D-class Portal

Ever since the phenomenal occurance took place, and humans awakened special talent, they decided to build guilds.

There are four main guilds in the city; the Silver eagle guild, the Phantom guild, and the Hawk guild. They were led by the four strongest slayer in the city.

But under these guilds are sub-guilds — They are known to handle weaker raids, and also known as the starting journey for all those who just had their awakening.

Well, it was exceptional for those who miraculously awakened either A-class, B-class, or even S-class talent. Because they are considered special and do not need to join the beginners team.

For Allen, he unfortunately awakened an E-class talent, the worst and lowest class in history — As such, he was tasked with the job of cleaning, serving, and buying coffees for everyone else in the guild. These had been his job over the past year and this time around, he decided that he must become a slayer and take part in the raids.

"Everyone, gather around!" A man called out.

Allen, ignored those talking about him and went to stand in the line.

"We have a job to do and we must carry it out with utmost importance," the man said. "We have three C-class, four D-class, and..." The man paused as he glanced around, his eyes fell on Allen and a weak sigh escaped from his lips. "And an E-class member who will be in charge of our things."

Some burst out laughing while some covered their faces, secretly laughing.

Allen did not make a sound or react. He had already gotten accustomed to their behaviors and it didn't affect him in any way. All he was concerned about was joining the team in the raids and raising some money for his sister. Others' opinion, mattered nothing to him.

"Pat, will be our vice-captain," the man said and everyone turned their heads to the man.

It was the same man that was making fun of Allen's dagger.

He walked to the front of the lin, shoulders raised.

Allen glanced at him, he could see the aura the man was emitting. It was large, engulfing him completely.

'He is sure strong, even stronger than Mr. James,' he thought to himself. "

"As a C-class slayer, I have a long-term experience in raids and I promise to lead everyone to victory!" Pat said and everyone yelled happily.

After the introduction, they were all ready to leave and Allen carried all the backpacks and joined them. They left the guild building and headed to the place where the D-class portal was spotted.

After arriving at the place, they came down from the car and approached the swirling portal that hovered in midair like a spinning vortex of smoke and shadows. Its edges shimmered with faint blue light, and a dull humming sound pulsed from within, almost like a heartbeat.

Allen's hands were aching from the weight of the bags, but he said nothing. He quietly placed the bags down in the designated area, watching as the others began checking their gear and stretching. No one even looked in his direction. Not that he expected them to.

"Alright, listen up!" Pat shouted, standing tall beside the team leader. "Inside that portal, it's going to be a hive-type dungeon. D-class, but still dangerous. Stay close and don't do anything stupid."

"And what about the E-class?" someone smirked from the back.

"We'll leave him by the entrance, of course," Pat replied with a shrug. "Just don't touch anything, Allen. If something comes through, scream and run. That's all you're good for."

"But that's not why I came here," Allen said. "I came here to join in the raid, why am I asked to wait outside?"

"Listen to the vice captain, boy!" Mr. James said. "We don't want anyone dying on us."

More laughter followed, but Allen's face remained blank.

"Understood," he said after keeping quiet for some time, taking his spot near the portal's outer edge.

As the team entered the swirling portal one by one, Allen stared at it, his eyes fixed on the strange flow of magic. The same kind of magic that ran through everyone else — but barely flowed in him.

Or so they thought.

Once they were gone, silence fell. Allen sat on a nearby rock, resting. His hand drifted to the old, dull dagger at his side — the same one Pat had mocked earlier. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't even sharp anymore. But it was his — All he could afford.

He pulled it out and stared at the faint crack near its hilt. He sighed... There was nothing he could do.

The moment Allen stepped through the portal, he felt it.

The air was thick with dread — heavier than anything he had ever breathed. A strange hum pulsed around him, like a beating heart echoing through stone and flesh.

He opened his eyes and froze.

Corpses everywhere.

The members of the raid team — some with their limbs torn apart, others melted into the walls, their faces frozen in horror. Blood soaked the uneven ground, steaming slightly against the cool dungeon air. Crystals along the walls flickered, as though even they were afraid to shine fully.

Then he saw him, Pat.

The proud C-class slayer now looked like a dying flame, blood pouring from his chest, his leg twisted unnaturally. He was standing with one arm dangling uselessly, the other gripping a broken sword. In front of him towered a thing — no, a monster in every sense of the word.

It had too many limbs, and yet none seemed human. Its mouth stretched across its body like a torn wound filled with twitching fangs. Its skin was black and wet, its movements jagged and unnatural. And its eyes, dozens of them blinked out of sync, each one focused on Pat.

Allen couldn't move. His legs trembled, his throat dry. Fear gripped him like chains.

This isn't a D-class dungeon. This… this is something else.

Pat roared, charging with all the strength he had left. He slashed at the monster, but it barely flinched. Its tendrils lashed out, cracking the ground and forcing Pat to roll away, only to be caught mid-motion by a sweeping limb that slammed him against the wall.

Blood sprayed from his mouth as he slumped, barely conscious.

Allen watched, heart thundering in his chest.

And then, something shifted.

The monster turned toward Pat, raising one clawed limb, ready to end it.

Allen's body moved on its own.

"No!" he screamed.

His feet slammed against the ground as he ran forward, gripping his cracked dagger tightly. The monster paused, noticing the new presence, and turned toward him. Allen could feel its malice like heat from a furnace. His body screamed for him to stop.

But he didn't, instead, he leaped and slashed.

The dagger — dull and worthless, cut through air and connected with the monster's limb.

A crack split the air, not from the monster… but from the dagger.

'Damn it!' Allen cursed inwardly.

The blade cracked — a jagged line running down its length.

Allen stumbled backward as the monster let out a low, guttural snarl. It didn't even look hurt. If anything, it looked amused.

The next strike came faster than Allen could react.

A tendril whipped toward him. It slammed into his side and launched him across the dungeon like a ragdoll. He crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, ribs shattering on impact.

"Gah—!"

Blood sprayed from his mouth.

He couldn't breathe. His lungs felt like they were filled with fire. He tried to move, but his body screamed in agony.

The monster didn't stop.

It lunged, limbs unfolding like broken branches. Claws tore into Allen's leg, then his arm — ripping through flesh like paper. He screamed as the pain overwhelmed him.

'Why...?' he thought. 'Why did I even try?'

He saw Pat slumped against the wall, unmoving. The others — the whole team — were dead.

And now, he was dying too.

The monster loomed over him, a dozen glowing eyes narrowing.

It raised one limb for the final blow.

'This is it...' Allen thought.

Then—

DING!

A chime echoed in his mind. It was loud and clear. Then, a translucent blue screen appeared before his eyes.

[System Message]

Player Identified: Allen

Class: Hidden

Condition: Critical

Unlocking Potential...

Congratulations! You have become a player.]

Allen's vision blurred. He blinked, confused. The pain was still there — but something else coursed through him.

Heat.

Like a fire waking inside his shattered body.

Another screen popped up.

[Tutorial Quest: Survive]

Time Limit: 60 Seconds

Reward: Beginner's Package + Skill Unlock

Failure: Death]

Allen's fingers twitched.

The monster's claw descended but Allen's body moved — faster than it should have been able to. He rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the fatal strike. Dust exploded behind him as the claw shattered the stone floor.

"What is this?" Allen gasped.

His wounds still bled, but something was holding him together — keeping him conscious. Just barely.

The monster shrieked, turning toward him again.

Allen gritted his teeth and stood, wobbling on one good leg. He raised the broken dagger.

His time had begun.