Chapter 6: First Raid

Chapter 6: First Raid

The air was electric with anticipation as the members of the energetic Red Tigers guild gathered in front of the large, deserted mall. Their light-hearted banter contrasted sharply with the gravity of the situation. The Hunter Association had called them in for a mission involving a C-Rank gate that had opened at the mall. The normally bustling area was eerily empty, save for the guild members and the Monitor team tasked with overseeing the operation.

Axel stood apart from his guildmates, scrolling through his phone to avoid conversation. Though a member of the guild, he felt like an outsider. It had been eight long years since his disappointing awakening, and the pain of that day had only deepened over time. His father had left shortly after Axel's awakening, never to return, leaving a void that neither he nor his sister Annie could fill.

At eleven, Axel was sent to military school, where he endured four grueling years. Though he graduated with good grades, his poor awakening rank haunted him. Struggling to find a job, he eventually joined a small Hunter Association, earning barely enough to survive. When his mother's health declined, likely due to the stress of supporting the family alone, Axel pushed himself to join a C-Rank guild, despite being an E-Rank hunter. The experience left him with scars, both physical and emotional, but he persevered for the sake of his family.

As he sat on the cold metal railing, Axel gripped the hilt of his dagger, a relic from his father. Though he resented the man, the dagger was a poignant reminder of better times. His thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling his name.

"Hey, Mr. Teras!" A young woman approached him. She had long orange hair, a light complexion, and striking blue eyes. Her attire, a rich outfit accompanied by a mage's cloak, and a large staff in hand, marked her as Veka, the guild's healer mage. Despite being an A-Rank, her lack of combat prowess relegated her to C-Rank missions.

"Can I sit beside you?" Veka asked, her tone timid.

Axel nodded, not trusting himself to speak. She sat down, uncomfortably close. He could sense her trying to bridge the gap he had created between himself and the rest of the guild.

"What do you want?" Axel finally broke the silence, his voice flat.

"You always seem so distant," Veka began, rubbing her hands together nervously. "I've been with you for over a year, and you still treat me like a stranger."

Axel shrugged. "You've known everyone here longer than me. I barely even speak."

Veka shook her head. "Not at all. You get the most injuries, so I'm always nearby, healing you."

Axel smiled bitterly. 'You make me feel like some kind of crash test dummy.' He looked away, the weight of her words pressing on him.

"So, Mr. Teras, do you have any plans after this raid?" Veka asked, twirling a strand of her hair.

Axel met her gaze, noticing the hopeful look in her eyes. 'What is she trying to do? Make me her friend?' He sighed inwardly. 'Friends only exploit you, like petroleum diggers.' "I have plans," he replied coldly. "But I'll consider your offer if you're paying." His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn't eaten in over a day.

Veka giggled, seemingly charmed by his bluntness. "Okay, I'll make sure to feed you. Money isn't an issue for me."

'Lucky you,' Axel thought, feeling the familiar sting of poverty's grip.

Their conversation was cut short by a commanding voice. "Hey, get ready!" It was Guild Leader Kart, a tall, muscular man with short black hair. He wore a chest plate and gauntlets, a shield and scabbard strapped to his back. His presence commanded respect and attention.

"The Monitor team says the portal will open any moment now. Regroup with the others," Kart instructed. Veka quickly obeyed, rushing to join the rest of the guild, while Axel moved slowly, his body weighted with fatigue.

"Watch yourself, Mr. Teras, and don't hesitate to ask for help," Kart advised, his tone softer.

"I don't need your sympathy," Axel retorted, the sharpness in his voice masking the vulnerability he felt.

Before joining the group, Axel glanced at the Monitor team. These specialists were crucial in predicting the location, timing, and nature of portal appearances. They could also determine the strength of a portal by analyzing its characteristics.

Portals were a relatively recent phenomenon, a response from alien invaders after humanity's fierce resistance. Initially, the aliens had tried direct attacks with spaceships, but Earth's defenses were too strong. The aliens then adapted, using portals to send their forces through before countermeasures could be deployed. This tactic had devastated many areas before the Hunter Association developed the means to anticipate and counter these incursions. Yet, the war with the aliens was growing more catastrophic, with each side constantly evolving its strategies and technologies.

Axel took his place at the back of the group, watching the scene unfold. The wind picked up, howling ominously as a small purple light began to form before the mall. The light expanded, swirling with a dark, liquid-like substance, until it was the size of a truck. This was the portal gate.

"Red Tigers guild, move out!" Guild Leader Kart's voice rang out, rallying the group. His followers responded with a cheer, their collective energy palpable as they approached the portal.

Axel's grip tightened on his father's dagger. 'Another alien hunt begins,' he thought, steeling himself for the challenges ahead. The sight of the portal filled him with a mix of dread and determination. This raid, like all the others, was a necessary battle in a war that seemed endless, a war where humanity fought not just for survival, but for a future free from fear and exploitation.