The next Day I awoke like normal it was a Sunday meaning it was going to be pretty slow. I checked my phone for any notifications and saw that apparently the built in news app hd some breaking news. This almost never happened as this function was saved for non emergency news that affected my area. And being in an area where crime rates were relatively low this was actually the first time I have ever actually seen this. I clicked on it and a news article quickly filled my screen
"MONSTERS AND MONTER HUNTERS WHATS NEXT?
Yesterday at 6:04PM PST reportedly many individuals have gained magical powers. Shortly after all of these monster hunters were given a "starter quest" which summoned some low level monsters with very low destructive power. According to the individual which we have taken the liberty of calling "Awakened"* that actually works in our news studio gave their account of the incident. The person we interviewed wished to be known as their monster hunter name "Concise reporter" according to them when they awakened they saw a white crystal arise out of the ground and point toward them a fly at unbelievable speeds towards this individual. Even more unbelievable they managed to get away unscathed as when the crystal collided with them they could feel it hit their body but nothing hurt it simply entered them. Then their panel opened and told them to pick a class in which it recommended the fighter class…"
The article went on to describe a bunch of things I saw in my own time except this time the starter quest was a bunch of low level dire wolves. But then he saw something peculiar. As he read the end of the article he saw one of the funniest things since saying first in the messaging board.
"As concise reporter finished their story they made it appoint to mention the few moments after including another hunter who is known as "Goblin stomper" who allegedly sold their starting gear to buy a better starting skill but when they quickly ran out of MP they resulted to using their staff as a mage to knock the Goblins over and stomp them out and in the process creating two skills. Going down in history for being the first person to send a message that message being "first" while humorous to everyone here you have to wonder who this person really is. Some are even questioning if we will ever see all 100,000 Monster hunters and get info on them. However it appears whatever granted these powers to be intelligent, as no one capable of moving such as a newborn baby, or elderly person who requires assistance moving has awakened"
The last few lines were just about the coined term "Awakened" knowing that they are actually referred to as monster hunters by their system but monster hunter is just a bit of a mouth full.
After about an hour I was ready for the day and decided to go for a ride around my neighborhood on my bike. When I passed a small park. There was a swing set and a round about along with a small play structure with stairs, a latter, and a slide. I saw around four or five children playing around when I got a notification from my system.
[You have discovered [small sand worm] Nest
One of the many origins of the [small sand worm] which usually live in more tame desserts with few rolling dunes. They burrow in the sand which is strangely absent from this low desert.]
I quickly realized that the system was saying the sand in this park was the birth place of monsters that live in the sand. I had to warn those children. "HEY YOU KIDS GET AWAY FROM THERE!" At that moment I was rushing over to fight any monsters that appeared. "Why should we" kid one exclaimed. "Because it's dangerous here in fact never comeback." "oh really? prove it then." Taunted kid two. At that remark I quickly summoned my staff "I am one of those new monster hunters you may have heard about". "Neat trick but none of us believe you." Said Kid three. Then there was a small rumble that was barely audible it was as if a large amount of ground beneath us was shifting.
[Warning: the [small sand worms] have been disturbed they are awakening and will attack anything they see in a blind fury.]
"Go, NOW! Pretty soon this place will have giant worms crawling out of the ground now leave before I zap you." "Oh really yo-" I cut off kid four with a weak Lightning bolt near his feet. "okay we're leaving" stated kid five "c'mon guys". A bit angry and upset they all left without much more protest just then.
Fwoosh
A large amount of sand shot into the air. Then once the dust settled there it was a giant worm. It looked like a mixture of a brown slug and earth worm. It had no obvious eyes but it did have a giant mouth with four slits. It was as tall and as a big dog and as long a cobra. It stood itself up and opened its mouth to screech an ear piecing scream at me. Just then someone came to see all of the commotion and quickly shouted at me to get away and let a monster hunter handle it pulling a sword as big 10 year old out of seemingly nowhere. I then exclaimed "good" because I am more of a long range type with low physical stats. The mysterious man ran up to the worm so fast he was almost a blur and cut it and half. I then watched him absorb the gold and XP. "Well you mind helping me clear out this nest. I presume you were the one to find it? I was alerted of its existence by a system message telling a nest has been found nearby. By the way call me blurry blade thats my hunter name." "Okay then call me Goblin stomper. But you deal with the big ones while I work on clean up." "Sounds good" exclaimed blurry blade.
After a few minutes of battling the never ending wave of small sand worms. The system told us that we cleared out the nest and no more worms would show ip for a while but this wouldn't be permanent unless we made the conditions unsuitable for new worms.
In total I got 200 gold and 90 XP. Not quite enough to level up I am definitely closer. I also got a cool little crystal from the worms it seems Blurry Blade got a slightly bigger one, I wasn't to mad about that, they did do more work but to say I wasn't jealous would be a lie. The system then told me it was a power crystal and it is super rare along with storing lots of energy that can be harvested with the right techniques. According to the store mine sold for 350 coins. However I decided to stockpile my power crystals for a rainy day. I then went back home and told all 100,000 monster hunters about nests and power crystals. Leaving the hunter messaging board in a bit of a chaotic state. Staring at the crystal in my hand holding it above my head While laying down I pondered about the power crystal and how to harness its energy. And if I would be able to soon. I then got a text from a friend questioning me about these new monster hunters and if I was one. I told them yes but to keep it a secret I don't want to be swarmed at school tomorrow.