Hunters Assemble

Noah couldn't help but stare at the girl for a moment. There was something almost ethereal about her presence—a soft gentleness in her aura and a quiet innocence in her expression that made her stand out among the hardened, battle-worn Hunters around her. 

Her ceremonial attire, with its flowing robes and the scepter adorned with a gleaming gem, seemed completely out of place among the heavy armor and weapons the others carried. Yet, she held herself with a certain grace, even as her breath came in short gasps from her sprint to join the group.

Noah, trying desperately to suppress a grin at the girl's dramatic entrance, nodded at her sympathetically. 

'At least I'm not the only one they're going to make fun of now,' he thought wryly.

As she approached the group, her nervousness was palpable, but she tried to mask it with a small, timid smile. Her gaze flitted around, catching the eye of a few Hunters. 

Some nodded their heads in greeting, while others simply ignored her, too focused on the mission ahead to care about the latecomer.

And about the bullies?

The Hunters' murmurs started again, this time more openly mocking. One of them, a wiry man with a perpetual scowl etched onto his face, raised his eyebrows. 

"What's next, the family pet? Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll send a hamster with a spear."

Noah couldn't help but snicker at that. The mental image of a tiny hamster charging into battle with a miniature weapon was too much to resist. Unfortunately, his moment of amusement wasn't lost on the others.

"Oh, you think that's funny, do you, junior?" the burly Hunter from earlier sneered, stepping closer. 

He was close enough now that Noah could smell the stench of old sweat and... was that garlic? Great, he's got bad breath too, Noah thought, cringing internally.

"Laugh it up while you can, kid," the man continued, leaning down so their faces were almost level. 

"Because when we're out there, in the thick of it, those jokes won't save your sorry ass."

Noah resisted the urge to step back, standing his ground even though the guy's breath was making his eyes water. He forced himself to meet the Hunter's gaze, trying not to let his nerves show. 

"I'll be fine," he muttered, though even he wasn't sure if he believed it.

The burly man snorted again, clearly unimpressed. "We'll see about that."

Taking another deep breath to calm herself, the girl finally spoke. "Hello, everyone. My name is Erin Light, Ultimate-dormant Rank." Her voice was soft, barely carrying over the tense atmosphere that had settled over the gathering.

A few of the Hunters gave her a curt nod, though most barely acknowledged her.They probably thought looking at her clothes,'High Rank with no combat experience, let alone being healer. What a mess!'.

The tension was thick, especially with the addition of not one, but two young, inexperienced members to the group.

It was clear that the more seasoned fighters weren't thrilled about the potential burden that Noah and Erin might represent.

The employee from the Adventurers' Association, who had been organizing the operation, took a step forward. His eyes swept across the group as he raised his voice to address them all. 

"Alright, listen up. The gate will be opening shortly. Your mission is straightforward: enter, close the dungeon, and prevent any monsters or beasts from crossing into our world. Be warned, these kinds of dungeons are unstable, and you could encounter creatures of varying levels. So, remember—caution is your top priority."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in, before continuing. "Now, one important thing before we go in—who among you will take on the role of captain for this mission?"

Almost immediately, a man in his mid-twenties stepped forward confidently. His muscular frame and the large sword strapped to his back marked him as someone used to leading from the front. "I'll take the lead," he announced. "Juan Ladd, rank Lower Ascendant, Warrior class."

The employee nodded, then looked around the group to see if anyone had objections. "Does anyone contest this decision?"

The Hunters all shook their heads, some with disinterest, others with silent agreement. Noah, who had been standing quietly at the back, also nodded in approval, though he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being outclassed.

Juan Ladd offered a brief smile. "Good. Now that's settled, let's take a moment to get acquainted. It's important we know each other's ranks and classes before we go in. We need to know what we're working with.," He gestured toward the group. "Let's start with introductions. Go ahead, one by one."

The introductions began, with each Hunter stating their name, rank, and class. Most were warriors or mages, with a few rogues and support types sprinkled in. 

When it was finally Noah's turn, he stepped forward, trying to project confidence. "Noah. Just Noah, Lower Dormant Rank, Duelist Class."

Juan Ladd's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked Noah over. "Have you had any previous experience inside the gates?" he asked, his tone firm but not unkind.

Noah hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No, this will be my first mission. I only recently awakened."

A small sigh escaped Juan Ladd's lips, though it wasn't one of frustration. "That's alright. Everyone has to start somewhere.," He gave Noah a quick nod. 

"For this mission, we'll have you assist as a porter. You'll carry the equipment and supplies. It's a good way to stay safe and learn how these missions work."

Though disappointment settled in Noah's chest, he kept his face neutral and nodded. Porter—the word echoed in his mind. 

It wasn't the role he had envisioned for himself, but he knew better than to argue. He walked over to the pile of bags and slung one onto his back, surprised at how light it felt. 

Since awakening, his body had grown stronger, and the weight that once would have been a burden now felt manageable.

Once everyone had introduced themselves and roles were assigned, Juan Ladd clapped his hands together. "Alright, everyone. Let's move out. Stay close, maintain formation, and remember—communication is key. If you run into any problems, let me know immediately."

The group moved toward the gate, which shimmered with an otherworldly, radiant blue light. It pulsed with an energy that seemed almost alive, and Noah felt his heart begin to race as they approached. 

His excitement and nerves collided, sending a surge of adrenaline through his veins. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. His first mission as a real Hunter.