As Max waited for time to pass, he noticed many more people joining the already dense crowd near the portal. Most people, if not wearing armor, had weapons on them as they waited patiently to enter the dungeon.
Just then, something in the sky caught everyone's attention. It appeared to be a flying beast making its way toward them, scaring the hell out of everyone present.
"What the hell? Where did this beast come from?" someone shouted in fear.
"Don't worry, that's a Wave Eagle, which can be tamed, so I'm sure it's someone's ride," said a member of the Bouncer Squad, a heavily built man with dark red hair standing with his arms crossed.
Moments later, the beast came closer to the dungeon, and people could finally see that it was indeed as the red-haired man suggested. Three people were riding the Wave Eagle as it landed not far from them.
Two of the riders were beautiful young ladies, and the third was an old man.
Leaving the massive Wave Eagle behind, they approached the portal and waited silently, but the crowd reacted quite the opposite. Murmurs and whispers spread among the people as they speculated about the trio's identities—only a very few people were capable of taming a wild beast like a Wave Eagle.
"Who are these people? Why haven't I heard of anyone with a Wave Eagle in the Inner Circle before?"
"Same here. I don't recognize them at all."
"Could they be from the General's quarters?"
"That might be the only explanation; otherwise, their sudden appearance makes no sense."
"The two young ladies who came with the old man seem like they've just awakened, but their strength matches ours. One is at Level 8 of the Novice Rank, and the other is at Level 7."
"They're definitely geniuses from the General's quarters."
Max listened to the crowd and grew curious. 'They must have special identities, and those two young ladies seem like they awakened not long ago, just like me, but their strength has already reached Levels 7 and 8.' He wondered if these were the kinds of geniuses he'd face in the test held by the General.
Just then, a man in military clothing descended from the sky alongside a blonde-haired woman.
They landed before the portal and addressed the crowd.
"The portal is now active, so you can enter—but not before I say so," the man announced in a rough voice. "If this is your first time entering the portal, please report to Miss Welin. She'll help you with your ID before you're eligible to enter."
'I completely forgot about the Hunter ID,' Max thought with a sigh as he headed toward the woman to get his ID.
One could either go directly to their local Hunter Association branch for a Hunter ID or get a temporary soft copy during their first dungeon exploration of a rank dungeon. Max had planned to visit the Hunter Association for his Hunter ID but had forgotten about it during the 168 years he spent in the Dimension of Time.
When Max approached the blonde-haired woman, he noticed he was the only one standing before her. No one else needed assistance with a Hunter ID.
'I guess I'm the only newbie here,' he mused, turning his attention to the blonde-haired woman, who was examining him.
"Name?" she asked bluntly, tapping her holo-watch. A holographic screen appeared before her.
"Max Morgan," he replied.
"District and City?"
"Dustfall District, Crestford City."
"Place your right hand on the hand-shaped print," the woman instructed, pointing at a hologram before him.
Max complied, placing his hand on the hologram as it scanned him for a few seconds.
"All set. I've sent your soft Hunter ID. The Hunter Association will send you the original ID within a week," the woman said after the process was complete.
Max nodded and checked his holo-watch, where his Hunter ID now appeared. 'Sweet.' Smiling, he walked back to the group preparing to enter the Burning Wilds dungeon, but not before facing ridicule.
"Look at this kid! He's only at Level 3, and he dares to enter an F-Rank dungeon."
"He must think he's a genius after staying at some academy and came here to try his luck."
"Exactly. He probably thinks his measly strength is enough to fight in an F-Rank dungeon."
"Hey, kid, go away. This isn't a place for a newbie like you. Go buy some F-Rank cores and level up first."
"No, let him be. He'll learn his lesson—if he stays alive. Hahaha."
The crowd mocked him relentlessly, sneering and calling him a fool. Some shouted for him to leave, while others watched coldly. Even the two young women who had arrived on the Wave Eagle glanced at Max curiously, wondering why someone so weak would dare enter an F-Rank dungeon.
Meanwhile, Max stood silently, enduring the insults. When the mocking finally subsided, he sighed and murmured softly, "Man, there sure are a lot of bugs in this forest buzzing around my ears."
"...."
Everyone froze at his words, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief. Stupefied, they struggled to comprehend what they had just heard. Max had called them bugs. The sheer audacity left them reeling, and an odd silence spread before the inevitable outburst.
"Hey, kid, what did you just say?"
"Repeat that if you have the guts!"
"You'd better apologize, or you might not leave the dungeon in one piece."
"How dare he call us bugs?"
"Forget about entering the dungeon, kid. Even if you do, nobody's going to protect you, and you'll die for sure with your strength."
The crowd erupted in fury, threatening Max as anger swept through them.
Max, however, yawned, ignoring their rage. Instead, he turned to the man in military clothing and asked, "So, when are we entering?"
The man smiled at Max before addressing the crowd. "Now," he said. "Enter the portal one by one."
The crowd seethed as Max continued to disregard them, but the time to enter the dungeon had come, and there was nothing they could do.
One by one, people began entering the portal.
Max waited at the back of the line when the two young women passed by him.
"You're dumb, but funny," a bell-like voice rang in his ears. He turned to see the red-haired woman walking past him, followed by the brown-haired one.
"I'm dumb?" Max shook his head wryly, noting the comment. Soon, his turn came, and he stepped into the portal, disappearing from sight.