The next morning Rohan and Eric took their bath, ate, and prepared to meet Priscilla at the outer rings.

The outer rings were situated at the edge of the First Pavilion, where the dense built-up structures of dormitories, training halls, and markets slowly gave way to open land and guarded checkpoints. This area acted as a buffer between the safe inner city of Hunters and the dangerous wild zones of the Frontier Realm. It was where lower-ranked Hunters gathered before expeditions, where instructors organized teams, and where missions were officially assigned before groups were sent into the fog-covered regions beyond.

Unlike the inner pavilion, the outer rings were more open and rough. The ground was covered with packed stone paths instead of polished walkways, and temporary tents stood beside permanent stone buildings used for weapon checks, healing, and mission registration. The air here carried traces of mist drifting in from the distant mountains, and every few minutes squads of Hunters could be seen moving out in formation or returning with injured members and beast materials.

Eric walked slightly behind Rohan, glancing around nervously as they moved through the crowd. He was still trying to act normal, but the tension from the previous night clearly hadn’t left him, especially with the ongoing rumors of missing Hunters spreading through the pavilion. Rohan, on the other hand, looked completely unchanged, moving at an easy pace as if he was simply heading out for a normal morning activity rather than stepping closer to dangerous territory.

Ahead of them, Priscilla was already waiting near one of the marked gathering points where teams were being formed. She stood calmly among other Hunters, her presence drawing attention without her needing to speak, as the outer ring bustle continued around her with constant movement, shouted instructions, and the steady sound of weapons being checked and secured before deployment.

The day was beginning, and for Hunters in the First Pavilion, that usually meant one thing: the forest beyond the fogged peaks would soon start collecting blood again.

"Ah, you’re here. Good morning." Priscilla greeted with a smile. "I thought you wouldn’t come."

"Good morning." Rohan smiled. "And why wouldn’t we? We all need ten percent to leave here and play video games again or watch eastern series."

They all laughed.

"Ah, where are my manners," Priscilla said and gestured to the two Hunters behind her.

"These are the two Common Classes you asked for. She is Dominion and he is Barry. Same age as us."

Rohan nodded. "Oh, I actually didn’t think you’ll be able to get two Common Classes to follow us to the forest."

"It wasn’t easy," she said with a small smile.

"Ah, sorry for making you work so hard, but the truth is I just needed two more people to follow us and battle. It has nothing to do with my Class."

Priscilla didn’t reply immediately. She cleared her throat and forced a smile. "Wow, you did good."

Her fists clenched together.

Rohan shuddered. "Uhmmm... okay, can we go now?"

"Yes," Eric replied immediately.

"No, don’t you think we need to know our Class and its rank first?" Barry pointed out. "So then we can come up with a solid hunting plan."

No one disagreed, and they proceeded to state their Classes and analyze each other’s roles.

Dominion was the first to speak. She was quiet, standing with her arms folded, but her voice was steady when she finally opened her mouth.

"Common Class. Stone Shaper. I can manipulate basic earth structures, mostly for defense and terrain control."

Barry nodded slightly after hearing her. "Common Class. Iron Spearman. My strength is direct combat. Spear techniques, basic reinforcement, and short burst speed enhancement."

Eric followed immediately after, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Uh... Superior Class as well. Rune Knight. I’m mainly for creating runes on my body, speed and reinforcement of sort."

Barry and Dominion’s expressions only worsened.

Priscilla crossed her arms lightly. "Superior Class, Ice Sorcerer. You get the idea."

Barry and Dominion’s expressions only worsened.

All eyes slowly shifted toward Rohan.

He paused for a moment, as if thinking about how much to say. Then he spoke casually.

"Common Class. Shadow Emperor."

Eric frowned, wanting to say something but just closed his mouth.

Barry blinked. "That sounds... unusual for a Common Class."

"It’s just a name," Rohan replied calmly. "Nothing really special. It’s to increase my martial skills."

Priscilla studied him for a moment longer than the others, but eventually nodded as if accepting the answer. "Alright. That gives us a balanced team," she said. "Frontline, support, control, and mobility."

Eric exhaled in relief. "Good... I was worried we’d be underprepared."

Rohan didn’t respond immediately. His eyes drifted toward the mist-covered forest beyond the outer rings, where the trees stood silent and unmoving.

"Let’s go," he said quietly.

And just like that, the group began moving toward the gate leading into the fogged mountains.

---

Some time later, the five were deep inside the forest, now wearing different sets of armor suited for the expedition. Rohan wore the Ironhide Vest and Steelwind Sword he had bought from Man of Swarm, or rather, acquired through him. The gear fit him well, adding a quiet weight to his presence as he moved without urgency through the mist-covered terrain.

Eric wore a black leather scout outfit with light plating on the shoulders and forearms. He stayed close to the group, eyes constantly shifting around the forest as if expecting something to jump out at any moment.

Barry walked at the front with steady steps, his iron spear already in hand. Dominion followed slightly behind him, occasionally placing a hand on the ground to sense terrain changes. Priscilla stayed in the center, calmly observing the surroundings, her expression unchanged as faint cold mist gathered around her presence due to her elemental affinity.

She wore green armor and held a black sword.

The outer ring sounds had already disappeared behind them, replaced by the constant rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures hidden within the fog. The ancient trees rose high above them, their thick trunks covered in moss and old marks left by countless past battles.

Eric finally broke the silence, his voice low.

"Uh... we’re going deeper than usual, right?"

Barry didn’t turn back. "The monsters will obviously be deeper. The ones from the wild zones travel past here every season, and since this season is about to end, a new batch will just be arriving and thus hasn’t reached this part of the forest."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Rohan walked at the back of the group, silent, and suddenly stopped, alerting the others.

Priscilla raised an eyebrow. "What’s wrong?"

Rohan didn’t reply immediately and only turned to Dominion, whose expression immediately changed.

"Hide, something is coming." Dominion ordered, and everyone hid atop and behind tree branches separately.

Rohan hid behind a branch, with a calm gaze. He already felt it and only wanted Dominion to sense it without showing himself more powerful than they imagined.

Soon, they heard large footsteps. Rohan and the squad turned and looked at the incoming beast.

Through the fog, a massive beast slowly emerged, its body covered in thick dark fur and hardened bone-like plates along its shoulders and back. Its eyes glowed a dull amber, scanning the area as it sniffed the air, while its claws dug into the earth.

It looked like a combination of a bear and a boar, with a hunched, muscular frame that made every step sink into the ground. Two curved tusks jutted from its jaw like broken ivory blades, and faint scars ran across its body, suggesting it had survived countless fights.

On its head, a panel glowed.

[Standard Epic Beast]