Zenon kept his gaze on Ruby Anne Salera, the Gate Association’s Chairman. Her presence alone was enough to command attention, but it was her confidence that stood out the most. She didn’t exude arrogance—rather, a sharp, calculating aura, like someone who already knew the outcome of a battle before it even began.
“I’ve read your file,” Ruby said, crossing her arms. “A month ago, you were a D-Rank. Now you’re here, taking an S-Rank re-evaluation. Quite the leap.”
Zenon smirked. “Surprised?”
“Amused,” she corrected. “We rarely get cases like yours. So, let’s see if you’re the real deal.”
She gestured toward the Gate behind her. “Here’s how this works. You’ll be entering this C-Rank Gate. Your objective is to clear it like any standard raid.”
Zenon raised an eyebrow. “That’s it?”
“Not q
