The D-Rank Shock

Kael followed the other hunters into the Vanguard Guild's huge training ground. Suddenly, Anis spoke in his mind:

[WARNING: SSS-Rank Hunter detected. Name: William Arthur. Power: Fire.]

Kael froze. Standing across the field was William Arthur. He was tall, handsome, and very muscular. He held a sharp dagger. His whole body seemed to glow with powerful energy. So this is an SSS-Rank Hunter? Kael thought, his stomach dropping. I'm going to get destroyed.

The hunters lined up. William Arthur's voice boomed: "Attention! You will all fight me! I know some of you are weak!" He looked straight at Kael. A few higher-ranked hunters nearby snickered.

"Only one question!" William shouted. "Are you ready to clear high-level dungeons ALONE?"

"YES SIR!" the hunters roared.

"Good!" William grinned. "Then show me you belong in my guild!"

I should run, Kael thought desperately. He's way too strong. But instead, he focused. Anis, use my points! Make me stronger! Anis silently allocated Kael's saved points to boost STRONG, FAST, and TOUGH for the fight).

William took his stance. "COME AT ME! ALL OF YOU!"

The hunters charged. Fourteen A-Ranks fired magic spells at once! William just waved a hand.

WHOOSH! A huge blast of fire exploded outwards, throwing all fourteen hunters across the field like rag dolls. Flames danced in William's eyes.

"WAS THAT YOUR BEST?" he laughed. "PATHETIC!" He slammed his fist down. "RINGS OF FIRE!"

ROAR! Circles of burning fire erupted under the hunters' feet! They screamed as their arms and wrists got scorched.

"HELLFIRE DESTRUCTION!" William yelled. A wave of terrible heat washed over everyone. Hunters cried, burned, or tried to run away. William was holding back, but it still hurt badly.

Suddenly, William noticed Kael. He wasn't attacking. He was just standing still, watching.

Interesting, William thought. He flashed across the field in an instant, right in front of Kael. "Why aren't you fighting, boy?" he growled.

Before William could blink, two things happened:

1. A perfect copy of Kael (his Mirror Clone) appeared behind William, holding a blazing blue fire sword.

2. The real Kael punched William hard in the chest with his fist!

THUD! William was actually knocked backwards, skidding across the dirt! Gasps echoed from the watching hunters.

William stood up, flames burning brighter in his eyes. "I've never seen anyone like you! That clone... it has real power too! How?"

Kael and his clone both raised their blue fire swords. They moved like lightning. Anis, help! Kael thought.

[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: TELEPORTATION!]Anis announced.

Kael smiled. He vanished from where he stood and reappeared RIGHT in front of William, fist pulled back to punch again.

Fool! Getting this close? William thought. He unleashed his fire point-blank: "INFERNO BLAST!"

BOOM! A massive pillar of fire swallowed Kael completely! The ground cracked and melted under the heat. William grinned. Got him.

But then – Kael appeared *behind* William! His blue fire sword slashed towards William's arm!

William twisted away just in time, shocked. "WHAT?! I BURNED YOU! How are you moving?!"

"Teleportation," Kael said calmly. Then he vanished again!

William spun around, confused. THWACK!Kael's clone punched him hard from the side! SCRITCH! Kael reappeared and scratched William's cheek with his sword! Finally, the clone landed an aura-powered punch!

CRASH! William flew across the training ground and smashed through a stone wall!

Kael stood still, breathing hard. Is it over? No… he's SSS-Rank… He was right.

William stood up from the rubble, unhurt but furious. Fire exploded around him like a sun, hotter than anything Kael had ever felt. It looked like it could melt mountains. Kael's eyes widened in real fear. Oh god…

"STOP!" A voice shouted. George Henry, the SS-Rank Vice Guild Master, ran onto the field. "The match is OVER!"

William's fire flickered away. "WHAT?! Why?! I was having fun! This kid is amazing!"

"Rules, Guild Master," George said firmly. "The test is simple. If a hunter lands a solid punch on you, they pass and join the guild. Kael punched you. Hard. He also scratched you and knocked you through a wall. He passed."

"But I wasn't done!" William protested. "I wanted to see more!"

"The rules also say if you defeat them, they still join," George reminded him. "This fight was just to test their spirit and make them take the guild seriously. Other guilds do it too. Even the Knights."

"Fine, fine! Stop lecturing!" William grumbled. He stomped over to Kael, the anger gone, replaced by a huge grin. He clapped Kael on the shoulder. "You! You're something else! What's your name, kid?"

"Kael. Kael Jones," Kael said, smiling back weakly.

"Kael Jones!" William boomed. "What rank are you? S? SS? You fought like a top hunter!"

Kael hesitated. *Oh no. Here it comes. "Actually... I'm... D-Rank."

Silence.

William Arthur's smile vanished. His jaw dropped.

George Henry stared, his eyes wide.

Both SSS and SS-Rank hunters spoke at the same time, their voices filled with utter disbelief:

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

(Chapter 11 Fin)