Kieran, feeling completely refreshed thanks to the Intermediate Healing Potion, made his way to the designated transport bus. It was a heavily armored vehicle, its reinforced windows and thick plating speaking volumes about the dangers outside the city's safe zones. A few other Hunters were already waiting nearby, their gear clanking softly as they stood around, chatting.
As he approached, a man with a friendly, open face, wearing practical but well-maintained combat fatigues, noticed him. "Hey there! You're the kid from earlier, right? The one who stood up to the Iron Fists?" he called out, a grin on his face.
Kieran nodded, a slight flush rising to his cheeks. "Yeah, that's me. Kieran."
"Man, that was something else!" another Hunter, a woman with a no-nonsense expression and a short ponytail, chimed in. "Those guys are bad news. Most new Awakened just roll over."
"Seriously, you got some guts, kid," the first man said, extending a hand. "Name's Terry. This is Maya," he gestured to the woman, "and that's Leo," he nodded towards a quieter, younger man fiddling with a map on his wrist. "We're heading to the same Gate, looks like."
Kieran shook Terry's hand. "Nice to meet you all." He still felt a bit awkward from the earlier incident, but their friendly demeanor put him slightly at ease.
"So, what happened after Anya Volkov showed up?" Maya asked, her eyes curious. "She just appeared out of nowhere, gave those thugs a good beating, then left. We didn't see what happened to you."
Kieran quickly recounted the brief exchange with Anya and the Intermediate Healing Potion. He omitted any mention of the System, of course, and downplayed his defiance, focusing on Anya's power. "She just gave them a good lecture and a few kicks, then told them to scram. And she gave me this potion. Said it would heal me up." He gestured vaguely to himself. "Worked like a charm."
"Whoa, an Intermediate Potion? That's some serious goodwill from a Grandmaster!" Leo finally spoke up, looking impressed. "Those things cost a fortune."
"Tell me about it," Kieran muttered, remembering Anna's words.
Terry clapped him on the shoulder. "Look, Kieran, you seem like a stand-up guy. And you've got guts. We're a small party, just us three, but our leader is a high-tier Intermediate Hunter, Johannes. He's a solid guy, really looks out for his team. We're always looking for good people. You interested in joining up? We're heading to a Goblin Gate, pretty standard stuff, good for new guys to get their feet wet."
Kieran looked at the group. They seemed genuinely friendly, a stark contrast to the Iron Fists. He glanced over Terry's shoulder, and saw a man standing a little apart from the group, leaning against a pillar. This must be Johannes. He was tall, with broad shoulders and a calm, watchful gaze that seemed to take everything in. His armor was practical, well-maintained, and he carried a large, two-handed axe strapped to his back. He didn't exude arrogance, but a quiet, powerful presence. He looked like someone you could rely on in a tight spot.
A high-tier Intermediate Hunter, huh? Kieran thought. "Excuse me, Terry," he asked, "you mentioned your leader is a 'high-tier Intermediate Hunter.' What does that mean, exactly? I thought there were just Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and so on."
Terry chuckled. "Good question, kid. Most new guys don't even know about that. See, starting from Intermediate Hunter, it's not just one big rank anymore. There are tiers within it, based on your physical stats. It's not official Association stuff, more like a common understanding among Hunters."
He leaned in slightly, as if sharing a secret. "Low-tier Intermediate Hunters are those with physical stats ranging from 11 to 40. They're stronger than Novices, but still learning the ropes. High-tier are those with physical stats ranging from 41 to 80. They're the ones who can handle tougher Gates and lead smaller parties. And then, you've got Upper-tier, those with physical stats ranging from 81 to 95. Those guys are almost as strong as Advanced Hunters, just without the official rank. And anything above 95, well, those are the Peak Intermediate Hunters. They're rare, almost legendary among Intermediates."
Kieran nodded slowly, absorbing the information. His own physical stats were still pitifully low, but his mana capacity was already at 11, the starting point for an Intermediate Hunter. This tier system gave him a clearer picture of the power ladder he needed to climb.
"So, how do Hunters usually increase their physical stats?" Kieran asked, genuinely curious. "Is it just constant training, or...?"
Terry shrugged. "There are various ways, sure. Lots of training, pushing your body to its limits. But a lot of the really effective methods, the ones that give you big jumps, are usually guild secrets. Special training regimens, rare resources from high-level Gates, stuff like that. You won't find that info just floating around."
Typical, Kieran thought, a hint of cynicism. The powerful keep their secrets.
"He's not wrong," the System chimed in, its voice surprisingly neutral. "While basic physical training will yield slow, consistent gains, the most efficient methods for increasing physical stats involve consuming specific mana-infused resources found within Gates, or undergoing specialized conditioning programs that leverage mana manipulation. These are indeed often proprietary knowledge held by powerful guilds or high-ranking Hunters."
Kieran nodded, turning back to Terry. "Thanks for the info, Terry. That really helps. About joining your group... I appreciate the offer, really. But I actually accepted an easy solo mission already, just to get my feet wet. I think I can handle it on my own for now. But I'll definitely keep your offer in mind after I see how this mission goes. I'll give you a call if I'm looking for a party."
Terry smiled, understanding. "No worries, kid. Everyone starts solo. Just be careful out there. Goblins might be low-tier, but they can still overwhelm a new guy if you're not smart. Good luck."
Kieran gave them a quick wave and walked a little further down the platform, finding a relatively secluded spot near a support pillar. He needed a moment to himself before the bus arrived.
"System," Kieran thought, leaning against the cold metal, "what's the deal with these Association stats versus my System stats? Terry just talked about physical stats up to 95, but mine are like, 2 and 1. What's the difference?"
"Ah, a crucial distinction, Host," the System explained, its voice taking on a more instructive tone. "My System stats, the ones you see on your personal panel – Strength, Agility, Vitality, Intelligence, Mana Capacity – these are precise, individual measurements of your core attributes. They update in real-time as you grow and are the true reflection of your capabilities."
"The 'Association stats' or 'Hunter ranks' that humans use, like Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and their internal tiers, are a general approximation. They're a human construct, a way to categorize and understand Hunters based on observable power levels. Specifically, when they talk about 'physical stats' for their tiers, they are referring to a rough average of your core physical categories: Strength, Agility, and Vitality."
"For example," the System continued, "if your individual System stats were Strength 11, Agility 13, and Vitality 16, your total physical potential would be 40. The Association would then classify you as a 'Low-tier Intermediate Hunter' because your average physical stat is around 13.3, which falls within their 11-40 range for that tier. It's a broad brushstroke, not a precise number like mine. They can't see your individual numbers, only your overall aura and performance."
Kieran finally understood. His own stats were so low that even averaging them wouldn't put him anywhere near an Intermediate rank. He was truly starting from the bottom, but with the System's precise tracking, he knew exactly where he stood.
Just then, a loud hiss of air brakes filled the hub, and a massive, armored bus, painted a dull grey, rumbled to a stop in front of their designated boarding gate. The driver, a gruff-looking man in a heavy uniform, leaned out the door.
"Alright, Hunters! This bus is bound for the City H Outskirts Gate! All aboard! Let's move it!"
Kieran pushed off the pillar, a thrill of anticipation shooting through him. His first Gate. His first hunt. It was time.