on his face.

"C-rank Augment talent!" the announcer declared.

Kyle laughed, breaking the tension. "Not bad at all, Potato Farmer."

Rein stood, giving Kyle one last glance. "Your turn's coming up soon. Don't keep me waiting." She walked off, her confidence evident in every step.

Kyle watched her go, his heart pounding, and he put on a smile.

Don just stared at him with a mocking smile and then sat down.

"What did I miss—"

"Number 390!"

The announcer's voice interrupted Don, and Kyle stood up, taking a deep breath.

He stepped toward the testing room, his mind replaying Rein's words.

Entering the room, he saw two people at the front with a capsule in the middle.

"Kyle Emir, step into the capsule, please," the woman in a suit instructed, and he looked at the capsule.

It resembled a gigantic pill with ambient lighting on the sides and a shiny metallic pod.

The capsule opened, and he entered. The interior was lined with soft material, and he closed his eyes as the lid sealed shut.

In less than a minute, the lid reopened, and he stood up.

The woman and her colleague were staring at the screen in awe and shock, rendered speechless.

"Is something wrong?" Kyle asked, and the announcer's voice came shortly after.

"Eh! SSS-rank talent: Bloodmancy!"