The guild bustled with hunters, but Zarek wasn't surprised. Numerous portals had opened across the Zolack Nation, drawing in hunters from far and wide.
Zarek approached the counter, where a lady greeted him warmly. "Welcome to Hunter's Guild. How may I help you?"
"I'm here to exchange mana crystals," Zarek replied.
"Please hand me your hunter's license." Zarek obliged, as she scanned the card on a machine reader, displaying his status.
Zarek placed the crystals on the wooden table, their gentle clinking sound filling the air. The lady took them, subjecting them to a laser analyzer.
"Mr. Zarek, there are 13 D-Rank mana crystals. However, I'm afraid we can't offer payment. This will only cover the loan you took out."
Zarek shrugged, unfazed. His life couldn't get much better. As a D-Rank hunter, he had a remarkable mana reserve, but his absorption skill was limited to healing magic and potions, making it four times more effective than an average hunter's.
Zarek nodded and left the guild. He walked through the crowded streets, the shop lights illuminating the dark evening. His weary legs ached from the day's raid, and his stomach growled from skipped meals.
The aroma of street food filled the air, tempting Zarek. But his empty pockets served as a harsh reminder of his financial struggles.
Just then, a booming voice cut through the evening din: "Zarek! Over here!"
Zarek turned, noticing Mr. Han at the food stand, expertly preparing food for customers.
The aroma of sizzling meat and steaming vegetables wafted through the air. Customers waited eagerly, their stomachs growling in anticipation.
Mr. Han, a seasoned cook with a kind face, juggled multiple dishes with precision. As Zarek approached, Mr. Han inspected his disheveled state and weary expression.
"Look at you!" Mr. Han exclaimed, concern etched on his face. "You haven't eaten today, have you?"
Zarek hesitated, about to dismiss the question, but his stomach betrayed him, growling loudly.
"I ate on the way," Zarek replied, his voice unconvincing.
Mr. Han chuckled knowingly. "Take a seat, Zarek. You're eating here tonight."
Zarek didn't argue, his hunger overwhelming. Mr. Han served him a steaming bowl of noodles, and Zarek devoured it, slurping loudly.
As he ate, Mr. Han watched, a warm smile on his face.
"You're too proud for your own good, Zarek," he said.
Zarek looked up, his eyes locking onto Mr. Han's.
"You can't keep giving me free meals, Mr. Han," Zarek said between bites. "You need the money."
Mr. Han's smile widened.
"Who said it's free? I'm taking credit. You'll have to pay me back... eventually."
Mr. Han's forehead creased with concern.
"So, how was the raid today?"
Zarek shrugged. "It was okay."
Mr. Han's expression turned stern.
"Don't skip meals, Zarek. When your mom wakes up, she'll want to see her son good and healthy."
"Don't worry, Mr. Han. I'm eating well. Today I was just busy."
Zarek finished his bowl, sighing in relief.
"That was amazing, Mr. Han. Put it on the tab; I'll pay you back for sure."
Mr. Han smiled, packing additional food into a takeaway container.
"Here, take this before you leave."
Zarek hesitated, "You know I can't take this, Mr. Han."
Mr. Han's expression turned stern.
"Just take it, Zarek. A hunter should always keep his stomach full, no matter what."
Zarek's protests fell flat as Mr. Han's insistence won out. He accepted the food, guilt etched on his face.
"Don't forget to heat it before you eat," Mr. Han reminded.
"I will," Zarek replied, nodding in gratitude before leaving.
*****
"How long since the report, Max?" Mr. Kael, Head of IHA, hastened through the Zolack Nation's ultra-secure headquarters, surrounded by layers of elite soldiers and hunters who protected the facility from unauthorized access.
"About an hour, sir," his secretary replied, struggling to keep up.
"I would've informed you earlier, but you were in a meeting with the President."
As they approached the elevator, Kael initiated the biometric scan. The scanning voice confirmed his identity, and the doors slid open.
Inside, the elevator descended at a steady pace. When the doors opened again, they stepped into a bustling room filled with scientists.
Inside, the elevator descended at a steady pace. When the doors opened again, they stepped into a bustling room filled with scientists in lab coats.
At the center, the massive K crystal pulsed with an eerie orange glow, dwarfing the surrounding humans.
Kenji, Head of Mana Study, hastened towards Kael. "Mr. Kael, glad you're here," Kenji said, his spectacles glinting with excitement.
"We called you as it was reported, we've never seen anything like this before"
Kael interrupted, "Yeah, I can see it. Why the change? It usually turns blue when a portal opens."
Kenji's eyes locked onto Kael's. "That's exactly what I'm saying. Among the crystals that crashed to Earth 50 years ago, K crystal is the largest. And it is the only one that indicates the opening of an S-Rank portal. Did you find out what is causing this? Kael's curiosity lingered.
"We've looked at the mana readings from the crystal, and it shows readings higher than that of S-Rank."
Kael's gaze intensified. "So, what are you suggesting?"
"I think a portal higher than S-Rank is about to open," Kenji's eyes locked onto him as he said.