As the shimmering gate closed behind me, the familiar hum of the city filled my ears. The streets were alive with activity, hunters rushing to their next missions, pedestrians oblivious to the dangers that lurked behind every corner. For them, life went on as usual, but for me, everything had changed.
I stood there, gripping the newly acquired Pendant of Resilience in my hand. Its warmth pulsed against my skin, an ever-present reminder of my victory within the gate. Slipping it around my neck, I felt a surge of strength. The system chimed again, confirming the boost.
Health: +10
New Health: 110
I couldn't help but smile. The power coursing through me was addictive, and I craved more. I needed to level up faster, to grow stronger than anyone else. But to do that, I'd need more than just random gates and small-time monsters. I needed to find something bigger, something that could push me beyond the limits of my current strength.
As I walked through the bustling streets, my mind was already racing with thoughts of my next move. Ten years ago, I had wandered through life aimlessly, unaware of the traps being laid by those I trusted. But this time, I knew exactly what to expect. I wasn't going to wait around to be betrayed again. This time, I would be the one in control.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Hey, Luca!"
I turned to see a familiar face—a face from my past. It was Ethan, a fellow student from the academy, and one of the people I once considered a friend. My heart clenched at the sight of him, memories of his betrayal flashing through my mind like a storm. But I kept my expression neutral. He didn't know anything. Not yet.
"Luca! Man, I've been trying to get a hold of you! Where've you been?" Ethan jogged up to me, slinging an arm around my shoulder in a gesture that felt far too friendly, considering what I knew about his future actions.
"Busy," I replied curtly, shaking him off. I needed to play it cool. He couldn't know what I remembered, and I couldn't risk letting my emotions get the better of me. Not yet.
"Busy, huh?" Ethan chuckled, oblivious to the tension brewing beneath my calm exterior. "Well, you missed out, man. There's a big raid coming up. Top-level stuff. You in?"
A raid. My mind raced. Ten years ago, I had participated in this exact raid. It had been the event that set everything in motion—the moment where the seeds of betrayal had been planted. But now, I had the chance to rewrite it. To change the outcome.
I kept my voice steady, masking the storm within. "Maybe. Tell me more about it."
Ethan's eyes lit up, clearly excited by the prospect of a new adventure. "It's a B-rank gate. Rumor has it there's a rare beast inside, something with enough power to elevate anyone who kills it to S-rank status. You know what that means, right?"
An S-rank beast? That was exactly what I needed. If I could defeat something that powerful, the experience points alone would skyrocket my strength. Not to mention the rare loot and potential new skills. But I also knew what lay ahead. This raid had been a disaster in my previous life—a perfect setup for betrayal.
"Who's leading the raid?" I asked, keeping my tone casual.
Ethan hesitated, glancing around as if to make sure no one was listening. "Leon," he finally whispered, his eyes glinting with excitement.
Leon. My blood ran cold. Of course, it was him. The one who had orchestrated everything. The leader who had pretended to be my ally, only to turn on me at the crucial moment. He was the one I had to be most careful of. But this time, I had the upper hand. I wasn't the same naive boy they had betrayed before.
I nodded slowly. "I'm in."
Ethan grinned, clearly pleased with my decision. "Awesome! We're meeting tomorrow at the academy. Be there, man. This could be our big break."
As he jogged off, I clenched my fists. My mind was already racing with strategies. I needed to be prepared—stronger, faster, better equipped than I had been last time. The system was my key to that. But I couldn't rely on raw power alone. I needed allies, people I could trust. And that meant finding someone outside of Leon's reach.
As I walked through the city, the vibrant lights flickering in the distance, I began plotting my next steps. There were hunters out there who hadn't been part of my past—people who didn't know about the betrayal. I needed to find them, recruit them, and build a team I could rely on.
The system pinged again, pulling me from my thoughts.
New Quest Available: Gather Allies for the Raid.
Reward: 500 Experience Points, Unique Item.
I smiled. The system knew exactly what I needed. I opened the quest panel and reviewed the details. To complete the quest, I would need to recruit at least two other hunters to join the raid. Easy enough.
I turned down a side street, heading toward a part of the city known for its underground combat arenas. If there were any talented hunters lurking in the shadows, this was the place to find them. My heart raced with anticipation. The thrill of the hunt was exhilarating.
As I approached the entrance to the arena, I heard the unmistakable sound of battle. The clash of weapons, the roar of the crowd. My kind of place.
I slipped inside, the scent of sweat and blood thick in the air. The crowd was gathered around the center ring, where two hunters were locked in combat. One of them—a girl with jet-black hair and fierce amber eyes—moved like lightning, her twin daggers flashing in the dim light. Her opponent, a hulking brute wielding a massive hammer, was struggling to keep up.
I watched in awe as she darted around him, her movements fluid and precise. Every strike landed with deadly accuracy. Within moments, the brute was on the ground, unconscious.
The crowd erupted in cheers, but I only had eyes for her. She was exactly what I needed.
As the fight ended, I made my way toward her. She was wiping the blood off her daggers, a look of satisfaction on her face. I approached, keeping my voice calm and steady.
"You're good," I said, catching her attention.
She glanced up, her amber eyes narrowing as she sized me up. "And who are you?"
"Luca," I replied, meeting her gaze without hesitation. "I'm putting together a team for a B-rank raid. I want you in."
She studied me for a moment, clearly skeptical. "Why should I trust you?"
I smirked. "Because I'm not like the others. And I know you're not either."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A B-rank raid, huh? What's in it for me?"
I leaned in, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "An S-rank beast. Enough power to elevate you to the top."
Her eyes gleamed with interest. After a moment, she nodded. "I'm in."
I extended my hand. "What's your name?"
"Aria," she replied, shaking my hand. "Let's see if you're worth my time, Luca."
With Aria on board, I was one step closer to completing the quest. Now I just needed one more ally, and I knew exactly where to find them. There was a rogue hunter I had crossed paths with in my previous life—someone who operated on the fringes of society, but who had unmatched skills in tracking and stealth.
This time, I would be ready for whatever came next. With my team, my system, and the knowledge of the future, I would make sure this raid went differently.
And when the moment came, Leon would pay.