As Vanitas approached the group of hunters gathered near the dungeon portal, his steps faltered. Anxiety gripped him, his heart pounding as he feared being mocked again for his weakness. Despite his nerves, he forced himself forward, knowing this was his only chance to earn enough money to pay his mother's hospital bills.
The group consisted of seasoned hunters: two C-rank hunters—a tank and a fighter—who exuded confidence and strength; three D-rank hunters, including two mages and a healer; and an E-rank healer. Vanitas, the only F-rank, stood out painfully among them.
Hunters were typically divided into four roles, each essential in dungeon raids:
Mages: Specialists in casting spells like fireballs, roots, or ice shards. Their power came at the cost of stamina, which they needed to manage carefully.
Fighters: Close-combat experts who excelled in dealing heavy damage to monsters.
Healers: Rare and highly valued, these hunters could mend wounds and keep the team alive during battles.
Tanks: Durable and resilient, they shielded their teammates by absorbing damage from enemies.
Together, they formed a balanced team—at least on paper.
**
"Oy, what's your name, fellow?" one of the D-rank mages called out, his voice casual but curious.
"It's Vanitas," he replied, scratching the back of his head nervously.
The group fell silent for a moment before one of the C-rank hunters, the fighter, barked a laugh. "Wait, wait, is this the guy? The F-rank hunter who can't even handle an F-rank creature?"
Snickers rippled through the group, and Vanitas clenched his fists, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"Yeah, that's him," another voice chimed in. It was one of the D-rank hunters, grinning sheepishly. "And I'm the one who invited him here."
"You invited him?" the C-rank tank scoffed, his tone incredulous. "What's he supposed to do, carry our supplies? We're in a C-rank dungeon, not babysitting."
Vanitas swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the ground. He wanted to defend himself, but the words caught in his throat.
"Enough," said the E-rank healer, stepping forward with a stern expression. "We're here to clear this dungeon, not bicker. Everyone pulls their weight, no matter their rank. Got it?"
The group quieted down, though Vanitas could still feel their judgmental stares. He nodded silently, vowing to prove himself—if only to survive the mission.
**
The portal shimmered ominously before them, its bluish hue casting an eerie glow. Vanitas took a deep breath, his heart pounding as they prepared to enter. This was it. His chance to show he wasn't just the weakest link.
Or so he hoped.
"Are you okay, Vanitas?" asked Kai, the blonde-haired, muscular man who had invited him to join the group.
Vanitas hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "Y-yeah, I'm okay, Kai. Thank you for inviting me here." He clenched his fists tightly, trying to suppress his anxiety.
Kai noticed Vanitas's tense hands, and a pang of guilt flashed across his face. "Don't worry, friend. After this, you'll be able to save up the money you need," Kai said, trying to reassure him. "You told me yourself—you need it to cover the debts and hospital bills for your mom. It must be hard for you, dealing with all of that."
Before Vanitas could respond, the F-rank healer overheard their conversation and decided to approach.
"Hello, you two!" she said cheerfully, her voice warm and welcoming as she carried her wand. "I'm Alexis. Nice to meet you both."
Alexis had pale white skin, flowing blonde hair, and piercing green eyes that seemed to glow with kindness.
Kai's face immediately turned bright red. "Oh… uh, h-hey, Alexis," he stammered, barely meeting her gaze. 'Damn, she's stunning. Why is my face so red? I'm so bad at talking to girls,' he thought to himself, his internal monologue betraying his flustered state.
Alexis tilted her head slightly, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "No need to be shy," she teased lightly. Then, her expression softened as she glanced at Vanitas. "What's your name?"
"I'm Vanitas," he said, doing his best to sound calm. "I know… it's kind of a lame name."
Alexis shook her head firmly. "No, it's not lame at all. It's unique—"
Before she could finish, a commanding voice cut through the air.
"Alright, everyone! Enough chit-chat!"
The voice belonged to Beon, the C-rank fighter and the leader of the raid. He stepped forward, his broad frame and confident posture demanding attention.
"Let me introduce myself," Beon continued, his tone authoritative. "I'm Beon, the lead for today's raid and a proud member of the Berserkal Guild."
A gasp rippled through the group, especially from the D-rank hunters.
"No way!" one of them exclaimed, their eyes wide with awe. "The Berserkal Guild is one of the top guilds! I can't believe we're working with someone from them!"
Beon smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction, but he quickly refocused on the task at hand.
"Alright, listen up," he said, turning his attention to the portal. Its swirling blue energy pulsed ominously. "This is a C-rank dungeon. Stick to your roles, stay sharp, and we'll clear it without a hitch." He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Everyone, let's clear some dungeon!"
Vanitas swallowed hard, his heart racing as the group began to move toward the portal. 'This is it,' he thought. 'No turning back now.'
"Vanitas, it's going to be okay," Alexis said cheerfully, her warm smile easing some of his nerves.
"Yeah, we've got your back, my friend," Kai added, gripping the hilt of his long steel sword tightly.
Vanitas managed a faint smile, glancing at the two of them. "Thanks for cheering me up, you two." He then turned his gaze to his weapon—a blade with signs of wear, almost rusted. Clenching it in his hands, he thought, 'This blade… I hope it's enough to kill even one single creature. It cost me so much—almost 500k at the Hunter Association Weapon Shop.'
The Hunter Association Weapon Shop (HAWS) was a staple for hunters, a place where they could buy weapons tailored to their roles. For Vanitas, it was his only hope for even the most basic gear. There was also the Trade Hall, an alternative marketplace where hunters sold off treasures, armor, weapons, or even crystal shards from their dungeon expeditions.
As the group approached the swirling blue portal, a strange warmth radiated from it, brushing against their faces like an inviting breeze.
"Everyone, get ready," Beon said, his tone steady and commanding. "Stay together and follow my lead."
One by one, they stepped into the portal, vanishing into its glowing depths.
Vanitas was the last to go. He hesitated for a moment, gripping his sword tighter. His heart pounded in his chest as thoughts of doubt and determination swirled in his mind. 'I have to do this. For Mom… for myself.'
He stepped forward, and the warmth engulfed him as he entered the portal.
End of Chapter.