Kael was busy hauling monster corpses out of the gate. Since graduation, he had been working on a support team—the group responsible for clearing dungeons of monster remains after raids.
It wasn't glamorous work, but it helped pay the bills. With his mom struggling financially, Kael didn't have the luxury to chase after level-ups or join a proper raid party. He hadn't even reached Level 2 yet. And without that, he couldn't unlock the system or learn any skills tied to his profession.
After the last corpse was loaded onto the truck, Kael wiped his gloves against his already stained pants. Just as he sat down to rest, one of his coworkers turned up the volume on the small TV in the rest tent.
A serious-looking reporter appeared on screen:
> "In a joint announcement from the Philippine Government and the International Hunter Association—the group responsible for global guild recognition and administering awakening stones—it has been confirmed that the country now officially has six major guilds."
Kael looked up, uninterested at first—until a familiar name hit his ears.
> "Two new guilds have entered the ranks of the elite: White Tiger Guild, home of newly awakened S-Class hunter Rowel... and Blue Dragon Guild, led by the rising powerhouse Anthony. Previously, the Philippines only had four recognized major guilds."
Then came the updated list:
Azure Guild – (2 S-Rank Hunters)
Warrior's Guild – (2 S-Rank Hunters)
Crimson Red Guild – (1 S-Rank Hunter)
Black Fang Guild – (1 S-Rank Hunter)
White Tiger Guild – (1 S-Rank Hunter)
Blue Dragon Guild – (1 S-Rank Hunter)
The screen cut to a live press conference.
Rowel stood at the center, flashing his trademark arrogant smile. He wore gleaming white-and-gold armor, adorned with glowing runes and intricate engravings. His platinum-forged sword rested across his back like a crown.
> "This?" Rowel chuckled, tapping his shoulder plate. "Grade A dungeon drop. Custom-made. Looks good, huh?"
He pulled his sword halfway from its sheath, letting the light catch the edge. The blade shimmered like crystal under the stage lights.
> "Honestly," he said, smirking, "I haven't even gone all-out yet. If this is S-Rank… then maybe I was always meant to stand above the rest."
The crowd laughed. Cameras clicked. He raised a hand to quiet them, voice turning sharp with pride.
> "About the S-Rank Gate in Baguio…"
"White Tiger Guild will be the ones to clear it."
Gasps echoed through the press.
> "We'll send in twenty A-Ranks and fifty B-Ranks—plus me, of course."
Reporters immediately began whispering.
> "Normally, a gate of that level requires at least one S-Rank, fifty A-Ranks, and a hundred B-Ranks, not to mention porters, healers, and supply teams."
Rowel smirked even harder.
> "That's what separates us from the rest. We'll do it with less—and still walk out on top."
> "Mark my words—White Tiger Guild will be the strongest guild in Southeast Asia."
The room erupted into applause and camera flashes.
Kael just stared at the screen, unmoving. His jaw clenched.
He's really up there. Rowel.
The same guy who used to sleep through class…
The one Kael once thought he was better than.
Now? An S-Rank. A national symbol.
And him?
Still covered in dried blood.
Still stuck at Level 1.
Still invisible.
"Hey, Kael," one of the guys said from behind him, sipping water. "Weren't you in the same class as that guy? Rowel… and that other one, Anthony?"
Kael hesitated, then nodded slightly.
"Yeah. We… we graduated together."
"Whoa, seriously?" the guy laughed in surprise, but not mockingly—just curious. "Man, that school must've been wild. Two S-Ranks in one batch? What are the odds?"
Kael forced a smile.
"Yeah… it was something."
The guy leaned back in his chair, still watching the broadcast. "You ever talk to them? Like, were you friends or something?"
Kael looked down at his gloves.
"…Not really."
No point pretending.
I'm not part of their world anymore.
Maybe I never was.
The TV roared with applause as Rowel lifted his sword again.
Kael turned away.
After the last shift ended, Kael walked to the nearest marketplace and bought some groceries. His hands were still sore from hauling corpses, and his boots were stained with dried blood. But despite the fatigue, he smiled faintly as he clutched the small plastic bag that held the most important item of all.
When he reached home, the small house was immediately filled with life.
"Big bro!" his youngest sibling, Mel, ran to the door, eyes shining with excitement. "Did you buy it? The new chip for Age of Hunters?!"
Kael grinned and pulled a small box from his bag.
"Oh, yes. Here, take a look."
He handed it over, and Mel's eyes widened.
The game chip had cost him over a month's worth of overtime—extra four-hour shifts stacked on top of his already brutal job. It wasn't cheap. ₱60,000 for a game might sound insane to others, but for Kael, it was worth it.
He had once been the poor kid at school. The one who couldn't afford field trips, new shoes, or even lunch sometimes. He promised himself back then:
"My siblings will never feel that kind of shame."
"Wow, thanks big bro!" Mel shouted with joy. "Now I can finally play with my friends! I was the only one who couldn't before."
Kael just ruffled his brother's hair and smiled.
In the kitchen, his mother was already preparing rice. Maya, his teenage sister, sat at the table buried in schoolbooks. She had resumed her studies recently—thanks to Kael's earnings, she no longer had to work part-time jobs after class.
Their mom had retired, too. Kael insisted.
She had worked herself half to death for years. Now it was his turn.
Every month, Kael brought home his salary—₱150,000, nearly three times the national average. Dangerous work paid well, and corpse handling was one of the riskiest jobs. But it kept the family afloat.
He gave his full pay to his mother and kept only ₱10,000 for himself.
"Kael," his mom said, gently pushing the envelope back toward him, "You're an adult now. You need clothes… or new boots, at least."
He shook his head.
"I'm always out in the field. I don't need much I'm always at the field working."
In the living room, his twin brothers Luke and Duke, both eight years old, peeked into the grocery bags.
"Beef?!" one of them exclaimed.
"Beef!" the other shouted, even louder.
"Yup," Kael said, pulling out the pack with a grin. "And a bit of pork too."
The kids cheered like it was Christmas.
Meat was a luxury these days.
Ever since the appearance of mana, traditional livestock farming had collapsed. Ordinary animals had mutated into monsters. Cows and pigs had become wild, aggressive, and powerful.
Pigs now weighed up to 1,000 kilograms, growing tusks as long as a forearm. It took a team of 10 C-Rank Hunters just to bring one down.
➤ Pork cost around ₱3,000 per kilo.
Cows and bulls were even worse. Some had hardened skin and bloodlust like mini-bosses. Hunting one required 5 B-Ranks or 20 C-Ranks.
➤ Beef went for ₱6,000 per kilo.
Even chickens had mutated. Once 2–3 kg, they now weighed 15–20 kg, carnivorous and aggressive.
➤ chickent went to ₱1,000 per kilo.
Kael brought home beef and pork it was a luxury for ordinary people.
For his siblings, it wasn't just dinner—it was proof that their big brother was doing everything for them.
That Night…
The family gathered around the table. Warm rice, sizzling pork fat, and thick slices of beef filled the air with mouthwatering scent. The TV in the background buzzed softly as the evening news played.
Just as Kael was pouring soup into Mel's bowl, the newscaster's voice caught his ear:
> "Breaking news: the Blue Dragon Guild, led by the recently awakened S-Rank hunter Anthony Keith, has successfully cleared an unstable S-Rank gate in the Rizal Province."
Kael's hand froze mid-pour.
The TV screen showed Anthony—his old friend, someone he used to spar with in training—emerging from a ruined fortress surrounded by dozens of cheering hunters.
He looked… stronger. Taller. Wearing polished obsidian armor with the emblem of a roaring blue dragon across the chest.
> "The Team composed of one S-Rank( Anthony) , Fifty A-Ranks, and 100 B-Rank hunters, Anthony led the raid to a decisive victory, in just 6 days the Gate was cleared, normally it would take more tha two weeks to clear an S rank Gate the Blue Dragon Guild has now officially purchased the Gate as territory through the System Exchange Registry. According to insiders, the area will be developed into Blue Dragon's permanent headquarters—marking the birth of the fifth dimensional rift base in the Philippines."
According to the Blue Dragon Guild, the newly cleared gate spans an estimated 600 square miles—vast enough to build an entire city inside, complete with farmlands for long-term food supply.
Guild representatives revealed plans to develop condominium-style housing units, each about 40 square meters. Once completed, the project could shelter between 7 to 10 million people, helping address the country's worsening housing crisis.
With Visayas and Mindanao declared uninhabitable due to uncontrollable mana surges and rampant monster activity, the demand for safe, livable land has never been higher.
The Blue Dragon Guild says this marks the first time in Southeast Asia that a cleared gate will be turned into a self-sustaining residential city—transforming what was once a deadly battlefield into a new home for millions."
A short clip played of Anthony addressing reporters.
> "This is only the beginning," he said with calm confidence. "The Blue Dragon Guild will protect this country—and push its name into the global stage."
Kael said nothing.
His siblings kept eating, barely paying attention, but his mom glanced over.
"…That's your friend, right?" she said softly.
Kael nodded once.
"Yeah. Anthony."
Maya looked up from her plate. "He used to come over sometimes, didn't he?"
"Mm," Kael murmured.
> He's a symbol now. Anthony, Rowel and rest of my classmates are working as hunter now.
And I'm… just a guy with blood who works as corpse handler.
His soup had gone cold.
He continue eating while watching TV.
"Maybe someday," he thought. "Someday… I'll be there too..
Next dday
The sun hadn't fully risen when the corpse retrieval team gathered around the rusted supply truck. Their work gear reeked of sweat, leather, and monster blood. The team leader—a broad-shouldered man in his mid-40s named Boss Lito—stood in front with a clipboard and a steaming mug of instant coffee.
"All right, listen up!" Lito called out, his voice gravelly but light. "Today's gate is a Class-C orc infestation. Nothing fancy. The hunter party already cleared it out this morning."
A few crew members gave tired nods, others barely looking up.
"The only thing we're takin' are orc fangs—used for potion catalysts. Government tracks how many orcs were killed based on what we collect. So count them right. The rest of the bodies? Its just a trash so left it out inside the dungeon.
Someone in the back chuckled. "Humanoid-type monsters, and they still treat 'em like roadkill."
"Damn right," another replied. "No one wants an orc steak."
Lito smirked as he scanned the group, then his eyes paused at Kael, standing quietly at the edge of the circle, pulling on his gloves.
"Kael," he said with a rare, approving tone. "You're on duty today that's a great help. Focus on checking at counting the orcs and orc fang, You're good at that."
Kael nodded. "Yes, sir."
Lito gave him a grin, patting his shoulder. "Reliable as ever. You remind me of my kid. About your age, but can't hold a job for more than a month. Lazy brat."
The others laughed, and Kael gave a modest smile, appreciative of the praise.
Soon after, the hunters—fresh off their victory—emerged from the gate's exit with tired but smug expressions. With a nod from the clearing officer, the retrieval crew entered the gate.
The battlefield was strewn with dozens of orc corpses—green skin, blood-matted hair, jagged teeth. Some were missing limbs. Others were still smoking from spell damage.
Kael knelt beside one and got to work. The others spread out, slicing jaws open, collecting fangs, dumping trash bodies into transport bags.
Hours passed quickly.
As they neared the end of the collection, Kael approached a red-skinned orc slumped behind a stone pillar.
Red orcs were rare among Class-C—stronger than the usual green ones. His gut twisted when he noticed the slight rise and fall of its chest. It was still breathing.
Kael froze.
If this thing stood up now… their whole crew could be wiped out. They had no combat gear, no weapons beyond knives and crowbars. They weren't hunters—they were laborers.
He looked around. No one had noticed yet.
The orc groaned, thick fingers twitching toward a massive stone club nearby.
Kael's heart raced.
He didn't think—instinct took over.
With a fluid motion, he lunged forward, drove his knife deep into the orc's throat, and twisted.
The monster convulsed, choked once, then fell still.
Kael stepped back, breathing hard. His hand shook.
And then—
> Ding!
[Level Up!]
Name: Kael
Level: 4
Profession: Farmer – 1★
Mana Rank: F (80/80)
Strength: 15
Endurance: 5
Agility: 9
Attribute Points: 0
> Passive Skill:
– Subspace Storage – (Can store up to 100,000 tons. Time is frozen inside.)
> Skills:
– Nurture [F] – Accelerate plant growth x5 (Mana cost: 10)
– Strengthening – Temporarily boost physical strength (Mana cost: 20/sec)
Kael stood there, stunned.
"Level… 4?"
His voice trembled. He hadn't even reached Level 2 for six months. But now—after just one kill—he jumped three levels?
It dawned on him. His profession only had 1 star, so the system required far less EXP to level up. It also meant only 1 attribute point per level. But for someone like him, every drop mattered.
He smiled faintly and whispered, "It actually worked…"
Without hesitation, he had dumped all 4 new points into Mana—raising his total from 80 to 120.
"For every point you put into Mana, the amount you gain depends on your Mana Rank."
– If you're F-Rank, 1 point = +10 mana
– E-Rank = +100 mana
– D-Rank = +200 mana
– C-Rank = +300 mana
– B-Rank = +500 mana
– A-Rank = +800 mana
– And for S-Rank, 1 point gives a massive +1000 mana
This scaling is the reason why Mana Rank is such a big deal for hunters. Two people might have the same attribute points in Mana but the one with a higher Mana Rank will always have way more energy to use skills, cast spells, or activate abilities.
That's also why S-Ranks are monsters in combat. Even if they're low-level, they can cast high-cost skills again and again without running out of mana.
Kael, for example, is F-Rank in mana. So when he invested 4 attribute points into mana, he only gained +40 (10 × 4), bringing his total to 120. But if someone with B-Rank did the same, they'd gain +200 instead.
Name: Kael
Level: 4
Profession: Farmer – 1★
Mana Rank: F (120/120)
Strength: 15
Endurance: 5
Agility: 9
Attribute Points: 0
He wasn't strong. He wasn't fast. But now, with this… maybe he had a path.
Maybe he could grow something, become something.
He silently stashed the orc's magic crystal into his subspace—a feature built perfectly for his profession. With time frozen inside, any crops or ingredients he stored would stay fresh forever.
"Hey Kael, you good?" a co-worker called out.
Kael blinked, pocketing his knife. "Yeah… just spacing out."
They wouldn't ask questions. Just another day in a dirty job.
"Alright, just hurry it up—this gate's small, barely a hectare wide. Nothing complicated here."
He glanced at his watch.
"We're heading out now. You've got forty-five minutes to finish your task. Collect the fangs and mark the bodies. I'll handle the report."