In this world, a hero name wasn''t just a label—it was a symbol.

    To the people, it sparked hope.

    To villains, it sowed fear.

    And to the Association, it marked someone who had done the impossible.

    Only those who achieved heaven-defying feats could earn one.

    That''s why the requirement was set at Level 3. Until then, a person wasn''t considered worthy of carrying such a title.

    Ethan hadn''t thought much about it. He''d been in this world for a few months, absorbing as much information as he could, but this particular detail... he must''ve glossed over it. It hadn''t felt important at the time.

    Now, standing in front of Thomas with the glowing screen waiting for input, he realized how wrong he''d been.

    "I had no idea I''d need to pick a hero name," he admitted, brow slightly furrowed.

    Thomas gave a small nod, his tone even—not condescending, just clear. "Yes. It acts as your codename for the Association. All missions, broadcasts, and public records will list you by that name. Without it, your rank can be revoked."

    Ethan took that in silently, then nodded. "Got it."

    He glanced back at the screen, the blinking cursor waiting for him to define who he''d be from this point forward.

    ''What should I choose...''

    But he didn''t dwell on it long.

    He looked at Thomas and said his hero name.

    Thomas froze. His eyes widened slightly. "Are you... sure about this?"

    Ethan''s answer was calm. "Yeah. It''s perfect."

    Thomas gulped, visibly uneasy but impressed. ''Is this the mentality of a genius... or a madman?'' he wondered.

    Then he exhaled and tapped the screen. "Understood. The name will be registered."

    Ethan gave a small nod. "Anything else?"

    "No, Mr. Ethan. You''re free to go."

    Without another word, Ethan turned and walked out of the testing room. His next destination was clear.

    Time to take on an Abyss-ranked mission.

    ****

    As Ethan''s hero name was officially registered, it triggered a ripple effect across the digital feeds that tracked Hero Association updates. The Hero List updated in real time, and those who kept tabs on it were immediately stunned.

    Screens blinked. Notifications popped. And then the forums lit up.

    [User 1]: Are my eyes deceiving me? What kind of hero name is that?

    [User 2]: Wait, wait—he''s only 18? And he already got a hero name? At Level 4? This has to be a joke.

    [User 3]: E-Rank. E-RANK! When did the Association get this corrupt? Do they think we''re all blind?

    [User 4]: We need to band together. This can''t stand. Let''s cancel him before they push him as the next poster boy.

    [User 5]: I don''t even know who we''re canceling but count me in.

    [User 6] (replying): It''s a new hero. Just got his name.

    [User 5]: What''s his name, so I know who to flame?

    [User 6]: Prime Cential.

    Across message boards, social media, and private group chats, the name spread like wildfire. Confusion turned into outrage. Speculation turned into conspiracy.

    And Ethan?

    He had no idea.

    Even if he did, he wouldn''t have cared. S~ea??h the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    His focus was locked on one thing—getting a mission in an Abyss-ranked den. He needed more Meta Essence. He needed to push Tenbris further so he couldn''t care less about what others tought.

    He made his way through the Association building until he reached the mission counter. Behind the desk stood the guide he''d met before. She glanced up—and smiled when she saw him.

    At first, Ethan''s rapid leveling had shocked her. But soon after, she''d come to accept that he simply wasn''t like the others. Thinking of him as a different breed made it easier to process.

    "So, Mr. Ethan," she said warmly, "I assume your rank-up exam went well?"

    Ethan returned her smile. "Yeah. It did."

    "Then allow me to congratulate you."

    "Thanks," he said. "Are there any Abyss dens available right now? Preferably ones with a high concentration of Dread Beasts."

    She nodded and tapped a few commands into her holographic desk. "Allow me to find one just for you, sir."

    "I appreciate it."

    As she worked, her fingers gliding across the translucent screen, she glanced up. "Would you like me to assign a team as well?"

    Ethan shook his head. "Don''t worry. I''ll be fine on my own."

    Her eyebrows lifted, surprised. But she quickly masked it and returned to her task. She''d already decided not to apply the usual standards to Ethan. Trying to fit him into a conventional mold didn''t work.

    A few moments later, she looked up. "I''ve found a suitable den. I''ve sent the details to your communicator."

    "Thanks," Ethan said, turning to leave. But then he paused, glanced back, and asked, "By the way… I don''t think I ever got your name."

    She blinked, clearly caught off guard. It wasn''t often someone asked. Especially not someone this talented.

    "It''s Jarvis," she said with a small smile.

    Ethan paused for a moment, processing the unexpected name. But his face stayed composed. "Alright, Jarvis. See you around."

    "You too, Mr. Ethan."

    And with that, he stepped out of the Association building, ready to dive headfirst into the abyss.

    ****

    Ethan pulled up in front of the building, the quiet hum of his hover car fading as it settled onto the cracked pavement. The structure ahead stood alone—an old ten-story building cut off from the rest of the city like it had been quarantined from reality. It looked ordinary enough on the outside, weathered but intact. But Ethan knew better.

    This was no normal building.

    Association agents stood at key points around the perimeter, eyes sharp and weapons within reach. The atmosphere was tense. The kind of tension that came with something too quiet, too still.

    Ethan stepped out of the car, his gaze fixed on the building. From what he''d read, a black pit had formed on one of the upper floors, warping it into an Abyss Den. You couldn''t tell from the outside—but the corruption inside would twist everything.

    He started toward the entrance, but two agents moved to block his path.

    "Stop," one said, holding out a hand. "This area''s restricted until the assigned hero arrives to collapse the den."

    Ethan came to a stop, hands relaxed at his sides.

    "I''m the hero assigned to this den."

    The agent frowned slightly, tapping at the tablet in his hand. A moment later, his expression shifted. He blinked once, then looked up at Ethan again—more carefully this time.

    He wasn''t just surprised by the age listed, or the level. It was the name.

    Prime Cential.

    And it was a solo raid.

    For a second, the agent just stared. Then he cleared his throat, composed himself, and stepped aside.

    "Apologies for the inconvenience, sir. You''re cleared to enter."

    Ethan gave a short nod and walked past without another word.

    As the door closed behind him, one of the other agents leaned in and muttered, "Do you really think he can clear it?"

    The first agent kept his eyes on the building.

    "If the Association thinks he can… who are we to say otherwise?"