System Creator of Divine Objects

The next morning, Max found himself in front of the entrance to a low-level dungeon. The sky was overcast and cast a gray shadow over the city. Around him, other hunters were preparing for the raid; their faces reflected a mixture of determination and tiredness. Most were low-ranking Awakeners, like Max, who were trying to make a living.

The dungeon door glowed menacingly, a swirl of black and blue energy. The government had already measured it: it was a class F dungeon. Safe enough for novices, but not without dangers.

Max adjusted the strap of his worn leather wallet and his fingers brushed the hilt of the Divine Sword hidden inside. I hadn't told anyone about the sword, and for good reason. If the word got out, someone might try to steal it... or something worse.

- Hi, Max!

A familiar voice called to him. He turned and saw Clara trotting towards him. She was an F-rank hunter, with her short brown hair tied back and a modest bow slung over her shoulder. Clara was one of the few people who didn't look down on Max because of his low rank.

- You're really going today, huh? - she asked, with an expression that mixed concern and skepticism.

Max nodded. "I have no other choice. The bills don't pay for themselves."

Clara frowned, but did not insist. "Well, stay close to the group. No heroics, okay?"

"I understand," he said, forcing a small smile.

The group of ten hunters gathered near the door. The leader, a stern-looking man named Gerald, was a soldier of rank D. He carried a large axe crossed on his back and wore heavy armor that tinkled at every step.

- Listen up! Gerald shouted. This is a standard operation. We finish with the monsters, loot the core and leave. We stick together, follow orders and no one does anything stupid. Understood?

A chorus of nods ensued. Max stayed behind, trying to avoid attracting attention.

"All right, come out!"

When they walked through the door, the world around them changed. The bustle of the city was replaced by an eerie silence. The dungeon was a huge cavern, with walls that glowed faintly with bioluminescent moss. Stalactites hung from the ceiling like jagged teeth and the air was permeated with the metallic smell of danger.

The first wave of monsters appeared almost immediately: wolf-like creatures with glowing red eyes and claws sharp enough to shatter steel.

- Wild dogs! Gerald shouted. Formation!

The hunters sprang into action. Clara prepared an arrow and released it, hitting one of the creatures in the neck. Another hunter wielding a spear charged forward and stabbed a second dog.

Max hesitated. His usual weapon was a basic iron dagger, barely effective against monsters. But now, with the Divine Sword at his side, he felt a strange confidence.

- Max, move! - Clara shouted, pulling him out of his daze.

With a deep breath, he drew the sword. The moment the leaf came out of the pod, the cavern was bathed in a warm golden light.

"What the hell is that?"exclaimed one of the hunters with his eyes wide open.

Max did not answer. Instead, he pounced on the nearest dog. The blade moved almost by itself and cut the creature with terrifying ease. The body disintegrated into light particles, leaving behind a glowing crystal core.

Everyone looked at him in amazement.

- Since when can you do that? - Clara asked lowering her bow.

- It is... new — said Max, trying to sound indifferent.

Gerald came closer and narrowed his eyes. - That's not an ordinary sword. Where did you get it from?

Max hesitated. "I succeeded."

The group exchanged skeptical glances.

"Whatever," Gerald said, shaking his head. Keep using it. We're going to need that firepower further in.

As the group moved deeper into the dungeon, Max noticed something strange. Not only was his new sword powerful, but it seemed to react to his emotions. It became brighter when he concentrated and turned off when he felt insecure.

The monsters became tougher, but with the Divine Sword, Max dispatched them with ease. For the first time, he was not only surviving, but leading the charge.

When they reached the central chamber of the dungeon, the group was battered but alive. The room was huge, with a huge glass that beat in the center. Around them were half a dozen creatures, larger and more fearsome than anything they had encountered so far.

"Boss fight," Gerald muttered. Stay alert.

The battle was brutal. The creatures moved at a terrifying speed and their claws and fangs left deep wounds in the hunters' armor. Clara narrowly avoided a fatal blow, as her arrows barely managed to stop the monsters.

Max felt the weight of the situation on him. If I didn't act, people would die.

"System," he whispered, not sure if he would respond. What do I do?

A golden screen appeared in his vision.

Special ability unlocked: Sunlit Court

Unleash a wave of divine energy to annihilate the enemies.

Max gripped the sword tightly. "Very well. Let's see what this thing can do."

He lunged toward the center of the room, the sword shining brighter with every step. When the monsters turned to look at him, he raised the sword high.

"Sunlit court!"

A blinding surge of golden energy surged from the sword and pierced through the creatures like a hot knife cuts through butter. The roar of the attack echoed in the cavern and, when the light faded, the monsters had disappeared.

The group stared in stunned silence as Max stood there, the Divine Sword humming softly in his hand.

- Max... What are you? - whispered Clara.