Kaelen sank into the soft cushion of bear fur behind him, half closing his eyes.For once, he just… stopped. No battles, no system screens, no constant push forward. Just silence and space to think — something he hadn’t done since coming to this world.Honestly, life as a professional was way better than he’d ever pictured. Back in Faust, he’d lived in a small, plain house in one of the quieter districts. Nothing fancy — just walls, a roof, and a handful of memories. That little space had been his whole world once.Now? Things couldn’t be more different.The moment he earned his title, everything changed. He was given a mansion — huge, elegant, filled with servants and every comfort imaginable. Meals were ready when he wanted. Clothes cleaned. A bed softer than anything he’d ever slept on.But it wasn’t some gift handed out of kindness. It was earned — hard-earned. Professionals risked their lives every single day fighting the demonic beasts that threatened humanity’s survival. Withou

Kaelen froze.In front of him stood a woman, not quite thirty, her presence gentle yet commanding. Every movement she made seemed to echo her profession — calm, deliberate, with an unspoken grace.She radiated warmth. Her smile was effortless, comforting, the kind that made you feel safe just by looking at her. And when their eyes met, memories in Kaelen’s mind flickered like distant stars coming alive.“Kaelen… you’ve finally achieved your dream. You’re a professional now,” Aunt Amelia said, lifting her gaze as she spotted him.Her smile widened, lighting up her face. “Look at you!”“Yes,” Kaelen said, grinning. “I just finished the Trial of Death. I’m officially a professional.”Running into her here was completely unexpected. A total, delightful surprise.She wasn’t related to his mother by blood, but in his memories, she had always been a kind of guardian. Back when he was still a candidate professional, she had watched over him carefully, making sure he stayed out of trouble.Of

The day felt almost unreal — one of those mornings where everything just clicked. The sky stretched wide and blue, so clear it looked endless. Lazy white clouds drifted overhead, and a cool breeze swept across the land, carrying the scent of grass and sun-warmed earth. It brushed against Kaelen’s face, light and fleeting, like the world itself was taking a calm breath.He tightened the straps of his armor and headed for the gates of Faust.The city was already buzzing. Everywhere he looked, people were busy — hanging decorations, hauling goods, shouting orders. The Celebration Festival was still months away, but you wouldn’t have guessed it. Faust was alive with energy. For the people here, this festival wasn’t just another holiday; it was the event of a lifetime — the kind that could take ten, even twenty years to come around again.It wasn’t just about joy either. It was about pride… survival… hope. Since the Demon God’s army had ravaged their lands, Faust hadn’t had much to celebra

The afternoon sun burned high, its golden light pouring across the land like molten fire.Boar Ridge stretched ahead — wild, rough, and strangely beautiful in its own savage way. The ground was blanketed with short green grass, soft underfoot, brushing just against Kaelen’s calves as he walked.He moved deeper into the ridge, his steps measured and confident. The last thing he wanted was to hang around the entrance where that huntress from the outpost might still be lurking. He could almost picture her smirk. No, thanks. He wasn’t about to play the clown for someone else’s amusement.After nearly an hour of trekking, Kaelen left the main trail. He cut through the brush at an angle, heading straight into the untamed parts of the forest — places most adventurers avoided.Not that they were cowards, but people underestimated just how strong professionals could be. Even here, in Boar Ridge, there were beaten paths carved by others before him — faint, reliable routes meant to guide travele

Charge. Stun. Attack. Throw. Attack again. And then… another Charge.Kaelen executed the sequence flawlessly.Bodies fell before his green-tier sword like wheat before a scythe. And in that moment, he finally understood just how disgustingly low the drop rates were. Infuriatingly low. Maddeningly low.Two days had blurred together. By his rough estimate, he’d slaughtered over nine hundred Sharp-Tusk Boars. He hadn’t bothered counting exactly—experience bars weren’t precise—but close enough.And yet… aside from that first lucky drop, he hadn’t seen a single item. No gear. Not even a copper coin.If this were a game, even stingy monsters would drop a coin or two.Two days of relentless, mindless killing. Anyone would be tired. Anyone would get frustrated. Even Kaelen.It was human nature. At first, a new challenge excites you. Then monotony sets in. The thrill fades. Boredom seeps into the mind like water through cracks.Rookie professionals struggled with this. It wasn’t just about str