A few days had passed since Harden was discharged from the hospital. "You really shouldn't push yourself," Raizo said. "Relax, I'm fine," Harden replied. "I'm good as new," Harden said with a smile.
"I still think you should rest more before you jump into another abyss," Raizo insisted. "It's reckless, and if Amy were here, she'd say the same thing." "Amy is already in an abyss gaining experience, and if you keep acting like my babysitter, her rank will be higher than ours." "Babysitter?" "Well, I'm sorry. I didn't want you dead."
"Suit yourself; it's not like the organization will allow you to participate right away." "It'll take at least two days for them to find an abyss for you," Raizo said. "I know," Harden said. "Which is why I didn't use the organization's website." "What do you mean?" Raizo asked.
"Well, there's this rich guy who goes by the name of Thomas Musk, and he owns a lot of industries that process the raw materials found in an abyss. So, when an abyss spawned on his property, he put a public notice stating that he needed mythical fighters of different ranks," Harden said.
"If that's the case, then we've got no chance. For starters, if it was a public notice, then they already have all the people needed, and secondly, we're just bronze rank; there are people of higher ranks than us. Do just give it up," Raizo said. "Well, I signed up a week ago, and we have a spot," Harden said.
"We?" Raizo asked. "I signed up for you as well," Harden replied. "Okay, that's cool and all, but how are you going to handle the part about our ranks?" "The application said he needed ten mythical fighters, and amongst those ten, he needs an assault team made of damage dealers, a support team that mainly comprises mages, and the extraction team, which will serve as miners and quarry workers that'll extract raw materials."
"This team is for lower ranks only, so we'll fit in. Plus, if at all our fights are minimal." "If you say so, I'm in." "We need all the experience we can get to grow stronger." "However, remember what happened in an E-rank abyss. Imagine what a C-rank abyss is like. We need to be extra careful," Raizo said. "Understood," Harden replied.
The pair then headed to Musk Industries, where the abyss had opened. Just as they were about to enter, a man wearing a suit stopped them. "This is a restricted area, civilians," he said. "We're not civilians," Raizo said, as he showed his ID card. "We're here for the abyssal raid," Raizo replied.
The man apologized as he let them pass and led them toward the other mythical fighters, who seemed to be discussing and prepping themselves for the mission ahead. When Thomas Musk walked in with two huge men by his side, it didn't take a genius to realize that they served as his bodyguards, and they were strong too.
"Alright," he said, as he cleared his throat to ensure he had everyone's attention. "You'll now be briefed on your mission objective. This abyss has been tested to have few thermal mythril, the main ingredient used in making heat-resistant armor. Obtaining this mineral takes priority over others. You are also required to bring back a few of the other minerals you may find. The mythical cores of the creatures in there will be yours; do whatever you can to survive – that's all."
"The leader of this raid will be the silver mythical fighter, Kevin White. I heard he's close to becoming gold rank," Raizo commented. A few minutes later, all the mythical fighters were fully prepared and ready to go. They all walked through the portal, and one by one, they all stopped as they felt an intimidating presence...something was wrong.