First Hunter King

The living environment had become harsh to the extreme.

That was until the pioneer known as the First Hunter King appeared.

After witnessing countless battles between giant dragons and other Mythical creatures, he discovered that before a dragon exhaled its devastating breath, its chest cavity produced a special resonant frequency.

This mad genius began to imitate that frequency.

He forcibly controlled his breathing rhythm, making mortal, fragile lungs adapt to the high concentrations of violent magic in the air.

This was the earliest Breath Combat Technique.

It was also through this that he took humanity's first step as Professionals, becoming the first mortal to embark upon the Ascension Stairway.

At its core, a breathing technique used specific breathing rhythms and chest resonance to forcibly absorb the free ether energy in the air.

It then built a high-pressure circulatory system within the body, strengthening the flesh and opening a reservoir for storing energy.

Through day-after-day training, its upper limit could also be continuously expanded.

After several thousand years of evolution and refinement, this primitive and dangerous technique had spawned countless schools.

And the [Gale March Breathing Technique] before Lance was the most widespread version on the continent today.

Its founder was no peerless powerhouse.

He was Gale Rodriguez, an old centurion who had survived forty full years on the Empire's brutal border battlefields before honorably retiring.

During his time as an instructor, he had deeply understood the strain and dangers ancient breathing techniques placed on the body.

Thus, using the most mainstream breathing technique of the time as a foundation, he ruthlessly removed every radical element that might cause bodily harm.

Although this improved breathing technique sacrificed explosive attack bonuses and had no flashy effects,

it possessed unparalleled safety and stability.

Practicing this breathing technique could greatly temper the practitioner's endurance and recovery, allowing warriors to last longer in prolonged battles.

Steady.

That was its greatest characteristic.

As a result, it was jokingly called the all-purpose breathing technique and was the preferred beginner choice for most academy students and self-taught adventurers.

Lance stared at the exchange catalog in his hands, his brow slightly furrowed.

This "Gale March Breathing Technique" was indeed the safest choice for newcomers.

It could greatly improve the user's cardiopulmonary endurance, allowing a warrior to maintain abundant stamina during long-distance marches or drawn-out battles.

But that was exactly the problem.

The core advantage of this Breath Combat Technique was completely covered by Lance's Talent, [Hvergelmir's Boiling Surge].

He was already a monster with infinite stamina. Learning another breathing technique that increased endurance would be as pointless as farting after taking off his pants.

It simply could not produce the qualitative change where one plus one was greater than two.

What he lacked now was not endurance, but damage output.

What he truly needed was a breathing technique that could function like a pump, instantly draining an enormous amount of stamina and converting it efficiently into destructive power and explosive force.

He would not even care if its side effect was rapidly exhausting his physical strength.

He recovered stamina quickly anyway.

Only a high-burst, high-consumption combat technique could perfectly complement his Talent.

Although his personality favored stability and he believed in staying alive above all else,

if he continued applying that cautious mindset to his choice of combat skills, he would truly become a turtle that could only take hits without striking back.

True stability meant having an absolutely solid defense while concealing a sharp blade capable of killing in a single blow.

Lance helplessly turned the page.

The remaining Breath Combat Techniques each had their own merits. Some emphasized increased strength, while others focused on explosive Agility.

But after seeing the exchange prices listed behind them,

even the cheapest one required three hundred merit points.

Lance looked at the pitiful twenty-two merit points under his name and could only close the catalog helplessly.

For an Ordinary adventurer, even one willing to risk his life, gathering such an enormous sum would take at least one or two years of accepting difficult clearing or gathering missions.

That sort of growth curve might have been just right for Ordinary people.

One step at a time, steady and solid.

But for Lance, who urgently needed to improve his strength and qualify for a Great Deed Class,

it was far too slow.

In two years, the daylilies would be cold.

Just as he frowned at the counter and wondered whether he should try his luck at the black market,

the clerk, who had been busy just moments ago, suddenly approached at a brisk pace with a professionally polite smile.

"Mr. Raven, please wait."

The clerk gave a slight bow, his tone respectful.

"The guildmaster would like to invite you to his office. He says there are some matters he wishes to discuss with you in person."

"Me?"

Lance froze for a moment, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

He was only a newcomer who had registered not long ago. Although he had shown himself a little during this clearing mission, it should not have been enough to draw the attention of the guild's top leader, should it?

"Yes, the guildmaster is waiting for you in his office."

The clerk confirmed again.

Though Lance was filled with suspicion, he knew it would be difficult to refuse on someone else's turf.

He returned the catalog to the clerk, adjusted the chainmail hood on his body, and followed him toward the third floor.

When they reached the heavy oak door, the clerk knocked softly.

"Guildmaster, Mr. Raven has arrived."

Necros's vigorous voice came from within.

"Come in."

The clerk pushed open the door and stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.

After Lance walked into the room, the clerk slowly closed the door from outside.

Inside the spacious office, Necros sat behind a massive desk reviewing documents.

When he saw Lance enter, the old man set down his quill and gestured toward the chair in front of the desk.

"Sit. Don't be nervous."

Necros wore a genial smile, utterly lacking the authority he had displayed when berating his subordinates that night.

"Actually, I took the liberty of inviting you here today because I have a special commission I would like to entrust to you."

Before Lance could ask anything, Necros took the initiative and began explaining.

"I have read your file, as well as the battle report Gareth submitted."

"Although you have not been an adventurer for long,"

"I have seen in you a survival wisdom that many veteran adventurers lack."

"Despite possessing considerable strength, you prefer to accept safe gathering missions. You know how to assess the situation, and more importantly, you know how to remain calm in the face of danger."

The old man looked at Lance, undisguised admiration in his eyes.

"Young man, you are an adventurer with tremendous potential."

Hearing such lavish praise, the expression on Lance's face did not relax in the slightest. Instead, it tightened further.

He knew this routine too well.

After spending so many years in the workplace in his previous life, he knew that when a superior suddenly called you into the office and began lavishly praising your youth, promise, and outstanding abilities,

it usually meant they were preparing to dump a huge, ugly mess onto your back.