Hunter's Association

The Hunter's Association, a prestigious organization with a singular mission and a structured hierarchy. Its members were responsible for protecting humanity from the dangers lurking beyond the gates. Before any Awakeners could explore the riches and perils within, they had to pass through the Association to obtain their licenses.

These licenses provided ranks that granted access to sensitive information and a highly sophisticated distribution network for buying and selling items found within the gates. Hunters could accept quests issued by the Association, guilds, or influential individuals. Licenses also granted privileges such as lower capital requirements and reduced costs on certain assets. It was no exaggeration to say that the occupation of a Hunter was highly coveted due to these benefits.

Despite being a highly sought-after occupation, becoming a Hunter was not an easy feat. It required meeting certain strict requirements, the most basic one being possessing an Awakened ability. Non-Awakened individuals, even those who had mastered combat, stood no chance against the gate dwellers who utilized magic and had bodies tougher than any earthly material, rendering modern weapons ineffective against them. With the first requirement met, Cyrus made his way to the main office of the Hunter's Association.

Cyrus was struck by the impressive modern architecture that lay before him. The sheer size and aesthetic of the building were breathtaking. Its elaborate exterior boasted sharp, clean lines, perfectly accentuated by the window glasses that covered the cubic structure. As he approached the entrance, he couldn't help but admire the professionalism exuded by the decorated office space. State-of-the-art furnishings and decorations could be seen everywhere, enhancing the ambiance of the space.

After taking a moment to marvel at the avant-garde ornaments, Cyrus confidently walked towards the receptionist desk.

"Welcome to the Hunter's Association Office! How may I assist you today?"

"I am here to register as a Hunter."

"Excellent! I would be delighted to assist you with your registration. Before we proceed, do you have any questions or concerns?"

"No, I am ready to begin."

"Perfect. May I have your full name to begin the registration process?"

"Cyrus Strongmen"

"Thank you for being here today. Let's get started with the first question, which is a crucial one - Have you Awakened an Ability?" the interviewer asked.

Without hesitation, Cyrus responded with a simple, "Yes."

"Thank you for answering my first question," said the interviewer, nodding appreciatively. "Now, onto the second one. Have you ever entered a gate before? If so, what was the reason?"

"Yes, yesterday was my first time entering a gate. I was hired to assist a party of hunters as their Porter. And let me tell you, if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have been able to manifest my ability." The words were spoken with a mix of gratitude and anger.

"Now, for the third question: Which category does your Awakened ability fall under - Support, Offense, or Defense?"

"Offense."

"For my final question, I need to ask if your Awakened Ability could potentially put others in harm's way?" The interviewer leaned forward, looking intently at the candidate.

Cyrus paused for a moment, processing the question. "Could you please clarify the question?" they asked politely.

"Sure thing. Let's say you're on a mission with a team of hunters. Would your ability have the potential to harm or even kill your fellow team members?" the interviewer explained.

Cyrus furrowed their brow in thought. "I haven't considered that kind of situation," they admitted. "My ability has a wide radius and burns anything in its path, including allies. So, yes, my ability could put others in danger."

The interviewer nodded, noting the candidate's response.

"Please don't worry too much, such occurrences are not uncommon. However, it's important to assess the severity of your ability before we proceed with your licensing request. In some cases, we might have to provide you with a special hunter's license that restricts you from joining any party for a certain period of time. But let me assure you that this doesn't mean your request will be revoked. So, with that in mind, would you still like to move forward with the registration?"

'I never had any intention of aligning myself with those deceitful hunters from the beginning. I have always believed that I will achieve my objectives solely with my own strength and determination.' Cyrus declared to himself with unwavering conviction.

"Yes, I would like to continue."

"Very well, let's proceed to the testing area," the receptionist said with a professional tone.

"This next assessment will involve you utilizing your ability to combat a virtual gate monster. Our aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of your ability and its potential for future development, as well as assess your ability to handle danger. In order to better understand the impact your ability may have on others, we will also provide a dummy party member who will be positioned near you."

"Understood, please lead the way."

"Before you proceed, there's an important detail I should mention. Even though the monster you'll be facing is virtual, we've added in realistic elements to make the experience more immersive. This means that you may still experience physical and mental harm during the process. It's important to note that we are not liable for any such harm that may occur. Additionally, any damage to your clothing or personal belongings will not be compensated. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding this?"

"It wouldn't matter anyway, the damage has already been done a long time ago," Cyrus said with a resigned tone.

Confused, the other person asked, "What do you mean?"

The man sighed deeply before responding cryptically, "You'll see..."

Feeling uneasy, the other person hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "O-okay, please follow me, sir."