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Lucas staggered into his room, the weight of his exhaustion pulling him down. He didn't even bother with the lights, preferring the darkness that mirrored his inner turmoil. His body ached all over. He collapsed onto his bed, his weariness pulling him into a restless sleep.
Should he just give up, leave this life, and become an ordinary person? Maybe he could find work in a guild as an office worker. Perhaps this was not meant to be. He didn't know how he would find the answers he needed or break free from the chains that bound him. Every time he jumped over a hurdle, a bigger one appeared. He was exhausted, worn down by the relentless struggle.
...
After resting for a bit, Lucas woke up to the rumbling of his stomach. He got up, opened the fridge, and found it empty. Checking his bank account on his Hunter-watch revealed a familiar sight: it was always in the negative. He scoffed at the irony of the Hunter Association providing the watch and communicator when he couldn't afford any of them.
This little device on his wrist could cover half a year's worth of expenses, but he could never sell or lose it. If he did, the Association would fine him. He reached into his pockets, finding only a few credits. In frustration, he crumbled the money in his hand. They couldn't afford anything fresh, so, as always, they had to rely on cheap processed foods.
...
Lucas walked listlessly toward the store, the biting cold of winter cutting through his weak body despite being a hunter. As he approached, he noticed a luxurious car parked out front, its sleek design glinting in the sunlight.
A fit woman in expensive, brand-name clothing emerged from the store. Her high heels clicked against the pavement, and her designer handbag swung effortlessly from her arm. She was engrossed in conversation with a young, handsome man beside her, their laughter ringing out like an alien melody that contrasted sharply with Lucas's depressive mood. He felt out of place.
Lucas and the woman locked eyes for a brief moment, and recognition sparked within him. Elena Mander was one of the team leaders for the E-rank groups Lucas and his friends had worked for. Her brother was a peak C-rank hunter, which made her look down on others, treating them with a sense of superiority. Yet, Lucas didn't harbor any hate for her. Compared to other leaders, she was almost an angel.
While she would give them the bare minimum of loot, she never stole from them or used them as bait for monsters. When their gazes met, she offered a small nod before getting into the car. Lucas couldn't help but notice that it was the newest model—definitely something an E-rank hunter couldn't afford on their own. Someone in her family must have gifted it to her, a stark disparity in their lives.
The Manders were a prominent but small hunter family, boasting many hunter members. The strongest among them was Elena's grandfather, a B-rank mage who led their main strike team, commanding respect and fear alike.
As Lucas stepped toward the store, he was startled when Elena called out, "Lucas, love, wait for me for a second." He paused and turned around, sensing that she likely needed mules—what low-level hunters like him were often called in a team, primarily tasked with collecting materials rather than engaging in combat. The thought made him hesitant; he wasn't sure he had the energy for more menial work.
...
Elena took another drag from her cigarette, the smoke curling up into the chilly air as she regarded Lucas. "You're right to be cautious," she replied, her tone shifting to a more serious note. "But listen, the imps have been acting up lately, and we've got a solid plan. We'll be using traps and spells to control the horde. With five peak E-ranks on our side, you guys won't need to engage unless absolutely necessary."
Lucas furrowed his brow, trying to weigh the risks against the potential rewards. "What about the healer costs?" he asked, concerned. "If we get hurt—"
Elena waved her hand dismissively. "I've arranged for a healer who won't charge exorbitantly, and since we're splitting the earnings differently this time, you'll be in a better position to cover any costs. Besides, this job will pay much better than your usual gigs. You and your friends could really use the cash."
Her confidence was infectious, but Lucas couldn't shake the nagging worry about the risks involved. "And what if something goes wrong?" he pressed. "You know how unpredictable gate diving can be, and I fail to see how this makes a D-rank raid easier."
Lucas listened intently, the information settling in his mind. "Five gates in one day sounds ambitious, even for peak E-ranks," he said cautiously. "What makes you so sure it'll go smoothly?"
Elena took another drag from her cigarette, then flicked the ash onto the ground. "We've been studying the patterns of these gates, and we know the imps have been unusually active, which means they're overpopulated. They'll be easier to manage with the right traps. My brother has some new techniques he wants to test out, and he's confident we can handle it without taking too many risks."
Lucas nodded slowly, still weighing the options. Elena smirked, her eyes glinting with determination. "You guys are good mules. You never wine and never scream for help. You have no idea how hard it is to find people like that. If you join us, I can offer you three permanent positions in our team. You know it's worth it, Lucas. Plus, with the extra cash, you can finally afford to buy some decent gear or pay off some of that debt hanging over your head. Just think about it."
He sighed, glancing at the ground for a moment as he considered her words. "I'll need to talk to Carl and Javier," he said finally, a mix of hope and apprehension rising in his chest.
Elena nodded, her expression softening. "I understand. Just talk to them. I'll be waiting for your answer but only for a day. You guys might be good mules, but you are just a mule at the end. Don't make me wait."
Lucas understood what she was saying. They were going on a farming run; those were relatively safe since high-level party members made them quick. From the conversation, he gathered that the type of gate they planned to raid could hold 20 people. If the cap wasn't reached, others could join. Since they were farming, they wouldn't want anyone else entering, which was why they were invited as mules.
Still hesitant, Lucas stood in front of the store. His eyes drifted to the glass front, where he saw the processed food and meat sections. He couldn't help but dart his gaze between the meat and the cans. They needed the money, and Elena's brother Nelson was renowned for his wind-blade ability.
People said he could kill a C-rank beast in one shot. Lucas nodded, "Okay, text me the details, and we'll be there." Elena smiled and patted Lucas' cheek. "Such a good boy." Then she got into her car and sped away. All Lucas could do was clench his fists tightly as he endured the humiliation.
...
After he reached home, Lucas told Carl and Javier what had happened. Knowing they would be doing multiple D-rank gates and only acting as mules made them both happy and sad. They were excited about the money but felt the weight of their weakness, realizing they could only be seen as nothing but mules to others.
The next day, they arrived at the location, passing north beyond the Gateway Mountain at the edge of the Dark Forest. This forest had a creepy aura, its energy instilling fear in most hunters below C-rank. Before the cataclysm, it spanned around 200 square kilometers. Then, it grew three times its size, reaching all the way to Alpen Mountain Range.
It created a buffer zone between the Fireland and the Frozen Tundra. But the center of the forest was a forbidden zone for humans. Low-level hunters such as Lucas didn't know why. All he knew was that he would be killed on sight if he entered the forest. The gate they were going to raid had opened at the edge of this forest.