The sky above Ardent City cracked open like shattered glass.
People had stopped panicking about it years ago.
When the first Gate appeared twenty years ago, the world thought it was the end of humanity. A glowing rift floating in midair, swirling like liquid light. Monsters poured out of the first Gate in waves, destroying entire cities before humanity understood what it was facing.
But something else appeared with the Gates.
Hunters.
People who awakened supernatural abilities capable of fighting the monsters inside the Gates. Strength, magic, speed, elemental powers—every awakened person received a Rank, determining their potential.
F Rank.
E Rank.
D Rank.
C Rank.
B Rank.
A Rank.
S Rank.
And the legendary SS Rank, which only a handful of people in the entire world possessed.
Hunters became humanity's shield.
And also its celebrities.
——————————
Ren, a 17 year old teen and his team is in a D ranked gate right now. "Ren, YOU BASTARD. CAN'T YOU BE MORE USEFUL?" Pierre the team leader voice echoed through the narrow corridor. Right now, they're being chased by a bunch of E ranked goblins. Boots pounded against the damp dungeon floor as the team sprinted forward.
Behind them came the screeching.
Dozens of high-pitched, bloodthirsty screams.
"KEEEEEE!"
"GRAAAAH!"
Ren didn't need to turn around to know what was chasing them.
Goblins.
And not the weak ones from F-rank gates.
These were E-rank goblins, taller, stronger, and much faster.
The kind that could tear apart an inexperienced hunter in seconds.
Ren gritted his teeth as he ran.
His lungs burned.
The dungeon air smelled like wet stone and monster blood.
The glowing blue light of the D-rank Gate Dungeon flickered across the walls as their party rushed deeper into the corridor.
"Pierre!" shouted a girl ahead of them. "They're gaining on us!"
"Shut up and keep running!" Pierre snapped.
Ren glanced behind him.
His stomach dropped.
At least twenty goblins were chasing them.
Their green bodies moved quickly across the ground, claws scraping against the stone floor.
Some carried crude weapons—rusty blades, bone spears, and jagged clubs.
Their glowing yellow eyes locked onto the hunters like starving wolves.
"Damn it," Pierre growled. "This gate wasn't supposed to have this many monsters."
"Maybe it's a monster swarm," another teammate said nervously.
Pierre clicked his tongue.
"Of course it is."
Then his glare shifted toward Ren.
"And why are YOU still here?!"
Ren didn't respond.
He already knew what was coming.
Pierre sneered.
"You're just baggage. A useless F-rank dragging the team down."
Ren's jaw tightened.
The team had been desperate for members when he joined earlier that morning.
Most D-rank gate teams required at least C-rank hunters.
But this group had been short on manpower.
So Pierre accepted him.
For one condition.
"Just carry the bags and don't die," Pierre had said.
Ren remembered those words clearly.
But now—
They were being chased by a goblin pack.
And somehow it had become his fault.
Pierre suddenly slowed down.
"Alright," he said coldly. "New plan."
The team stopped at a wide chamber in the dungeon.
Torches flickered along the stone walls.
Water dripped from the ceiling.
The goblin screeches were getting closer.
Pierre turned toward Ren.
His eyes were sharp.
Cruel.
"You're going to stay here."
Ren blinked.
"…What?"
Pierre shrugged casually.
"You'll distract them."
The other hunters looked uncomfortable.
One of them spoke up.
"Pierre… that's a little—"
"Shut up," Pierre snapped.
Then he looked back at Ren.
"Think of it as being useful for once."
Ren stared at him.
"You want me to die."
Pierre smiled.
"Well, yeah."
The goblin screams were almost upon them now.
Echoing through the tunnels.
"KEEEEEEE!"
Pierre turned away.
"Let's move."
The team rushed toward another corridor.
Leaving Ren alone.
For a moment…
Ren stood there silently.
The goblin horde burst into the chamber seconds later.
Dozens of them.
Claws.
Teeth.
Weapons.
Their eyes immediately locked onto the lone human standing in the room.
"KEEEE!"
The first goblin lunged.
Ren sighed.
"First day on the job became my last"
One of the goblins leaped towards Ren and slashed his arm.
"Arggghhhhh!!!" Ren cried.
Another goblin went behind him and cut his calves.
By now, Ren was already out of breath,not even screaming.
"It's over, goodbye Rin, goodbye mom, goodbye Lana" Ren whispered.
Suddenly, thinking he blacked out, he heard a voice.
"Young one, your death was unexpected. It was my mistake for accidentally releasing the wave." A beautiful goddess appeared by his side.
Her curves were perfect in all the right places, her eyes glittered despite being in the dark. Her lips, plump and full.
"I am the goddess of lust. And for my mistake, I am going to give you a system that would help you thrive the world." the goddess said
"Now then, it's time for you to go back young one"
With a click of her finger, Ren blacked out again.