“Hahaha, I’m fucked,” Riley’s eyes swelled with tears. They silently rolled down his cheeks; all he could do was smile. The great sandworm’s mouth was wide open, with hundreds of razor-sharp teeth. This is what caused the S-Rank shortage. Riley slowly turned his heel and started running. The sandworms continued to consume civilians and Hunters. Every corner he took, a sandworm appeared.
Riley turned to a corner; his heart thumped. He saw a glimpse of his parents; he started running towards them. “Mo—“ Riley trips from his foot; he looks up. All he sees is a giant sandworm lunging, consuming his family. Life is cruel. “YOU BASTARD!” Riley exclaims. He rushes at the giant sandworm; he knows he stands no chance. Riley’s blade emits a fiery pink aura. He slides the air, summoning pink petals. He commands the petals to explode on the giant earthworm. The earthworm is unharmed, not even noticing the explosion.
Riley looks around. The countless S-Rank Hunters are being slaughtered. People like John Kingston, Winston Smith, and Claire Monte are being consumed by these sandworms. He looked at the giant sandworm. He clenched his fists as the sandworm dug into the ground. Debris and dust spewed everywhere. He saw his family die… twice.
[Few Hours Later]
“There’s nothing I can do. Why am I stuck in this nightmare?” Blood stenches the air and Riley’s hair dances with the wind. His eyes were gloomy and tired. His once vibrant eyes are now dull and lifeless. His lips were sealed shut.
Riley takes a deep breath; the tension is so thick that you can cut it with a knife, and the background cackles from lightning. The sky’s red hue swirls. Riley slowly closed his eyes as the sandworms snaked forward. After a few seconds, Riley slowly opened one eye. He’s back in his regular bed. He quickly stands up and looks out the motel’s window. Everything is normal; no sandstorms or red hue. The sun setting itself into a comforting orange glow.
Quest Complete!
“What the hell is a [Master Key]?” Riley questioned. “Was this a dream? What happened to me after I opened the door? I should be standing, not lying on my bed…” Riley looks at the [Master Key]; it has a dark aura and strong magic imputed. “Open system.”
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System:
Name: Riley Whitlock
[Level 29: (65/100)]
Titles: [True Awakened], [Reaper’s Side Thorn]
Quests: [None]
[Strength: 29]
[Speed: 34]
[Magic: 0]
[Vitality: 160/160]
Skills: [One Slash, One Life], [The Threads of Life], [Hack n Slash], [Pierce]
Exclusive Skills: [Sword Aura], [Floral Boom], [Floral Control]
Passives: [The Mad Swordsman]
Items: [Backpack], [Blossom Blade], [30 C-Rank Mana Cores], [Master Key]
Riley’s hand goes to tap on the [Master Key]. The screen rippled from his touch.
[Master Key]
Rank: S
Riley’s mouth agape. He looks at the dark key.
Would you like to use [Master Key]?
Warning: You will not return until you finish the [Tower of Trials]! Dying at the [Tower of Trials] will result in death.
Riley’s eyes widened. He quickly tapped ‘No.’ He couldn’t afford to do this. He’s too weak. “I need to get stronger. I can’t afford to die like this…” Riley sighed. Riley’s ears perked up as the phone started to ring. He quickly picked the phone up, his eyebrows raised. “Mr. Whitlock, I came here to remind you that tomorrow is your last day,” the owner hung up. Riley sank to his bed; he lazily stared at the ceiling. He slowly closed his eyes, succumbing to the tiredness.
Riley’s eyes fluttered open. He was in a pitch-black space. His body floats in the world of nothingness. The hair on the skin slowly rises, and his teeth clatter. Riley’s hair flows freely; his body suddenly drops. Riley’s body hits the floor; black spots dance in his vision. It turned black. Riley slowly groaned; there was something rough under his body. He slowly grasps it; his eyes fluttered open. Small bits of sand fall out of his hand. “What the hell?” Riley’s mouth agape, he questioned everything. “Where am I?!” Riley stands up. Riley slaps himself; no pain at all.
Riley’s eyes wandered everywhere. The palm trees rustle from the nonexistent wind, and the water hits the shoreline. Riley slowly walks around; the soft crunch fills the atmosphere. Riley ventures into the tropical forest. It was eerily quiet. Riley’s stomach churns, and the hair on his skin slowly rises. The entrance of his throat feels like it’s closing. “W-wait… is this the Z-District?” Riley presses his weight on his legs and bolts. The vines and leaves slap his face.
“Where are they?!” Riley’s eyes frantically wander everywhere. Riley trips with his foot; he rolls on the ground. Specks of dirt marked his face. A giant shadow flies above Riley’s head. Riley looks up, but it’s gone. “There you are!” Riley grits his teeth. “Open system!” Riley commanded. “Wait… why isn’t—“ blood spurted from his mouth; he slowly looked down at his stomach. A giant, sharp proboscis pierced through his stomach. “NOOO—“ Riley wakes up with beads of sweat rolling down his body.
He quickly touched his stomach. “I’m alive…” Riley’s lips curled into a frightened smile. He looks outside the motel window; the sun lights the world. “I need to make some money,” Riley sighs. He stood up and opened the door. The sun’s rays lighten his face. Riley walks through the bustling S-District; pedestrians fill the sidewalks. Cars and motorcycles clamor on the roads. Riley finally reaches the agency. He enters the building. “Looking for an E-Rank or D-Rank!”
Riley looks at the group of Hunters. His eyes catch someone; they’re wearing expensive armor. They had a sword resting inside their sheathe. Riley approached the hunters. “Hello, I’m Riley, E-Rank Hunter. Here’s my ID,” Riley hands them his Hunter’s ID. The leader grabs the ID and analyzes it. “Okay. I’m Joshua. That’s all you need to know. You’ll be our deadweight. You’ll get paid $100 closed,” Joshua crossed his arms. He had a buzz cut and a robe on his body. To do a raid, you need at least four members. However, a private raid doesn’t have any requirement.
Riley follows the group of Hunters. The person with expensive armor walks beside him. Their legs barely even moved. The person removes their white helmet laced with gold. “Hey! I’m Alex Lee! What’s your name?”