"Here is your player card." The senior examiner handed the player card to Ethan and said nervously as not yo offend him.

"You have the potential to be an S rank player, but unfortunately, we can’t assign you a rank higher than A, even though you deserve it. I hope you understand.”

"Okay. I understand." Ethan nodded.

Ethan took the card and looked at it with indifference. He did not care about the rank or the status that the card represented.

"Then congratulations on becoming an A rank player." Senior examiner said with a forced smile.

"Anyways, can you explain to me a little bit about the system and player." Ethan asked.

The senior examiner looked surprised, but he obliged. “Of course. Well, as you know, some people in this world awaken to supernatural abilities. They are called the awakened. The difference between the awakened and the players is that the players are registered to the system and have access to the status window, the skill pages and some special items. The system also helps them to become stronger by giving them quests, rewards, and guidance.”

"Are you sure it helps in becoming stronger?" Ethan asked.

The senior examiner looked puzzled and asked, “What do you mean? I don't quite understand your question."

"I mean, it feels like my power is getting suppressed." Ethan said, feeling as if the beast within him is chained.

"Never mind. I shall go now." He noticed the examiner confused his face and decided to end the conversation.

He turned around and walked towards the exit, where his butler was waiting for him in a car.

"Young master where shall we go?" Butler asked politely.

“Where’s Mark?” Ethan asked.

“Little master is visiting master in hospital.” The butler replied, with a hint of concern in his voice. “He said he wanted to see you too, young master. Shall we go to the hospital?”

"No. It's okay. Let's go to guild headquarters."

-----------------

[Phoenix headquarters]

"Status window." Ethan Ryoko commanded.

A holographic screen appeared in front of him, showing his information.

[Name: Ethan Ryoko]

[Identity: E-11-231566]

[Class: Blood Hunter]

[Skills: Blood Rage, Bloodlust, Blood Claw, Blood Hunt, Bloodbath...]

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

[Passive: Blood Resonance]

[Title: The One Stained by Blood]

As the elites and executives saw the status window of Ethan, they all felt a cold shiver run through their veins.

"Mr. Trevor, this..." An executive nervously asked Trevor, his voice trembling.

"He truly is a monster." Trevor said, feeling absurd. He had expected Ethan to be strong, but not to this level. His Blood Hunter class made him a perfect killing machine. However, what truly caught his eye was Ethan's title.

[The One Stained by Blood] [Unique]

'You were supposed to live a normal and happy life. But the world wanted something else. It stained you with blood and threw you on the path of blood.'

☆ Grants 'Blood Hunter class'

☆ Growth type

☆?????????????

The description reminded him of that incident. And the question marks in his staus window were something he had never seen or heard of. They also somehow felt dangerous.

"Okay, young master, we will allow you to form an independent team. But you have to recruit your members yourself." He said, trying to sound calm and confident.

"Okay. Fine by me." Ethan shrugged and left the meeting room.

The butler who had listened to the whole conversation approached Ethan and asked, worried, "Young master, how are you gonna recruit team members?"

"Don't worry, I have a player in my mind." Ethan said confidently.

'But that was not my question.' Butler thought to himself.

He was wondering who would work with Ethan knowing his unusual personality.

They approached the exit and were about to leave but turned their heads to a certain scenario.

"He is here again."

"What do you think will he win this time?"

"Of course, he won't."

"Yeah, why doesn't he just give up?"

A few employees were gathered around the training ground, chatting among themselves.

"What's happening there?" Butler approached one of them and asked, pointing at the examination site.

"Sir, that player has already failed the advance test many times, but he still comes every day to try one more time." The employee replied.

"Why does he do so?" Butler wondered.

"I don't know. But people say it's because his family was killed by the monsters in a dungeon break. He wants to advance to team beta and kill stronger monsters." The employee said, lowering his voice.

Ethan walked towards the examination site and saw a midget-sized man fighting against an orc-sized robot. He was wielding a shield in one hand and a mace in another.

He dashed towards the machine and threw his mace at it, but the robot dodged the mace and counterattacked with a swift punch.

He blocked the punch with his shield and pushed the metallic foe back. He charged at it, swinging his shield with both hands. The shield smashed into the robot's head and knocked it down.

He quickly jumped on the robot and started pounding it with his shield, but the machine grabbed his arm and flung him away. He landed on the ground and tried to get up, only to see the robot rushing at him.

He barely raised his shield in time to deflect the robot's fist, but the impact sent him flying. He crashed into a wall and coughed up blood. He lifted his shield once again, determined to fight on. But,

"That's enough. You've failed." The examiner said, stopping the robot. He looked at the boy's battered body and shook his head.

"But sir, I can still fight." The player protested, his voice hoarse from exertion.

"No. If you do any more than this, you will harm your body." The examiner said, sternly.

"Please, just a little more, sir." The player continued to plead.

"I've already told you many times, but I don't understand why...." He wanted to say more, but was interrupted by a dull voice.

"Let him continue." Ethan said.

"But young master, if he continues, he might get hurt badly." The examiner said, worried.

"Don't worry. I will take responsibility." Ethan said, confidently.

The examiner sighed and stepped back, letting Ethan have his way.

The boy's eyes widened in disbelief, a warm feeling of gratitude filling his chest. He couldn't believe that Ethan was giving him another chance.

The robot powered up again, its red eyes glowing fiercely as it lunged forward, closing the distance between itself and the battered player.

Struggling to stand, the player gripped his shield tightly, determined to continue despite his injuries. With a grimace, he raised the shield just in time to block a swift strike from the robot's metallic arm. The impact rattled his entire body, sending tremors of pain through his already bruised frame.

The player knew he was at his limit, but with gritted teeth, he managed to push back against the relentless assault of the robot. His movements were sluggish, his breaths labored, but he fought on, each clash of metal on metal resonating through the testing grounds.

However, the exhaustion caught up, slowing his reflexes. In a split second of vulnerability, the robot capitalized. With an unexpected speed, it landed a forceful blow, shattering the player's shield and knocking him to the ground once more, this time unable to rise.

The examiner rushed forward, halting the battle. "That's enough! It's over."

Ethan approached the fallen player and asked him calmly.

"Would you like to join my team?"

"What?" The boy was surprised at such a question.

"Well, you know I'm creating a new hunting team and I would like to recruit you. What do you say?"

"But I didn't even pass the test." The boy said, weakly.

"Well, that's because you're not using your abilities properly." Ethan explained.

"What?" The boy was astonished as he had never heard that before and asked, "Then if I join your team, will you help me in improving my abilities?"

"Of course. So, what do you say?" Ethan asked, smiling.

The boy looked at Ethan, then at the robot, then at his broken shield. He felt a mix of emotions: gratitude, curiosity, hope, fear. He had heard rumors about Ethan’s unusual behavior and also knew that he was strong. He ponder to himself what he should do.

"Okay. I will join your team." The boy said, nodding.

"Good. By the way, I'm Ethan and you?" Ethan said, extending his hand.

"My name is Leo, Boss." The boy said, taking his hand.

This was how Ethan's new team got its first member.