Five months had passed, and while the pain had not disappeared, it had changed. It no longer crushed Igna every moment. Instead, it burned quietly inside him, turning into determination and a silent promise to never be weak again.
That day, they stood once again in front of the guild. It was the same place where everything had started, but this time, everything felt different. Igna stepped forward with a calm but sharp presence. His body had grown stronger, his movements more controlled, and his eyes carried a level of focus that wasn't there before.
Silvi looked up from the desk, and for a moment she didn't react. Then she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to recognize him.
Silvi: "Igna…?"
Igna nodded.
Igna: "I came for reevaluation."
Silvi stood up slowly, still observing him carefully.
Silvi: "Follow me."
Inside the evaluation room, the same orb stood at the center. Igna walked up to it and placed his hand on its surface. The glow that followed was stronger than before, brighter and more intense. Silvi's expression turned serious as she took note of it.
Silvi: "Show me your combat."
Igna picked up a weapon, and the moment he moved, the difference was clear. His attacks were faster, sharper, and completely precise. There was no hesitation, no wasted motion. Every step and strike carried control and confidence. When he stopped, silence filled the room.
Silvi looked at him for a few seconds before speaking.
Silvi: "S Rank."
Igna didn't react much, but May, standing behind him, showed a faint smile. Then Silvi turned toward her.
Silvi: "You next."
May stepped forward and placed her hand on the orb. The glow that followed was even stronger. Silvi's eyes widened slightly.
Silvi: "SS Rank."
The gap between them and others had grown far beyond normal.
After the evaluation, they walked out of the guild. Silvi spoke one last thing before they left.
Silvi: "Since you're SS Rank, May, you don't need a full team anymore. You can enter the dungeon without following the four-member rule."
May nodded calmly.
May: "That makes things easier."
Igna tightened his grip slightly. Easier didn't mean safer.
They headed straight toward the dungeon without wasting time. The entrance looked the same, but Igna no longer felt the same hesitation as before. His steps were steady, his mind focused.
When they entered the second floor, the air turned cold and heavy again. The environment was just as dangerous as before, but this time, Igna didn't feel fear.
Monsters appeared almost immediately, moving in groups. Igna stepped forward before May could even react. The golden paths appeared instantly in his vision, clearer than before. He followed them without thinking, dodging attacks before they were even launched and striking precisely at weak points. Every movement felt natural, almost effortless.
May watched him for a moment.
May: "You've improved."
Igna didn't respond. He kept moving forward, focused only on the fight.
They cleared monsters one after another as they moved deeper into the floor. Their coordination was smooth, their pace fast, and every fight ended quickly. This time, the dungeon didn't feel overwhelming.
Then they reached a massive chamber.
At the center stood a giant stone golem. Its presence alone shook the ground beneath them. This was no ordinary monster. It was an SS-rank boss.
The golem moved slowly, but each movement carried immense power. When it swung its arm, the force behind it shook the entire area. May jumped back instantly, and Igna moved as well, but this time his prediction struggled. The size and weight of the enemy made its movements harder to read.
May: "Focus on the core."
She rushed forward and struck the golem, but her blade barely left a mark. Igna circled around, watching carefully, analyzing its movements. He didn't rush. He waited.
Then, for a brief moment, he saw it again. A golden path, faint but clear, leading directly to the core.
His eyes sharpened.
He moved instantly, dodging the golem's attack by a narrow margin and slipping into its blind spot. His timing was perfect, his movement precise.
May noticed his movement but couldn't see the exact opening he was following.
Igna jumped and aimed directly for the core, but the golem shifted at the last second. The opportunity almost disappeared.
In that exact moment, May stepped in. Using everything she had, she accelerated beyond her normal speed and struck directly at the core.
The blade pierced through.
The golem froze, cracks spreading across its body before it collapsed completely.
Silence filled the chamber.
Igna stood there, breathing heavily, his eyes still focused on where the core had been.
May looked at him.
May: "Did you see it?"
Igna hesitated for a moment before nodding slightly.
Igna: "For a second."
May turned away, but a small smile appeared on her face.
They had won, and this time it wasn't luck or survival. It was pure growth.
As they moved forward, Igna's mind remained fixed on that golden path. It was still incomplete, still unclear, but it was getting closer.
He clenched his fist slightly.
Igna (thinking): I'll master it.