The Hunter Bureau registration room was quieter than Juan expected. The fluorescent lights reflected off the polished floor as he stood in front of the counter. The clerk, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes, slid a small card toward him.
"Juan Taraki," she said, voice official yet neutral. "This is your Class E Hunter License. Valid for one year."
Juan took the card, feeling its weight in his hand, more than physical — a weight of responsibility, a symbol of a new life.
His wrist vibrated as the system interface activated.
Quest Complete: The First Step
Objective: Obtain Hunter License
Reward: Skill Upgrade Token + System Access Unlocked
Juan exhaled slowly. This was what he had been working toward since that day in the hospital, since that horrifying S-rank portal.
Suddenly, a new notification popped up:
Skill Acquired: Metal Skin Harden (Level 1)
Passive Skill: Temporarily harden skin into metal, increasing defense and damage resistance. Skill evolves as user gains experience.
Juan instinctively raised his arm. His skin shimmered and hardened, taking on the cold, gleaming texture of iron. It felt strange, like his flesh had become armor—heavy, solid, protective.
"Not bad," Agent Roco's voice came from behind. "That skill will save your life more times than you think."
Juan relaxed the hardened skin. "It's... weird. But powerful."
Roco smiled. "It's your body adapting. The metal inside you is waking."
Juan's heart raced, but he tried to stay calm. He glanced down at his wrist again. Another message blinked.
New Quest Available: The First Hunt
Objective: Clear a D-Rank Dungeon near Manila
Reward: Skill Upgrade Token
"A D-rank dungeon," Juan muttered. "Starting small."
Roco nodded. "It's the best way. Build your skills, get experience. Every Hunter starts with a first hunt."
Juan swallowed his nerves and nodded.
The outskirts of Manila lay quiet under a hot afternoon sun. Juan approached the warehouse district—the system marked the entrance with a faint blue glow only he could see.
The air smelled of rust and dust. The portal shimmered near a cracked loading bay door.
Juan checked his gear: light armor, reinforced gloves, and a short metal baton he'd crafted during training.
His system pinged:
[Dungeon Entrance: D-Rank — "Rustfang Hideout"]
With a steadying breath, Juan stepped through the portal.
Inside, the warehouse was dim and filled with old crates, broken machinery, and flickering lights.
Movement flickered in the shadows.
[Enemy Detected: 5 Rustfang Goblins — Level D]
Juan's grip tightened on his baton. He focused, metal coiling beneath his skin.
Suddenly, a goblin lunged at him, claws bared.
Juan's skin shimmered and hardened. The
blow hit his arm with a heavy thud but didn't break through.
He countered with a swing of his metal baton, striking the creature's side. It yelped and collapsed.
The other goblins snarled and charged.
Juan moved quickly, controlling nearby metal scraps—pipes, bolts—shaping them into makeshift shields and blades.
His Metal Skin Harden flickered as he shifted between offense and defense.
Sweat dripped down his forehead.
One goblin leapt from above, aiming for
Juan's neck. Instinctively, he hardened his skin again, the strike sliding off like it hit iron.
A counterstrike from his metal baton sent the creature crashing into a stack of crates.
Panting, Juan circled the last goblins, steel swirling around him.
With a decisive movement, he forged a sharp spear and thrust it forward.
The last goblin fell.
The system chimed loudly:
Quest Complete: The First Hunt
Reward: Skill Upgrade Token
Skill Progression: Metal Skin Harden (Level 2)
Juan's body tingled. The skin-hardening ability now lasted longer and felt less taxing.
He smiled faintly.
The first real fight was over.
But he knew it was just the beginning.
His metals would grow stronger. From iron to steel, to gold, and beyond.
He was forging himself in fire.
steel, to gold, and beyond.
He was forging himself in fire.
And soon, Manila's dark portals wouldn't be enough to stop him.