The Hunter Association's local headquarters towered above the bustling streets of Antipolo City, a symbol of humanity's resilience in the face of the Malice threat. Its sleek glass and steel facade gleamed under the morning sun, standing in stark contrast to the chaos that once gripped the world.
As I stepped inside, I was greeted by the low hum of activity. The grand lobby was packed with newly awakened individuals like me, their faces a mix of awe, curiosity, and nerves. Some stood in small groups, chatting in hushed tones, while others hung back, observing the scene quietly.
Snippets of conversation floated through the air:
"Did you hear about the five parties consisting of Rank As only from Cebu? Apparently, they cleared their dungeon solo."
"That's nothing compared to the Saints. I mean, have you seen what they can do? They practically can solo a dungeon."
"Saints," I thought, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. No one's that powerful.
I adjusted my coat and kept moving, blending into the crowd. Whatever they thought they knew about power, I had learned the hard way that it came with a price—one I wasn't eager to pay again.
---
The auditorium was massive, its walls lined with glowing panels that displayed holographic projections of the Hunter Association's mission. Rows of chairs stretched before me, and I found a seat near the back, where I could observe without drawing attention.
A senior officer stepped onto the stage, her black-and-gold uniform sharp and imposing. She spoke with practiced authority, her voice carrying over the crowd effortlessly.
"Good morning, awakeners," she began. "Congratulations on completing your tutorial dungeon trials and joining the ranks of those chosen to fight for humanity's survival."
Behind her, a holographic map of the world flickered to life, marked with ominous red zones.
"These are the Malice Zones," she continued. "Areas where corrupted energy has made human life impossible. Your mission is to combat these zones and ensure they don't spread further."
The map zoomed in on a particularly large red zone, revealing jagged black spires labeled Core Dungeons.
"Core Dungeons are the most dangerous sources of Malice," the officer explained. "Each one surely contains a sealed celestial or devil being, their power leaking into the environment and fueling the corruption. Your task isn't to destroy these dungeons outright—that's impossible. Instead, you must contain their influence and protect humanity."
The crowd murmured, absorbing the weight of her words. I leaned back in my seat, watching the holographic display. Core Dungeons weren't mentioned in the tutorial dungeon, but their presence made an unsettling amount of sense.
---
The hologram shifted, displaying a simplified interface with glowing tabs: Stats, Mission Board, Inventory, and Skills.
"This is your System," the officer said, gesturing to the display. "It is your greatest tool and your most critical resource. Let's break it down."
She started with Stats, outlining attributes like Strength, Agility, and Vitality.
"These attributes define your physical and magical capabilities," she explained. "Experience points, or XP, can be allocated to enhance these stats and unlock new potential."
The hologram transitioned to the Mission Board, showing a calendar-style layout filled with categorized objectives.
"The Mission Board generates tasks based on your rank and abilities. Completing these missions rewards you with resources essential for growth."
Finally, the Skills Tab unfolded, revealing a rigid skill tree with locked nodes.
"Skills are unlocked by meeting specific requirements, such as achieving certain stat thresholds or acquiring skill scrolls. Mastery of these skills will determine your effectiveness in combat and other areas."
---
As the officer concluded her explanation, she opened the floor to questions.
A hand shot up from the middle rows, belonging to a young man with an eager expression. "Are there any differences in how the System works for individuals?"
The room fell silent, and the officer paused briefly before replying. "The System operates on a universal framework," she said evenly. "While your experiences with it may vary, its core functionalities are the same for all users."
The young man nodded, though whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Universal framework? Sounds like a cop-out answer," someone murmured.
"Maybe his System just hates him," another attendee snickered.
I didn't join the laughter, my thoughts turning inward. The officer's response had been smooth, but it didn't sit right with me. If the System was truly universal, why did mine feel so... different?
---
After the presentation, the room shifted into a more casual atmosphere. People mingled, some forming groups while others hung back. I headed for the refreshment table, hoping to avoid unnecessary attention.
"Hey, mind if I join you?"
I turned to find a young man grinning at me, his bright eyes and relaxed demeanor radiating confidence. He was holding a plate of snacks, his Rank A insignia gleaming faintly under the auditorium lights.
"Go ahead," I said, stepping aside.
"Gabriel Cruz," he said, offering his hand. "Figured I'd introduce myself. It's not every day you see so many new faces."
"Ji Zeus," I replied, shaking his hand.
"You enjoy the orientation?" he asked, leaning casually against the table.
"It was informative," I said simply.
"Yeah, pretty by-the-book," Gabriel admitted, popping a piece of bread into his mouth. "They don't tell you everything, though. You'll pick up the rest along the way."
"And you already know the rest?" I asked, my tone light but curious.
"Third-generation awakener," he said with a grin. "My parents were both Rank B hunters. I grew up hearing all the stories."
"Family legacy, huh?"
He shrugged, though there was a flicker of something heavier in his expression. "It's a lot to live up to, but I'm trying to make my own way."
"Good luck," I said, offering a faint smile.
"Thanks. And hey, if you ever need a sparring partner, look me up."
"Will do," I said, watching him walk away. There was more to Gabriel Cruz than met the eye.
---
As the crowd began to thin, I prepared to leave, only to hear a soft chime in my mind.
"Side Quest Completed: Orientation Initiation. Rewards claimed."
I dismissed the notification, my focus already shifting to the next steps.
"Mr. Zeus?"
I turned to see a uniformed officer approaching, her expression calm but purposeful.
"Yes?" I replied.
"The Director has requested a brief meeting with you. If you'd follow me, please?"
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Lead the way."
As she led me toward a side corridor, I felt the subtle shift in attention from some of the remaining attendees.
"Did you see that?" one of them whispered.
"Who is he?"
"No idea, but it's gotta be something big if the Director's involved," another added.
The murmurs followed me as I disappeared down the hallway, their curiosity lingering in the air like an echo.
---