Chapter4
The morning air was heavy with fog when the Bureau assembled outside the yawning scar in the earth. The Gate pulsed faintly, a swirling rift of deep violet, like an open wound stitched into the fabric of reality.
Dozens of workers scrambled around the staging area — loading supplies, checking weapons, and tagging the miners who had been chosen to enter. The Bureau never sent miners alone; they always assigned a Guild to guard them, and this time, the task had fallen to the Shallow Guild.
The Guild's banner hung proudly from their armored vehicle: a silver blade against dark waters. They were a mid-sized force, but well-respected for their precision.
At the center stood Wang Chi, the Bureau's regional commander — a man of square shoulders and sharp eyes, his presence alone enough to silence the bustle. He raised his voice over the crowd:
"Shallow Guild. Your mission is simple. Clear the dungeon, eliminate the boss-class beast, and ensure no outbreak threatens the city. Too many lives have been lost to breaches. I trust you will not fail."
The leader of the Guild, Tang Shi, stepped forward, his polished armor gleaming faintly even in the dim light. His aura pressed on the air like invisible chains, making the miners and workers instinctively step back. He was an S-rank Hunter, one of the rare few capable of destroying entire battalions of monsters single-handedly.
Behind him stood five A-rank Hunters — sharp-eyed, brimming with mana — and three B-rank Hunters, one of whom was Choji.
The miners were clustered off to the side. Renji stood among them, his simple work clothes already stained with dust and sweat. He gripped his pickaxe nervously, trying to steady his breathing.
As the column began to move toward the Gate, Choji broke from the Guild's ranks and jogged over to Renji, grinning wide as always.
"Hey, Renji-san!" he called out, slinging an arm around his shoulders. "You look like you're about to faint. Don't worry — I'll protect you. I won't let the monsters eat your brain."
Renji couldn't help but chuckle, despite the knot of fear in his stomach. "Nooo, I'll make them eat yours first. That way I'll have more time to run."
Choji burst out laughing, the sound carrying over the clank of armor and footsteps. For a moment, Renji felt lighter as though maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad.
But the moment didn't last.
A cold voice cut through their laughter
"We're here to do a job, not to chat like children."
Both Renji and Choji turned. Tang Shi had stopped walking, his sharp eyes narrowing on them. His very presence silenced the group around him. Hunters shifted uneasily, and even the A-ranks kept their distance.
Tang Shi's gaze swept past Choji and landed on Renji. For a moment, his lip curled in disgust.
"And what is this?" he asked, his tone dripping with contempt. "Why is a stray dog tagging along with my raid?"
Renji stiffened. The words cut deep, but he kept his expression steady.
Choji's laughter died instantly. His eyes darkened, and his fist clenched tight. "Watch your mouth. That 'stray dog' is my brother."
The air grew tense. Choji stepped forward, mana flaring faintly around his fists, but before he could take another step, Renji grabbed his arm.
"Stop."
Choji turned in disbelief. "Renji-san "
Renji shook his head firmly, though his heart pounded in his chest. He knew the truth — if Choji laid a hand on Tang Shi, the S-rank would crush him in seconds. The gulf between their power was immeasurable.
Renji swallowed hard, then lowered his head slightly toward Tang Shi. "I'm sorry if my presence causes trouble. I'll stay out of your way. Please, just… let me work."
Tang Shi's eyes narrowed further. He tilted his head, looking Renji over as though he were something foul stuck to the bottom of his boot.
"You wouldn't last a second in there. The moment something notices you, you'll be dead. And it won't be my problem when your corpse gets left behind."
The harshness of the words rang out, and several miners turned away uncomfortably. But no one dared speak against an S-rank.
Renji felt his throat tighten, but he stood firm.
In that moment, all the ridicule, all the contempt, pressed down on him like the weight of the world. This was the reality of his existence. To them, he was trash. A powerless man in a world that worshipped strength.
But when he closed his eyes, he didn't see Tang Shi's sneer. He saw Lily's smile. He heard her voice telling him she wanted to be a doctor, that she wanted them both to be happy.
That was what pushed him forward.
No matter the humiliation. No matter the danger. He would endure it all.
For her.
For the dream she carried.
For the vow he had made at his mother's deathbed.
And so, Renji said nothing more. He simply adjusted the grip on his pickaxe and continued walking toward the Gate, his silence louder than any protest.
The rift loomed larger with every step, its swirling depths whispering of the unknown. And as they crossed the threshold, the air itself seemed to shiver.
The expedition had begun.