Lagos, Nigeria, a city of stark contrasts where towering skyscrapers overlooked sprawling slums. Beneath its bustling surface lurked a hidden threat—monsters from another realm, emerging to wreak havoc and terrorize its inhabitants. Hunters, individuals gifted with unique systems granting them special abilities, were humanity's only defense.
Olutola Ojetola trudged through the crowded streets, his worn-out gear clinking with each step. Despite being a hunter for three years, he remained stuck at E-rank, the lowest tier among hunters. Today, he reluctantly headed to a routine dungeon raid with his guild, the Iron Fangs.
The Iron Fangs, a mid-tier guild, often underestimated Olutola's potential. He was seen as the weakest link, a sentiment echoed even by his teammates. As he approached the guild hall, a familiar sense of unease settled in his gut. Would today be any different?
"Hey, Tola!" called out Ahmed, a B-rank hunter and one of the few who treated him with some respect. "Ready for another day of monster-slaying?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Olutola replied, forcing a smile.
The team gathered, led by Chidi, their experienced leader. He briefed them on the day's mission—a straightforward raid in a low-level dungeon. Simple enough for most hunters, but Olutola knew better than to let his guard down.
Inside the dungeon, the air grew heavy with tension. Ancient runes adorned the walls, their faint glow casting eerie shadows. The team moved cautiously, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the silence.
The first wave of monsters appeared—goblins, low-level adversaries easily dispatched by the seasoned hunters. Olutola did his best to keep pace, but his attacks lacked the force and finesse of his comrades'.
"Watch your back, Tola!" shouted Ahmed as a goblin lunged at him. Olutola barely dodged in time, his pulse quickening. A sense of foreboding crept over him, amplified as they ventured deeper into the dungeon.
Suddenly, a deafening roar reverberated through the cavern. From the darkness emerged a colossal figure—a high-level monster beyond the team's readiness.
"Retreat!" Chidi bellowed, but it was too late. The monster charged, scattering the hunters. In the chaos, Olutola found himself cornered. His teammates were occupied with their own battles, leaving him vulnerable.
Desperation fueled his movements as he dodged and parried, but the monster's strength was overwhelming. A vicious blow sent him crashing against the dungeon wall, pain shooting through his body. As darkness threatened to consume him, a strange sensation washed over him.
"System initializing... Welcome, Olutola Ojetola. Your true journey begins now."
A transparent screen materialized before him:
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System Initialization Complete
Name: Olutola OjetolaÂ
Rank: EÂ
Level: 1Â
HP: 50/200Â
MP: 10/10Â
Strength: 10Â
Agility: 12Â
Endurance: 8Â
Intelligence: 10Â
Skills: None
_____________________________________________
"Is this some kind of prank?" Olutola wondered aloud, disbelief and curiosity warring within him. Tentatively, he reached out to touch the screen, half-expecting it to vanish. Yet it remained, its soft glow a testament to its reality.
Power surged through him, filling every fiber of his being. With newfound determination, Olutola staggered to his feet. The monster advanced once more, but this time, he was prepared.
"Skill Unlocked: Basic Slash."
With swift precision, he struck down the creature. As it fell, Olutola stood victorious, a fire kindled within him. This was just the beginning.