In Johor Bahru's vibrant heart, Tebrau Central loomed large. A figure disembarked the bus, exchanging a nod with the driver.
Brandon, captivated, confirmed his siblings' words as truth. The building stood sturdy, three beacons rising confidently. Rumors circulated – this structure, fortified by those beacons, could withstand even a simultaneous assault by Malaysia's top hunters without a scratch.
Impressive indeed, considering it encompasses all of Malaysia. Through the entrance, a steady stream of people flowed in and out, each bearing a unique expression.
Brandon observed the diverse array of emotions etched on their faces. What united them, he realized, was a common goal – obtaining the elusive license.
His gaze swept across the bustling area teeming with people. Conversations unfolded in front of the counter, covering a spectrum from casual chatter to negotiations with the association.
Amidst the crowd, a mysterious figure stood tall, concealing their identity behind a mask. Crafted from mana, the mask emitted glitch-like effects, thwarting attempts to discern the person's features. A shroud of intrigue enveloped the scene as Brandon observed this enigmatic presence in the midst of the license-seeking crowd.
"Bro, seriously, a mask? Are you into cosplaying or something?" Brandon couldn't help but chuckle as his turn finally arrived.
The man at the front desk inquired, "May I know your IC, sir?"
Sliding his identity card back into his wallet, Brandon moved toward the hall as directed, eager to progress in the labyrinthine journey toward obtaining his license.
"Quite a neat place," Brandon mused silently.
Navigating through the crowd, he moved effortlessly, almost unnoticed by those around him. His presence remained a secret to all but those with heightened senses, slipping through the hall with only a select few taking notice of his subtle passage.
Seated in quiet anticipation, Brandon engrossed himself in his phone, oblivious to his surroundings. Unbeknownst to him, a tall shadow gradually enveloped him, prompting him to look up, suddenly aware of an approaching presence.
"Thanks," the tall man acknowledged as he took a seat. Brandon nodded in response, his focus still on the phone.
Abruptly, the man broke the silence, initiating a conversation that pulled Brandon's attention away from the screen.
"Otto Nadis," he introduced himself with a smile, tilting his head in a friendly manner.
Observing Otto's physique, Brandon noted the blend of a clean, youthful face with the physique of an average weight-lifter. The paradoxical impression left people pondering whether he was young or old, adding an intriguing layer to his presence.
"Pleasure, Otto. I'm Brandon. Evaluating process as well?" Brandon gestured toward the big screen as the numbers changed.
In those few words, a connection formed. Brandon sensed that Otto, just slightly younger, shared a common purpose in this space of evaluation.
"Surprisingly, I'm one of the slower ones," Otto admitted, revealing that the shredded physique was a result of his parents' misguided belief that it would hasten his awakening.
As Brandon's turn arrived, he anxiously checked his rank, only to find an E displayed on the screen. Expressing gratitude to the evaluator, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly at the outcome.
"Of course, E, Brandon. What did you expect?" Brandon mused with a wry smile.
Deciding to share the news with his family, he composed a quick message to the group chat, informing them about obtaining his license and his current E rank.
¬ "I got my license, and it's an E, guys! 😊"
¬ "It's okay," shared another family member, "Mom says evaluations every two months. A better rank indicates your capabilities for solo hunts."
The familial support and the assurance of ongoing evaluations provided a comforting context to Brandon's E rank revelation.
¬ "Bruh, my girlfriend is checking on my phone... Yeah, big bro," shared another family member. "Except Darrence forgot to mention that you can also climb higher ranks if you join parties with at least two high-rank hunters."
The exchange added a layer of humor and practical advice to the family chat, providing Brandon with both a chuckle and valuable insights into the intricacies of rank advancement.
Contemplating the new information, Brandon pondered, "Should I level up now that I'm here?"
He retraced his steps to the front desk, seeking out the man named Vhisjay for more guidance on the potential for leveling up and the best course of action.
"Can I start hunting today since I just got my license?" Brandon inquired with a hopeful smile, proudly displaying his Hunter's license.
Vhisjay responded with the same genuine friendliness, "Ah, yes, of course, you can. But I suggest you go inside the rift with party members, at least for the first time entering a rift."
The advice added a layer of practical wisdom to Brandon's eagerness, emphasizing the benefits of joining a party for the initial foray into the challenging world of hunting.
"But I want to get the stuff and exp all for myself..."
As Brandon contemplated, Vhisjay added more insight, "Fortunately, the man beside you also wanted to enter a rift. If both of you agree, I can register temporary parties. And, of course, if the two of you want to make it a long-term party, that's also possible."
The offer opened up possibilities for collaboration and camaraderie in the pursuit of hunting adventures.
"Keep in mind, with temporary parties, 20% of the profits go to the association. If it's a long-term party, they'll only take 10%," Vhisjay clarified, shedding light on the financial considerations tied to the duration of the hunting partnership.
In that moment, a familiar voice called out to Brandon,
"Yo, Brandon." It was none other than Otto. Evidently, he had completed his evaluation and had similar plans to venture into a rift.
Brandon widened his eyes, realizing this was the opportune moment. Otto seemed like a decent guy, and considering the circumstances, he decided to take the chance.
"Would you like to party up with me?" Brandon extended the invitation.
Otto's response carried a mix of relief and disappointment, "I would be looking forward to that. I've been asking around, and everyone just rejected me."
With the temporary party registration complete, a woman guided the duo to the association Rift's Halls, setting the stage for their collaborative hunting adventure.
Amidst more than twenty-five enormous cracks in space, each guarded by vigilant sentinels, the association lady explained their strategic containment approach. Numerous rifts were scattered across Malaysia, but a centralized container had been erected due to an outbreak a decade ago when multiple cracks simultaneously emerged.
"This is it, a rank E rift. Most newcomers start their hunts here. Remember, with the association taking 10%, you'll need to show your license to the man in charge for scanning. The license is imbued with magic, a blood sample was taken during the evaluation, right?"
She continued, "Simply break the license in half, and our monitors will pick up a distressed call. We'll ensure that hunters rush in to save those in need once the call is triggered." The intricacies of the system unfolded, providing Brandon and Otto with a clear understanding of their mission parameters.
The hunts began, uncharted and without the safety net of supervision. Brandon observed the rifts, signaling to Otto, who returned from the license scan.
"You ready, Brandon?" Otto's excitement echoed in his voice.
As they exchanged glances, Brandon sent one last text from his phone before the duo stepped into the rift. Unlike the previous ones in Wonder Hills, this rift unfolded in a serene location, surrounded by dense forests and open fields.
"Whoa, this place is packed with forests. It's been ages since I camped with my family; must be decades ago," Brandon remarked, the nostalgia of distant memories surfacing in the midst of their new hunting adventure.
Amidst Brandon's admiration of the rift's interior, Otto abruptly whispered, "Brand, look at those things," forcefully pulling both of them to the ground.
Underneath a tree rested a group of well-armed goblins. Otto quickly strategized, "By the way, Brandon, you do have a weapon, right? I have a shield. I'll aggro them, while you attack."
The impromptu plan unfolded as they prepared to confront the armed goblin group, each taking on a role in their shared strategy.
"I do have a weapon, but I already returned it to Ms. Moria. After all, it doesn't belong to me," Brandon mumbled to himself. Just as the realization hit, his jaw dropped witnessing Otto charging towards the goblins.
"Wtf... Ahh, shit!" With no other option, Brandon followed his teammate's lead, ready to face the armed goblins head-on. The unexpected turn of events set the stage for a dynamic encounter within the rift.
"Hey, you goblins, fight me in the name of justice!" Otto cried out, his words falling on ears that didn't comprehend human language. However, the goblins recognized these intruders and the threat they posed to their territory.
With his shield in hand, Otto slammed it to the ground, prompting the charging goblins to halt. Instead, they chose to surround the imposing figure of the human who dared to invade their turf.
Kyahhh! Kyahhh! Gissssh
The goblins charged towards Otto once more, this time in unity.
'He must have a lot of confidence in his stats to actually offer to aggro those...'
Brandon thought, observing Otto's bold move, just as one of the goblins became aware of his presence.
'Let's do this!'
Swiftly ducking down, Brandon made the goblin stumble. With a precise aim, he sliced off the goblin's head using Entropy's invisible slash. The headless goblin staggered, its struggle abruptly halted. The swift and precise maneuver showcased Brandon's skills within the rift's intense encounter.
"Otto, throw them one by one toward me!" Brandon shouted.
Observing the headless corpse on the ground, Otto grasped Brandon's strategy. With his robust physique, he efficiently used his shield to launch one out of the six goblins toward Brandon.
Thud!
The thrown goblin emitted hideous shrieks, only to be met by an invisible attack. The duo executed a seamless team attack, dispatching the goblins one by one until the remaining foes were defeated. The coordinated effort demonstrated their effective collaboration within the rift's unpredictable challenges.
"Few, that is sooooo coollll!!" Otto exclaimed in excitement.
"Wait, if I'm the one that kills them, won't you level up?" Brandon placed his hand on his hips, a hint of confusion evident before he continued, "You didn't read the terms for parties contract, right?"
The realization dawned that those in parties, blessed by the gods, had a magic contract allowing them to share experience points. Otto had leveled up twice, but Brandon was now faced with the challenge of slower mana and leveling progress.
'I see, if we were like that, it would be really convenient. But the problem is my mana and my leveling are becoming slow now.' The intricacies of their hunting dynamics unfolded, offering both advantages and challenges within the rift's mystical realm.
Name: Brandon Tand
Level: 9
Class: None
Personal Attribute : Penitence of Arretos
HP: 800/800
MP: 33/33
Body status: Slight fatigue
[Stats]
Strength: 19
Stamina: 19
Agility: 19
Intelligence: 19
Senses: 19
[Stats points available : 0]
{Skills}
Passive skills:
- Unperceived [MAX LEVEL] {STAGNATE}
Active skills:
- Entropy [MASTERY: 1] CD: None
- Ethereal [ MASTERY :1] CD: 1 minute
Each time Brandon leveled up, his stats would recover, except for his body condition. Yet, if his calculations were correct...
'I can trace at most 33 marks at my current level. Luckily, the monsters here are just rank E,' Brandon calculated, finding a silver lining in the challenges of the rift.
Just then, Otto called out to him.
"Brand, you gotta see this," Otto said with a complex expression.
Approaching him, Brandon's eyes widened before he instinctively took a few steps away from Otto. The unexpected discovery had clearly caught his attention.
For some unknown reason, a notification appeared in front of Otto's system.
{Special Quest: Kill the last adorer of Arretos}
Reward: Blessing by the sixteen supreme deities.
With a mix of panic and caution in his gaze, Brandon warned, "Don't do anything stupid, Otto. You know what my attack does." Expressing his concerns, Brandon braced for the potential challenges posed by the unexpected quest.
"Relax... Look, I used the all heal skill. It helps me to exterminate the intrusive thoughts that come with the quest," Otto reassured, placing his hexagon-shaped shield at his back.
With a sigh of relief, Brandon slowly lowered his guard. Otto's system had forced a quest upon him for some reason, and it seemed to be an anomaly. This situation hadn't occurred when he was with his brothers. The concerning aspect of the quest was the deep fear Otto felt toward Brandon upon its notification.
With the help of his skills, the unsettling feelings and the quest vanished.
'Is this a bug, or maybe... that's right, my passive skill.'
Brandon now understood the significance of the last line in his passive skill. He shared Arretos' sins. Did that mean people would constantly want to kill him? What Brandon didn't know was that the curse would only take effect when he was inside a rift. The revelation added a layer of complexity to his understanding of the mystical realm's dynamics.
As Otto gathered the shimmering crystals dropped by the defeated goblins, he caught sight of Brandon's worried expression. With a mischievous grin, he held up the loot, exclaiming, "Look at this! We're on our way to becoming rich, my friend! Hey, Brandon, no need to worry. We're a team, and besides, I've got skills up my sleeve to keep those weird quests at bay. This is our adventure, and we're in it together!" Otto's words were like a burst of energy, injecting a sense of excitement and camaraderie into the rift exploration.
As Otto shared his excitement over the loot, Brandon couldn't help but chuckle. "Rich in no time, huh? Well, as long as we make it out in one piece," he replied with a grin. The camaraderie between them grew stronger as they delved deeper into the woods, both aware of the ticking clock on their rift adventure. Time passed, but their shared enthusiasm and banter made the journey feel more like an epic quest than a mere exploration.
From a distance, Brandon and Otto observed a masked man skillfully dodging arrows and frontal attacks from a horde of goblins. The fluidity of his movements was impressive, culminating in a beautiful display as he expertly slew the group of goblins.
Not wanting to interfere with someone else's business,
"Let's go to another area; that dude seems to have those goblins covered," Otto whispered as he pulled Brandon.
Just as they were about to move,
Banggggg
A massive cloud of dust engulfed them, leaving the duo coughing uncontrollably.
"What the hell is that? Did goblins ambush us?" Brandon questioned, trying to make sense of the sudden disturbance in the once tranquil surroundings.
As the dust settled, a man stood before Brandon. Before Brandon could react, Otto, fully aware of the danger, pushed him away.
"Run, Brand! He's trying to release his magic towards you!" Otto cried out, using his shield to deflect the masked man's attacks.
Seated on the ground, Brandon observed his new friend bravely holding back the masked man. "Can't you use the mind cleaning skill you used earlier?" Brandon shouted as he struggled to get up.
"No, it only works on myself, not others," Otto explained, emphasizing the limitations of his skills in the heat of confrontation.
Suddenly, the masked man struck Otto with his rapier, managing to land light cuts on his body even with the shield in place.
'Damn it, this guy's swordsmanship is strong. Without my shield, I might seriously get injured.'
"Move," the masked man ordered, his voice unnaturally deep, likely due to the mask he wore.
Another loud bang echoed through the area, adding a layer of tension to the already intense confrontation.
Otto, kicked by the masked man, found himself kneeling on the ground, coughing up blood. The force of the kick had caused a significant drop in his HP, down by 70%. To make matters worse, the masked man had also broken the fingers that were holding Otto's shield.
"You need to call the association, Brand! - cough," Otto cried out, recognizing the severity of the situation. It was clear the masked man wouldn't stop until Brandon was defeated.
'Ah, sh*t! I can't use my skills; it would kill that man. But if I don't do something, at this rate, both me and Otto will die first,' Brandon thought, feeling the weight of the dire circumstances.
It that crucial moment, Brandon couldn't care anymore as he trace multiple Marks,
Slashes upon slashes.
-14 mana.
Brandon stood there dumbfounded as he realized that the masked man had only suffered light cuts despite the blood dripping from those wounds. Entropy, the skill that had easily dispatched goblins, now seemed rendered useless against this formidable opponent. The situation became even more dire as the masked man continued his relentless assault.
As the masked man charged towards him, Brandon remembered he had another skill.
Active skill :
-Entropy
-Ethereal
Brandon, who had never used his second skill, had no choice but to gamble. Adjusting the marks of Arretos to become even thicker, he began to chant.
Slash-
'....'
Otto, who was kneeling, was surprised to see the masked man stop moving. Suddenly, a terrifying sound echoed through the air. The mask the man wore broke into pieces, revealing noticeable cuts and one significant gash on his torso. The man collapsed, and blood could be seen flowing all over.
'I did it! It was a gamble, but I managed to stack the threads to make it even thicker.'
By adjusting the threads' size and length, Otto could make them thicker, releasing three times or five times the marks' slash strength with just one use of 'Entropy,' although it cost more mana. It sure proved to be an effective and strategic move.
Even with the attacks he used earlier, Brandon's manipulation of the threads to defeat the masked man only consumed 15 MP.
MP : 18/33
"Phew... ahhh, my fingers hurt a lot," Otto complained.
As they observed the person lying on the ground, both Brandon and Otto felt the need to assist. To their surprise, it wasn't a 'he' but a 'she.'
Once Otto's all-heal skill had cooled down, he carried the girl on his arm, and with Brandon holding her rapier, the two of them headed towards the place they had entered previously.
With a quiet chant, the goblins who were wandering around the same place were sliced and plopped down simultaneously. Sending a subtle hint to Otto that said;
'I'm going to collect these crystals.'
Otto was the first one to head out with the girl in his arms. After a quick glance at the surrounding area, Brandon also stepped out. The aftermath of their encounter left a surreal silence in the mystical realm.
Unbeknownst to both of them, multiple gazes were watching from one of the bushes.
"Did you see it earlier, young master? The way they handled the Ariel?" said a man with spiky hair.
"Yes, indeed. I need to make them mine. If I could use their skills to fight Ariel once more, she will have no choice but to accept our parents' proposal," said the man with a sinister laugh.
Heading out from the rift, Brandon and Otto filed a report, stating that the girl was fighting multiple goblins to avoid further investigation by the association.
As they waited from around 7 p.m until 9 p.m for the girl to wake up, Otto whispered, "Pssst... Brand, do you think she will report us when she wakes up?" with both hands on his chin. The uncertainty of the girl's reaction lingered in the air.
Brandon, still reveling in the satisfaction of the profit he and Otto had just gained, couldn't be bothered by the question. After all, one single crystal of rank E was worth 17 ringgits. With them collecting over 36 crystals, they had earned 551 after taxes. That meant 270 and more for each person, which was more than what Brandon earned in a day as a clerk before. The financial gain overshadowed concerns about potential reports from the mysterious girl.
No wonder his brothers encouraged him to hunt. Of course, if they hadn't taken the girl's kills, it would be less, but still. Brandon thought that if it was just goblins, it wouldn't give them a lot of trouble. Recalculating, 270 a day meant 1925 in a week, and in one month, they would earn more than 7700 ringgits.
"She won't... we will make sure of it. Maybe she will let it go as a misunderstanding or say that she lost control or something—" Before he could finish his sentence, someone spoke up.
"I lost what?" The girl with red hair tilted her head.
"Where am I? You! You're the one who used magic on me," she cried out, swift as lightning. Otto swiftly covered the girl's mouth, gesturing for her to be quiet.
Muffled, she said,
"Wphfat arh yew dhuing!"
'Shit, how do I say this... ugh.'
Brandon brainstormed before explaining to her.
"It's a condition I have for my innate abilities," Otto widened his eyes as he heard the words coming from his newly made comrade.
"Brand, you shouldn't disclose your vulnerability to strangers," Otto cautioned with a serious expression.
'I'm aware... but can you think of another way to handle this?'
It was unavoidable. If he kept his weakness hidden, he and Otto might encounter difficulties. Despite the girl attacking them, they emerged unharmed.
"I believe having one more person in the world who knows won't cause any issues. Besides, she doesn't strike me as a threat.
By the way, Otto, you can release your hand now," Brandon suggested, approaching the bed where the girl was resting.
The two of them couldn't see it, but the girl's ears turned red upon hearing Brandon remark that she doesn't seem like a bad person.
Her appearance was truly stunning, with balanced curves and well-toned muscles. Her physique remained hidden inside the rift when she wore a priest-like dress with a mask. Another distinctive feature was her hair color—a vibrant red, giving off a fierce and honest vibe.
"Hmmph! If the quest is a condition for your power, why isn't it showing now?" The girl crossed her arms.
Otto explained, "Apparently, outside of the rift, the system doesn't register his condition. Maybe it's because of how potent the magic is within the rift.
But it doesn't affect me since I have a skill that heals my body condition," Otto clarified as he resumed his previous seat on the couch.
'....'
The two of them held their breath, anxiously anticipating whether the girl would accept their explanation.
The prolonged silence made their minds race.
'Why is she taking so long to think about this? Just accept our excuse!' Brandon's frustration echoed in his thoughts. Meanwhile, Otto pleaded internally, 'God of love, Jesus in heaven, please let this servant go, and I promise to do three times more than usual at home. I can't afford to be sued. Mom will definitely kill me!'
Her gaze shifted to the table beside her. These two people were different from other Hunters—they didn't steal her rapier.
Examining the intricate carvings on the rapier hinted at its potential status—an artifact, and likely a high-ranking one.
"Fine, but I have a condition for both of you," she demanded as she stepped out from the infirmary bed.
"Oh no... she doesn't want us to pay money, right?" Brandon thought, envisioning the hard-earned money slipping from his grasp.
"No!" he mentally protested.
"Join my party!" she declared, standing tall in front of the two of them.
"Ehh?" Both men stood dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.
In their minds, the expected condition was either to pay money or face a lawsuit.
"First, give me your contact information, and I'll send you the address," she stated, motioning for them to hand over their phones.
With that, Brandon and Otto exchanged contacts. Before parting ways, they locked eyes and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, did you see your face, bro? You looked like you just lost one of your parents," Brandon remarked first.
"Uhm, I did lose my dad to a rift accident," Otto's expression briefly darkened before he chuckled again.
"Hahaha, don't mind about it. On the other hand, you looked like you were about to cry because your girl left you for another guy!" Otto replied, his hand landing on Brandon's shoulder.
Unbeknownst to Otto, his girl was with someone else; what's worse is that Heidi didn't even remember him.
"Uh... my girlfriend did leave in some way," they both laughed again.
"See you tomorrow, Brand!" Otto waved his hand before disappearing from Brandon's sight.
Just like that, Brandon finally forged a genuine friendship, a connection etched into his own memories today.
***
Returning home, Brandon was surprised to find his parents already there. As the family gathered, he shared the story of his first hunts in the rift.
Chapter finished.