The wind near the Human Base's main gate was dry, filled with faint vibrations of floating drones, hunter footsteps, and the occasional growl of something distant — something not human.
Moon and Kai walked slowly across the paved ground toward a line of vendor stalls, where recruits rented equipment, looked for parties, or joined temporary mercenary groups.
They stopped near a large notice board. A bored-looking guard pointed with his thumb, not even glancing at them.
> "Tools and team recruitments? Over there. First three stalls after the eastern rail gate."
Moon muttered, "Friendly guy."
Kai smirked. "Let's just hope the mercs are nicer."
---
They walked over and started observing the area. Recruits shouted. Traders advertised essence potions and worn-out gear. Mercenary captains leaned on their stalls, scanning the crowd like they were shopping for meat.
Kai nudged Moon.
> "There. Left side. That guy in the leather coat — mercenary register."
Moon nodded. They approached.
A thin man in goggles stood behind a dusty table labeled:
> RECRUITMENT BOARD – Temporary Merc Contracts Join. Survive. Get Paid.
"Put your names, register. We'll tag your profiles. When someone wants low-rank support, they'll call you."
He handed them each a small brass token with a rune on it. It attached to their systems and displayed:
> Moon – Planetary: Rookie Kai – Planetary: Rookie
They sat near the edge, quietly. Waiting.
---
Six hours passed.
More than 100 people looked at them — most glanced once at the tags, then moved on like they'd seen roaches.
Not a single person spoke.
Moon sighed, leaning back. His foot tapped against the post in frustration.
> "We're ghosts. Invisible damn rookies."
Kai glanced at the sun's position — or whatever passed as a sun in this dimension.
> "have some patience brother" , We're not owed anything. They don't have to choose us."
Moon scoffed. "Still feels like crap."
Kai chuckled. "Well… rejection builds character."
Moon turned to him. "You say that now. But if no one takes us in the next hour, I'm throwing this token in someone's face."
Kai shrugged. "Make sure it's a weak one. We're still rookies, remember?"
Moon grinned. "Fair point."
---
Just then, a voice sliced through the air.
> "You two. The ones pretending not to be pissed."
They turned.
A tall figure stood with a lazy swagger — dark-toned skin, blood-red dreadlocks tied into a bun, wearing a loose urban combat hoodie and cargo pants.
Two silver-white wolves flanked him, eyes glowing faintly with essence light, teeth barely hidden under curled lips.
The wolves stared at Moon and Kai like they were prey.
Moon and Kai tensed up , water droplets can clearly seen through naked eyes on the face of both of them not because of heat but because Of fear .
Moon tensed. "What the hell… beasts this close to humans?"
The red-haired man grinned.
> "Relax guys . Let me introduce myself before your pants get wet."
After saying that he laugh for a full minute followed by his Squad who were sitting behind him
After a fucking long 1 minute, he said
> "Name's Ruok. These beauties here? My Echoes."
Moon blinked. "Echo?"
Kai narrowed his eyes. "What's that?"
Ruok crossed his arms.
It not like you were the first one who get shocked by it mostly do especially rookie stage hunter who were new , okay any way let me inform about this
> "Rare bond. Happens when you kill an essence creature, and the soul chooses you. 1 in 150 chance. If you're lucky, the creature's spirit copies itself and merges with yours — becomes your Echo."
> "They can die, sure… but they'll resurrect until you die for real."
Kai's eyes widened. In his head, numbers were already forming.
> 1 in 150... means he's probably killed over 300 creatures just to get two Echoes.
Moon whispered, "That's nuts…"
Ruok tilted his head.
> "You boys looking for a squad?"
Kai and Moon nodded silently.
Just then, a voice from Ruok's squad behind him muttered,
> "But boss, we just came from hunti…..—"
Ruok raised his hand without turning.
> "Zip it. I will do the talking."
He asked both of them, "Are you joining us or gonna let it be?"
Moon and kai don't have a choice here They don't know if they slip this opportunity when will the another came
Finally both of them replied at same time
"We are joining"
Ruok said "you're saying this as you have a choice"
Moon and Kai find it little weird but they brush it off
He looked back at them.
> "So… what's your specialty? Tell me what you're good at. Weapons?"
After saying that he jerk his hand a and bunch Of weapon came ok ground
Moon and Kai know about the storage ring so they were not shocked by this .
Moon stepped forward, scanning the storage ring Ruok opened.
There lay dozens of weapons — swords, gauntlets, daggers, axes, even a trident and a sniper-looking crossbow.
Moon closed his eyes for a moment. Then, without hesitation, he reached for a pair of golden gauntlets, heavy as stone but perfectly balanced.
Ruok watched, impressed.
> "Interesting pick, but can you tell me what your reason for this , sorry if you found this question personal but that's my weapon"
Moon smirked. "I trained in advanced Muay Thai and boxing… long before I ended up here. Can't let those fists go to waste."
Kai silently picked up a deep-blue katana, its hilt engraved with lightning cracks.
He held it like he'd owned it forever.
Then Ruok said "mostly people choose katana , sword or something like that" after that start brushing his nose as like what great observation he had done .
> "Btw i forgot , What's your name dudes ?"
"Moon."
"Kai."
Ruok nodded.
> "That gauntlet? Custom-made by my father. One of a kind. Built for soul strikes."
> "That katana? Dropped from a Fighter-level beast I cleaved in half. Don't lose it."
He took out a contract tablet and slid it toward them.
And said please sign this contract so if unfortunately some mishaps happen, someone don't blame me for that
Moon read the terms carefully.
> No liability on death. 100% voluntary entry. Payment only upon survival.
Kai signed. Moon followed.
> "Welcome to Squad Ruok," Ruok said with a slight grin.
"Hope you can keep up."
As they stood up, Ruok snapped his fingers and the wolves circled behind him again.
The red glow in their eyes shimmered.
Moon looked at Kai.
> "Think we finally got lucky?"
Kai's expression was calm, but he feels something is wrong but can't figure it out but he brushes this feeling considering it because it's his first time going hunting .
But his fingers curled slightly around the katana
---
To Be Continued…
---
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