Valora Continent, East Region.

In one of the bustling cities of the Inner Circle, Crestford City, a group of young men and women, all around fifteen years old, stood with a mix of seriousness and apprehension etched onto their faces.

Weapons of various kinds—swords, spears, and bows with quivers of arrows—were slung across their backs as they stood facing the shimmering blue portal before them.

Armed men and women in military attire formed a protective circle around the portal, standing guard with unwavering vigilance.

"We're really entering a dungeon this time!" one student exclaimed, a mix of excitement and nerves evident in their voice.

"I can't lie—I'm nervous too," another admitted, shifting uneasily.

"Hah! Pathetic," a confident voice scoffed. "There's nothing to fear in an awakening dungeon. It's just goblins."

"Easy for you to say," someone else muttered. "I've never fought a monster before. This will be my first real battle, and honestly… it's a little terrifying."

"Don't overthink it," another chimed in, their tone steady and reassuring. "We've been trained for this for five years. The academy made sure we're prepared for anything the dungeon might throw at us."

"Exactly," another agreed with a firm nod. "All we have to do is stay cautious and stick to what we've learned. We'll be fine."

The students continued talking, their voices a mix of apprehension and determination. Some were visibly tense, gripping their weapons tightly, while others stood tall with confidence, trusting in the rigorous teachings of Horizon Academy.

Among the students stood a striking young man, his silver-white hair flowing effortlessly, catching the light with every movement. His piercing pink eyes gleamed with an otherworldly intensity, drawing attention even in the midst of the crowd.

"What? Are you afraid?" Max chuckled, glancing at his trembling friend. He wore a blue shirt over a black t-shirt, with a sword strapped securely to his waist. A small bag was slung across his shoulders behind his back, and a carefully placed dagger rested within easy reach, completing his prepared yet casual appearance.

"A little," Nevin admitted in a quiet voice, his messy black hair falling over his drooped eyes. "Even though this is a no-rank dungeon, the boss monster inside could range from level 3 to level 5. And if luck isn't on our side… we might have to face a level 5 boss."

"Don't worry too much." Max chuckled, wrapping his hands around Nevin's neck. "It's a goblin-based dungeon, and we all know they are the weakest monsters we could find in the dungeons, so don't think too much about it."

Nevin sighed and nodded, though the hesitation lingered on his face, clear as day

Max shook his head with mild exasperation, seeing his best friend so scared of something as harmless as a no-rank dungeon.

'Could he planning to…?' A dreaded thought came to his mind but he immediately shook his head. 'No, I am just overthinking this for sure. It must be the no rank dungeons.'

No-rank dungeons, often called Awakening Dungeons, were the most basic and weakest dungeons known in the world. These places held no real danger, yet they were vital for every fifteen-year-old, as entering one was the only way to awaken their classes and begin their journey towards transcendence.

'I wonder what class I'll awaken...' Max thought, his excitement bubbling under the surface. But suddenly, an image flashed in his mind—a familiar face, one he hadn't seen in years.

'Big Sister... Where are you? It's been two years…' His expression shifted abruptly, the spark of delight in his eyes dimming into sorrow.

'Are you in some kind of trouble?' he wondered, clenching his fists tightly. 'But don't worry—I'll come looking for you soon. Just let me awaken a class first.' His expression turned serious as he hardened his resolve.

Five years ago, just before his sister awakened, their parents disappeared without a trace, leaving Max and his sister to rely on each other for everything. She had been his anchor, his guide through the storm of uncertainty.

But two years ago, even that anchor was torn away when his sister stopped sending messages and vanished from his life. The last time he had seen her felt like a lifetime ago.

Since then, a gnawing void had consumed him—a need to find her, to uncover the truth about their parents. Every day, that goal burned brighter in his heart, refusing to fade.

And therefore, awakening his class had become more than a milestone to him—it was the first step toward reclaiming his family and uncovering the truth that had haunted him for years.

"Everyone!"

At that moment, a middle-aged man with golden hair arrived before them. He wore a black suit and black glasses in a stylish fashion. He was the dean of the Horizon Academy, Shaun Wanes.

"Students of Horizon Academy, this is the moment you've been waiting for—the beginning of your journey, the culmination of five years of relentless effort, discipline, and determination," he declared, his voice ringing with pride and purpose.

"You have been trained, tested, and prepared for this day. The knowledge you've gained about dungeons and their dangers is etched into your very being, so I won't waste words on what you already know," he continued, his tone turning solemn, heavy with meaning.

"But remember this: a dungeon is an unforgiving place, where the line between glory and tragedy is razor-thin. Be vigilant, for the unknown lurks in every shadow, and the unforeseen waits for no one."

The kids nodded, hearing the dean. Although they were slightly nervous because it was their first time going into a dungeon and fighting monsters, they knew they were all well-prepared. The nervousness was just a fleeting problem for them, which would go away as soon as they entered the dungeon.

"Alright then, go forth and conquer the dungeon," the dean declared, pointing at the shimmering blue portal.

"Let's go, Nevin," Max said to Nevin before heading towards the portal. Nevin nodded as he closely followed behind.

Soon they entered the dungeon with all the students of the Horizon Academy and disappeared from the scene.

Just as Max passed through the portal, his head swirled for a moment before he found himself standing in a narrow hall. Torches lined the walls, and a foul stench struck Max. 'Damn, this place is smelly.'

Looking around, he found that he wasn't alone. There were six other students present beside him, but none he was familiar with.

Just at that moment, a bright blue light appeared in his vision and a voice rang in his head.

[Congratulations to Max Voidwalker for awakening a SSS rank class—Dimensional Keeper.]

Max froze, his breath catching in his throat as the shimmering blue notification floated before his eyes. 'SSS rank class!' His mind reeled, the words refusing to sink in. His heart pounded in his chest like a war drum as he reread the notification again and again, hoping it wasn't some cruel glitch or mistake.

"This… this can't be real…" he whispered, his voice trembling. He felt like the ground had been ripped out from under him.

From F to SSS, the class ranks represented the spectrum of strength, potential, and power in this world. F was useless, D was average, and even an A rank was rare enough to grant someone a lifetime of admiration. But SSS? That was a rank spoken of in myths, something most people wouldn't even dare to dream about.

Max had hoped—prayed—for something reasonable. A C rank or even a D rank would have been enough to keep his hopes alive. But this? This was beyond anything he could have ever imagined.

He stumbled back, his legs shaky, and clutched his hands together, his fingers trembling. His mind spiraled as the implications began to sink in.

"SSS rank… I'm at the absolute peak of potential… in the entire world." He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles whitening as a surge of exhilaration and disbelief coursed through him.

For someone who had always prepared for mediocrity, the realization hit like a tidal wave. A class this rare meant more than strength—it meant destiny. It meant every gate that had been locked before him was now wide open. His path wasn't just cleared; it was golden, blinding, endless.

A nervous laugh bubbled up in his throat, spilling into the silence. "How… how did this happen to me?"

His shock melted into a trembling grin as the gravity of his fortune overwhelmed him. For the first time in his life, Max felt like the world wasn't just indifferent to him—it had chosen him. It had handed him the keys to something extraordinary.

'I was always taught to be content with what I had, to find happiness in whatever life gave me. But this… this changes everything,' Max thought, his fists clenching with newfound resolve. 'With a SSS rank class, settling for anything less than the very best would be a disgrace—to myself, and to the potential this class represents. I can't waste this gift. I won't.'

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay