Alex eyed the group, their clothes splashed in gore, their wild eyes confirming what he suspected: these weren't rookies; they were seasoned hunters. No wonder the other students hadn't joined their line. They must have been too intimidated by these young elites, who trained at home and awakened at fifteen or sixteen. Just another show of power, since citizens like Alex weren't allowed to awaken until after nineteen years of age.
Glancing down, he burst into laughter. His own clothes were a deeper shade of red, as if he had bathed in the stuff. He shifted his stance, flicking his daggers to shake off the blood and scooping the third from the floor. "Solid work, all five of you," Lester said, grinning. "Now, to give my prepared lines."
"The chest will appear shortly. Watch for it. First, the magic core: always opposite the heart. Slice below the ribs, reach in." Lester demonstrated on the boss, pulling out a small, crimson crystal that pulsed faintly. "E-Rank sized, it feels like glass and is easy to store, as they don't grow much bigger every grade. These gems power mage-tech or serve as reagents for crafters of every type," Lester finished. Thankfully, technology continued to flourish despite mankind entering a new era.
Lester guided them to the shimmering chest that materialized. "This is the prize. If you ever find a chest before killing the last boss, then be wary. These things can literally bite your head off. The last boss reward chest is the only exception. If you dig under the chest, you will find the dungeon core. You break it, you bought it. The association will pretty much put you into indentured servitude for life if you do."
"Normally, groups play dice until one of them rolls the highest number. Don't ever think to use loaded dice for this, since the purpose is to have the one with the highest luck stat open it."
"How do we see our luck stat, sir?" Alex asked.
"We can't," Lester replied. "But patterns show and chronic winners get banned at casinos these days."
Lester rolled a three. The others fared worse, a one here, a two there, until Alex's five topped them. Thinking back to his anime binges, he backed up, gauged the gap, and launched a flying kick. The lid flew open with a sharp crack, nearly toppling the thing. Facepalms and chuckles rippled through the group.
Peering in, Alex lifted a sleek dagger, sturdy and sharper than his old knife, but no S-grade artifact. A reliable sidearm for a new rookie hunter.
"Is it worth much?" he wondered aloud.
"Better than a loincloth drop," Lester quipped. "Roll for it?" Alex asked. With no takers, Alex pocketed it.
"We always divvy up the loot by rolling," Lester explained. "If your upgrading to a better piece your old gear joins the party's sellable stash. Porter sells it all post-run. This took thirteen minutes. E-ranks or higher span three floors with sixty beasts."
"More foes, more profit," Lester added. "Goblin corpses are useless. Hobgoblins too. Association pays hunters to cull them when nests out in the frontier get too big. All they need to multiply are human females and a few months' time. Don't be surprised if you hear about orc, troll, or gnoll camps north of our districts as well."
"Most goblin gates get destroyed outright, so if you spot one in the middle of nowhere, just close it for everyone's sake. Well, I think that's all the lines from the script they gave us. Let's head out. The gate's right back at the entrance of this room."
While not the last party to emerge, three other groups had already wrapped up shortly before. Alex noticed hardly anyone bore bloodstains beyond a few smears on hands and sleeves.
Lester wore an innocent 'I did nothing wrong' expression, even as Kendrik muttered half-heartedly, "What the hell, man?" Lester just chuckled. "Well, we're scripted to encourage kills. Those five rushed in perfect sync."
"That one even got his contribution by smacking the hostage gob's ass," Lester laughed as he started telling Kendrik how fierce his group got in battle. "Even the gob boss didn't stand a chance."
After a quick bathroom stop, Alex had scrubbed his hands and face clean. No more blotches of blood marred his skin. He ditched his stained jacket. Time for a new one anyway.
They stepped outside for fresh air and vendor grub, benches scattered around for a breather. Alex used his credits on meat skewers, pondering his Awakening Class as it materialized in his vision: Non Verbal Communication Rank F.
Once everyone rested, Mr. Mosbie announced it was time to register their classes. The group buzzed with excitement, trailing him back into the building's reception area. They filled out forms and submitted them. When Alex's name echoed, he approached the counter where a woman waited.
"Just place your hand on the crystal ball," she instructed. Alex complied. The orb hummed, scanning his palm. When it stilled, she nodded. "You can remove it now."
A holographic message flickered in the air: 'Non Verbal Communication,' followed by 'Rank-F.' She masked it well, but Alex caught the flicker of pity in her eyes as she noted it on his forms.
"A unique class, for sure," she said. "I bet it'll help you manage your girlfriend."
He shook his head. "No girlfriend yet. I wanted to wait until after my Awakening to start looking for someone to date."
His gaze swept her form deliberately. She was above average height at five-foot-seven, about twenty-six, with blond hair pulled back neatly. Sleek mage-tech glasses lent her a bookish edge, like a librarian hiding a commanding fire. Her blouse hugged generous curves, the fabric straining just enough to hint at the soft swell beneath.
"I'll have your paperwork processed by end of the day," she continued. "Pick up your license at Association headquarters Friday. That's when you can launch your Hunter career."
Noticing his lingering stare, she arched slightly, pushing her chest forward in silent challenge, her eyes daring him with a spark of invitation.
Alex seized the moment. "That sounds perfect, miss. Mind if I ask your name? I'd love to take you out for a meal sometime."
He locked eyes with her, his look tracing every line of her body like a promise.
"I'm Bethany, but everyone calls me Beth. Dinner works. Let's swap numbers and plan for tomorrow night?"
They exchanged contacts, and Alex rejoined his group as she called the next student. Alone at the counter, Bethany shifted, a warm flush building between her thighs. She'd never felt this slick heat from an F-Rank before. Her friends all bent rules for a thrill. Why not her?
This admin gig for her job class experience dragged, but they swore it was the quickest path. What secrets might his odd awakening class unlock, she wondered, already imagining his hands exploring her pink insides with dominance. The thought of having a fresh-faced rookie give her body a good workout increased the heat within her. Could he read her wants with his class?