Jennifer exited the public water company, the receipt crinkled in her hand. She paused briefly on the steps, tucking it into her pocket before stepping out into the midday sun. The streets were lively with vendors shouting their wares, and children darted between carts, their laughter filling the air.

Her thoughts were elsewhere, on the errands she still needed to run and the quiet evening she planned for herself. But as she turned a corner, her shoulder bumped into someone.

“Jennifer!”

She looked up, startled, to see Henderson standing in front of her. His grin was wide, his posture casual. She planned on taking the words of James seriously. Henderson is his brother, he would know better than him.

“Henderson,” she replied curtly, stepping to the side.

“Didn’t expect to see you out here,” he said, falling into step beside her.

“Just paid my water bill,” Jennifer said, hoping her short responses would send a message.

“Ah, responsible as ever,” Henderson chuckled. “So, how was your slaying today?”

“It was fine.”

“Just fine?” he pressed, tilting his head. “Wait, don’t tell me—you went out alone again, didn’t you?”

Jennifer shrugged. “Yeah? Is it uncommon?”

Henderson stopped walking, staring at her like she’d said something outrageous. “Why would you do that? You know it’s safer to team up.”

“I didn’t feel like it,” she said simply, continuing down the street.

Henderson caught up quickly, his tone now a mix of concern and disbelief. “You didn’t feel like it? Jennifer, that’s reckless. You should come with me tomorrow. Seriously.”

“I’ll think about it.”

He smiled, apparently satisfied, and gave her a wave as he turned down a different street. Jennifer sighed in relief, muttering to herself, “Not happening.”

The next morning, Jennifer was awake before dawn. The city was quieter in the early hours, the streets still damp from the night’s dew. She made her way to the Slayer Hub, its towering structure standing at the heart of the city.

She thought for a while, she heard in other cities, hubs were called “Arks,” named after Noah’s Ark, a safe haven against an unstoppable monster disaster.

If a city were ever overrun by monsters, the Arks were designed to withstand an attack, housing the survivors for as long as needed. But here, it was simply called the Monster Slayer Hub.

This city was renowned for having the largest concentration of slayers in the country. Yet, whenever Jennifer visited, the halls were eerily quiet. Most slayers seemed to stick to the resource trading area, swapping materials and gear and Gate Hunting.

She picked up a bag from the Trade room, cursing herself for forgetting to buy one yesterday.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

She left the city and was making her way to a Gate somewhat close to the city. It didn't seem Gates run short of monsters so she guess it wasn't a big deal if she went to one someone was just in.

However, she was thinking of the possibility of entering a false gate. Frustrating.

“Heading out early?”

Jennifer turned to see James walking toward her. He looked rough, his face bruised and his movements stiff.

“What happened to you?” she asked, frowning.

“Nothing,” he said quickly, avoiding her eyes.

Jennifer raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t look like nothing.”

James shrugged. “Where are you headed?”

“What do you think? To kill some monsters and make some moneeeeey,” she smiled, while showing him her map and the gate she was walking towards.

It was the third closest one.

“You should take the one on the west instead,” he said, falling into step beside her.

She stopped, staring at him, confused. “Why would I do that? Don't you see how far it is?”

James hesitated, his gaze shifting nervously. “Closer gates are never that good... Resources ain't the best, I guess”

"Me and you are both new at this. What’s really going on?”

“Nothing,” he said again, but his voice wavered.

“Is someone after you...?”

He shook his head, but his unease was palpable. “No one’s after me. Just trust me.”

Jennifer scoffed. “Right. Look, I don’t know you well enough to trust you, and you’re acting suspicious. So either tell me what’s going on, or... I don't know, tell me what's up.”

Before James could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

“Well, well. What’s all this?”

Jennifer turned to see Henderson approaching, his usual grin plastered across his face. He casually threw an arm around both of their shoulders, pulling them close.

How the hell...?

“What are you two whispering about?” Henderson’s voice broke through the tension, lighthearted on the surface, but with an edge that sent a chill down Jennifer’s spine.

“Nothing,” Jennifer snapped, twisting her shoulders in an attempt to shrug off his arm.

Henderson chuckled, tightening his grip. “Come on, don’t be like that. I’ve got something to tell you. Just wait a second.”

Jennifer exchanged a quick glance with James. His jaw was tight, his eyes darting to the ground as though searching for a way out.

“What’s going on?” Jennifer demanded, her claws instinctively lengthening.

“Relax,” Henderson said, his grin widening. “Just give me a moment.”

But the silence that followed was suffocating, and Henderson didn’t release them. The ground at their feet began to glow faintly, soft blue light spreading outward in circular manner.

“What the hell is this?” Jennifer growled, her claws twitching.

Henderson’s grin turned into a full smile. “You should always pay attention to the map.”

Jennifer didn’t wait. With a snarl, she swiped at him, her claws raking across his chest. Sparks flew as her claws met armor hidden beneath his shirt, leaving not so much as a scratch.

Henderson didn’t flinch. “Nice try.”

Jennifer kept slashing again and again, but her claws slid uselessly over the reinforced material.

James took a step back, his hands trembling. “Henderson, stop this. Whatever you’re planning—”

“Don’t move.” Henderson’s voice was low, sharp. James froze instantly, his shoulders sagging as his fight drained away.

Jennifer turned on him. “Are you serious right now? Fight back!”

“I—” James stammered, his gaze fixed on Henderson’s armor. “I can’t.”

The wind around them grew stronger, kicking up loose dirt and debris. Blue currents spiraled upward, forming a vortex that began to encase them.

“Let me go!” Jennifer snarled, twisting and thrashing against his hold.

Henderson leaned in, his voice almost a whisper. “You’re too special for that.”

The vortex surged, pulling them off their feet.

The world spun in a blur of blue light and roaring wind. Jennifer and James were thrown like rag dolls, landing hard on wet sand. The sharp scent of salt filled the air, and the sound of crashing waves echoed around them.

Jennifer landed hard on wet sand, coughing as she scrambled to her feet. The air smelled of salt, and waves lapped in the distance. She spun around, spotting Henderson standing nearby, brushing himself off like nothing had happened.

“Now, no prying eyes,” he said, his grin widening. His gaze locked on Jennifer. “I sensed it the moment I touched you. Your life span… It’s massive. I want it.”

"Want what? 20 years?"

"No, all of the years you're capable of living."

"... You're nuts."