Alister stood at the outskirts of the city, adjusting his cloak as he gazed at the bustling scene. He glanced down at his new gear—a simple chestplate, some light armor, a thicker scarf that was magic-resistant, and a dagger. As he fingered the edge of the scarf, he thought to himself, ‘It isn’t much, but it should be enough to raid a dungeon and hopefully allow me to kill some monsters.’
He sighed, remembering the intense haggling he had to endure to get this scarf at a bargain. ‘I’ll have to make sure I put it to good use and avoid physical attacks that would damage it. I might never get a good deal like this again.’
With a simple nod, he tightened the scarf around his neck and began walking along the city outskirts, looking around the groups of people gathered there. Despite the fact apocalypse that had long descended upon the world, it didn’t stop new dungeons from spawning and spewing out monsters. These areas, where numerous dungeon portals opened, were referred to as mana zones. For those not affiliated with a guild, these zones provided a rare opportunity to earn a living.
The air was filled with the voices of people calling out for teammates.
“Looking for a D-rank healer for an C-rank dungeon raid!”
“Need one more C-rank tank for a D-rank dungeon. Quick run, good loot!”
“Forming a team for a C-rank dungeon. Must have at least C-rank talent or above!”
Alister winced at the requirements, his shoulders slumping slightly.
‘I’ll have to find a team that wants to raid an F-rank dungeon since my stats are only E-rank,’ he thought, rubbing the back of his neck in frustration.
He continued to make his way through the crowded area, his eyes darting between groups, hoping to spot someone with lower requirements. His feet shuffled on the dusty ground, and he adjusted the strap of his small bag on his shoulder, feeling the weight of time pressing down on him.
After searching for a while, he still didn’t find anyone suitable. He paused, looking up at the sky, noticing the colors shifting as the sun began to set. “Damn, it’s already sunset,” Alister muttered, his gaze lingering on the sun descending behind the massive city walls in the distance.
He pulled up the system window with a flick of his wrist:
[10:03:12 remaining for quest completion.]
‘Damn, only ten hours left,’ he thought, his fingers tapping nervously against his thigh. ‘Raiding a dungeon would take at least five hours, assuming my team is skilled. Considering I’m looking for a low-ranking team, it could easily be eight hours. And that’s hoping I manage to kill the necessary monsters in the remaining time.’
He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. ‘But if I keep up this search, my time could run out completely before I even find anyone… Will I… have to raid a dungeon alone after all?’
The thought of going into a dungeon alone made his stomach churn. He wasn’t sure he was powerful enough to take on even an F-rank dungeon by himself. He clenched his fists at his sides, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest as he contemplated his limited options.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the noise of the bustling mana zone. “I wonder what the academy’s genius is doing in a place like this?”
Alister turned around to see the familiar face of a girl with reddish-brown hair and striking blue eyes. She wore a simple outfit similar to his, blending in with the people around them. It was Amelia Rose, a classmate known for her calm and collected demeanor.
“Amelia,” Alister called out, letting out a weary sigh. “Looking for work. Why else would I be out here?”
Amelia’s expression shifted to one of mild curiosity as she took a step closer. “So, the rumors about you being the awakened with the most potential but the shittiest talent are true? You really awakened a shitty talent?”
Alister’s shoulders sagged slightly as he crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you asking because you don’t know, or are you just trying to look down on me? You should have been there when it happened, so I don’t see why you’re even bothering to ask.”
Amelia shrugged, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, after I awakened my talent, I left the academy grounds immediately. I’m not like the others who have time to cheer for people they barely know or who won’t have any impact on their lives.”
Alister had to admit, she had a point. “Well, that’s that. Anyway, I’ve got to find a team so I can raid a dungeon, later.”
Amelia reached out, stopping him with a gentle touch on his arm. “Wait up. If you’re looking for a team, why not join ours? We’re just one member short.”
Alister raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. “Who’s ‘we’?”
Amelia turned and pointed to a group standing by a dungeon portal. “Some of our classmates,” she said, indicating a ragtag bunch of graduated students. “Some of the ones a star like you wouldn’t have known about.”
Alister followed her finger and saw a couple of guys and a girl. The lanky guy in the group was waving and calling out to Amelia, “Rose, hurry up! We’re tired of waiting!”
Amelia glanced back at Alister with a slight smirk. “So, what do you say?”
Alister met her gaze, his face serious. “Is it an F-rank dungeon?”
“Yeah,” Amelia replied, nodding. “That’s all a team like ours can handle at the moment.”
Alister considered the offer, his mind racing through the options. Joining a team would increase his chances of surviving and completing the quest. He glanced at his system window:
[09:58:45 remaining for quest completion.]
‘Damn, less than ten hours left,’ he thought, feeling the weight of the ticking clock pressing down on him. ‘I don’t have time to keep searching. This might be my best shot.’
He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, nodding. “Alright, I’ll join your team.”
Amelia’s calm expression shifted into a rare, approving smile. “Great. Let’s get going then.”
As they walked toward the group, Alister adjusted his gear one last time, ensuring everything was secure. The sounds of the mana zone buzzed around him, but his focus narrowed on the task ahead. He was about to face his first dungeon raid, and he couldn’t afford to fail.
“Hey, look who’s joining us!” Amelia announced as they approached the group.
The lanky guy, who had been waving earlier, grinned broadly. “Well, if it isn’t Alister the Genius! Welcome aboard, man.”
Alister managed a small smile, trying to ease his nerves. “Thanks. Let’s hope we all make it through this in one piece.”
The group exchanged nods and smiles, and with that, they turned toward the portal. The shimmering, swirling energy of the dungeon entrance loomed ahead, casting a bright blue glow over the ground.
As they stepped closer to the portal, Amelia turned to Alister, her voice steady. “Stick close to us, and we’ll get through this. Remember, teamwork is key.”
Alister nodded, gripping the hilt of his dagger tighter. “Got it.”