Cloud rubbed his stomach, groaning in pain as he navigated the bustling pavement, surrounded by a sea of people.
"Damn! This guy really gave it his all this time, huh?" he muttered under his breath, taking a deep breath to steady himself.
Despite the chaos around him, Cloud maintained a calm expression, lost in deep thoughts as he weaved through the crowd.
After a few minutes, he found himself standing before a towering skyscraper that seemed to pierce the clouds above.
Atop the building was an enormous LCD screen broadcasting images of warriors clad in various outfits and wielding an array of flashy weapons emerging from a portal.
Some bore injuries and had blood splattered across their bodies, yet all wore smiles tinged with faint arrogance.
Suddenly, the screen flickered to life with a stunning news presenter dressed in a sharp OL suit and gold-rimmed glasses. With a gentle smile, she announced, "Three days ago, the A-Rank Darkstar Guild's 4th Assault Team cleared an A-Rank Ruin within two hours, breaking the record for the fastest clearance of such ruins in Apex City…"
Cloud stood transfixed before the giant LCD screen, blankly absorbing the news.
He watched warriors his age flaunting their strength and slaying monsters; envy surged within him as he clenched his fists tightly.
With a deep sigh, he shook his head and continued walking forward with vacant eyes.
If only this world were like it was just a few years ago, normal and free from portals, ruins, or monsters, Cloud would have been content living an ordinary life.
He didn't know about others, but for him? The allure of supernatural abilities and overnight riches held no appeal.
All he wanted was to lead an unremarkable life: get an ordinary job after some years, marry an ordinary woman, and enjoy simple pleasures.
But that dream felt increasingly distant; without supernatural abilities today, you were considered among the weakest humans alive.
Young people like Cloud found it hard to connect with others when they lacked even they couldn't awakened their abilities.
But now in this world were strength rules, being weak means being at the bottom of the food chain.
Although Cloud prefers a simple life but in this current world, if one doesn't have strength it means you can be killed at any moment.
Realized this when he was just ten years old, but he wouldn't awaken his abilities, he has been obsessed with being a Warrior, getting power and wealth but unfortunately he isn't a Warrior.
Finding any job was challenging enough; pay was meager at best.
Cloud wasn't unhappy with menial work if it were just for himself, but there were others depending on him for support and protection.
The thought weighed heavily on him; how could he care for them while doing something so trivial? If it were only about himself?
Sure! He wouldn't mind cleaning toilets just to avoid risking his life daily for mere survival, if it were just only him.
Cloud is an orphan, a boy who has spent his entire life in an orphanage.
Memories of his parents are nothing but a void; he doesn't even bother to search for them.
Why would he? In Cloud's eyes, if someone doesn't want you, why should you want them? It's like tossing out garbage only to have it come back complaining about being discarded.
To him, the idea of searching for his parents feels pointless, like chasing after an illusion of hope that could shatter his fragile heart into pieces.
Unlike some of the other children at the orphanage who dream daily of finding their parents or getting adopted, Cloud has long since given up on such fantasies.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, he shook his head and pulled out his broken phone to check the time.
"Oh no! I'm really late!" he cursed under his breath, anxiety creeping into his chest as he quickened his pace toward the entrance.
-------------------------------
"Speaking of the devil, here he is!" Sir Ethan announced with a warm smile as he pointed toward the barricades.
Logan and Blackwood turned their gazes to where Sir Ethan was pointing and spotted a young man, rushing toward them.
He was around twenty years old, sporting short black hair that barely reached his nape.
This is naturally Cloud who have been running here after knowing that he was late, panting and sweating.
His faded long pants had seen better days; they looked washed countless times, and a pair of worn-out sneakers showcased multiple holes.
A brown hoodie completed his look as he panted heavily from running.
"Earth! Sir Ethan," Logan said with a perplexed expression, "no offense, but why did you hire an ordinary person as a scavenger?"
He had expected someone more formidable, at least an E Rank Warrior, but instead found himself staring at someone without any Mana.
"Yeah! Sir Ethan," Blackwood chimed in with confusion etched on his face. "You know how dangerous this is! An E Rank Warrior would have some means of protecting themselves."
Sir Ethan stroked his mustache thoughtfully before responding with a gentle smile. "Don't worry about him; he's been working with me for half a year now and is quite good at what he does. He won't drag us down."
Logan and Blackwood exchanged glances before falling silent for a moment.
"Has the Association agreed to this?" Logan finally asked.
"Yes," Sir Ethan confirmed, nodding earnestly. "The Association allowed me to take him on as my scavenger.
His safety is my responsibility during our raids, and it's also because of him that I've been assigned to weaker Ruins lately. Otherwise, given our strength, we wouldn't be clearing this D Rank Ruin."
Realization dawned on both Logan and Blackwood as they observed Cloud sprinting closer.
"Okay, I trust you, Sir Ethan," Logan said with a reluctant smile.
"Hahaha! Don't worry, you'll see soon enough!" Sir Ethan waved his hand dismissively, a reassuring smile on his face.
By this time, Cloud had already trotted over to Sir Ethan and the others after passing through security at the entrance.
"Hey there, kiddo! Glad you made it," Sir Ethan said warmly as he looked at Cloud with kind eyes.
Cloud scratched his head sheepishly and replied, "Sorry for being late, Sir Ethan. Something held me up!" His voice was laced with genuine apology.
"Ah, don't sweat it! We just got here ourselves," Sir Ethan casually brushed off the concern with another wave of his hand.
"Thanks!" Cloud nodded back with a smile, fully aware that Sir Ethan was being a bit economical with the truth about their arrival time.
"Let me introduce you to some of my teammates who've been by my side for years," Sir Ethan said, gesturing toward Logan and Blackwood.
Finally turning to face them, Cloud realized he hadn't paid much attention when he first arrived due to his nerves about being late.
"Hello! Sorry for not greeting you two earlier," he quickly apologized with an awkward smile.
Logan and Blackwood exchanged glances; Logan merely nodded before looking away indifferently, to him Cloud is a little more than an insignificant ant in his eyes.
In contrast, Blackwood offered a warm smile that felt welcoming.
"This is Logan, a C-Rank Warrior, and this is Blackwood, a D-Rank Warrior," Sir Ethan introduced them proudly. "Logan had an accident recently and has been recovering in the hospital. As for Blackwood here, he's been busy celebrating the birth of his child last year. They are both my trusted teammates; I'd trust them with my life!" He chuckled lightly as he spoke.
Cloud listened attentively and nodded along.
He couldn't help but notice the different attitudes directed at him: Logan's faint arrogance contrasted sharply with Blackwood's kindness.
Just then, one of the uniformed personnel approached them : Inspector Ron, who appeared to be in his thirties with tousled brown hair and piercing eagle-like eyes.
"Sir Ethan, is everyone here?" Inspector Ron asked as he approached.
"Yes, Inspector Ron, that's all of us," came Sir Ethan's quick response.
At that moment, other warriors gathered around them in high spirits as they checked their gear and equipment.
"Good," Inspector Ron replied flatly before handing a stack of papers to Sir Ethan. "Sign these so your team can enter the Ruin."
Sir Ethan accepted the papers and signed them within minutes before returning them to Inspector Ron.
The inspector glanced over the signed documents before looking back at him. "I wish you good luck; now you may enter."