Chapter 1
**Criminals' Lair**
*Gabriel struggles against the grip of the criminals as they laugh menacingly.*
Gabriel: "Please... let me go... I won't tell anyone..."
Criminal 1: "Ha! Listen to this kid beg for mercy!"
*Criminal 2 holds up a C-rank magic stone with a sinister grin.*
Criminal 2: "Let's teach him a lesson he won't forget! Open wide, kid!"
*Gabriel's eyes widen in horror as they force the stone into his mouth, the poison spreading through his body.*
Narrator: The magic stone, although not edible, was laced with a deadly poison. Even a small amount could be fatal. The criminals, reveling in their sadistic pleasure, laughed as they watched the poison begin its deadly work, while Gabriel's consciousness slowly faded away.
**Present Day: Construction Site**
Narrator: It was the year 2054, and Gabriel toiled away at the local construction site, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow. The site, located in Commonwealth Quezon City, buzzed with activity as the workers labored under the scorching midday sun.
*Gabriel is called over by Ben, a fellow construction worker.*
Ben: "Hey, Gabriel! Time for lunch, buddy."
*The men gather at the canteen, and Ben shares his daughter's sinigang, a Filipino sour soup dish, with Gabriel.*
Gabriel: "Wow, this sinigang is delicious! Please thank your daughter for me, Mr. Ben."
*As they eat, the men engage in light-hearted banter, momentarily forgetting their financial worries.*
*Just as they begin to relax, the sound of notifications from their phones interrupts the jovial atmosphere.*
*As they check their phones, the mood shifts as they see their meager weekly pay - only 6700 pesos, barely enough to cover their expenses for the week.*
*The once-cheerful group falls silent, the weight of their financial struggles hanging heavy in the air.*
Ben: "Times are tough, but we'll get through this together, boys."
*Amidst the somber atmosphere, the conversation turns to Gabriel's aspirations.*
Mr. Ben: "Hey, Gab, I remember you wanted to be a hunter, right? You're still young, plenty of time to chase your dreams."
Gabriel: *with a hint of sadness* "Yeah, but... I've been trying for three years now, and I still can't raise my mana. Maybe it's just not meant to be."
*Mr. Greg and Edu express admiration for Liam Cruz, a famous S Rank hunter.*
Edu: "You knew Liam Cruz? Wow, my daughter's a big fan. Maybe you could get his autograph for her?"
*Gabriel forces a smile, masking his true feelings of inadequacy.*
*Seeing through Gabriel's facade, Mr. Ben offers words of encouragement.*
Mr. Ben: "Don't give up, kid. I've seen the fire in your eyes. You've got what it takes to be a hunter."
*Gabriel recalls their rivalry declaration at the construction site, reigniting his determination.*
*Flashback: Construction Site 7 years ago*
*Gabriel and Liam, both young boys, stand atop a pile of rubble at the construction site. They exchange determined looks as they clench their fists.*
Liam: "Gabriel, listen up. From this moment on, we're not just friends. We're rivals."
*Gabriel's eyes widen in surprise, then a grin spreads across his face as he realizes the significance of Liam's declaration.*
Gabriel: "Rivals, huh? Alright, Liam. I accept your challenge. Let's see who can become as strong as Richard Nate first!"
*Liam nods firmly, the determination evident in his expression.*
Liam: "You bet, Gab. This rivalry will push us both to new heights. Just you wait, I'll be the strongest hunter out there!"
*Gabriel's grin widens as he meets Liam's gaze with equal determination.*
Gabriel: "Bring it on, Liam. I won't hold back. Let's push each other to our limits and see who comes out on top!"
*Liam extends his fist towards Gabriel, and Gabriel mirrors the gesture, their fists meeting in a firm fist bump atop the makeshift podium of their aspirations.*
Liam: "It's a promise, Gab. May the best hunter win!"
*Gabriel nods, a spark of competitive spirit igniting within him.*
Gabriel: "You're on, Liam. Let the rivalry begin!"
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*Present Time: Construction Site*
*As Gabriel reminisces about his past encounter with Liam, Mr. Ben, Mr. Edu, and his coworkers notice the determination in his eyes.*
*They remember the rumours that Gab is one of the weakest hunter, and some people says that even ordinary people is stronger than Gab.*
Mr. Ben: "You know, Gab, I've always believed in you. From the first day I met you, I could see the potential in your eyes."
*Greg, another coworker, nods in agreement.*
Greg: "Yeah, kid. You may not realize it, but you've got something special. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
*Edu, with a reassuring smile, adds his support.*
Edu: "Gabriel, remember what we talked about. You've got the heart of a hunter. Don't give up on your dreams."
*Gabriel's expression softens as he absorbs the words of encouragement from his mentors.*
Gabriel: "Thanks, Mr. Ben, Greg, Edu. Means a lot to me."
*With renewed confidence and the support of his coworkers, Gabriel takes a deep breath, ready to face the challenges ahead as he pursues his dream of becoming a hunter.
*Gabriel decides to visit an F Rank dungeon on his day off to pursue his dream of becoming a hunter.*
*The F Rank dungeon, open to all aspiring hunters, offers Gabriel a chance to test his skills and awaken his latent abilities.*
*After a long day's work, Gabriel trudged into the living room, greeted by the sight of his sisters buried in their books. Amelia, her face lighting up, glanced up first. *
"Kuya! You're home early today," she exclaimed, her voice brimming with cheer.
"Yeah, just beat the traffic," Gabriel replied, managing a tired smile.
Ayame, sitting quietly beside Amelia, glanced up briefly before returning to her book, her shy demeanor evident.
Gabriel moved closer, noticing their focused expressions. "Where's Mom?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Still at work," Ayame murmured softly, barely lifting her gaze.
Gabriel nodded, understanding. "Alright, I'll send you guys some money for the week," he said, pulling out his phone.
Amelia's eyes widened with gratitude. "Thanks, Kuya! You're the best!" she exclaimed, giving him a quick hug.
Gabriel smiled, feeling a sense of warmth from his sisters' appreciation. He quickly sent the money through their cash apps, the familiar beep signaling the transaction.
Both their phones buzzed simultaneously, signaling the arrival of the funds.
"Yay! Thanks, big bro!" Amelia cheered, her excitement infectious.
Ayame nodded shyly, her eyes lighting up with a small smile. "Thank you, Kuya," she said softly.
With the practical matters settled, they settled into a comfortable conversation, sharing stories from their day. Gabriel listened intently, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with his sisters.
Ayame, usually reserved, seemed eager to talk today. "Kuya, I wanted to tell you about something," she began, her voice gaining confidence.
Gabriel turned to her, his interest piqued. "What is it, Ayame?"
"I got an A+ on my Rift Theoretical Test today!" Ayame exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride, though still tinged with shyness.
Gabriel's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Wow, really? That's amazing, Ayame!" he exclaimed, genuinely impressed.
"Yeah! I studied really hard for it, and I even asked Amelia to quiz me," Ayame said, her excitement bubbling over.
Amelia chimed in, beaming with pride. "She did great! Ayame's been working so hard lately," she added, giving her sister an encouraging pat on the back.
Gabriel smiled, feeling a surge of pride for his sister's achievement. "I'm so proud of you, Ayame. Keep up the good work," he said warmly, giving her a supportive hug.
Amelia then eagerly joined the conversation, eager to share her own accomplishment. "And guess what, Kuya? I got a perfect score in the practical test in swordsmanship class!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Gabriel's grin widened. "That's fantastic, Amelia! You're both doing amazing," he praised, feeling a swell of pride for both his sisters.
As the evening wore on, Gabriel's eyelids grew heavy, and he found himself dozing off on the couch. Amelia and Ayame exchanged a knowing glance before draping a blanket over him, their brotherly protection reciprocated with sisterly care.
Next day, Gabriel remembered that last night he forgot to eat because he was so tired from construction work.
*Today was his day off, and he planned to go to the beginner dungeon.
He woke up, took a bath, wore his cheap leather armor, and sharpened his ordinary sword.
As he geared up, Gabriel muttered to himself, "Alright, time to show them what I'm made of. No more holding back."
He ate to his fill before heading to the dungeon, riding the bus there.
In the Philippines, this dungeon is the easiest for beginners, purposely left open to train newbies.
His destination was Manila Hunter Association Hall, the starting point for aspiring hunters.
The government ensured safety for newbies, with high-ranking hunters patrolling to save them in case of accidents.
*B-rank healers were also standby to aid injured hunters during the fight.
Newbie hunters dressed in various medieval outfits, some in full body armor, others in leather, wielding swords, axes, bows, arrows, or magic staves.
Most new hunters formed temporary parties since they didn't have one yet.
Gabriel's equipment was shabby compared to others, but he had been using it for three years since his graduation, as no one wanted to invite him to join their party.
Employees at the hall knew Gabriel well, as he frequently got injured in easy dungeons or almost died from low-rank monsters.
*Gabriel could hear the gossip about him from people who knew him.
A conversation between three hunters, secretly mocking Gabriel, ensued:
Hunter 1 (female): "I remember him from last year. I saw him almost dead from a horned rabbit."
Hunter 2 (male, grinning): "He's that weak? Why is he still trying even though he's not suited for it?"
Hunter 3 (male, blond hair): "Don't talk too much; he can hear you."
Hunter 2 (male): "What can he do? Attack me as if he can fight against a C ranker like me?"
Hunter 4 (female, a healer): "Stop, guys. Don't make fun of him. What if you were in his position?"
Hunter 3 (male): "Don't pity him; he's just a weakling. He should work as an ordinary citizen. He's not talented anyway."
Gabriel heard the mockery but chose to ignore it, focusing on his resolve to enter the dungeon.
As Gabriel walked past them, he overheard their conversation, his jaw clenched in frustration but determined not to let their words affect him.