Chapter 9 — The Price of Courage

[Warning: This work is being translated into English and may contain translation errors] Rednek.

The air felt heavy. Every flap of the King-Drone's wings sounded like muffled thunder, vibrating in Melina's chest. She stared at the colossal creature — an Apex Elite monster, its black carapace gleaming, faceted eyes like rubies, and a stinger capable of piercing stone.

She felt the crushing pressure radiating from the creature.

"This is the difference... an Apex Elite monster..."

Her legs threatened to give out, but she forced herself to remain standing.

— Advanced Evaluation! — she shouted mentally.

System:

Race: King-Drone

Class: Elite

Subclass: ...

Abilities: Super Speed, Neuroparalytic Venom, Supersonic Flight, Tactical Intelligence, Absorbing Carapace, Aura Tracking

Weakness: Central Brain Connection at the base of the skull.

"Found it."

Without wasting time, Melina activated Vibrating Vision, her eyes detecting the slightest air shifts, vibrating like waves. Now she could see the drone's movements more clearly.

The monster didn't wait. It darted forward like lightning, its body becoming a blur.

Melina pulled back, activating Grip Pressure, anchoring her feet to the ground and boosting her traction force. The creature's sharp claws slashed past her, the air itself cutting her skin.

Firm Push!

She struck one of the drone's legs, making it retreat for a moment. Surprised — the monster spun in the air, staring at her with... calculation.

"It's analyzing my moves..."

The King-Drone came at her again. Melina tried to keep up, activating Reflex Flex, her body adjusting its reactions at the last second. She dodged a blow and countered with swift slashes aimed at the base of the skull.

The blade touched the carapace...

TINK! — almost nothing.

The monster smiled. It smiled.

"Damn — it faked an opening!"

Before she could react, the drone hit her with a spinning kick. Melina crashed through the containment wall, falling out of the hunting zone. The impact made her bones scream. She spat blood.

Scarlet Adaptive Regeneration!

Her wounds began to close slowly. But not fast enough.

The drone was already there.

The punch came fast. She barely saw it.

Her face hit the ground hard. Blood flowed from her ears, lips.

The monster stabbed its sharp leg into her thigh. CRACK! — bones snapped.

"No… not yet…"

She activated everything she could. Organic Resistance, reinforcing bones, organs, and muscles. The pain lessened.

She crawled, a plan forming.

The monster, intelligent, didn't attack recklessly. It circled her, waiting for the regeneration to work — to attack again and break her psychologically.

Vibrating Vision still active. She noticed a slight hesitation when it passed near direct light.

"Now."

She forced her broken leg, activating Grip Pressure on the other, using it to launch herself in a leap. In the air, she threw her sword like a spinning disc.

The monster dodged — exactly what she wanted.

Firm Push!

Melina deflected a nearby stone, which grazed the drone's left wing.

It lost balance for a moment.

Melina rushed in — her regeneration now allowing partial movement — activated Reflex Flex and struck aiming at the weak spot.

CHAK!

A shallow cut.

But the monster roared. Dark green blood dripped.

It screamed, flapping its wings, creating a sonic wave that hurled Melina far away.

She fell to her knees. Blood flowed again. Her vision blurred.

The King-Drone came again — faster, angrier.

"I have no strength left..."

But before the final blow...

A flash.

SHLAK!

The King-Drone's head fell.

A figure appeared, wielding a massive sword still glowing with a cutting light.

— Sorry I'm late.

Stunned, Melina instinctively activated evaluation:

System:

Race: Human

Class: Evaluator

Subclass: Advanced

Description: ...…

Error

Her body couldn't take anymore.

Darkness.

Faint.

...

A soft ceiling light reflected on the immaculate white of the guild's infirmary. The smell of herbs and antiseptics lingered in the air.

Melina slowly opened her eyes, her body feeling... too light.

She sat up quickly, surprised.

No pain. No scars.

Her skin clean, muscles intact.

Melina — The… wounds?

A deep, firm, and authoritative voice echoed in the room.

Don Rosario — Your friend stopped by. Didn't know you had contacts with such a skilled healer.

Melina blinked, confused, then relaxed a bit upon hearing the name.

Melina — Ah… Saicha. She's… very good. But… what are you doing here, president?

Don Rosario sat by the bed, arms crossed, his face as hard as stone. The well-groomed gray beard gave him a rustic noble look. But there was something in his gaze… displeasure.

Don Rosario — The guy who saved you is my apprentice. Supervisor of the research center. And apparently, he's… interested in you.

He said with a clearly disapproving expression.

Melina raised an eyebrow, trying to hide an ironic smile.

Melina — Seems like you don't approve…

Don Rosario let out a heavy sigh.

Don Rosario — That's not the point right now. I was actually thinking of officially inviting you to the Hunters' Guild.

Melina widened her eyes in surprise.

Melina — For me… it's an honor to receive such an invitation. But… I don't think I can contribute. I just… lost a battle.

Don Rosario stood up, walking to the window, looking out at Apex's urban skyline before answering.

Don Rosario — I understand. Fear is part of a hunter's life. It's necessary. But you… you have potential, girl.

He turned, with a half smile.

Did you know… all Evaluators who managed to evolve… are alive in this era?

Melina frowned.

Melina — Evaluators who… evolved?

Don Rosario — Yes. I was the first to achieve it.

He touched his chest, with discreet pride.

And I know only three others like me: the top 2, the top 3… and you.

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Melina — So… it's rare?

Don Rosario — Extremely. Thousands of Evaluators were born, but only four managed to evolve their classes. You're part of a very select group that doesn't even understand the potential it holds.

Melina felt the weight of those words.

Cold sweat ran down her neck.

Melina — But… if this isn't just about recruitment… what else?

Don Rosario — We're organizing an expedition.

Melina looked up, confused.

Melina — But… what's so important about something so… common?

Don Rosario smiled, this time with a serious air.

Don Rosario — This isn't just any expedition, girl.

He took a step forward.

It's an occupation expedition of Atreus.

Melina held her breath.

Melina (thinking) — An… occupation expedition? That means… uniting several guilds, maybe… hundreds… or even thousands… to take control of an entire territory…

The tension in the air was palpable.

Melina — Why… tell me this?

Don Rosario — Because three major representatives will sponsor this expedition.

He raised three fingers.

Me, with the Hunters' Guild… Aether, from the Advanced Research Center… and Kim, the governor of Apex.

Melina's eyes sparkled.

Don Rosario — If you want… you'll be with us. This isn't just a mission. It's history in the making.

Melina clenched her fists. She had felt the power gap in that battle… but now, she understood her role could be much greater than just survival.

Melina — I… I'll think about it.

Don Rosario — Do that. But don't take long. The world doesn't wait for the indecisive.

He turned and left, leaving the scent of tobacco and leather in the room.

Melina looked at her hands, flexing her fingers, and smiled slightly.

Melina (thinking) — If I'm going to fight… then it'll be on my terms.