“Decades ago, the world thought of magic and monsters as myths. The people lived their life without knowing about mana manipulation and they grew up without magic. The technology was advancing despite not having a special ability. It was also considered as a peaceful era because there were no monsters.” The professor clicked her pointer to move to the next slide.“But 50 years ago, the biggest evolution occurred. Portals, which are now called dungeons, appeared out of nowhere and released monsters that almost killed the majority of the population. The human weapons could not deal even a little damage so they were in grave danger.” The professor smiled when she noticed that all the students were attentively listening except for one.She clicked the pointer again to proceed in her discussion. “After jus
“There he is. Was that a gold medal? Did he win the quiz bee for this year again?”“There’s nothing new about that. Rumors said that the zone guardian from the Vasquez family already treat him like he was the heir of the family.”“He? A six-year-old kid was already treated as the heir?”“Why not? Isn’t he exceptional? He already surpassed his older brothers when it comes to achievements and talents. He was even allowed to give suggestions with regards to the matters of the zone and even in their business.”Kane sighed as he heard the people gossiping a
Luckily, Wednesday was Kane’s free day so he had the whole day to search for a job. He settled in a small apartment near his university which was also a few minutes away from the city for just 2,500 Php per month and he sighed because he knew that he got to save up to take back his bracelet. He went to the city in search of a job but when he got off the jeep, he didn’t know what to do next. How could he find a job in that vast city? He entered a fast-food chain and ordered a budget meal for breakfast. While waiting, he took his phone out and browsed some of the famous job-hunting sites. He sighed after almost 30 minutes of browsing. He already finished his food as he browsed but he didn’t find any job that might accept him based on the requirements. There was just one job that would take him but he didn’t want that kind of job—M
“You won’t really come even if I insist?” The hunter chuckled. “What are you even doing here?”“I came here to look for a job,” Kane mumbled.“How old are you? Why are you in need of a job?” the hunter looked at him with a suspicious look. “Did you run away from home?”“None of your business.” Kane stood up and put his hands in his pockets.“Hey, kid. If you’re looking for a job, you should go to the Office of Dungeon Management and Employment. If you ride a jeep from here, you could just ask the driver to drop you off in the DME Building.”Kane nodded his head and mumbled his
Kane silently followed the group and he did just as he was told. He stayed in their midst while they fought off monsters and he made sure that every information was noted on his tablet. Midway, he already tried predicting what type of monsters would appear based on the data that he collected.“What do you think is the level of the boss monster in this area, Kane?” Daniel asked as they walked towards a cave.“Based on the probability, it could be a Level A monster since most of the subclass monsters here were level C and B. I think it would be an ogre.”“Woah! Did your tablet have a calculation of probabilities?” Aidan asked with his eyes wide open as he peeked at his tablet.”“
“Sorry for calling for you all of a sudden, Mr. Vasquez.” The manager whom Kane talked to when he applied before smiled apologetically. “I am Reese Valencia and I am the manager who handles all the scouts.”“Thanks for having me.” Kane shook Reese’s hands with a polite smile.“Oh! I’m here to introduce you to the new group that you would be working with.” Reese walked closer to the dungeon entrance and he saw a group of hunters talking to each other as if they were having a meeting. “Team 9, Your new scout is here.”The team looked at him so he bowed his head but his expression remained blank. “I am Kane. Looking forward to working with you.”
“Kane!” Carlo immediately pulled him when his feet were rooted on the ground.He slightly trembled at the sight of the hole on the ground where the Yeti’s fist landed. He would’ve broken a few bones had it been him. The strength of the Yeti wasn’t something to be taken lightly and he was slightly frightened when he was being targeted by them.He held his breath when Xander suddenly stood behind him and used repulsion on the Yeti that sneakily attacked from behind. He bit his lips when the other Yetis roared and tried to attack him again. They even ignored the people that was protecting him. It was as if all they wanted to do was to kill him.The actions of the Yetis were so unpredicted and he was confused. He wasn’t strong and he wouldn’t have done anything that might threaten the monsters so why did it seem like they were all so eager to kill him?He couldn’t stop shaking when he felt all the malice from th
The team looked at the monster that roared and peeked outside the cave. Just as Kane expected it was a monster related to the snow mountain—a snow golem that stood 5-meter tall.They all took a step back when the golem was in full view. Its eyes were glaring when it looked at him. Kane clicked his tongue when the golem seemed to focus on him while it was walking. Kane took a few steps back while Xander stood in front of him.“If my friend here is hurt because the team failed to protect him, what do you think will be Miss Reese’s reaction?” Xander said with a mischievous grin as he watched the walking golem.“Who cares about a useless scout?” Kristoff grumbled. “Let him die for all I care!”“Are you a kid?” Carlo glared at Kristoff. “I know that you’re a spoiled brat but if Kane was hurt today, I swear that you would never hunt with my team again.”Kristoff clenched his fi
Dio decided to spend his last day in Arnea City in a very productive way-- to stay inside his room and sleep for a day. He was set to do it though Blur had been whining to go around the city before they leave.He had no choice but to go with Blur or else, he would keep chanting on his head. His hands were inside his pocket while blur was on to of his head as they strode along the market streets.‘Are you having fun?’ He asked his bond through telepathy.‘I think it would be more fun if I could eat some meat.’Dio could imagine his bond grinning from ear to ear when he entered a tavern. “Please give me 4 sets of meat dishes. Just pick the best selling ones.”‘Dio, are you rich?’ Blur’s voice sounded excited as he looked around.‘Maybe? My grandfather left me a lot of money.’He rested his head on the table and closed his eyes. He just wanted a peaceful sleep but he was being push around by a pet. Since when did he become a pushover?‘I’m not your pet.’“Yeah. Whatever,” he mumbled agai
“Dio. . .”The voice that he knew so much called out to him. He smiled as he held his mother’s hand and gently tugged her dress. “Mother, I saw a very beautiful flower over there!”His mother let out a soft laugh before following his lead. They stopped at the corner of the garden then the he pointed at the budding flower.“Look at how small it is, mother!” He was delighted to show it to her and he was happier when her mother tousled his hair.“It’s a beautiful budding flower, just like Dio.” His mother gave him a gentle smile.His brows furrowed in curiosity. “Like me?”His mother nodded. “Just like Dio, this flower will grow to be amazing.”“Will I be someone amazing when I grow up, Mother?”“Of course. Dio was born to be someone strong and amazing, after all.” His mother gently touched his cheek. “Will you promise me that you’ll be someone whom the weak can depend on?”He smiled cheerfully. “Of course, Mother. I’ll grow strong to be someone who will take the side of the weak and not
“Uhmm.” The lady fidgeted before she took the courage to hold the hem of Dio’s shirt. “Can I at least know your name? I am Cassandra, the youngest daughter of Duke Riva.”The sun was already up and they were nearing the entrance where the gates were located. Cassandra wanted to know the name of her savior before they depart. She wanted to make sure that she would be able to repay him if ever they would meet again.“My name is Dio, my lady.” Dio looked towards the direction of the western gates where knights were coming back and forth. “Perhaps, did you run away from your knights?”Cassandra blushed as she looked down in embarrassment. “Will you keep it a secret?”Dio nodded. “I guess this is where we depart.” He turned towards the gate to Arnea and started walking but he stopped when Cassandra tugged on his shirt.“T-thank you for saving and protecting me.”Dio looked back and stared at her for a while. “You are quite timid for a noble.”“Do you need a reward? I could arrange for it.”
After the topic of his light-colored hair, an awkward silence ensued between the two of them as they walked towards the entrance not knowing that a disaster was waiting to fall upon them. Unfortunately, even though the lady basilisk let them go; another one was waiting right around corner. Without making a noise, the smaller basilisk which happened to be the younger brother of the lady basilisk that guarded the mountain bit Dio on his shoulder.“Argh!” Dio groaned in pain when he failed to dodge the surprise attack. He immediately pulled her to the other side to evade the serpent-like beast.Dio held his bleeding shoulder and the lady’s hand trembled in fear as she panicked not knowing what to do. Dio gritted his teeth, the pain coming from the clash between the basilisk’s venom and his healing abilities made him feel wobbly.“W-what should I do?” The lady exclaimed as she tried to wipe Dio’s blood as they ran.“Calm down,” Dio said in a hushed voice as he pulled her to hide behind a
After jumping off the tree, Dio followed the direction of the voice until she saw a lady who seemed to be the same age as him. She was slowly dragging herself backwards as the basilisk in front of her slowly moved forward.“Help me… Help me… Help me…” The girl continued to mumble.Dio stared at the girl who was no more less than a noble. Her ripped dress looked like something that was used to be on display at the capital’s boutiques, her fair white skin which was touched with shallow cuts probably caused by the branches when she ran, and her red hair with a gray hue signified that she was indeed a noble lady.He shook his head when she saw how the lady’s body trembled in fear but still managed to contain it in front of an S-class beast before he stepped out to show himself.“Excuse me,” he said to catch the attention of the lady as well as the basilisk.The lady probably noticed him since his voice was loud enough to resonate in the area. Her eyes grew wide as she lifted her hands to
It took Dio a few more days to collect himself. Knowing fully well that he wouldn’t die easily unless he commit suicide, he decided to just continue what he had been doing-- walking without moving forward. Besides, it wasn’t that bad to comply with his grandfather’s last request: live on.Dio found himself staring at his grandfather’s grave once again. This time, he was neat-looking and well prepped. Unlike the past days when his body hasn’t been washed and covered with sweat, dirt and tears.“Should I go on an adventure?” He stood up and put his hands on his pocket. It was more of a question for himself than to Archie. Dio lost motivation to continue living but he remembered his grandfather’s words.“I need to get moving, Gramps. Please rest in peace.” He bowed in a ninety-degree posture before leaving. As he turned his back on his grave, he felt a pang in his chest. Just the mere thought of leaving the place where he spent his days with his grandfather tore his heart into pieces.He
Dio opened his eyes and he saw the dark sky above him. He looked around and realized that he was still at the alley where the boys left him. He touched his side and felt disappointed when he felt the dried blood but the stab wound was completely healed.His restoration ability was something that he inherited from his mother. It would be hard to kill him unless his heart or brain was crushed or he suffered from too much blood loss that his restoration wouldn’t be able to keep up. Though they can heal and regenerate, they could still feel the pain.“What a lousy bunch. They couldn’t even do a good job of killing me,” he mumbled as he stood up. His stomach grumbled when he smelled the aroma of grilled meat just right outside the alley. He sighed before moving his feet and walked towards the store.“2 chicken skewers, please.” He took out 4 copper coins from his space ring and gave it to the vendor. The vendor gave him his order and he went on his way. Once again, he let his feet walk aim
Dio threw the shovel to the side after he finished burying his grandfather’s remains. He sat on the ground with his legs crossed as he stared at his grandfather’s tomb. He played with the ring on his finger, the last thing that his grandfather gave him, as he sighed repeatedly.“Heir apparent.” He sighed after reading the letters carved into the ring. If it was the reason why his grandfather wanted him to live on, then it would be useless. He threw everything away that day and nothing was left for him to live for.He poured mana onto the ring and a magic circle appeared in front of him. He already expected that it would be a space ring, yet his lips curved upwards when he realized that he was right. He peeked at the contents of the dimension storage and he shook his head in disbelief. In the end, his grandfather prepared everything for him to live a good life. It was obvious with the stack of gold and jewelries that he found inside as well as the amount of high-quality potions that he
While Dio was on an adventure with Matt, Archie was preparing something. He was putting the gold bars he collected for more than eight years to a spatial bag. Then he moved to the medicine cabinet and moved the highest quality magic and health potions as well. After putting a couple more items necessary for survival he then entered his room and opened a hidden door under his bed. He opened a chest full of magic crystals and lastly, he took a twin dagger hidden in the chest and moved them all to the bag. He opened his space ring and put the bag in there with a sigh.“This should be enough,” he mumbled as he put the ring on his pinky finger.He went back to the store when he heard a sudden knock.“I hope you’re ready.”“I’ve been waiting for you.” Archie let out a dark smile.“Dio!” Matt called out to the kid who was suddenly attack by a canis. They were just a few meters away from the heart of the forest when a pack of canis attacked them.Matt kicked a small canis who stood on his way