Shadowbound Ascension: The Necromancer's Journey

Aiden was standing outside the gate of the Hunter Association, the large dark building standing in front of him looked like a stronghold of legends. This was the first time he had ever been to the Association and he knew that the very walls and, for that matter the very metal rods of the building had the date inscribed on them. The Association was not simply an organization that will rank the tests, or the missions – it was the core of the hunters' life.

He took a deep breath in as he prepared for the next scene that would be presented to him.. This was the breakthrough, the time when they would mark the procedure and he join the empowered hunters. This was not the first time he had been promoted to a higher rank but even he had not expected it but now it was time to announce it.

Ever since entering the large archway and within the large corridors that were filled with many people, Aiden felt relieved his companion was enormous. There was a constant flow of Hunters from the rookies to theướng with scratches on their facial features that told stories of countless one on one with existing dungeons. Some had badges of the different guilds while some others had the neat and clean emblem of the Association.

Aiden began to walk towards the reception desk typing the possible questions of the test that he was to face when something in the building caught his attention. He pulled out of his mind some tales that he used to hear when he was a young child regarding the formation of the Hunter Association.

The Association was founded by the ten founding fathers of the M-rank hunters – the ten greatest beings to ever exist, known as the "The first generation M-Ranks. " All ten of them were forced to challenge the impossible – they cleared the only God-ranked dungeon in history, although this came at the cost of losing three of their people. Of the seven who went out in that mission, seven came back as heroes but as heroes who are significantly shaped by the kind of experience they underwent.

As a consequence of their triumph they had witnessed the aftermath of dungeons and uncontrolled hunters rampage. Consequently, the Hunter Association, the global organization which supervises the orders, teaches the hunters and controls the dungeons, was created. The original M-Ranks had planned for it to be a means of preserving their genes in the future so that the sufferings that they underwent would not be in vein.

Now, decades later, the Association was managed by their successors — New Generation M-Ranks. Three hunters, each as strong as the previous two hunters, but with different ideologies as to how they have to lead the hunters. It was plus a few other powerful companies that continued to transport Aiden's thoughts to these three giants.

Thus, the head of Association called only 'Lord of Shadows' was spoken of as one of the most mysterious and discreet of the M-Ranks. He was a very private man and a strict minimalistic when it came to public appearances but in the Association he was the Law. His speciality in the art of moving unseen and striking down his enemies made him what he was, but rumors had it that he could change the outcome of battles alone.

The other two New Generation M-Ranks, however, had taken different roads And while much of the information in this chapter is anecdotal and is related second hand through various simulated experiences, the essence and direction of the characters' journey is indicative of real life Military personnel. One had come to guild master of the Dragon's Wrath Guild that they had formed which was just in power and size to that of the Association. The guild was focused on massive dungeon clears; their guildmaster's sadistic fighting style earned him the title Wrath's Fist The second M-Rank hunter was a woman called Angel of Dawn and she was the leader of Heaven's Blade Guild. She was known to be beautiful, graceful and an excellent healer and her guild was known for their good deeds which included saving people from dungeons.

The more Aiden advanced into the Association, the stronger he felt that all these legends rested on him. These were the personalities he wanted to be part of the new world he desired as a young man and their eyes were always open.

[System Notification: This is it! You are now inside the Hunter Association – head to the ranking proof section.

He came out of his stream of thoughts, when the system's voice guided him to the large hall where rank reevaluations took place. It was a wide room, with people who hunted gathered waiting for their turn to try out their shooting.

Aiden came in after them and positioned in the line; his eyes on the move, surveying the room. That charged the atmosphere and each hunter had his/her own shivering energy in them. There were those who were certain, there were the nervous ones. Rank tests were always a big deal—it was the time when a hunter's potential was unveiled, and it was an opportunity which could make or mar the lives of many hunters in future dungeons.

While he waited, it took a short walk in my young mind back on several experiences that I have encountered in the past. The power he had tapped from the dungeons were merely just a portion of the whole system offer to him. Yet there was more, much more that had happened than he could still grasp in his mind. He still could hear the words of the system in his ears.

>[You will wield power beyond any hunter's imagination,] it had said, just before a couple of words of caution halted any further discussion. By this, the mention of the mythical God-Rank power had triggered something within him – a power, a dream to go to other levels none had ever gone through.

For now, however, he must concentrate. It really doesn't matter how slow you go as long as you don't stop. First, the E-rank confirmation.

The line crept slowly (each of the hunters now taking his or her turn to go through the reevaluation). This was the case of Aiden who observed the entire process as it was happening. The evaluation chamber was a room equipped with all sorts of electronics and other high end technologies The hunters would come here to show off how good they were and get their rating from the system. It was a physical and a system examination in equal measure, so that there were no way that someone could just be faking the examination.

He was lost in thought as the minutes passed when suddenly the hunters'low voices behind him brought him to the present. The two men spoke softly and Aiden could eavesdrop despite the distanced they had put him from the speakers.

They say the Head of the Association will be checking the evaluations today as he goes in search of new talents.

I don't think so, He only appears only to S ranker and above But still, can you just imagine being selected by him?

Ignore that, I'd be happier than if the Angel of Dawn turns her lovely eyes at me... she is gorgeous.

Aiden smiled, though he could feel his heart beat faster upon hearing the Head of the Association. This idea of such a powerful figure paying attention to him was a new feeling, one that sent both pleasure and fear course through his body. He let go of this thought, and redirected his attention to the test that is yet to commence.

It shifted again and Aiden stood up as he wanted to go for his turn getting even closer to the line. This part of the evolution would start soon and with it a new epoch in his life.

Standing there with the members of the board, he realized he was a few people away from the evaluation chamber, and adrenaline filled him. This was his first true step the step of a hunter the step that will provide him the strength to rewrite the contract.

But somewhere in the Association, he had eyes that had started staring at him from the darkness.