Lucas adjusted the straps on his leather armor, his heart pounding as he stood with the other hunters at the edge of the F-rank gate. The portal shimmered ominously in the dim light of the forest, casting an eerie glow over the group. This was his first gate dive since joining the Esperanza Guild, and despite the gate's low rank, the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on his mind.

He glanced at the five other hunters on his team—a mix of F and E ranks. They were a ragtag bunch, each with their own battle scars and stories. Rose, an E-rank mage, exuded calm, her staff glowing faintly in the twilight. Carl, a stocky F-rank warrior, shifted uneasily, gripping his sword and shield, his hands trembling slightly; this was his first dive, too. Beth, an agile E-rank archer, expertly tested the tension on her bowstring.

Miguel, a lanky F-rank rogue, adjusted the throwing daggers strapped to his thighs, his expression unreadable behind his hood. Next to him was Javier, an E-rank healer. Typically, any healer below C-rank was deemed ineffective in gates, as they took too long to mend even light wounds, and their magical power was quickly exhausted.

Most of them ended up working in hunter hospitals, yet there were always those who dreamed of developing their abilities within the perilous confines of a gate. A hunter's skill would only evolve inside a gate or gate-break location. No amount of healing or hard work outside would contribute to their growth.

They needed the dangers of a gate to take that vital next step. However, the training they did outside of the gates was far from useless. It honed their existing powers, enhancing their proficiency for when they finally ventured into a dungeon. This was why many hunters chose to abandon their dreams of developing their skills—every dive into a gate of equal rank was a dangerous gamble. One mistake could cost them their lives.

Alejandro had assigned him to this group to observe and compare, but Lucas couldn't shake the feeling of being a lab rat under scrutiny. Still, he had no choice—he needed to eat, and this was the only way to survive while honing his skills.

"Alright," Rose said, her voice steady as she addressed the group. "The gate leads to a low-rank imp dungeon, so we shouldn't encounter anything too dangerous." However, for Carl and Lucas, both low F-ranks, this dungeon could still prove deadly.

"Stay alert, stick to the plan, and watch each other's backs. We'll move in tight formation. Carl, you're in front with Lucas. Isabel, cover our rear. Miguel, scout ahead but don't stray too far. Javier, stay close to me."

With the plan set, the team gathered their resolve. Lucas felt a mixture of anticipation and dread as they prepared to step through the shimmering portal.

The team nodded in unison, and with a deep breath, Lucas stepped forward alongside Carl, entering the shimmering portal. The world around them twisted and shifted, the forest dissolving into the dark, musty interior of the dungeon. The air was thick with the stench of decay and damp earth, while faint sounds of skittering echoed through the narrow tunnels.

Inside, the gate resembled a labyrinth of tight corridors and low ceilings, the perfect environment for the small, nimble imps that called it home. Lucas gripped his sword tightly, his knuckles turning white as he adjusted to the low light.

"Stay close," Carl whispered, his voice barely audible. "Imps are weak, but they're tricky," Rose warned. "They like to swarm and use hit-and-run tactics. Don't let them isolate you."

Lucas nodded, his eyes darting around the dimly lit passage as they moved cautiously forward, every sense heightened in the oppressive darkness.

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The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnels, blending with the distant, chittering laughter of imps. After a few tense minutes, they reached a small chamber, its walls covered in a strange, glowing moss that cast an eerie light over the scene. Miguel, who had been scouting ahead, raised a hand to signal the group to halt.

"Three imps ahead," Miguel whispered as he reappeared, his voice low. "There's more chittering coming from deeper in. We should take them out quietly and quickly."

Rose nodded, her expression focused as she motioned for the team to move into position. Isabel readied an arrow, her breath steadying while Carl and Lucas prepared to charge. Miguel slipped into the shadows, becoming less visible. For an E-rank, his scouting and stalking abilities were exceptional, making him an invaluable asset.

The group fell silent, hearts pounding as they awaited the signal to strike. Lucas felt the adrenaline coursing through him, heightening his senses and sharpening his focus. He could hear the imps' laughter echoing.

As they advanced, the imps came into view. They were small, barely reaching waist height, with sickly green skin stretched tightly over their wiry frames. Two small horns jutted from the tops of their heads, and their eyes glowed a dull red in the darkness. Each wielded crude, rusted weapons—a small club here, a jagged knife there. Though they might be weaker than a starved goblin, they still pose a threat to Lucas.

Isabel loosed an arrow, the shaft whistling through the air before embedding itself in the skull of the nearest imp. The creature crumpled to the ground without a sound. With the element of surprise on their side, Carl and Lucas charged the remaining two. Lucas's heart hammered in his chest, a primal rhythm urging him forward.

He swung his sword in a wide arc, slicing through the first imp with relative ease. The creature let out a high-pitched wail before collapsing to the ground. Carl, following up on Lucas's momentum, bashed the second imp with his shield, the impact sending it sprawling. With a brutal slash, he ended its pitiful existence.

Before the team could catch their breath, more chittering echoed from the tunnels ahead—louder and more frenzied this time. The distant red glow of imp eyes pierced the darkness, and the sound of scampering feet grew closer.

"Here they come!" Rose shouted, raising her staff. She summoned a small orb of fire that hovered above her palm, flickering ominously. The imps rushed at them, a horde of screeching, desperate creatures driven by hunger and instinct. Lucas felt a surge of fear as he braced himself for the onslaught.

With a swift motion, Rose hurled the orb of fire into the midst of the charging imps. The explosion lit up the chamber, illuminating the chaos and sending several imps flying in all directions. The fiery glow revealed the sheer number of enemies bearing down on them.

Isabel quickly picked off stragglers with precise shots, her arrows finding their marks even in the midst of chaos. Carl and Lucas fought side by side, their blades flashing as they cut down imps one after another. The imps' shrieks filled the air, mingling with the sounds of steel clashing against rusted weapons.

Miguel darted in and out of the fray, his daggers flashing as he struck at the imps' flanks, sowing chaos in their ranks. Meanwhile, Javier stayed close to Rose, aware of the healer's secondary role in this battle. Though his healing abilities were minimal, Rose treated him like a mana battery, using him to replenish her own reserves.

Despite their overwhelming numbers, the imps were no match for the hunters. Rose's fireballs had already claimed almost half of them, leaving scorched remains in their wake. One by one, the creatures fell to the team's coordinated attacks, their screeches echoing through the dungeon.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of skirmishing, the last imp crumpled to the ground, its body joining the heap of its fallen kin. The chamber fell silent once more, save for the heavy breathing of the hunters, their hearts racing from the battle. Lucas lowered his sword, sweat drenching his brow, and felt a surge of accomplishment. They had survived their first real test together.

"Well done, everyone," Rose said, her voice calm but laced with relief. "That should be the last of them in this area. Let's take a moment to rest and then push deeper. We need to clear the dungeon and secure the core."

Lucas leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing. His heart was still racing, but a small spark of pride flickered within him. He had survived his first gate dive, and though it was far from glamorous, he had held his own.

As he wiped the sweat from his brow, however, he couldn't shake the feeling of being under scrutiny. It was as if Alejandro's eyes were still on him, even though he wasn't physically present. Lucas knew that his performance today would be closely analyzed. The real test was still ahead.