Judged in Silence
The towering structure of the Hunters Association of the Philippines (HAP) dominated the skyline of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Its sleek, glass façade reflected the bustle of the streets below, where Hunters, guild representatives, and reporters gathered for yet another controversial assessment. Inside, the air was tense as Josh sat in the waiting area, surrounded by the whispers of other Hunters.
The reason for the uproar was simple: an Unranked Hunter carrying an artifact capable of blocking assessments had stirred curiosity and doubt among the ranks. Josh's presence alone had ignited skepticism, particularly among the S-Rankers, who had refused to waste their time sparring him. To them, the evaluation of an unranked nobody was beneath them.
But HAP had insisted on reassessing him under stringent circumstances. If he couldn't reach Rank S due to the shield's interference, he could at least be assigned an E-Rank with special privileges, allowing him to work alongside higher-ranked Hunters and participate in critical missions. To make matters worse, the top three guilds had decided to pit one of their A-Rank Hunters against him in an exhibition sparring match—a test to see if Josh could hold his own against a seasoned fighter.
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**The Council of Rankers**
The chamber was expansive, lined with marble columns and illuminated by glowing runes etched into the walls. Seated in a semicircle were members of HAP's council, a mix of assessors, guild leaders, and government representatives.
At the forefront sat General Salvador Ramos, the retired S-Ranker who oversaw all Hunter activities in the country. His stern gaze swept over the assembly, his presence commanding and unyielding. Beside him were representatives from the **Phoenix Vanguard**, **Ironclad Sentinels**, and **Stormcall Alliance**, the top three guilds who had provided fighters for the sparring match.
Josh entered the chamber, his hood pulled low, the Relicolus Shield glowing faintly at his side. Whispers rippled through the room as he approached the center podium.
"What's the point of this?" one of the guild leaders muttered. "An unranked Hunter with a relic? He's probably useless without it."
Alyssa Reyes, leader of the Phoenix Vanguard, crossed her arms, her fiery red hair gleaming in the chamber's light. "Agreed. This feels like a waste of time. Even if he has the shield, it's irrelevant if he can't fight."
General Ramos raised a hand, silencing the room. "Enough. We're here to evaluate Joshua Villanueva based on performance, not speculation. Proceed with the reassessment."
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**The Reassessment**
Josh stepped forward, placing his hand on the assessment crystal—a large orb designed to measure a Hunter's magical output, physical attributes, and combat capabilities. The orb flared brightly, streams of energy swirling within as it attempted to process his power.
But the moment the orb connected with the Relicolus Shield, it faltered. The streams of energy turned chaotic, flickering erratically before the orb went completely dark. Gasps filled the room.
"What happened?" one assessor exclaimed.
"The shield," another muttered. "It's blocking the evaluation."
General Ramos frowned, his gaze fixed on the orb. "Villanueva, deactivate the artifact."
Josh shook his head. "I can't. The shield's energy is passive. I have no control over its functions."
Alyssa Reyes let out a frustrated sigh. "Then what's the point of this reassessment? We can't measure his strength, his magic, or his skill. He's unranked, and he'll stay unranked."
Ramos's expression hardened. "While we cannot advance him to Rank S due to the shield's interference, we cannot ignore his participation in critical dungeon expeditions. I propose assigning Villanueva an E-Rank with special authority."
The room erupted into murmurs and protests. Marco de la Cruz of the Ironclad Sentinels leaned forward, his voice cutting through the noise. "Special authority? For what? He's untested, unproven. He could be dangerous to other Hunters."
"Then let him prove himself," Isidro Morales of Stormcall Alliance said, his lightning-infused eyes gleaming with interest. "The exhibition match should settle this. If he holds his ground against an A-Rank, he deserves the authority. If he fails, he's just another freelancer."
General Ramos nodded. "Agreed. Proceed with the sparring match."
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**The Exhibition Match**
The sparring arena was a massive, open space lined with magical barriers to contain the fighters' power. The audience consisted of guild representatives, assessors, and curious Hunters eager to witness the clash.
Josh stood at one end, his relic glowing faintly as he tightened his grip on his weapon. Across from him was Ethan Morales, an A-Ranker from Stormcall Alliance known for his wind-based magic. Ethan's reputation as the "Crimson Tempest" had earned him a place among the elite, and he seemed confident as he adjusted his gloves.
"You ready for this, kid?" Ethan taunted, his tone mocking. "Don't hold back, or I'll put you down in one hit."
Josh didn't respond, his expression calm and unreadable. The signal to begin was given, and Ethan wasted no time, summoning a whirlwind that surged toward Josh with deadly force.
Josh raised the Relicolus Shield, the golden barrier absorbing the attack with ease. He darted forward, his movements swift and precise. Ethan countered with a flurry of wind-infused strikes, his blade glowing as it sliced through the air.
The clash was intense, the sound of metal against metal echoing through the arena. Josh's training shone through in every movement, his attacks deliberate and calculated. But he held back, refusing to reveal the full extent of his power.
Ethan smirked as he summoned a gale that lifted him into the air, allowing him to strike from above. Josh countered by shifting the shield's energy, creating a platform that allowed him to leap upward and meet Ethan's attack head-on. Their blades collided, sparks flying as the audience watched in stunned silence.
The match continued, each fighter pushing the other to their limits. While Ethan relied on his wind magic to overwhelm Josh, Josh used his shield and physical prowess to outmaneuver him. The audience began to murmur, their skepticism giving way to curiosity. Josh wasn't dominating the fight, but he was holding his ground—a rare feat for an unranked Hunter.
When the match ended in a draw, the room erupted into applause. General Ramos stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "Villanueva has proven his skill," he said. "While his rank remains E due to the shield's interference, his capabilities warrant special authority. Let this serve as a reminder that true strength cannot always be measured by conventional means."
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Josh left the arena with mixed emotions. He had earned the respect of some, but his rank still held him back. Yet his resolve remained unbroken. He would continue his journey, searching for Maria and proving that strength was more than a number.