"I've completed the Tier Advancement Trial," Aiden told the guard with an easy smile. "I need the pass to enter the central hub." Every player knew the rule. To leave your spawn point, you had to hit Level 10 and hold a central hub pass—no exceptions or shortcuts. Even if you somehow reached the hub entrance, the guards wouldn't let you set foot inside without that pass. In fact, they'd probably cut you down before you had time to explain. That was what made the Tier Advancement Trial so important. Failed it, and you're stuck in the spawn point for life. The hall guard's expression didn't change. "Hold tight. I need to confirm that." He gave Aiden a sideways look, then opened a comm link to the gatekeeper outside. Beep, beep. The gatekeeper was lying on a silver bench outside, his face turned toward the sun, half-asleep and basking in the heat like a lazy cat. His comm crackled. He groaned, answering without moving, "You serious right now? It's barely noon. Can't I get five minutes to enjoy the weather?" "Enjoy this," the hall guard shot back. "We've got someone claiming to have cleared a Tier Advancement Trial. You forgot to mention that part?" "Oh, that?" The gatekeeper yawned. "Yeah, a kid showed up earlier. I tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn't listen. He even picked the Abyss Tier Advancement Trial. Anyway, he's toast by now. Don't waste your time." The hall guard froze. "Wait. Which tier?" "Abyss," came the bored reply. "What, you think I don't know what that means? Nobody clears that thing. I'd have called if it mattered." The hall guard didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice carried a strange edge. "Anyone else take the trial today?" "Nope, just that one. I already marked him as dead to save paperwork later." The gatekeeper chuckled. The humor died quickly when the other voice came back dark and steady. "Forget the paperwork. That's not the issue. Answer me straight—was his name Nighthale?""Yeah. So what? Are you checking logs now? Didn't think you—" The gatekeeper stopped mid-sentence. The thought hit like a punch to the gut. His colleague never checked the roster. His throat went dry. "Don't mess with me, man. That's not funny." "I'm not joking," came the low reply. "That kid—Nighthale—is right in front of me. Unless I've lost my mind..." The hall guard paused, eyes flicking toward Aiden before finishing in a measured tone, "He just cleared the Abyss Tier Advancement Trial." "What?!" The gatekeeper shot upright like he'd been hit with a taser. "No way. No freaking way!" The hall guard snapped, "That's enough. Just push his clearance through immediately. I'm authorizing him to access the central hub. This goes upstairs now." The line cut. Wind swirled across the plaza as the gatekeeper stood frozen, a storm of disbelief twisting in his gut. Impossible. Nobody clears the Abyss Tier Advancement Trial. Has the whole d*mn world flipped upside down?... Inside the hall, the guard closed the interface and turned toward Aiden again. His posture had changed completely. The cocky edge was gone, replaced by quiet respect. "Verification complete, honored warrior. You're cleared for central hub entry." In the Dominion's long history, only a handful of players had ever cleared an Inferno Tier Advancement Trial. Those rare few who did became living legends—people whose names alone could shake nations. Yet the man standing here had achieved something even greater. He hadn't just survived the Abyss; he had conquered it. His future was limitless, untouchable. Putting on airs now would've been plain stupid. "Appreciate it," Aiden replied casually, a grin tugging at his lips. "It's an honor, sir." The hall guard saluted by thumping his chest, his voice calm and respectful. "As someone victorious in an Inferno or higher Tier Advancement Trial, you're entitled to a Legendary equipment reward known as the Medal of Dominion." Oh, I didn't see that coming. Aiden raised a brow. "Legendary, huh?" The hall guard lifted his hand, summoning a faint violet light. The glow condensed into a metallic emblem that floated toward Aiden. Its surface shimmered with engraved runes, glowing faintly with power. Right on cue, a system prompt flickered before his eyes. 'You have obtained Medal of Dominion—Legendary Equipment. Proof of a true warrior, granted only to those who conquer an Inferno Tier Advancement Trial or higher. This emblem stands among the Dominion's highest honors.'