Chapter 3

Ray nodded weakly, still processing the sudden attention and the weight of his responsibilities. "I... I did what I could," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

"My name is Daniel and we at the hunter's association offer you our condolences for the loss of your comrades." The man said.

Ray nodded, his voice barely a whisper. "Thank you. They fought bravely, but I... I couldn't save them all."

Daniel nodded understandingly. "Sometimes, even the bravest warriors fall in the face of insurmountable odds. It is a painful truth that we all must face."

Ray took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he needed to say. "There's something I need to tell you. The dungeon... It was ranked as an F-rank, but the creature inside, was a lizardman, an E rank monster. It was impossible for us to defeat it without a E ranked hunter."

Daniel's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowing with concern. "Are you certain about this? The dungeon's ranking is determined through rigorous assessments and evaluations."

Ray nodded emphatically. "I'm sure of it. The energy readings were wrong. We were caught off guard, and it cost us dearly."

The two members of the Hunters Association exchanged worried glances, realizing the potential consequences of such a grave error. Daniel sighed heavily.

"If what you're saying is true, then this is a serious matter. The miscalculation of a dungeon's rank can have dire consequences, as you have witnessed first-hand."

Ray's voice trembled slightly as he continued, "I don't want their deaths to be in vain. Something must be done to prevent this from happening to others."

Daniel nodded solemnly. "You have my word, Ray. We will launch a thorough investigation into the error of the dungeon's rank. If there was negligence or oversight involved, we will hold those responsible accountable. Your comrades will not be forgotten."

A sense of relief washed over Ray as he realized that his concerns would be taken seriously. The weight of survivor's guilt remained, but he now had hope that their sacrifice would lead to changes within the Hunters Association, ensuring the safety and well-being of future adventurers.

The second individual, a young woman with a determined expression, stepped forward. "My name is Amanda" she said, her tone filled with a mix of respect and curiosity. "We've been sent to assess your potential and would like to offer you a chance to join our ranks. Your bravery and skills have caught our attention."

Ray's eyes widened in surprise. Joining the Hunters Association had always been a dream, a way to hone his abilities and protect those in need. But he had never expected this opportunity to come so soon, in the aftermath of such tragedy.

"I haven't awakened" Ray responded.

"That doesn't matter, regardless of whether you awaken or not, your bravery is something we could use in our association" Daniel said.

Ray glanced at his bruised and battered body, knowing that he needed time to heal. Yet, a spark of determination flickered within him, fuelled by the memory of his fallen comrades. This was his chance to carry their legacy forward, to ensure that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

With a faint smile, Ray mustered his resolve. "I... I accept," he replied, his voice filled with newfound determination. "I will join the Hunters Association and strive to make a difference in this world."

The representatives of the Hunters Association exchanged a glance, satisfaction evident in their eyes. They knew that Ray had the potential to become a formidable hunter if he could kill a rank E lizardman even if it was injured, they just needed to wait for his abilities to awaken.

"Good, you will officially join us when you turn 18 and have awakened, until then rest well, all expenses have been paid for and $10,000 has been credited to your account as an apology to you for having to go through what you did" Amanda said.

The association members spoke to Ray for a while longer before leaving him to rest.

Ray's mother, Sarah, and his little sister, Lily, entered the room with concerned expressions on their faces. Sarah's eyes were filled with worry as she took in the sight of her son lying in the hospital bed, bandaged and exhausted. Lily, clutching a teddy bear tightly, looked up at her brother with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

"Ray, what happened? Are you okay?" Sarah's voice trembled with emotion as she approached his bedside, gently placing a hand on his arm.

"Don't worry, Mom. I'm fine now. It was just a close call. I was attacked by a powerful monster, but the Hunters Association members came to my rescue." Ray lied with a weak smile, trying to reassure them. "And they have agreed to take me in when I turn 18."

Lily's eyes widened, and she tugged on Sarah's sleeve. "Mom, does that mean big brother is going to be a hunter like Dad?"

Sarah's face paled at the mention of her late husband. "Yes, Lily. Ray has decided to join the Hunters Association. But it's dangerous, especially after what happened to your father during the Global Dungeon Outbreak."

A solemn silence filled the room as the memories of that tragic event resurfaced. Sarah's voice quivered as she continued, "I lost your father, Lily, and I don't want to lose you too, Ray. The dangers that come with being a hunter... they're unimaginable."

Ray reached out and held his mother's hand, his gaze filled with determination. "I understand your concerns, Mom. But I want to make a difference. I want to protect our family and prevent others from going through what we did. The Hunters Association is the best way for me to do that."

Sarah looked into her son's eyes, seeing the resolve burning within them. She squeezed his hand tightly, her voice filled with a mix of pride and apprehension. "If this is what you truly want, Ray, then I will support you. Just promise me that you'll be careful and come back to us."

Ray nodded earnestly. "I promise, Mom. I'll do everything in my power to stay safe. And I'll make sure to return home to both of you."

Sarah wiped away a tear, a mix of worry and hope in her voice. "Alright, then. We'll be here for you every step of the way. Just remember, you're not alone. We love you, Ray."

Lily, still clutching her teddy bear, chimed in with a determined expression. "Big brother, make sure to come back with lots of amazing stories each time!"

Ray smiled, his heart touched by their support. "I will, Lily. I'll come back with tales that will make your eyes sparkle."