It was early morning in the royal capital, the plaza was already packed, various citizens walking to and fro as it buzzed with activity.
Hunters clad in armor of every type and color walked past each other, some covered in fresh blood, just coming back from early morning hunts, others proudly carrying monster carcasses over their shoulders.
Merchants shouted prices for enchanted weapons while blacksmiths hammered glowing metal in nearby forges. Guild banners fluttered overhead, each bearing its own insignia. Laughter mixed with arguments over upcoming and completed quests between parties, while somewhere in the distance steel clashed as sparring Hunters trained.
Amongst the walking crowd was luke or specifically Chris, he had arrived at the hunters district the day before and slept at a tavern. Unluckily for him the price was extremely steep and he would only be able to stay for seven days. The hunter trial was on the last day of the week.
So seven days was more than enough, Luke did not expect the hunter trial to last more than one day so he hoped he could raise the shape shifter class to level Ten in six days. He only needed eight levels, since he had been given an initial quest by the game’s system which would later reward him with two levels.
Currently Luke was in one of the huge plazas, on his back was a brown bag filled with a water flask and compressed ration bars made from grains and monster meat, he took a look at his wooden armour set and sighed, he then proceeded forward towards a building.
Luke pushed the door open and walked through the entrance. He was presented with the atmosphere of a reception, a young woman sat behind a broad steel desk, her hair tied into a bun and a platinum insignia perched on the front of her blue jacket, behind her stood towering shelves packed with maps, mission scrolls and thick records. A large map of Mythos covered most of the far wall, countless colored pins marking recently discovered Void Gates. A rack of weapons rested against one wall while another displayed the skull of a large fanged void creature, collected from a successful expedition.
On the side of the reception was a wall made of translucent glass, inside were various tables, every table in sight was occupied. Hunters exchanged information over mugs of ale, compared scars, sharpened blades and studied freshly posted requests. The atmosphere was noisy yet disciplined, every conversation revolving around dungeons, rewards or death.
Noticing Luke’s gaze the young woman spoke.. "Welcome to the platinum cage sir, how may I help you?"
"I would like to hunt void creatures in the bronze cage." Luke replied composed.
"Luke knew there are only seven Platinum cages across the Royal capital, each authorized by the kingdom of dawn to capture and exhibit Void Creatures for Hunter training." The reason for that was how risky and costly the business was.
"That would be Ten gold coins." The young woman muttered as she picked up a pen and began writing something on a journal.
’Damnation.’ Luke thought to himself. ’When he had one gold coin he assumed he was rich, he was actually rich in a sense, just not in the capital. The woman noticing Luke was distracted asked. "Sir would you like to take the offer?"
"Is there any other offer." Luke asked hoping there was something below bronze, maybe iron?
"All the rest cost higher, but we do have an exclusive offer." The young woman responded.
"An exclusive offer?" Luke asked wondering why this offer should not be as expensive as the rest.
The young woman then continued.. "It’s a dungeon filled with mostly spawn rank void creatures . The offer is simple, if you can clear it, you would get a reward.
"Really?" Luke asked in surprise noticing she only said mostly, not all, meaning there might be higher ranked void creatures.
The young woman continued.."That’s what distinguishes our brand from others.
Luke lingered, considering the options, he knew there had to be a catch, what would happen if he didn’t clear the dungeon, his gaze shifted towards the number of hunters sitting in the other side of the glass wall.
"What do I need to do then?"
The young woman delighted that he had finally agreed brought out a piece of paper and ink.
"Well sir, first you have sign this contract.
Luke walked forward, collected the piece of document and went through the contract.
His eyes narrowed, there was a truth to what she had said, but there were also various things hidden. He would be allowed to go in for free, however if he failed to kill the dungeon boss resulting in clearing the dungeon he would be indebted to the organization with a sum of hundred gold coins!
Which he could pay back through direct deposit or hunting spawn rank void creatures alive for the business.
Not only that Luke also realized death was real in dungeons and labyrinths, he had assumed so, since the game merged with the planet, and since the contract stated that he his liable for his own death in the dungeon.
In mythos, dungeons were places were a void gate break had occured. On the other hand, Luke had no idea of labyrinths.
Luke gaze shifted back to the hunters sitted on the other side of the glass wall, they were all in debt, he couldn’t check their cores to be certain if they were awakened or Dormant hunters or not, so he couldn’t compare his ability with theirs.
There was no point though, after all, the shape shifter was a unique class, no one else had it.
Like stilled himself and asked.
"Where do I sign?"
The young woman pointed to the section at the bottom left of the paper, Luke proceeded to write his signature.
She then gestured for him to come towards one of the doors that led to the inner rooms in the building.
’’Alright then, looks like the hunt begins.’’ Luke muttered to himself.