The news spread like wildfire among the players and guilds: Ethan, a member of the infamous Echleon organization, had been granted permission to take the player test. No one knew what his motive was, but everyone felt a surge of panic, chaos, and confusion.
Some were curious about his next move, while others were terrified of his potential threat. Everyone was in turmoil.
The Phoenix guild was no exception.
[Phoenix Guild–Meeting room]
In a large and luxurious room, decorated with phoenix motifs, eight people sat around a long table. Four of them were the department heads of the guild, responsible for different aspects of its operations. The other four were the elite members of the guild, the strongest and most loyal fighters. And at the head of the table, on a throne-like chair, the vice leader of the Phoenix guild sat. She was wearing a red dress that matched her guild emblem and a calm expression that masked her inner turmoil.
"Madam, I don't think it is a good idea to let the young master join our guild." An old man in a formal uniform said respectfully. He was the head of the intelligence department, and he had a lot of information about Ethan and the Echleon.
"Yes, Madam, I agree with department head Mason. Young master is not suitable for our guild." Another department head added. He was in charge of the finance and logistics of the guild.
"Are you trying to say that my son is unsuitable?" Wanda asked coldly, her eyes narrowing.
"No, I didn't mean that." He said quickly, feeling a chill down his spine. "I am just saying that his fighting style is too reckless and dangerous. He might affect our other players."
"That is not a problem. Ethan is capable of adjusting his style, and our players are not so weak as well." Wanda said.
"These are not the only reasons we are hesitant to let young master join our guild." An old man with a heavy presence said. He was Trevor, the most elite and loyal member of the guild. He had known Ethan since childhood and felt sympathy as well as fear towards him.
"Yes, Madam." The other department head also added. He was responsible for the recruitment and training of the guild.
"What are you all trying to say?" Wanda asked.
"We are talking about that incident, Madam." Trevor replied.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Wanda's face darkened. She knew what they were referring to. It was the incident that had changed everything for her family and her son. It was an incident that no one could forget.
A 10 year old child surrounded by dead bodies, his hands and mouth filled with blood and the red eyes of that boy.
"I know what you are trying to say, but my husband is in the hospital right now, and our guild is in danger. You all know that Ethan is the only one who can solve our problems." Wanda said.
"Okay, Madam. We will allow him to join, but if he does anything too dangerous, then we will have to take action." Trevor said.
"Okay. Let's end the meeting." Wanda nodded and finished the meeting.
After some time, everyone left the room, and only Wanda and her assistant were left.
"Lily, let's go." Wanda said to her assistant.
"Okay, Madam." A woman with blue hair said respectfully.
They soon reached the hospital, and Wanda quickly entered her husband's ward. He looked pale and weak, but he smiled when he saw Wanda. Wanda sat beside him, grabbed his hand and told him everything that happened during the meeting, and asked nervously.
"Did I make the right decision?"
"Yes, you did. I know you want Ethan to spend more time with us, so you let him join the guild, right?" Norman said.
"Yes, I hope we can reconcile." Wanda said with a sad smile. "By the way, how do you think he will do in his test?"
"Don't worry, he will do well. He always does." Norman said confidently, knowing his son.
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The Player Test was the most prestigious and exclusive event in the world. It was held by the Player Association twice every year. It was an opportunity for an awakened citizen to become a player. However, it was also considered the toughest test, as most of the awakened who passed the test were lower than C rank. It was supposed to be the same this year. However, one examinee broke all the records.
The test center was a large and modern building equipped with various machines and devices to measure the abilities and potential of the awakened. The senior examiner was a middle-aged man with a stern face and a sharp gaze. He was in charge of overseeing the test and evaluating the results. He was sitting in his office, surrounded by several junior examiners who were reporting the latest data to him.
"What's with these scores?" he asked, looking at a screen that displayed a series of numbers and letters. "Is this a joke?"
“No, sir. It is true,” one of the junior examiners said nervously. He was a young man with glasses and a timid demeanor. He had been assigned to monitor the results of the first phase of the test. “These are the results of Ethan, sir. He has completed the first phase with outstanding scores.”
The senior examiner looked at the screen again. He saw the name, age, and attributes of the examinee. Ethan Ryoko, 22 years old. Vitality B, Strength A, Mana C, Speed S. The senior examiner felt a chill run down his spine. Speed S. The highest possible rank for that attribute. How was that possible?
He looked at the junior examiner with suspicion. “Are you sure the machine was not broken?” he asked.
"No, sir. We checked the machine several times. It was working fine. The examinee really has Speed S, the highest possible rank for that attribute," the junior examiner said.
"Where is he now?" the senior examiner asked.
"He is clearing the promotion dungeon, sir," the junior examiner said.
"What? Already?" the senior examiner said, surprised.
The promotion dungeon was the final phase of the Player Test. In this phase, the awakened had to enter a special dungeon created by the system. The dungeon was tailored to the awakened's abilities and weaknesses, and it was a challenge to clear it. Once the awakened cleared the dungeon, the system would register them as a Player and assign them a rank based on their performance.
The senior examiner and the others gathered around the dungeon and looked at the screen above it. The screen showed the name, age, and rank of the examinee who was inside the dungeon. They soon saw Ethan coming out of the dungeon. He was covered in blood and looked like a beast coming from his hunt.
[You have cleared the promotion dungeon]
[You have been registered as a player]
[You have been granted player's rights]
"Sir, look at the rank," one of the examiners said, pointing at the screen.
"What? S rank?" the senior examiner said, shocked.
The screen showed that Ethan had cleared the dungeon with an S rank, the highest possible rank. It meant that he had defeated the monster in the shortest time and with the least damage.
The senior examiner and the others stared at Ethan with awe and disbelief, wondering how he had done it. Ethan walked towards them, ready to receive his Player badge and start his hunt.