Xavier's heart pounded in his chest as the train screeched to a halt at the station. The doors hissed open, and he bolted out, weaving through the bustling crowd. Pedestrians barely spared him a glance as he pushed past, muttering apologies that no one heard.
"Move, move, move!" he grumbled to himself, narrowly dodging a street vendor's cart.
He glanced at his watch and cursed. 7:58. Two minutes until the raid team was scheduled to assemble. If he didn't make it in time, Brandon would have his head—if not his entire paycheck.
As he sprinted down the crowded sidewalk, his foot caught on a jagged crack in the pavement.
"Ah, crap—"
Xavier went down hard, landing face-first in a puddle of dirty water. The shock of cold and grime made him wince as he rolled onto his back, groaning.
"Great. Just great," he muttered.
He caught his reflection in the puddle—a mess, as usual. His brown hair, usually unruly, now plastered to his forehead in wet strands. His bright brown eyes stared back at him with a mixture of frustration and resignation. His favorite red jacket with blue accents, now soaked and stained, reeked of stagnant water.
The smell hit him like a slap. "Ugh, smells like a sewer."
Gritting his teeth, Xavier pushed himself up. He brushed off as much of the muck as he could, to little effect, and pressed on. The laughter and whispers of a few onlookers only added insult to injury, but he ignored them. He had no time for embarrassment.
….
When Xavier finally arrived at the gate site, he was out of breath, his lungs burning. The massive portal shimmered in the air, a swirling mass of deep blue and white energy that radiated an unsettling hum. A small crowd of civilians and lower-rank hunters stood at a safe distance, watching the raid team prepare.
Seven hunters were gathered near the gate, each busy with last-minute checks on their gear. Xavier scanned the group, taking in the team he was about to spend the next few hours with:
• Brandon Steele (B-rank): The leader and tank. His heavily plated armor gleamed under the morning sun, his shield almost as big as he was. His sharp jawline and fiery brown eyes matched his overbearing personality.
• Dana Fields (C-Rank): The team's healer. A petite woman with short black hair and soft blue eyes, she carried a glowing staff carved with intricate runes.
• Marcus Gale (C-rank): A stocky, bald fighter wielding a pair of massive axes slung across his back. His laughter boomed even in tense moments.
• Ellis Voss (C-rank): A calm and focused ranger with a deadly longbow.
• Riley Trent (D-rank): The scout, dressed in lightweight armor, dual daggers strapped to his thighs. His restless movements spoke of nervous energy.
• Nina Hart (D-rank): A mage with flaming red hair tied into a ponytail. Her hands glowed faintly with magical energy.
• Eli Ward (D-rank): The secondary fighter, armed with a spear and a permanent smirk.
Xavier made the team eight, though his only role was the least glamorous one: porter.
Brandon's eyes locked onto him the moment he arrived, and his expression darkened. He stomped toward Xavier, his heavy boots crunching on the gravel.
"Mercer!" Brandon's voice boomed. "You're late. Again."
Xavier opened his mouth to explain, but Brandon cut him off.
"I can excuse the fact that you're an E-rank. Hell, I'm already scraping the bottom of the barrel letting you on my team. But even E-ranks know how to show up on time! What kind of unprofessional joke are you?"
Xavier flinched under the verbal onslaught, but it didn't end there. Brandon pinched his nose and took a step back.
"Good lord, what's that smell? Did you swim here in sewage water?"
Xavier glanced at the other hunters, hoping for a shred of sympathy. Instead, he was met with disapproving shakes of the head or eyes rolling in silent judgment. No one moved to speak up for him.
"Sorry, I—" Xavier started, but Brandon waved him off.
"Save it. Just grab the bag over there with the other equipment," Brandon said, pointing toward a pile of gear near the edge of the staging area. "And listen closely, Mercer: Don't drop anything. Don't lose anything. If you screw this up, you're paying for it. Understand?"
Xavier nodded quickly. "Got it."
As he shuffled toward the pile of gear, he couldn't help but feel the weight of everyone's gaze. He grabbed the bag, slinging it over his shoulder, and was double-checking its contents when a soft voice interrupted him.
"Hey, don't let him get to you."
Xavier turned to see Ellis Voss standing a few feet away. She was stunning, even in the gritty surroundings of the gate site. Her long, sleek black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing green eyes softened as she looked at him. She wore a fitted leather outfit with green accents, her C-rank bow slung casually over her shoulder. The weapon gleamed with enchantments, its craftsmanship leagues above anything Xavier could afford.
Her voice was low but smooth, almost comforting. "I'm sorry about Brandon. He's not great with people who… well, don't meet his expectations."
Xavier shrugged, still feeling the sting of embarrassment. "I guess I kind of earned it, though. I mean, he's right—I shouldn't have been late."
Ellis smiled faintly. "Maybe. But that doesn't mean he has to treat you like that." She glanced back toward the group, then leaned in slightly. "Truth is, Brandon's got a lot riding on this raid. He was recently evaluated as a B-rank, and he's been scrambling to make a name for himself. This strike team is his debut. He's hoping to use this raid to impress the guilds."
"That explains a lot," Xavier said, though his voice was tinged with bitterness.
Ellis nodded. "Doesn't excuse him, though. Anyway, don't take it personally. Most of us are glad you showed up. Even if you're E-rank, it boosts morale to have another set of hands on deck. And for what it's worth, I'm rooting for you."
Xavier blinked, caught off guard by her kindness. "Thanks," he said after a moment. "I appreciate it. And… yeah, I know I need to get my act together. My life's not exactly glamorous, but I'm trying."
"You'll get there," Ellis said with a reassuring smile.
Xavier scratched the back of his head, suddenly self-conscious. "Uh, I just realized—I haven't even introduced myself. I'm Xavier Mercer."
"I know," she said, laughing lightly. "But it's nice to officially meet you, Xavier. I'm Ellis Voss, C-rank ranger." She patted her bow for emphasis.
Before he could respond, Brandon's voice rang out again.
"Alright, team! Gather up! We're moving in!"
Ellis gave Xavier one last encouraging nod before heading to join the others. Xavier took a deep breath, adjusted the bag on his shoulder, and followed.
The shimmering gate loomed before them, its energy crackling like distant thunder. The team formed a line, Brandon taking the lead.
"Stay close, stay sharp, and don't mess up," Brandon barked, his eyes briefly flicking to Xavier.
Xavier clenched his fists, determined not to be the weak link. As they stepped into the gate, the world dissolved into a blinding blue light, and Xavier's journey began.