Arin and Kai made their way to the Awakener Association’s bustling headquarters, eager to exchange the crystals they’d collected for money. As they stepped inside, the cool, modern interior felt worlds apart from the tense, gritty atmosphere of the dungeons. Awakening to powers was one thing, but the rush of hunting monsters and returning to civilization with proof of their victories made it all feel real.
At the counter, a clerk in a crisp Association uniform greeted them. She inspected the bag of crystals with a raised eyebrow, clearly impressed by the haul. Most awakeners at their level didn’t come back with this many—and the larger crystal from the Goblin Blademaster caught her attention instantly.
“One moment, please.” She called over another clerk, and the two exchanged low whispers, eyeing the crystal as if it were a relic.
Arin and Kai exchanged a quick glance, unsure if this was normal or if they had done something wrong. After a few more moments, the clerk returned to the counter with a smile.
“Congratulations, both of you,” she said. “The standard crystals from the goblins are worth a decent sum, but this larger one is a rarity. You don’t see these from entry-level dungeons very often.”
Arin scratched his head. “Is it worth more than the smaller ones?”
“Considerably more,” she replied with a slight grin. “And I understand you found some additional items?” She motioned for them to hand over the skill book and ability book they’d obtained from the Goblin Blademaster.
Kai slid the two books across the counter. The clerk’s eyes widened as she inspected them, barely able to contain her surprise. “A skill book and… an ability book?” she murmured. “Both in the same drop? That’s incredibly rare, especially in these new dungeons.”
Before they could respond, a tall woman with dark hair and sharp eyes approached them from a side hallway. She wore a navy-blue blazer with an Association insignia on her shoulder, giving her an air of authority that commanded respect.
“Hello, gentlemen,” she said smoothly, extending her hand. “My name is Mira Santos, Assistant Director of the Awakener Association. I understand you two are Level 3 newcomers, yet you’ve already secured quite an impressive find.”
Arin shook her hand, feeling both flattered and cautious under her piercing gaze. “Uh, yeah, we just got lucky, I guess.”
Kai nodded. “It was our first real dungeon, and we just went in to see what we could handle. We didn’t expect to come out with anything like this.”
“Luck or not, you’ve captured the attention of the Association,” Mira replied, her eyes glinting with curiosity. “The higher-ups will be very interested in these drops. But more importantly, I’d like you both to meet someone—our Director is quite eager to discuss your experience in the dungeons, especially with such unique items in hand.”
Arin exchanged a glance with Kai, excitement and nerves mixing in equal measure. “We’d be honored,” Arin replied.
“Perfect,” Mira said. “If you’ll follow me, please.”
They were led down a series of corridors to a quieter part of the building. The walls were lined with photographs and news clippings, documenting the sudden appearance of dungeons around the world, each accompanied by the faces of renowned awakeners. At the end of the hall, Mira opened a set of heavy doors leading into a large office with panoramic views of the city.
Behind a desk sat a middle-aged man with graying hair, his demeanor calm and composed. He looked up as they entered, a welcoming yet calculating smile on his face.
“Welcome, Arin and Kai,” he said, gesturing to two chairs in front of his desk. “I’m Director Lyle Thorne. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
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As they sat down, Lyle folded his hands on the desk, studying them. “First of all, congratulations on your successful dungeon run. And thank you for bringing these items to our attention. It’s rare to see such remarkable results from fresh awakeners.”
“Thank you, sir,” Kai replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
Lyle nodded, glancing briefly at Mira before continuing. “I’ll be honest with you both. These new dungeons are still a mystery to us. As you may have heard, they’re only a few weeks old, yet they seem to operate with a complex system we’re barely beginning to understand. Drops like yours—skill books and ability books—are rare enough that we suspect they could offer clues to the dungeons’ origins.”
He leaned forward, his gaze intense. “What you two have obtained could be invaluable to us. I won’t force you to give up your findings, of course. But if you’re willing, the Association would like to conduct a study on these books. In return, we’d offer you compensation, as well as… certain privileges within the Association.”
Arin and Kai glanced at each other, unsure how to respond. The books were powerful assets, yet the Director’s offer was tempting.
Lyle continued, sensing their hesitation. “If you choose to keep them, we completely understand. But we may need your cooperation later to understand the effects of these unique items. Either way, your achievements today will be recognized, and you’ll be compensated handsomely for the crystals you’ve turned in.”
Arin finally spoke up. “Thank you, Director. We’ll need some time to think it over.”
“Of course,” Lyle replied with a knowing smile. “Mira will handle the paperwork and your payment. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or wish to learn more about our offer. For now, rest up. The journey you’re on has only just begun."
As they left the Director’s office, Arin and Kai walked in silence, mulling over the decision ahead. Arin turned to Kai as they reached the lobby. “So, what do you think? Are we really okay with parting with these?”
Kai took a deep breath, looking down at the ability book in his hand. “I think I am. Don’t get me wrong; an ability book is a big deal. But I don’t feel like this one’s for me. Something else will come along that suits me better, you know?”
Arin nodded, understanding his friend’s sentiment. “I get it. I think I’ll give up the Blade Flurry skill book, too. It’s tempting, but it’s not like it’s a must-have skill for me right now. Plus, if it helps the Association figure out what’s going on with the dungeons, then it’s worth it.”
They walked back to the Association desk, where Mira was waiting with a small stack of paperwork and a warm but knowing smile. “Made a decision?”
Arin nodded, placing the skill book on the counter. “Yeah, I’ll give up the Blade Flurry skill.”
Kai set down the ability book beside it, adding, “And I’ll let go of this ability book. Something else will fit me better later.”
Mira’s face lit up, clearly pleased with their decision. “You two are making an excellent choice. I’ll make sure the Director is informed, and I’m sure he’ll appreciate your cooperation. Now, about that compensation—”
She handed them both envelopes containing their payment for the crystals, which was already more than they’d expected. Then she added a small bonus, which, she explained, was specifically for their cooperation with the rare books.
“You’ve more than earned this,” Mira said. “And in addition, you’ll have access to the Association’s training facilities, research labs, and a few resources that are usually reserved for high-ranking members. Think of it as a gesture of our appreciation.”
Arin and Kai exchanged surprised looks; this was a rare privilege. “Thank you,” Arin replied, trying to hide his excitement. “We’ll make the most of it.”
As they left the building, the weight of their choices settled in. They might have given up the books, but they’d gained something far more valuable—the trust of the Awakener Association, and with it, resources that could help them advance even further. With new goals in mind, Arin and Kai headed off to train, both eager to see what else awaited them in this ever-changing world.
Arin gets home to his apartment after parting ways from Kai.
Arin shut the door behind him, still a bit surprised to see Leo lounging on his bed. Leo looked up and grinned, unaware of the wheels turning in Arin’s mind.
“Hey, man! Just waiting for you to get back. So, how’d it go at the Association?”
Arin gave a quick rundown, mentioning the assessment and the rewards they received, but his mind kept drifting to the ability book they’d handed over. Realizing he could have given it to Leo to awaken his own ability, he felt a pang of regret.
But as he looked at his friend, an idea formed in his mind—a determination, really. If I can get my hands on another ability book, I’ll make sure Leo gets it. This would be his way of bringing his friend into the world of awakeners, giving him a chance to share the same opportunities.
Leo gave him a puzzled look. “Why the serious face? What’s up?”
Arin smiled, shaking his head slightly. “Nothing, really. Just thinking about how we can really start to make a difference with these powers.”
As the night settled in, Arin made a silent vow: the next time he had an ability book in his hands, it would be for Leo.