Media attention

In a park somewhere in New York floated a gate of moderate size, about 6 meters in diameter. Despite its generic size, countless people stood around the vortex. Cameras and recording equipment were all over the place.

All of the media attention was focused on a group of 7 people. Towering over the rest was a muscular man in golden shining armor, and long black hair. The reporters were swarming Haiden who trained the team.

"What gives you the confidence to send the new recruits alone to a gate with such a high reading?"

"How do you feel about the new group? Were they willing to work together or were there some problems with the teamwork?"

"Do you truly think the team is ready for this raid? Aren´t you afraid that a lot of money and time will be wasted because of a hasty decision?"

They overwhelmed him with so many questions, shouting one over the other. It was a complete mess. Fortunately, Haiden has already gone through this situation many times before.

"Please, people let´s be reasonable." he said in a soothing voice. "There is enough time for your questions so wait before your turn comes. Who doesn´t want to be reasonable can leave or be escorted from this park, since for now it is reserved by the Scavengers guild."

After several seconds the media calmed down and Haiden proceeded to pick reporters from the crowd.

"To ask again, do you think the team is ready for this? Isn´t this just a hasty decision, that you will come to regret?"

He smiled at the question and said. "If they aren´t ready now they will never be. They went through many gates under my supervision and this will be their graduation."

While Haiden was handling the media the raid team was also being questioned. Tristan, who wore a white shirt with a pair of jeans, was asking them about some personal matters.

"So what is your goal, your ambitions? What do you want to achieve by being a hunter?" he asked the raid leader.

"I want to rid the world of these creatures so that people don´t have to be afraid of helplessly dying, and leaving their families behind." Emma answered in absolute seriousness, without batting an eye.

Tristan leaned to the side and asked Clark, the team´s support. "Did someone write answers for you?"

"She is being 100% herself. That came from her head. I also thought she was bullshitting at first." he answered casually.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Emma asked Tristan with furrowed eyebrows.

"No, absolutely not. It´s just something everyone would want to hear. What about the rest of you?"

"Money." announced Clark.

"Money." Lucian added.

"Family, but I want them to live better so also money." said Gina.

"It´s fun." said Tyler.

"What an honest bunch you are." Tristan said with a dry laugh. "You have been training for a long time, right? So what was the most difficult thing in your regime?" he continued with another question.

"It was fine. I actually really enjoyed it." said Tyler, the team´s tank.

"Speak for yourself, you maniac. Even though I´m a support type they had me spar with other hunters. I´ve never been in a fight before and they wanted me to beat a professional. It was actual torture. Of course, when I finally went into a real dungeon I didn´t need any of that, but I still need to keep training like a complete nutcase."

"Really? That sounds like they went easy on me." said Gina, the ice magician with a giggle. "I just had some light exercise and the rest was magic, which we´ve done together."

"It wasn´t easy, but you´re just making a mountain out of a molehill, Clark." said Lucian.

"You see there´s a difference between a professional athlete" Clark pointed at Lucian. "an experienced welder" he then pointed at Tyler. "And me whose biggest physical activity was going to take the ice cream out of my fridge."

"Well, it looks like you are already good friends. Was it this way already from the beginning or were there some problems?" Tristan kept on asking questions.

"I think we clicked from the start. Everyone was really nice, always trying to help each other. We became best friends with Emma practically overnight." said Gina.

During this whole interview, Mark was trying to get through the park. When he saw the crowd of reporters he walked around them to the group of hunters he recognized from their photos.

He walked up to the team and said. "Hello, sorry for being late. I was stuck in traffic."

"And who exactly are you?" asked Emma.

"Mark Williams, A-rank magician, a guest from the Raiders guild with his signature skill being a barrier." said Lucian.

"Well, it seems like you know me better than my mother." Mark said jokingly.

"I´ve just read the paperwork."

"I´ve also seen your name on the list, but I thought of you as another reporter so would you mind enlightening me." Tristan told Mark with a smile.

"Basically I was offered an alliance with the Scavengers guild, so I´m here to see the new recruits before I sell my guild to someone I don´t know anything about."

"Ho, then get the papers ready, because we´ll show you how it´s done." Tyler told Mark with a confident smile.

"I can´t wait to see that."