1 1 - A Single Step

I cough up blood as I observe the corpse beside me. While gun in hand I back away slowly.

This can't go on. My luck can only be so much, not that I'm complaining but someone who dances with death three times in a row gets back up still kicking is already a miracle.

Most die in a first wave, I survived by hiding in a trash bin. Couldn't sleep as screams were going on the whole night, while explosions occurred here and there.

Second night I found a gun beside a dead scavenger. A while later a lone beasts notice me and charges. Petrified I stood there as the monster of a machine lunges.

On instinct I grip the gun and aim in front of me where luckily the leopard like monster's mouth was. And fired like there was no tomorrow for there wasn't if this thing still lived.

This was how I survived my second night but that was nothing compared to today.

If I had been a tad bit slower my head would be in a monster's stomach right about now. I can't rely on luck, not anymore.

As the old saying goes "third times a charm" or that's what it's suppose to mean... I think.

Anyway like my first kill I harvested this monster's parts in exchange for money from the Association.

There were 5 powers that controlled a part of the world. The Northern Magicians, The Southern Techies, The Western Demi-humans, The Eastern Diplomats, and the Association.

The name says it all. They control that part of the world while the Association is an organization with a little bit of everything.

They give credits -which were the currency used, in exchange for materials used to make the once guardians of the cities that prospered unimaginably in this day and age. Lost knowlegde and the items that the Lost World had made became relics to them.

The world operated differently wherever you are. Some use a Diplomatic approach, while others rule with an iron fist.

Most humans are gathered in the South where guns and the like revolve around even in the sewers. The town I was in is one of the 5 medium cities that are spread around the major city Merkatz. Similarly 5 small towns surround the medium citiesa They act as defenses to the ongoing waves of "guardians".

The technology of the Lost World was so advanced that they created life like it was natural. Wolves that had mini-guns on their backs, a camouflaged hunk of metal that jumps around crushing anyone who is within their range, and the only normal thing you can find. Fire breathing Dragons.

Yeah and the best part of it all, that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Deep inside the ruins, there lay nests, monsters, and treasures, at every corner especially when you scavenge at the inner parts of the ruins.

Scavengers. They refer to the people who delve deep in the ruins, risk their lives for profit, fame, and the like. The most commonly seen are the humans carrying guns, with enhancements to carry more powerful guns, and teams betraying each other.

Trust was a cheap word here. Not many were kind hearted, and if someone were to gift you something out of the blue you'd best expect it to be trap for their own benefit.

That didn't change what I wanted to do. I didn't just want to survive, I wanted to live. I'd make a team with people who watch each other's backs, while we travel this ruined world. My adventure was starting and a thousand mile journey starts with a single step.

Those thoughts had filled my mind as I push the doors to the building where a branch of the Association was located.

The place was bustling and filled to the brim with people who were busy with their own life.

I got some curious looks but soon they were gone, since a dirty 10 year old kid was matted with blood, with a small pouch, and a handgun that didn't have much firepower. Surely you would lose interest.

I used my two feet to travel towards the only person I trust and the person that helped me with my first reward on my first kill. At the side of the building where a receptionist mans the counter, I approach the woman who was like an elder sister to me.

"Miss Katie. Here's another one." The woman at the counter who was just 19 years old at most recognized me pretty easily, which in turn made her freak out.

"Hyde! My god what happened!?" It was a good thing the place was a bit noisy since this would've attracted quite the attention.

Before I could get a word out my mouth she drags me to a private room where transactions are made between contracted Scavengers and a receptionist.

There were ranks in this organization. It stars with Bronze, to Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. At Gold rank one can request to have someone contract with them. This means that, that person that is contracted to them will prioritize their transactions, will handle their mission completions and alerts them when they are called for a mission. A secretary if you may.

I sat meekly at the couch on the left of the office like room, while taps her foot on the floor, eyes narrowed and directed at me.

"What did I say when there's a wave?" She asks sternly.

"T-to go to the branch building in the city to take shelter." I stutter in a low voice.

"You know why I ask you to do that don't you?" Her gaze visibly softened but momentarily.

"Yes." I reply.

"But-

"No buts, what if something happened to you out there. You know how nervous I can get. And also no hunting! I contracted with you so you can survive." She states.

"But I don't want to survive, I want to live! I can't just stay behind you all the time. You have shown me you're goodwill many times, but I haven't done anything for you!" The emotions inside me burst out as tears were already streaming down my face.

She bites her lips hesitating to say anything, to which I caught sight of. She knows then sits opposite me.

"You want to know the reason why I am kind to you?"

I nod, even though I am afraid of the truth. I breathe deeply as she answers.

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