Dungeon Recruit SSS class

The room remained tense despite the interviewer's desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

Leonar kept his gaze on the woman questioning him, who stared back, waiting for a clearer response.

"My power just appeared," Leonar said, dragging out his words as though trying to find the vaguest explanation possible.

The woman narrowed her eyes, her lips pressed into a tight line. Slowly, she turned her head toward the man standing at the back of the room. He didn't say a word, only giving a small nod.

"That's all?" she asked, her tone brimming with disbelief.

Leonar shrugged, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalance.

"That's all I remember. It just appeared. No warning. It was just... there."

She let out a deep sigh, the sound stretching across the room. Picking up her notebook, she began writing something down, her movements precise and mechanical.

"I need you to be more specific," she insisted, looking up from her notes.

Leonar couldn't help but smile internally. Eleonora's little trick had worked; he could now lie without the man at the back detecting it.

Leaning forward slightly, Leonar rested his elbows on the table.

"I already told you—it appeared. There are no other details because I don't have them. That's the truth."

The woman sighed again, this time longer and heavier. She closed her eyes for a moment before jotting down more notes.

"Fine. Let's change the subject..." Her tone grew colder. "How did you survive the incident?"

Leonar paused, feigning deep thought. After a few seconds, he shrugged.

"I don't really remember."

She stopped mid-note, her pen hovering in the air as if expecting him to elaborate. When he didn't, she glanced back at the man, who gave another small nod. Without a word, she resumed writing.

"Alright then... Have you noticed if your power can spike unexpectedly?"

"Yes," Leonar answered without hesitation, tilting his head slightly as if it were no big deal.

The woman raised an eyebrow, her interest visibly piqued.

"And how long can you sustain that increase? Could you do it now?"

Leonar shook his head.

"I have no idea how long it lasts or how to control it. It just happens."

She pursed her lips, clearly dissatisfied with his answer, but didn't push further. Instead, she finished jotting something down and closed her notebook, placing it on the table with a soft thud.

"Place your hand on the sphere again, please."

Leonar complied, resting his palm on the cold metallic surface. The sphere glowed faintly, emitting a soft hum that grew louder for a moment before fading.

A mechanical sound immediately drew everyone's attention. A printer in the corner of the room whirred to life, spitting out a rectangular card.

The woman stood, walked to the printer, and retrieved the card. Returning to the table, she held it out to Leonar.

The card was simple—a minimalist design with a code at the bottom and a large "D" in the center.

"Rank D," she announced, her voice as neutral as ever.

"Thanks," Leonar said, taking the card.

He barely had time to inspect it before the woman pulled something else from her pocket—a small wad of cash, which she placed on the table.

"This is for food. Consider it an... advance."

Leonar blinked, surprised, glancing between the money and the woman.

"Thank you very much, miss."

She didn't respond, merely sitting back down and reopening her notebook. Her eyes fixed on him with an intensity that, while no longer hostile, remained piercing.

"One last question: have you killed anyone?"

The question caught Leonar off guard, but his answer came immediately, almost instinctively.

"No."

A faint smile, barely perceptible, graced the woman's lips as she closed her notebook with a decisive snap.

"Good. That will be all. You're free to go."

Leonar didn't need to be told twice. He stood, pocketing both the money and the card, and left the room.

Just outside the door, Selena stood waiting with her eyes closed, seemingly calm. Hearing the door open, she looked at him curiously.

"What rank did they give you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"D," Leonar replied casually.

Selena's eyes widened slightly, and a smile broke across her face.

"That's impressive! Congratulations, Leonar. Not everyone gets Rank D on their first evaluation."

Leonar raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I thought it was pretty standard."

"It's not," Selena affirmed, crossing her arms and regarding him with a hint of admiration. "It's a strong start. Did they issue you any infractions?"

"Infractions?" Leonar frowned, clearly confused.

Selena chuckled lightly and shook her head.

"If you don't know what they are, that means you didn't get any. Congratulations again—you're a clean hunter."

Leonar scoffed but couldn't suppress a small smile. At that moment, his stomach growled loudly, cutting the conversation short.

Selena raised an eyebrow, amused.

"Looks like your hunger wasn't an act after all. Want me to treat you to something to eat?"

"Absolutely," Leonar replied without hesitation.

Selena smiled, gesturing for him to follow.

"Let's go, then. I know a place that makes incredible stew."

The two walked down the hallways, leaving the interrogation room behind. For the first time in hours, Leonar allowed himself to relax a little. Although he knew his problems were far from over, at least he had food and some money in his pocket.

For now, that was enough.