When a person encounters an Arc-Beast for the first time they have a chance that to gain a special skill unique to the user. Synced with the user's Arcane Energy allowing them to grow faster. The skill grows with the user only becoming stronger.
Of known reports one in ten people get a special skill. Regardless of how useless it is. That's why a shocking event just happened in which Alexander moved in a bizarre way that caught them off guard. The three creatures that just appeared and were Abyssal Wolves even froze for just a moment. What was even more shocking is Draco had an arrow covered in a black mist appear in his bow as he notched the arrow.
Alexander continued to lunge forward as a golden spirit formed behind him and on his sword. Proceeding this, a sword slashed across the most forward Abyssal Wolf's throat as blood scattered out from the wound but didn't cover the blade in the slightest. It let out a shriek but ultimately it's body fell to the ground, still alive with a chunk of flesh removed from a vital location.
Draco then released the arrow which pierced through the eye of another of the wolves with the sound of a pop, then a tear as it continued through the body of the abyssal wolf. The arrow stopped inside the body of wolf, the black mist began to leave the mouth and nose of the wolf as it slumped to the ground. The very insides of the wolf corroded from the dastardly element. The unharmed wolf immediately tried to escape after seeing its two friends instantly murdered.
It had no chance. A sword covered in a golden glow was thrown from Alexander as the words Paladin's Thrust left his mouth. It pierced through the body of the wolf that tried to run but didn't get very far. A bloody hole was torn through the wolf that quickly had life fade from it's eyes as it didn't even have the strength to shriek. The wolf that was first attacked had already lost its life on the ground, with that the three creatures died already.
The scenery changed dramatically in these short moments, from excited students in a plains with gates, to a darkened cavern, to a blood stained cavern with three corpses. The still children despite how much they prepared to see the scene of dead creatures insides wanted to vomit upon seeing the corpses.
As they all tried to steel their will, Annabelle took a step back and covered her eyes saying she couldn't look. Without exception they all felt bad for her, not being able to even look. Despite not even knowing this girl Vin began to comfort her as Alexander and Draco collected Gems from the corpses.
Now a change from the scene these children weren't raised to see, to an elaboration on what Gems are. Gems are a condensation of useless arcane energy inside an arcane beast. That 'waste' energy being extremely beneficial to humans. These Gems can serve as back up power, but ultimately ruin a beast foundation.
Lower tiered creatures drop less condensed gems, naturally that means higher tiered creatures drop more condensed gems. However there is one exclusion, abnormalities can be developed within a gate, whether natural or artificial. Or in other words mutations.
Yes, mutations in the creatures of a gate fundamental being. They're called Gamma Monsters and by association Gamma Gates, luckily these specific gates can be exited at certain areas that have shifts in difficulty called Bastions. Bad news for most, however, is the bosses are near impossible to beat for an average team of the same level.
A key note to check if it's a Gamma Gate is if the fodder monsters drop more than 3 gems, though this isn't a sure fire way. If it's consecutive and constant from each monster then it's very likely a Gamma Gate.
This information being very important as in the next few seconds a fearful and excited noise erupted from the Archer who's right eye now had a blue circle around its pupil…
"Five..? Wait… This is a Gamma Gate!"
This was followed by words of doubt till the Berserker, still in a golden haze, spoke up saying he found six from one and five from another. Bragging about how if he wasn't the one to have killed it, it would have only had four.
Upon coughing out blood they began to walk away with the current gems bagged, leaving Alexander behind. Vin made a snarky comment as he rubbed his eyes, "Now I know where all the depressed people's self esteem went."
If only this were a game, in bright red letters critical damage would be floating over Alexander's head.
And so the soon to be legendary team- in their dreams at least- went forth to continue building their indomitable will and killing intent. Emma and Annabelle sat in the back, they didn't interfere with Emma who had their eyes closed the entire time because there wasn't yet a need. Annabelle helped whenever anyone got hurt revealing she also had a special ability. Vin rarely helped by shooting pure mana blades with the help of his items.
So it wasn't long till they reached a Bastion with the newbies getting better and better, learning how to be in tune with the arcane energy through experience rather than theory.
The obvious thing to point out they reached the Bastion was the milky white barrier they walked through. It was pretty much the same as the rest of the Gate, except, the door with no "other side" to it in the center. The team opened the door and was greeted by a hazy image of the outside world. It was a one way connection.
With a smile, a wave of his robe, and a flick of his stick, Vin patted a bag with around a hundred gems and spoke. "Alright, there is one small problem we might have later on…" He paused for a moment letting each person think, "The Boss."
Almost as if the concept of words itself vanished, silence ensued, and consumed the room like a sea of flames. Flames of endless doubt and terrifying fear. The fear of something insurmountable and infinitely greater than one's self.
Hesitating for a couple of moments with words stuck in throat, Anna, the most timid of the group, spoke in a soft voice, "I think we should back out at the next bastion..." With the silence broken Emma decided to finally open her eyes. Just that action itself being significant enough.
Beneath the closed eyes were radiant eyes that shined white light. Instead of a normal circular pupil, there were two white diamonds. With confidence in her voice Emma announced an ultimatum with no objections, "I, a Complete Arcaned, will beat the boss myself."
Before allowing anyone to deny her claim she uttered a singular word many people wouldn't be caught dead saying, "UwU."