The Training Hall was one of the largest areas inside the guild.
It is where adventurers trained, sparred, and took promotion exams.
Today, however, the usual clamor was drowned out by an overwhelming buzz of excitent and disbelief.
Adventurers pushed and shoved their way inside, eager to watch.
"What’s happening?"
A newly arrived adventurer asked, confused by the commotion.
Another beside him talked.
"Three people are attempting to rank up directly to Rank A."
The newcor’s eyes widened.
Three?! And straight to Rank A?! That’s impossible!"
It had never been done before.
The highest anyone had ever jumped in a single attempt was Rank D.
And even that was rare.
A Rank A test was suicide.
"Who’s the examiner?" the newcor asked.
A grim silence fell over the group before soone muttered:
"Plavius."
The na sent shivers down the newcor’s spine.
"Idiots."
The newcor shook his head.
"They just wasted their chance to be adventurers. They’ll be stuck at Rank F for life."
"You know Plavius?" another adventurer asked.
"You don’t?" a veteran replied, raising a brow.
"Plavius has never passed a single adventurer in a rank-up exam. Not once. He crushes everyone who thinks they’re ready, proving they’re not. Especially those who rush their way up. He’ll break them."
A hushed agreent spread among those listening.
"Is he really that strong?"
"Beyond strong," the veteran confird. "He’s cleared multiple high-level dungeons alone."
Curious, the newcor peered through the crowd, searching for the reckless fools attempting this impossible feat.
Then he saw them.
One was a young man with a fragile and innocent look - Deka.
Beside him was a beautiful woman with an alluring figure - Bella.
And finally, a man who looked strong but otherwise... ordinary - Draven.
The newcor’s face twisted in disbelief.
"What the hell are these guys thinking?!"
Several others nodded in agreent.
"They’re new here. Probably don’t understand how things work in Zarathon yet."
The newcor sighed. "That explains it."
Before he could finish his thought a massive, terrifying pressure filled the air.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
A deep, unshakable presence lood behind them.
Slowly, adventurers turned their heads, faces draining of color.
"He’s here."
A heavy silence followed before he entered.
"PLAVIUS!"
The crowd parted instantly, stepping aside as if death itself was walking through.
A towering figure, 240 centiters tall, strode forward with a commanding, effortless gait.
His muscular fra was wrapped in a simple black sando.
His exposed arms littered with deep battle scars.
His beard was rugged, and his hair was cut so short it was almost shaved.
But it wasn’t his appearance that made everyone tremble.
It was the weight of his presence.
Unyielding.
Unstoppable.
An apex predator.
Without looking at anyone, Plavius made his way toward the training ground, waiting for his next victims.
As soon as Plavius arrived, Sarah imdiately approached him, handing over the three applications he needed to assess.
Plavius took the papers, his brows furrowing as he read the details.
"Two Azure... and one Crimson?"
He scoffed. His gaze shifted to the three applicants.
"Just because you’re Azure or Crimson doesn’t an you’re qualified to rank up instantly."
He smirked coldly.
"Let crush your confidence."
Then, his eyes snapped to Sarah.
"Why did you approve this? You’re not usually this lenient."
Sarah t his glare without hesitation, her tone sharp.
"They’re strong."
Plavius let out a low chuckle.
"Looks like your instincts are getting weaker."
He cracked his knuckles, rolling his shoulders.
"Doesn’t matter. I’ll end this quickly."
He turned back to the trio.
"All three of you, fight at the sa ti. I don’t want to waste my ti."
Draven let out a loud yawn, stepping forward lazily.
"No. One by one. I’ll go first."
A few adventurers in the crowd snickered.
"This guy has a death wish."
Plavius sighed, stretching his neck.
"Fine. Pick any weapon you want. Or use that thing on your back."
Draven glanced at his Morphos before shaking his head.
"I’m fine. I’ll just use my fists."
Plavius raised a brow.
"Oh? Confident, huh? Well, good. I’m a Berserker Fist user myself."
He studied them again, expecting to see fear, but there was none.
Not even the slightest hesitation.
’Are they really confident they can beat ?’ Plavius frowned, before taking his stance.
The entire hall fell into tense silence.
Every spectator leaned forward, anticipating the instant destruction of the cocky challenger.
"Ready?" the referee said.
There was a heartbeat of silence.
"FIGHT!"
Plavius lunged forward, muscles tightening.
"Wait!"
********
Draven raised his palm, stopping the fight just as Plavius was about to move.
"What the hell?!"
The crowd erupted in outrage.
"Are you trembling now?!"
"You’re wasting our ti!"
Even Plavius scowled. "What do you want?"
Draven tilted his head slightly. "Just a quick confirmation. If I beat you, will you still be the one to fight the other two?"
The room fell into stunned silence.
Then—
Laughter.
"This guy’s a joke!"
"He really thinks he can beat Plavius?!"
Plavius’ lips curled into a smirk.
"Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll still fight them after I finish you."
Draven nodded. "Okay, then let’s conti—"
BOOM!
Before Draven could even finish his sentence—
Plavius was already in front of him.
His right fist, a blur of destruction, ca hurtling straight for Draven’s face—
His rage-filled eyes blazing.
"Let’s see how far your courage takes you."
Plavius’ massive fist shot forward like a cannon, aid straight for Draven’s face.
Yet—
Draven smirked.
His eyes casually followed the incoming strike—then, with a slight tilt of his head—
SWOOSH!
The fist whistled past him, missing by re inches.
The sheer force of the punch sent a violent gust of wind ripping through the air, causing loose papers and dust to scatter across the arena.
Plavius’ eyes widened in shock.
’He dodged it... easily?!’
But before he could process what just happened—
A chill ran down his spine.
He felt it—
A deathly aura suffocating him.
His gaze snapped back to Draven, who was now staring directly at him.
His dark eyes glead, and for a brief mont—Plavius swore he saw a predator.
A monster.
His body reacted before his mind could—
He dashed backward.
A cold sweat dripped down his temple.
’Did I just... retreat?!’
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
"What just happened?!"
"Did Plavius just back away?!"
"No way... he’s never done that before!"
Plavius’ fists clenched tightly. He tried to control his breathing, but his instincts were screaming at him—this was no ordinary opponent.
Draven tilted his head slightly.
"Sothing wrong? Are we continuing the assessnt?"
Then, with a grin—
"Draven one step forward at him."
Plavius’ muscles tensed. His body was already in high alert.
He finally understood—
Sarah was right. "This guy wasn’t normal."
"I need to take this seriously."
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