--- [Alex’s perspective]

It’s been a few days now since we completed the 20-man F-rank dungeon.

The trip home was long and painful.

My arms were badly hurt, and I might have bled to death if it wasn’t for Shin…

He had to carry me all the way home, because I kept almost passing out.

We need to be more careful…

If we were to get hurt like that in a place even further away from the guild, then we might not make it back…

The healers in this guild are brilliant, but it won’t matter if we die before we get back…

After we healed up, I went to Lett’s room to check up on her, but she wasn’t there.

I tried knocking on her door this morning too, but she didn’t answer.

It’s like she just disappeared…

She didn’t even take her share of the reward.

I assume she’s out training somewhere, but she didn’t need to completely cut us off like that…

Anyways, it’s time to go on another mission now.

“Alex, you know the best way to get stronger is with combat training, right? We can’t let Lett overtake us that easily, so let’s find another difficult dungeon.” – Shin

“Sure!” – Alex

We both look around for a bit longer, then…

“Hey, Alex! What about this one?” – Shin

3-man E-rank dungeon…

“Are you sure about that? We struggled in the F-rank dungeon… This one is E-rank!” – Alex

“Yeah, buuuuut… that was a 20-man dungeon, and this is only a 3-man. That should balance it out right…?” – Shin

Not at all…

Even I know that an E-rank mission is far harder than an F-rank mission…

But…

He’s right.

If we can’t even do this, then how will we pass the E-rank exam?

Not to mention, if we complete an E-rank mission, they’ll definitely recommend us to take the exam!

“Let’s do it.” – Alex

Shin leans forward to grab the poster, but just before he takes it, a tall woman snatches it right from his grasp.

“Hey! We were going to take that one!” – Shin

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“Ok? Should have taken it before me then.” – Tall woman

“… Come on, don’t be like that. Give it back to us.” – Shin

“No.” – Tall woman

“You…!” – Shin

“How about we make a compromise?” – Alex

Both of them look at me.

“Hm?” – Tall woman

“We can all do it together!” – Alex

“…” – Shin

“Now that I think about it, I can’t seem to remember seeing you two before. Are you new?” – Tall woman

“Yup! We joined a couple days ago.” – Alex

“So, you’re trying to tell me that I should drag along two newbies to an E-rank mission? Hah! As if.” – Tall woman

“We’re not weak.” – Shin

“We’re not weak!” – Tall woman

She says in a mocking voice…

“They all say that…” – Tall woman

“It’s tru-” – Shin

“You know what? I have an idea. I’ll let you tag along under one condition.” – Tall woman

“What condition?” – Alex

“I get to keep the entire reward.” – Tall woman

“What? No way! Let’s just take another one, Alex.” – Shin

“Okay. We accept your condition.” – Alex

“Huh?!” – Shin

“Shin, this is the perfect opportunity to see an E-rank hunter in action!”

“Gah…” – Shin

He lets out an annoyed sigh.

“Fine.” – Shin

“Great!” – Tall woman

She smiles and quietly claps.

We walk over to the receptionist and hand over the flyer.

“Hey, it’s you two again! I warned you last time that you would get hurt from that 20-man F-rank dungeon. ‘It’s just an F-rank dungeon, okay? We got this.’ What a load of bull… You guys were injured from head to toe! I’m not letting you two enter an E-rank dungeon! Not happening.” – Receptionist

“Don’t worry, they’re with me. I’ll keep them safe, okay?” – Tall woman

“Tsk.” – Receptionist

She looks pissed off.

It’s understandable though…

She did warn us, but we just ignored her, and now we’re going for an even more dangerous mission…

“Fine! But only because it’s you, Luna…” – Receptionist

Luna?

That’s a pretty name.

The mission is assigned to us, and we leave the building.

“I guess we should introduce ourselves. I’m Luna Luna, an E-rank hunter!” – Luna

Luna Luna?

Her first name is also based on the town she’s from?

“I’m not ordinary E-rank hunter though…” – Luna

With a smug smile on her face, she continues on.

“I’ve actually already been recommended to take the D-rank exam!” – Luna

Wow…

So, she’s nearly on the level of a D-ranker?

That means she might be a match for Vic!

“Seems like you got yourselves some pretty serious injuries on your last mission, but… Did you really clear a 20-man F-rank dungeon all on your own?” – Luna

“Yeah.” – Shin

“Wow… Not bad! That might be difficult even for most E-rankers! Maybe you’re not too bad after all… Anyways, I’ve introduced myself, now it’s your turn.” – Luna

“I’m Alex Minima, nice to meet you!” – Alex

“Minima? I don’t think I’ve heard of that place before, where is it?” – Luna

“Oh, it’s just a small village in the outer area. I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it before.” – Alex

“I see. What about you then?” – Luna

“Shin Magnum.” – Shin

He looks like he’s still a bit annoyed about earlier…

“Ooh, Magnum! Magnum is a really nice place! I was there on a mission once… Oh, right! I almost forgot to ask about your specialties! It’s important to know about your allies abilities, ya know.” – Luna

“We can’t use SDM.” – Shin

“Huh?! So, you’re telling me that two fresh F-rankers cleared a 20-man F-rank dungeon alone, without even knowing SDM?” – Luna

“Well technically there was a third person but… Yeah.” – Alex

“Hmm… You two are much more interesting than I first gave you credit for. Well, I guess I’ll tell you about my specialty then. I can transform myself into practically anything. It can be my whole body, or just part of it. It has uses outside of combat, but combat is where it excels. If I’m attacking, then I can do this…” – Luna

Her arm turns into a giant hammer that’s even bigger than us…

“Or this…” – Luna

Her other arm turns into a spear.

“And so much more. I combine it with my BDM to amplify my attacks and make them much stronger than a normal punch would be. It also lets me take advantage of different attacking styles. Some monsters are weaker to cutting attacks, some are weaker to blunt attacks, and some are weaker to piercing attacks. Whatever it is, I can adapt. But that’s not all! I can also use it defensively like this.” – Luna

Her arms turn into two large shields; they look like they could handle any attack.

“It’s limited to inanimate objects though; I can’t transform into humans or animals. Well, anyways. Let’s head to the dungeon already, I’m getting bored just standing here!” – Luna

“Yes!” – Alex