"Mommy, no!"
The scream tore from the boy's throat as the knife plunged into her chest.
Blood sprayed across his face.
"Knight, stay clo—" a voice was cut off
A massive shadow loomed behind him as he turned towards the voice.
Then he saw it, a paw larger than his entire body slammed down with a splatter of blood on the ground.
"Kindly Deceiver, we have cleared this region, should we keep advancing?" a man asked
"No, let's retreat." a voice rang out from the top of the massive creature.
Immediately pain exploded through his chest as something like a tail sent him flying.
The world shattered into darkness.
"Shit!"
A young man jolted awake, gasping.
Sweat soaked his back.
"Same dream… again."
Sunlight leaked through the torn curtain.
He clenched his fist. The scar across his chest burned. He sat on the edge of the bed, breathing hard.
The dream still clung to him.
"Not today," he muttered.
He stood and pulled on his jacket.
If he missed registration, everything he'd worked for would be over.
The city roared outside.
Smoke hung in the air.
Carriages rattled past.
He slipped through the crowd, fingers brushing a fruit stand.
The apple vanished into his sleeve.
"Hey! Thief!"
He didn't look back.
He ran as fast as he could.
A massive building loomed ahead.
Banners snapped in the wind.
A line of nervous faces stretched across the plaza.
This was it.
Ranker Registration.
As he stepped into the building, all eyes came on him.
'Am I the last one?' He thought.
Then a voice loomed over all the little chatter from the people coming for registration.
"Welcome, young talents," a female voice announced.
A thick fog loomed inside the room within the building. The massive counter at the other end of the room became less and less visible as the huge notice board and sets of tables and chairs were lost sight of as well.
Everyone started to get worried, most of everyone was around the young man's age, some a bit older but none younger.
"Don't be too wary, it's all part of the show," The female voice continued "My name is Merritt Caroline, Vice President and receptionist of the Ostra Ranker branch of Jaquade. You have all gathered today to earn your Ranker Id and be an Official Ranker."
Everyone eased up as a beautiful lady emerged from the huge counter and stood on top of it.
The young man studied Caroline.
Her long black hair and unbelievably beautiful face and huge eyes made almost everyone blush. She wore a white shirt with a short skirt tempting a few to look beneath but it was just dark, dead black darkness crushing all the males' hope.
'That's unfortunate' the young man frowned a little before concentrating on her words.
"What is a Ranker? Who is a Ranker?" Caroline asked.
"Rankers are people that protect individuals" a man explained from the crowd.
'Well he wasn't wrong but they are way more important than just protecting people,' Knite just thought 'they also fought back things that threatened cities, dug into hostile regions and sometimes brought home discoveries that advanced society. The world can't move without them in the front line'.
"Correct!" Caroline exclaimed as if reading his mind and blew a kiss.
The man turned bright red and looked like he was about to pass out.
"Now then after hearing that definition do any of you think you're ready to be a ranker and put your life on the line for the people?' Caroline continued " If you are then come register and become a Ranker!"
She ended as five other ladies in the same uniform as Caroline emerged from the wall behind the counter and stood ready for the people present.
Everyone started to form a line of 6 in front of the ladies ready to register.
There were about 50 people stuffed inside the ground floor of the massive building all forming a line of six.
The young man stood at the line for Caroline.
After a few minutes it was the young man's turn. And he filled the form given to him by Caroline.
[Name: Knite Salamander
Rank: Z-9
Title: None
Affiliations: None]
Caroline then handed him a card that says ranker and his name, rank title and affiliations.
"Have a nice day" Caroline said
"Can I request for information?" Knite asked.
"Yes you can," Caroline answered "That's one of the perks for becoming a ranke-"
"Good to know," Knite interrupted, "I need information on the whereabouts of the stone mask."
"That is classified information and the Stone mask doesn't exist" Caroline said in a cold tone contradicting her fun expression earlier.
"If it doesn't exist, why is it classified?" Knite questioned.
"Leaving such information to roam around freely gives people false hope, setting them up for disappointment after finding out the truth." Caroline said in a cold and calculated voice.
'What happened to her earlier expression?' Knite questioned inwards 'Seems the existence of the Stone mask is still a mystery'
Knite nodded his head as if he understood.
"Since information on the Stone mask is classified, can I get information on a person?" Knite asked.
"Depending on the person" Caroline replied
"The whereabouts of a man with the title 'Kindly Deceiver'" Knite inquired with a smile.
The smile was thin, a bit too controlled. His lips curled upwards slowly, not from joy, but from certainty, like he was getting closer to something.
"Their information is restricted." Caroline replied with a smile
"Why-"
"Hey!" a voice interrupted from behind
"You're holding up the line, we don't have all day"
The people behind Knite began to complain.
Knite sighed and took his card from the counter stuffing it in his pocket before he noticed a gaze
A long white haired person was looking at him but knite ignored him
People with white hair was not rare but his hair was a bit too long
'Weirdo, he should get a haircut' Knite thought before leaving the line
His attention moved to the notice board full of Objectives at the other end of the room
After observing for a few more minutes he finally picked one
[Mission type: Extermination request
Target: CragBears
Location: Base of Mount Kwon
Details: Villagers are requesting assistance. The Cragbears have been disturbing their peace
Required rank: Y
Reward: 7 flute and 3 embre]
Y rank.
Knite bit back a smile, but his heart was already racing. This was better than he hoped.
Although he just became an official ranker today, the thought of ranking up in one day made him excited.
His eyes drifted back to the reward. Seven Flutes. Three embre. Too much. Way too much for an objective marked Y rank.
He knew the rule - Harder Objectives and Objective ranks above yours means faster promotion. That was the whole reason he was even considering it… with a bit of the reward.
Still… his chest felt tight.
'This doesn't add up'.
Knite exhaled slowly and accepted the Objective.
END of Chapter 1.