The greatest phenomenon of the modern world, the Gate.
They began appearing roughly 20 years ago, tears in the fabric of reality that lead to another world.
The areas these Gates lead to were enclosed environments filled with fantastical resources and guarded by dangerous magical beasts leading to the general population referring to these wondrous places as Dungeons.
The magical beasts that dwelt in Dungeons were almost nothing like the ones that live in our world. They more closely resembled the ones described in myths and legends.
The magical energy that coursed through their bodies made them immune to conventional man-made weapons. The only things that could harm them were weapons that were also magical in nature.
In these modern times, Gates are considered both a blessing and a curse. They may contain ravenous monsters, but the resources within are worth the danger. So much so that a booming business was created around the exploration and plundering of Dungeons.
Hunters being the only people capable of entering Gates, made their fortune gathering the treasures within.
Possessing special bodies capable of producing magical energy, Hunters are a special breed. The amount of magical energy one produces varies from person to person.
The varying degrees of magical energy production varied so greatly that Hunters are placed into classes denoting their output.
Starting with E-rank at the bottom and moving all the way up to EX-rank at the very top due to their magical energy being unquantifiable.
The magical energy that courses through their bodies enhances them to superhuman levels and grants them other fantastic abilities.
No one knows why these phenomena happen. But, due to the similarities with creatures and lands described in old legends people theorize these bizarre events have happened before. Inspiring the poets of old.
***
Life for an E-rank Hunter is a difficult one.
The strength of one is no greater than the average person. Some may be stronger, or possess a higher resistance to afflictions, but it’s all between the bounds of the average Joe.
The only thing that sets E-rank Hunters apart from the general population is their ability to enter Gates.
Diego Vivar is one such Hunter. Even amongst E-ranks, he was exceptionally average.
This exceptionally average level of strength often leads him to get injured by even the lowest level of magical beasts. Almost dying while in Dungeons was also a common occurrence.
Because of his tendency to suffer accidents on the job, he developed a bad reputation amongst his peers. Constantly getting laughed at, being tasked with the worst jobs, and worst of all the awful cuts when pay was involved.
Honestly if it were up to him, Diego would quit being a Hunter and do literally anything else.
Unfortunately, it was the only job that paid well enough to afford taking care of his parents. A guy like him, someone in their mid-twenties with no educational certificates and the only job experience being bussing tables, just couldn’t land any other profession he would need for such a task.
It's not like bills stop coming in when you are getting training to be a plumber. So whether he liked it or not, being a Hunter was the only option for him.
It was on a Tuesday in October when Diego reported to work on a small E-rank Dungeon raid in his neighborhood.
Like Hunters, Dungeons were also ranked on a scale from E to EX.
The magical energy that radiated from the Gates were read by special devices, and once their rating was confirmed, the rights to enter them for clearing were sold to the highest bidder.
E-rank Dungeons usually yielded extremely low profits, but because of their low danger level, they were also the easiest to clear and were perfect for Hunters to train in.
By the time Diego arrived at the meeting site, the rest of the raid team had shown up.
The team was composed of a dozen Hunters most of which were E-rank, some were enjoying an on the go breakfast, others were preparing their equipment, and others still were enjoying a casual chat.
“Brrr weather is starting to get chilly huh.”
“Yeah, I actually had to pull out my thermal shirt this morning.”
“How’s the family?”
“Same old, same old. Leni is turning 17 next month and I promised her I would get her a car. I was planning on buying her a beater, but Rita said she would bury me if I got that girl a death trap.”
“Hahaha! That’s Rita.”
“Yeah, I love her. So anyway, I’m just trying to get some more scratch to get a decent car. Rita is worried though. She doesn’t like that I do this.”
“Oh I wouldn’t worry too much about that.”
One of the Hunter’s looks over at Diego who was sitting alone at a bench sipping some coffee. The other Hunter looks over as well following the lead of the first one.
“Oho Flat-Foot.”
“The Bureau wouldn't let a guy like him do anything too dangerous. This Dungeon should be a cinch.”
Diego made a sour face as he overheard the two men laugh at him. But, they were right. The nickname “Flat-Foot” stuck because he would always get caught by something in a Dungeon.
And even though this profession was extremely dangerous, the Bureau would always do their best to have Hunters participate in raids of their skill level.
Diego sighed bitterly as he finished his coffee and proceeded to follow the crowd around the Gate entrance.
He looked around and saw everyone had their equipment on. It wasn't anything extravagant, some were wearing simple pieces of leather armor and carrying low level weapons.
Even if they were low level, because they were imbued with magic, the price for them was way outside his budget.
All he could afford was a simple short sword and even then it cost him a month’s pay.
The rest of his “equipment” was just simple joggers, sneakers, a hoodie and a backpack.
One Hunter stepped forward addressing the group. He was a tall pale skinned man who had his long black hair tied into a ponytail. He wore light armor and carried a brass shield and a war pick.
“Excellent, everyone is here. For those that don't know I am Donald Stark, you can all call me Donnie.
I am a C-rank Hunter specializing in tanking, working for the Beasts Guild and acting raid captain.
Today we will be raiding an E-rank Dungeon. Even if they are classified as not a major threat, you can get hurt if you aren't careful.
If you perform well, you may be considered for recruitment in the guild.”
Donnie places his hand on Diego's shoulder.
“Make sure to stay in groups, and don't get lost.”
Diego is handed a pick ax and a large bag.
“Some of you will not be acting in combat roles, instead you will be in charge of mining magic crystals. The attack team will make sure you are protected while you mine.”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
After going over the instructions for today's assignment, the group walks into the Dungeon.
***
“Another scar for the collection Flat-Foot?”
“...”
“Lighten up, because you killed it, you get to keep its core. Isn't that nice?”
Battered and bruised, Diego was in the process of dressing injuries he had received from a stray ruin jackal.
He was also enduring a bit of light ribbing from a nearby Hunter who had come over to check on him.
Despite the gate having E-rank monsters, he was still injured pretty badly because of his inability to afford any armor to protect himself from their claws.
At least he had a weapon he could use to defend himself.
Even if it was of low quality and a sub-par magic infusion, because it cost him so much, he clung to it for dear life.
So much so that he was too afraid to swing it for fear of it getting damaged.
His performance in combat may have been pathetic, but he shouldn't have had to worry about it for this excursion.
He was in charge of mining that day.
All he had to do was carry equipment and mine the magic crystals that formed on the Dungeon walls.
“And what's so amusing about him being injured?”
“Oh!! Mr. Stark, uh… N-no… I was just having a bit of fun with him.”
“A miner's job is to mine. Any injuries they suffer from magical beasts is due to negligence from the attack force.”
“R-right sorry…”
The older Hunter sheepishly walks away rubbing his balding head in embarrassment.
Donnie walks over to Diego to check on him.
“I apologize for your injuries.”
“Thanks, but it's fine. I'm always getting hurt.”
“Even so, ensuring your safety was my responsibility as raid leader. So I will make sure you are properly compensated.”
“Oh! Thank you!”
Smiling cooly, Donnie walks off to supervise the rest of the raid team.
The raid party had already cleared the Dungeon.
All the creatures in this dungeon were thoroughly exterminated, almost all resources were carried out, and the Dungeon Boss was being hauled away.
As of right now, the party was enjoying the unexpected bonus of finding a treasure room.
The Hunters celebrated the rare find, but knew they had to hurry when picking any treasure for themselves.
Dungeon Bosses are special magical beasts that tend to be one rank higher than the beasts within their respective Dungeons.
Usually there's only one of them and they act as the Dungeon Gates anchor by supplying it with a constant stream of magical energy.
When a Boss is defeated, the Gate Closes soon afterwards due to it no longer receiving magical energy.
That's why Dungeon Bosses are usually left for last.
Treasure rooms were very rare in E-rank Dungeons like this one.
They would only appear after a Boss had been defeated, so thoroughly looking within them tended to be extremely difficult due to time constraints.
But, finding a treasure room is always worth the hassle as they yielded pretty decent hauls that fetched a pretty penny and artifacts capable of raising a Hunter's ability.
On super rare occasions one could even find special Runestones that if a Hunter consumed could grant them unique skills.
Diego was fortunate to be in this raid, even if he didn’t directly contribute to clearing the Dungeon, laws set by the Bureau entitled him to some of the treasure in this room.
As he looked around he saw other E-rank Hunters get harassed by Hunter’s of higher rank.
“Hey!! Give that back!! I found it first!!”
“Yeah so? What’s a lowly porter gonna do with a fine sword like this? Be grateful you were allowed in here and just take a few scraps.”
“Bureau law states we are entitled to our share!! What gives you the right to take that from me?”
“This…”
An E-rank Hunter was being hassled by a D-rank one. He was pushed to the ground with the D-rank holding a small fire ball in his hand.
“Knock it off Hakeem, the rules are clear about treasure rights. We don’t want to have the Bureau up our ass.”
“Y-yeah… sorry Donnie…”
After sheepishly apologizing to Donnie, Hakeem pulls out a few glowing crystals from one of the pouches on his belt.
The crystals were Monster Cores, special crystals within monsters that give them their powers.
The crystals are valued due to their ability to conduct energy. Monsters of higher rank have more powerful crystals.
Hakeem tosses a few E-rank Monster Crystals before the E-rank Hunter.
“Here, this should be enough for a fair trade.”
For fear of any further threat of bodily harm, the E-rank Hunter gave up on the sword and took the crystals. Even if they were E-rank, the crystals were valuable.
Everyone around them went back to their business of looking for any treasures they wished to take home.
Hakeem kept stomping around more interested in tormenting E-rank than actually seeking anything of value.
Donnie on the other hand was more keen on finding something of note.
He closely examined weapons and the occasional spell tome.
He grabbed any that seemed useful and ignored lesser treasures.
“Damn, I was hoping there would be a Rune here…”
Satisfied with his search, he begins exiting the treasure room.
“I’m done, Hakeem, I leave the rest to you.
Donnie walks out fixing his long dark hair. Hakeem waves to him, understanding the order.
Elsewhere in the room, Diego continues to look at treasure.
He had grabbed a few daggers and some rings to sell and was just about finished.
He knew that if he had tried to get any more, he would also be targeted by Hakeem.
Before he leaves, he notices a black box roughly larger than his hand amongst some jewelry.
He picked up the box drawn to its bizarrely simplistic design.
Amongst all these jewels and elaborately decorated artifacts, the plain wooden box almost stands out.
He examines the box and notices it is locked, his curiosity causes him to unsheath one of the knives he had just picked up to pry it open.
“What you got there E-rank?”
Diego nearly jumps out of his skin from the surprise of the voice behind him.
He turns to see Hakeem towering above him.
He hadn’t noticed it until now, but Hakeem was a behemoth of a man standing at 6 and a half feet.
His broad shoulders on par with the top Olympic level powerlifters.
It’s almost comedic that a man this massive is a sorcery specialist.
“Well?”
Hakeem asks again with a malicious grin.
“I’m not sure… just a box. I was thinking of using it to carry some things home.”
“That so… Tell you what, how about I give you this E-rank core for the box and those daggers. Seems like a good deal right?”
He didn’t know what compelled him, but Diego held the box even tighter.
He felt he couldn’t give this box to Hakeem no matter what.
Even if it meant great bodily harm.
In a shaky voice Diego takes out a few Monster Cores he had picked up as an offering to Hakeem.
“H-how about this, why don’t I trade this box from you for these daggers, these rings, and these cores?”
Hakeem laughs in sadistic satisfaction, He had gotten what he wanted and happily accepted the items that Diego offered.
The two part ways. Diego hurriedly exits the treasure room for fear of Hakeem changing his mind.
While he exits the Dungeon, Donnie notices the young man.
He sees the young man has that curious plain box, he is immediately alarmed and attempts to approach Diego.
Before he can reach him, he is stopped by Members of the Bureau asking him questions on the Raid.
The closing of the Gate signifies the job is done.
Everyone congratulates each other for a job well done.
The injured are treated in tents and everyone else begins heading home.
After finishing his report with the Bureau, Donnie goes on to look for Hakeem.
He finds the mammoth of a man in one of the trailers set up outside of the Gate for Hunters to use for resting.
He had been admiring that day’s haul and categorizing the spoils for selling.
His favorite being that gold sword he had taken from that skinny E-rank Hunter.
The Sword itself wasn’t meant for extensive combat.
It was a ceremonial jian sword that was beautifully decorated in a flame and lotus motif, with a golden blade, and sheathed in a scabbard made of red wood.
The sword may have not been suitable for combat, but it was of a higher value than the measly two cores Hakeem traded it for.
He was checking the price of the sword online when Donnie walked in.
“Yo Donnie, check out this sword. I was having it appraised and it looks like it's enchanted with a buff that raises fire magic by 10%. I may not be able to swing it, but if I just keep it on me, it will be more than enough to boost up my fire balls.”
“Hakeem, while in that treasure room. Did you notice a black box about this large with no decorations?”
Hakeem pauses, thinking about his time in the treasure room and failing to notice his companions slowly building rage.
“...”
“Oh yeah, I did see one. This loser E-rank had it. He gave me everything he had just to keep that hunk of junk. What a loser Ha Ha.”
Hakeem laughs out loud reminiscing of his moment of triumph terrorizing Diego.
In rage Donnie leaps at him, punching him in the face.
“Ow!!! What’s your deal Donnie??!!”
Hakeem holds his nose believing it to be broken while using his free hand as a shield in an attempt to protect himself from further harm.
“YOU IDIOT??!! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THAT WAS??!!”
Donnie screams at Hakeem in rage. His fury so great his hair begins to stand on end giving him a more menacing appearance.
“THAT BOX HAD A RUNESTONE IN IT!! AND NOW SOME PATHETIC E-RANK NOBODY JUST WALKED HOME WITH IT!!”