Inside the bustling guild hall, Darin and his men were lounging around, their false sense of superiority thick in the air. "Did you hear that?" Darin’s voice cut through the chatter. “Kevin told us to leave—said he couldn't handle it. The Wraithbeast was too much for him. He begged us to run, practically on his knees!” The others laughed, their voices harsh and mocking. “Yeah, what a joke. A weakling like him couldn’t even fight off a Wraithbeast,” one of Darin's men added with a snicker. “Didn’t even have a damn ability worth anything,” Darin continued, his grin wide. “We’re better off without him.” The laughter echoed through the guild hall. None of them noticed the door creak open. 

Kevin walked in. The guild hall grew silent the moment he stepped through the door, his presence commanding attention. He carried something with him, something massive, draped over his shoulder. A Wraithbeast’s claw. Not a single scratch marred his clothes, not a speck of blood to be seen. He looked… untouched. Untouched by battle, untouched by death. The guild hall, filled with jeers and laughter just moments ago, was now completely still. Kevin’s gaze swept the room, his eyes briefly meeting the guild master’s. “I’m here to claim my reward,” Kevin said, his voice firm. His tone was calm—steady, like he had done this a thousand times before. Darin froze. His jaw dropped, his previous smugness evaporating instantly. "What… What the hell? You're supposed to be dead!" Kevin didn’t acknowledge him further. He walked past Darin, his pace unhurried. “I didn’t die.” As Kevin made his way toward the guild master’s desk, an imposing figure stepped forward from the shadows—someone far more powerful than Darin. Rael. A B-ranked hunter known for his raw strength and fierce fighting style. Rael’s eyes narrowed as he sized Kevin up. His cold stare pierced through him, assessing the man who had somehow… survived. “I don’t know who you think you are,” Rael's voice was low and heavy, “but I don’t take kindly to weaklings making a mockery of the guild.” Darin, still recovering from the shock of Kevin's arrival, shot a quick glance at Rael. “Rael, don’t—” Rael wasn’t listening. His gaze never left Kevin, and without a warning, he lunged forward. His fist shot out, fast as lightning, aimed directly at Kevin's chest. The room tensed. Kevin didn’t flinch. He didn’t even move until Rael’s fist was mere inches from him. Then, in one smooth motion, Kevin raised his arm and deflected the attack with a single forearm. The impact reverberated through the room, and Rael staggered back, his eyes wide with disbelief. Rael recovered quickly, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his weapon. He wiped a thin layer of sweat from his brow. “What the hell was that?” Rael’s voice was strained, his composure rattled for the first time. Kevin stood firm, unfazed. He tilted his head slightly, his eyes cold but steady. “That’s me pushing back.” Rael's expression flickered between confusion and curiosity. “You’re… You’re not the same Kevin I remember.”Kevin’s tone was calm, almost nonchalant. “I’m not who you think I am. But you’re about to learn that the hard way.” Rael’s lips curled into a half-smile, a mix of amusement and interest. He took a step back but didn’t lower his guard. “I’m intrigued. You’re not what you were… I’ll give you that. But don’t get cocky.” Kevin didn’t respond. He simply watched Rael, his gaze unwavering. Rael studied him for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But don’t get too comfortable. If you’re as strong as you say, prove it in the field. I’ll be watching.” Kevin nodded once, his eyes flickering with something darker, something Rael didn’t quite understand.

The guild master had been watching the entire exchange in stunned silence. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke, his voice filled with disbelief and authority. “You really defeated the Wraith Beast… alone?” Kevin nodded again, his gaze never leaving the guild master’s face.  The guild master looked at the massive claw Kevin had carried in. There was no mistaking it. was proof—Kevin had done what no one else could. He hesitated for a moment before reaching into a drawer and pulling out a coin pouch. It was heavy. The guild master placed it on the desk. “You’ve earned your reward.” His voice was grudging, but there was no denying the respect that had begun to seep in. Kevin took the pouch, his fingers curling around the weight of the coins inside. He didn’t hesitate. “Thank you,” he said simply.

But Darin wasn’t done. His voice cut through the tension, raw with frustration. “This isn’t right. You shouldn’t get this. You’re nothing but a—”Before he could continue, Kevin turned, locking eyes with him. His stare was icy, unmoving. “I’m not here for your approval, Darin. I’m here to take what’s mine.” Kevin’s words were a challenge, but not one Darin was willing to accept. He stepped forward, ready to retaliate, but Rael was there, his presence now a wall between them. “Enough,” Rael said, his voice commanding. “You’ve got a problem with how things are going? Take it up with me.”Darin’s mouth snapped shut. He didn’t say another word. Instead, he turned and stormed off, muttering under his breath. As Kevin exited the guild hall, the whispers began. The weakling who couldn’t even fight a single monster was no more. Kevin had become something else—something no one had expected. But Kevin didn’t look back. He had already set his sights on the future. The road ahead was filled with challenges, but he was no longer the man he had been. And no one—especially not Darin or Rael—was going to stand in his way. He was just getting started.