Prologue - The Beginning
It was autumn on a certain year and day.
People were living their lives normally. Mothers and fathers took their children to school and local shop owners opened their shops for the students that walk by every morning. It was peaceful, until a certain something occurred.
The entire city was suddenly cold even though the Sun was high up in the sky. It was a freezing cold that had one shuttering their teeth and shivering all over.
Then "that" appeared. A huge rip in space or gate spanning 100 feet in length appeared in the middle of the city where a park was built. A giant leg first stepped through, followed by a huge hand that gripped the gate by the edges.
Then it appeared. It's what fantasy authors would call a Giant. Its height was nearly larger than the whole city's buildings considering the location. People ran and ran but many were crushed by the raw difference in power.
People thought the world will end for them and that monsters will take over. But–
A group of ten individuals spawned before the monster giant. Not even the best tech could ascertain where they came from or who they were. All they were thankful for was that they were saved.
One of these people could break the sky apart from his sheer strength or another could move an entire ocean.
They were what many called hunters or more like heroes. Many years after the catastrophe, people started manifesting powers unknown to them why it appeared.
Some manifested skill like the ability to read minds, move objects, or have lightning speed.
They were the new generation of heroes that appeared 100 years ago.
A new gate appeared apparently after the first one fell. But what's different from this one is that it connects to another world. The inhabitants of that world, or more like the new humans of this world are the ones who appeared.
That gate was the one that made it possible for the heroes to enter this world.
◇◇◇
"Suuu…"
I decided to try again today. To enter another gate. This will be my 56th time entering one of my level which is E…
E rank gates have things like slimes, kobolds or goblins inside them.
My powers came to me a bit later than others who awakened early. I was 16 when I got my powers which was last year.
My powers? [Absolute Defence] is what the magic scientists called it. It allows my defence to be ten times my attack power. Although my attack power is measured as 2 in my hologram card… That makes my defence 20. Pretty good, is what I naïvely thought back when I watched the talented people fight.
Many schools catering to nurturing tomorrow's heroes have been opened ever since the disaster and the arrival of the new humans 100 years ago. Our population had to be kept under control so only certain individuals could enter this world to attend our schools.
We went there once on a school field trip. We stayed in the palace of one of the kingdoms. Yes, a palace. That world is still in the era of nobility. Revolution never happened in some kingdoms. Why? The monarchs that are chosen on every succession are mighty individuals that no one can go up against. They range from level 500 until level 999. They are the true powerhouses of that world.
Recently, one of the princesses from the Arkland Kingdom, enrolled in the school. Needless to say, she's a talented individual that awes many with her powers.
.
I patted my sleeping little sister's head as she snored in her sleep. Her name is Farnese. She's two years younger than me and is far more talented than her big brother. Her powers are magic related so it makes sense.
This is the only time where I can observe my sister's cute face. Other times she's cold towards me and even insults me every chance she gets.
–You're the reason mother left this world.
That's a phrase I often hear from her. Our mother wasn't able to cope with raising two children alone and one day committed suicide. This was all because of our bastard father who left us. I didn't tell this to Farnese. Paul and Claudia even hid the fact that our mother left a suicide note behind. I didn't want my sister to find out that the reason our mother disappeared was because of us.
We got adopted parents after mother died. I didn't know who my father really was anymore since I only have a memory of him from when I was 6 years old. I only have a recording of him on a video and audio from an interview. He entered through an SSS rank gate and never returned. He was one of the top hunters before the first white and black gates appeared. Black gates are different from other gates since they have more mana inside the dungeons and stronger monsters. The White gate is a portal to another world where fantasy actually exists.
"I'll be going now, sis. Make sure to have food ready when I'm back."
That's something I wish she'd do though.
I grabbed my daggers after coming out of her room and put on my armour.
"Hopefully I can grow this time."
I pumped myself up for my 56th time.
◇◇◇
"Huff… huff…"
'This was a stupid idea!'
Just a few hours ago, I was ready to take on the monsters in the gate. After placing traps for two days, I decided to finally do the attack on a small goblin village that was located in the centre of a destroyed village. That excitement only lasted a few minutes though…
My entire right arm was numb since I was hit multiple times by a goblin wielding a club. They are much faster than I am that I had to use distractions just to get ahead. I had to throw rocks at them. Sometimes it would work and other times I would miss.
I sobbed quietly as I ran with quick steps. My feet were beginning to ache and my legs were starting to go numb. It's been three days already.
–"Someday! Let's stand together as the strongest heroes!"
–"You got that right! I'll be stronger than you though!"
'Fuck! I'm so pathetic!'
A memory from a few years ago surfaced in my mind. It was the memory of my childhood friend. Silver hair, blue eyes and a smile that seems to be as bright as the sun. Both our fathers were high rankers that were in the same party back then.
We grew up as siblings together and made promises to become guild master and vice master of our very own guild. Naturally the stronger one becomes the guild master.
Her name is Sylvia Wessex. Her father is the guild master of the Sky Mercenary guild. He's an SS rank hunter.
His daughter is already A rank at 17 years old. We're in the same class this year as well. I don't know if it's coincidence.
-"Stay away from the gates. You are weak."
That's what she told to me on the very first day of school.
-"You have disappointed me. Here I thought the two of us could make a guild together."
She was my first love.
-"Ordinary people like you should just do what ordinary people ought to do. Live ordinary lives instead of trying to achieve something beyond your limits."
I couldn't understand what she said to me then. I do now. Confidently saying that I'd stand next to her. Am I not pitiful and stupid?
-"Let's face it. You're weak that I have to protect you. However, I can't take someone like you to the battlefield. Stay out of our, the real hunters' way."
Ever since that day, we haven't spoken since. We may be in the same class but we never exchange words. The only form of communication between the two of us is the supplies she always sends for me to be able to enter gates.
"Huff… huff…"
I sat in front of the gate that I managed to exit. Its size was but that of a normal door. E rank could even be taken care of by an adult without powers if they have enough physical strength.
I looked at my chapped hands. I lost two nails trying to escape from the grasp of a goblin. People like me shouldn't underestimate the power of their skinny limbs.
"Hehehe…"
I laughed happily looking at the magic core I found. It might be from a beast that died form natural causes. With this I could sell it for about 3000 Fel(Currency of both worlds). I don't have to worry about my sister since she gets supported by her own sponsor. It's hard making money to survive so I can become independant. I didn't want to rely on my rich adopted parents.
My father was one of the only SS rank hunters around before Sylvia's father became one.
"Ugh."
I felt my insides churn since I last ate a proper meal four days ago. The other E rank hunters who entered before me took pity on me and gave me their leftovers.
Even people's pity pisses me off. The person I am and how I was born also pisses me off.
Why did something like monsters and superpowers have to come during my era? Couldn't I have been born 200 years ago before all this never even happened?
The funny thing is that I even promised my childhood friend that the two of us should clear Ragnarok together one day. Ragnarok or the black gate is one of the only SSS rank gate in the entire world. People say just breathing the air could kill you if you are a weak person.
Only three SSS rank hunters ever existed but none of them said that they would enter that gate again. They are called High Rankers.
–Hell incarnate is what you can describe it as.
One of the High Rank Hunters said.
–Monsters that I never knew could exist roam those lands. Even the weakest of them can be AA rank. And unlike any other dungeons the three of us have faced together, even a stare from one of the bosses of that gate paralyzed me with fear.
I remember the woman visibly shake with terror on the TV screen. It's like she went through a trauma that she couldn't forget.
She is known as the Divine Archer Calliope. She is the Guild master of Hungary's top guild, White Orchid.
Then there's Clifton, the Berserker. He is the guild master of another top guild.
And lastly, Eveline who is also known as the Divine Swordswoman. I don't know why they get the word 'Divine' attached to their class names. But alas, the gods are the ones who decided a person's class. The names are still dumb though. Anyways, she's the guild master of our capital city's top guild, Misteltein located in Felmore.
They are classified as the monsters of humanity. They could level a huge city on their own if they wished. Their power in action was like seeing gods battle.
"I'm home…"
I entered our apartment and dragged my weary body across the room.
"56th fail… great work, Ethan…"
I laughed for a while before tears came out.
"I'm so fucking weak…"
I said as I gazed at the picture of me and my childhood friend hugging each other when we were little.