Scavengers
After a brief moment of contemplation, Marcus made his decision.
“Go home,” he ordered.
Dylan and Jake, still struggling to process everything, barely reacted. They simply nodded and staggered away, leaving Marcus behind to strategize his next move based on Noah’s suggestion.
As they walked through the streets of Silivia, their minds remained fixated on one thing.
Level 176.
Was Marcus really that strong? Neither of them had ever seen his true strength—only the brutal training sessions where he held back. If he was level 176, then what would have happened if he hadn’t held back?
The thought was unsettling.
Had they unknowingly been spared death multiple times just because their training wasn’t a real fight?
Better not to know.
Better never to find out.
The Next Morning…
The sun had barely risen when Dylan and Jake found themselves in the familiar bar, having a quick breakfast. The usual chatter of soldiers, travelers, and merchants filled the space around them.
But their focus wasn’t on their food.
It was on the letter in their hands.
Both of them had received it early in the morning, stamped with Marcus’s official seal.
Dylan frowned, scanning the contents again. “Why did Marcus sign us up for… the scavenge team? I thought we were training to be guards, not scavengers or travelers.”
Jake sighed, rereading the letter. “Yeah… I wonder why, too. But maybe… maybe this is the best way for us to experience real battles without dying?”
Dylan scoffed. “We’re gonna die either way! No matter where we go—if the monsters are way stronger than us, we’re just dead!”
Jake stayed quiet for a moment, rubbing his chin. “Yeah… but I don’t think Marcus would throw us into something suicidal… Right?”
Silence.
A long, awkward silence.
Jake let out a nervous laugh, but it was painfully obvious how forced it was. His fingers tapped against the wooden table, his foot bounced slightly against the floor—he was worried.
Dylan stared at him. “…That’s not reassuring, Jake.”
Jake quickly straightened. “W-Well! No matter! Let’s just focus on doing this. We find the materials, bring everything back, and maybe we can use them to gear up.”
Dylan perked up slightly at the idea. “Yeah! If we get good materials, we could—uh… we could give them to someone who actually knows how to craft gear.”
Jake raised an eyebrow. “Do you even know someone who can do that?”
Dylan opened his mouth—then hesitated.
“…No.”
Jake sighed, rubbing his temple.
Dylan quickly continued, “But! There has to be someone in Silivia! The elite guards have amazing gear, right? That means someone is making it for them!”
Jake thought for a moment, then shrugged. “I mean… you’re not wrong.”
Dylan grinned. “Exactly! So let’s just get the best stuff we can, and then we’ll find whoever makes the best weapons and armor in Silivia!”
Jake exhaled, shaking his head with a small chuckle. “Alright… let’s do this.”
After finishing their quick breakfast, Dylan and Jake left the bar, stepping into the bustling streets of Silivia. The morning air carried a crisp energy, the city alive with merchants setting up their stalls, blacksmiths hammering steel, and guards patrolling the cobbled pathways.
As they walked, their route took them through one of the most important sections of the city—near the Citadel of Silivia, the Phoenix Alliance Clan’s building, and the Kingdom’s Castle.
But their destination lay just ahead.
The Adventurers’ Guild.
A grand building stood before them, its wooden sign carved with intricate detail, displaying the Guild’s emblem—a sword crossing over a shield, encircled by a dragon’s tail. Despite its historical significance, the structure seemed quieter than it should have been.
Inside, the hall was filled with adventurers—but not enough adventurers. The vast space felt oddly empty, a silent reminder of how much had been lost.
Behind the counter stood a young woman, appearing to be in her early adulthood. The moment Dylan and Jake approached, she instantly noticed them.
Her voice was warm, enthusiastic, and brimming with energy.
Alice: “Oh, hello, adventurers! How may I help you today?”
Jake quickly raised a hand in correction. “Oh, no, sorry. We’re not adventurers.”
Dylan followed up, resting his hands on the counter. “We’re here because Marcus signed us up for the Scavenger Team.”
Alice nodded in understanding. “I see… Well, the Scavenger Team’s room is on the second floor. Head down the hallway to your right, go straight, and take the stairs up. Once you’re upstairs, the first door on your right should be the Scavenger Team 1 room. There are signs, so it’ll be easy to find. Is there anything else you need?”
Jake gave a polite nod. “No, thanks.” He turned to the hallway, ready to move on.
But Dylan hesitated.
Leaning casually on the counter, he smirked. “So… you have to spend all your time standing behind this wooden desk?”
Alice chuckled lightly. “Yep. All day, every day.”
Dylan shook his head. “That’s unfortunate. But hey, listen… how about I invite you to—”
Before he could finish, Jake grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him away.
Alice simply smiled as Dylan flailed slightly, trying to resist.
Jake sighed. “Are you seriously flirting? The world is literally on the brink of destruction, and you’re still trying to pick up girls?”
Dylan, completely unfazed, grinned. “Hey, someone’s gotta keep the romance alive.”
Jake groaned.
Upstairs—Scavenger Team 1
After a long climb, the two finally reached the second floor. The hallway stretched before them, lined with multiple doors, each labeled Scavenger Team followed by a number.
But something was off.
Despite the number of rooms, only one seemed to be in use.
The Scavenger Team 1 room.
They stepped inside.
The atmosphere was vastly different from the main hall. The room was smaller, more personal, filled with various maps, parchment, and supply crates. But most notably, only a few adventurers were present.
These weren’t elite warriors or legendary figures. No. These were the remnants—the survivors.
Each of them had a different presence, different gear, and most importantly, different ranks:
- Lucas (Rank C - Scout & Survivalist): A young but skilled tracker, wearing light armor and a green cloak. He carried a pair of daggers and had a keen eye for navigating through dangerous terrain.
- Mira (Rank B - Elemental Mage): A quiet, composed woman with short silver hair, dressed in a mage’s robe embedded with faint glowing runes. She carried a staff, signifying her expertise in magic.
- Garek (Rank A - Heavy Fighter): A towering man with a massive greatsword strapped to his back. His armor was dented and worn, proof of countless battles.
- Venn (Rank E - Alchemist & Support): A younger adventurer, appearing to be around Dylan and Jake’s age, but with a satchel full of potions instead of weapons. He adjusted his round glasses, eyeing them with curiosity.
- Silas (Rank D - Spearman & Strategist): A battle-worn adventurer with a spear resting against his shoulder. He seemed calm, yet focused, as if constantly analyzing everything around him.
As Dylan and Jake stepped further into the room, all eyes turned toward them.
Lucas smirked slightly. “New recruits?”
Mira sighed, adjusting her staff. “Marcus is still throwing kids into this, huh…”
Garek cracked his knuckles. “Well, let’s see if they survive the first mission.”
Dylan and Jake exchanged a nervous glance.
They were about to realize just how real things were about to get.