The Fanged Wolves (1)

Outside a high-rise building, one of the tallest in the association district resembling a skyscraper from before the apocalyptic age.

Flying cars were swerving left and right, passing by man-made structures that would make the best architect have his mouth open in awe.

After the cosmic wave descended, bringing along mana with it, many technological boons were made using mana as an energy source. Discoveries were constantly found, allowing humans to regain some degree of their former prosperity.

This allowed multiple breakthroughs in various fields, from healthcare and construction to weapon creation and even the beauty industry.

Flying vehicles and Digi-watches were just some of the most famous inventions made through the use of mana.

Here, in Instin, the city of wealth. A youth who was wearing a dragon mask travelled alongside the hordes of people getting on with their daily lives.

The human race's population was split into three categories: civilian, warrior, and auxiliary.

Civilians included people who didn't fight on the front lines or people who don't provide benefits to the humans as the auxiliary category does.

Warriors were self-explanatory and had the highest status amongst the three categories, with auxiliary the second and the civilian category last.

The auxiliary category was made up of scientists, blacksmiths and other professions which helped the human race in its technological advancement to reclaim the earth.

Making his way through throngs of people, Evan felt a slight sense of anticipation at meeting his new squad members.

Using the last of the money which he had saved, he bought a few things which included a few sets of basic combat gear and provisions.

Evan also got himself cleaned up and made his appearance barely presentable. Don't misunderstand. He still had his gaunt figure, but the enchanting glow from his golden eyes couldn't be hidden beneath the mask, causing a few curious heads to turn.

Paying these stares no heed, he quickened his pace and arrived at the association building a few minutes later.

Gazing up towards the 30-story building, Evan took a deep breath to calm himself as his eyes became resolute.

Entering the association, he scanned his badge on one of the touch screen monitors and made his way through the same corridor before arriving at the room where the assessment occurred the previous day, five minutes later.

Looking at the grey, metallic door, Evan hesitated for a few moments before walking up and knocking on the door.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Three rhythmical knocks echoed as he stood awkwardly, awaiting someone to answer.

'My social skills are terrible. I hope they won't decide to alienate me after finding that I can't make small talk.'

A few seconds later, a hulking figure of African descent carrying a hammer appeared in Evan's vision as he opened the metallic door of the room.

"Evan?"

Nodding his head in acknowledgement, Evan began moving inside after the brawny man invited him in.

"My name is Otto, and I'm the leader of the squad. Welcome to the Fanged Wolves. The rest of the members are inside."

Entering the door, he led Evan towards the far end of the room, where a table was set up alongside 5 separate chairs.

Seated on three chairs were people of varying sizes. The only thing they had in common between them was that each of them wore a mask to protect their identity.

From there, the differences began.

Seated on the left of the round table was a woman who looked about the same age as Evan, as she wore a phoenix-style mask.

Her silky waist-length blond hair shimmered brightly as a pair of cold, green eyes met his gaze. Besides, the elegant and refined bearing she exuded created the image of a noble warrior.

Next to her was a man of Asian descent. Wearing a tiger-style mask as a black hood covered his facial features, his figure gave off a silent and taciturn feeling.

Adjacent to him was a lean young man who had brown hair and a pair of brown eyes as a gold-coloured mask covered half his face.

Clapping his hands, Otto began a round of introductions.

"Ok, here is the new member of our squad, Evan. On the left is Astrid, next to her is Kang and the guy next to him is Finn,"

Turning his head to look at Evan, he spoke.

"Welcome to your new home."

Chuckling after saying so, he gestured for Evan to take a seat.

Nodding, Evan sat down next to Astrid on her right-hand side.

Looking at her from the corner of his eyes, it slightly surprised him to find that she maintained her cold expression, not even sparing him a glance.

'So she's like me, huh?'

As a self-proclaimed master at keeping a cold expression plastered on his face, Evan can tell when a person experienced something traumatic that has changed them irreversibly.

Astrid had the look of detachment from the world, uncaring whether the world went to hell.

From this, Evan gleaned that she had experienced something similarly traumatic as he is just like her right now, though he did say that he was going to trust humans a little more.

Stopping his thoughts from straying too far, he began studying his other teammates.

Kang was seated silently in his seat, gazing intently at the newbie as he nodded as a greeting.

Finn, meanwhile, was a different case altogether. Beneath his mask displayed on his face was a bored expression, as if he couldn't wait for the meeting to end.

Turning his head in Evan's direction, he asked in an even tone.

"Do you like cute dolls?"

Touching his ears to make sure he misheard nothing, Evan's mouth opened and closed in shock, speechless.

After a few seconds, he replied with a weird expression.

"…No."

"Alcohol?"

"…No."

"Novels?"

"…Yes."

After hearing Evan's answer, Finn jumped out of his seat in excitement as his voice became louder.

"What do you thi-"

Unfortunately, before he could even continue speaking, a large fist was making its way towards his face, ready to give him a world of pain.

Hurriedly dodging out of the way, Finn pitifully complained.

"Captain. What did I do this time?"

"Shut up. Nobody cares about your dolls, beer, and shitty novels. We've wasted enough time as it is."

Sitting back down with a crestfallen expression on his face, Finn began sulking like a child that had their toy taken away from them as he awaited the beginning of the meeting.

'What the hell is this? What a bizarre squad.' Evan questioned inwardly as he almost failed to believe what his eyes were showing him.

A cold ice princess, a silent and taciturn 'assassin' who wielded two sharp daggers and a guy who had questionable tastes, Evan wondered how they all ended up together in the same squad.

'What a weird combination.'

Snapping out of his reverie was Otto's voice as he began speaking in a serious voice.

"A mission was just recently posted and I feel like it's a good pick for the squad since we have a new addition and the money remunerated is a sizable amount. We have to venture out into the forbidden wilds and clear out a part of Zone C."

Looking at the frowns on his squadmates, he clarified.

"…It's only a Grade 2 zone."