The crimson glow of the portal faded as Max stepped back onto Earth. The chill of wind grazed his face—a strange comfort after the searing breath of Hell.
He pulled out his phone, screen cracked but still alive.
"Let's see the damage," Max muttered.
The notifications hit like a thunderclap.
97 missed calls from Sunny.
367 messages from Mom.
5 voicemails.
Max blinked. "...I was gone for three days?!" Then he sighed and rubbed his temple. "I wish Hell had a network tower."
He called his mother first.
"MAX?! Where are you?!"
"Mom, I'm sorry. I was with Sunny. I'll come home this evening, okay?"
"You scared me! Don't ever do that again!"
"I promise."
Then he called Sunny.
Before he could say a word, Sunny yelled through the speaker. "No time to waste! Check the Ninsta message I sent—exam location. Move your ass now!"
Max raised an eyebrow. "Not even a hello..."
---
Meanwhile, at the Hunter Association Headquarters—two Guild Masters stood near the exam grounds.
Guild Master Igor, dressed in a dark blue suit, smirked. "Today's exam will bring fresh blood. I'll make sure the talented ones come to my guild."
Guild Master Seirin cracked her knuckles. "Keep dreaming. The strongest don't follow riches—they follow strength."
Their rivalry simmered as they observed the incoming candidates.
A young man passed, his aura steady and sharp.
"Hmm," Igor whispered, "3 or 4 star at least."
But then—the atmosphere shifted.
A subtle pressure swept through the air, making both masters tense.
Someone walked past—slow, unbothered.
Max.
They both turned, eyes wide.
"That... wasn't ordinary."
"Could be a 6-star. No—maybe 7."
They rushed to check the applicant file.
No full name. No background. No rank history.
"Who the hell is he?"
---
The exam was divided into four levels, each designed to test a different trait: aura, agility, combat, and survival instinct.
Level 1: Aura Control
Candidates stood in full-body adaptive suits on isolated platforms. Temperature rapidly alternated from +5,600°C to -5,000°C. Their only defense? A self-generated aura shield.
Cameras hovered above. Rescue crews and medics watched from control rooms, fingers ready over emergency switches. Over 300 drones captured every angle.
Candidates screamed, some collapsing as flames licked their suits or frost cracked their joints.
Max stood unfazed, his aura flaring a deep red, shielding his body with terrifying ease.
"Who is this kid?" a technician whispered. "He isn't even straining."
---
Level 2: Physical Test
This segment involved a high-speed obstacle course through shifting panels, weight-based resistance floors, balance beams, and collapsing tiles.
Max sprinted through like wind, leaping over collapsing ground, flipping mid-air, balancing on a one-inch beam with eyes closed. Others slipped, stumbled, or passed with heavy breathing.
Max wasn't even sweating.
---
Level 3: Monster Combat
Candidates were dropped into separate simulation domes. Each had to defeat monsters that gave 10 points each. They needed 50 points to pass.
Some struggled. Some barely survived.
Max? He ended his match in under five minutes—decapitating ogres, dismembering wyverns, turning hounds to ash.
His count: 90 points.
---
Level 4: Final Race
All surviving candidates stood in a circular arena. The rule was simple: reach the central altar first. No flying. No shortcuts.
The alarm rang.
They ran.
And then—wings erupted from Max's back. His body darkened slightly as his demonic form took shape.
The drones swerved, alarms buzzing.
"He's flying! He's violating—wait. He's still in the course border?"
Max dove, weaving through the others from the sky like a blade through grass. He landed on the altar with a thud.
The entire crowd gasped.
---
Later, standing in front of a review panel, Max awaited judgment.
The chairman stood. "Your result: 6-star."
Gasps erupted in the hall.
"But," the chairman added, "you have the potential for 7-star classification. I hope you'll consider joining the Public Safety Department."
Max nodded. "I'll think about it."
---
At home, Yelena watched TV. Her mouth dropped open.
"That's... Max?!"
She called out, "Mom! Come look! Max is—he topped the hunter exam!"
They hugged, overwhelmed by pride and disbelief.
---
That night, Max helped a drunk Sunny stumble back to his apartment.
Sunny chuckled. "You were insane out there... but I still hate that demon transformation of yours. Gives me chills."
Max smiled faintly. "You were the only one I never hit... not even once."
He tucked Sunny into bed, made sure he had water, and quietly closed the door.
---
Back home, his family sat quietly in the living room. His mother's hands were clenched together. Yelena looked down.
Max stepped in. "What's wrong?"
His mother glanced up. "We need to talk."
They sat around the table.
"Max... tell me honestly. That wasn't just a small exam. You fought monsters. You flew."
Max exhaled. "Mom, I spent ten years in a coma. I didn't finish school. I can't get a normal job. But this... I can protect you. I can protect Yelena. I want to serve the country—and give us all a better life."
She looked down, silent.
"I know hunters make money," Max added, "but I also know many families don't support them."
"Because it's dangerous," she whispered.
"I'll never take unnecessary risks. I'll avoid things that put me in real danger... I swear."
She was quiet for a long time.
Then—she smiled. "Okay. But promise me... you won't die before me."
"I promise."
---
Elsewhere—far away, in a shadow-drenched room—a girl sat before a glowing screen.
She zoomed in on Max's face as he stood at the altar of the arena.
Her voice was soft.
"That's it... I found him."