Man, this was perfect. Actually, scratch that—this was fucking poetry. I couldn't have scripted a better opportunity if I'd tried.
Four hundred thousand credits for some fancy ring that shoots ice. That was the thing about the rich—they didn't know how to be poor. And Natalia? Classic case of champagne taste on a beer budget. Sure, eighty grand a month was obscene to most people, but in the world of Hunters and their gear, it was barely enough to keep up appearances.
I set my laundry basket down on the washing machine and pulled out my phone. The System interface flickered in my peripheral vision as I opened the Hunter Net app I'd installed yesterday.
"Time to go fishing," I muttered, navigating to the Indie Hunter board.
The layout was simple enough. Corporations, government agencies, and private citizens could post low-risk Gate clearance jobs that weren't worth the big guilds' time. Perfect for rookies, desperate Hunters, or in my case, a scheming bastard with a plan.
I scrolled through the listings. "Trash... trash... too dangerous... not enough pay... wait."
My finger hovered over a listing posted just seventeen minutes ago.
VHC-APPROVED OPERATION: E-RANK GATE CLEARANCE - "RUST-MITE CAVERNS"
Client: Ferron Mining Consortium
Gate Type: Blue (Standard)
Rank: E
Location: Industrial Sector, Quadrant 7
Clearance Window: 48 hours remaining
Required Personnel:
- 1x Licensed Hunter (Provisional License Accepted)
- 1x Porter/Assistant (No License Required)
Operation Parameters: Extermination of Gate-spawn, collection of mineral samples, placement of seismic sensors throughout Gate interior.
Compensation:
- Hunter Share: 475,000 Credits
- Porter Share: 75,000 Credits
- Bonus: 50,000 Credits upon retrieval of intact Rust-Mite Queen Core
I let out a low whistle. The listing was practically made for us. Or more accurately, made for me to exploit Natalia's situation. The hunter's share alone would cover her fancy ice ring, with enough left over to stroke her ego. And the porter role? Perfect for a Zero looking to gain experience before the entrance exam.
The System chimed softly in my ear.
[Alert: Opportunity detected. Scheme in progress: +10 SP on successful manipulation of Target.]
"I love when we're on the same page," I whispered to the System.
I heard the washing machine start its cycle. Time to reel in my stepsister.
Walking back to the living room, I found Natalia still on the couch, aggressively tapping at her tablet. Her purple hair was slightly disheveled, like she'd been pulling at it. Good. Desperation made people stupid.
"Hey," I said, keeping my voice casual.
She looked up, eyes narrowing. "What do you want?"
"Actually, I need your help with something."
That got her attention.
"My help?" She laughed. "With what, your diet plan? Or did you finally realize you need fashion advice?"
I ignored the barb. "I have zero practical experience," I stated, my tone all business. "The entrance exam will have a dungeon component. I need a live-fire exercise."
She blinked, clearly thrown by my directness. I pressed on.
"I was just browsing the Indie Hunter board, and a post just went up." I extended my phone toward her. "Take a look."
Curiosity won out over her desire to dismiss me. She took the phone, her eyes scanning the listing. I watched her face carefully. The slight widening of her eyes. The almost imperceptible parting of her lips. She was doing the math, and the numbers were adding up nicely.
"This is..." she began, then stopped, suspicious again. "Why are you showing me this?"
"You have a Provisional License," I said, my eyes locking with hers. Charm Eyes wasn't mind control, but it did make maintaining eye contact more effective. I could see her struggle not to look away. "You can register as the Hunter. I'll register as the Porter. I get the combat data I need, you get the full Hunter's share of the pay. It's a clean contract."
She stared at me, searching for the catch. "You want to go into a Gate? You? A Zero with no training?"
"It's an E-Rank," I countered. "The lowest classification. And I've been training. Besides, the Porter role is just carrying equipment and samples. You'd handle any actual threats."
Her fingers tightened around my phone. "Why would you do this? The Porter share is only seventy-five thousand."
I shrugged. "Experience is worth more than money right now. I'm trying to pass that entrance exam, remember? This is real-world data I can't get any other way."
She was silent, still suspicious but clearly tempted. I could almost see the gears turning in her head. She needed that ring. Here was a chance to get it without begging her father or taking some humiliating part-time job. And all she had to do was babysit her useless stepbrother through a beginner's Gate.
"What about clearance?" she asked. "You need VHC approval to enter any Gate, even an E-Rank."
"Read the listing again," I said. "VHC-approved operation. The paperwork's already handled. We just need to register as the assigned team before someone else grabs it."
She bit her lower lip, a habit I'd noticed when she was thinking hard. "And you'd be satisfied with just the Porter's share? Even though you found the listing?"
"Like I said, I'm after experience, not money." I leaned back, giving her space. "Besides, you're the one with the license. I couldn't take the job without you."
That was the key. Framing it as her doing me a favor, while also acknowledging her superior status. Natalia needed to feel in control, especially with me.
She handed the phone back. "When would we do this?"
"Clearance window is forty-eight hours. The sooner we register, the better our chances of securing the contract." I didn't mention that the job had been posted mere minutes ago. Let her think there was urgency.
"Let me think about it," she said, trying to sound noncommittal. But I could see it in her eyes. She'd already decided. The math was too perfect, the solution too convenient to pass up.
I nodded. "Sure. Just let me know soon. These E-Ranks go fast."
I turned to leave, counting in my head. One... two...
"Wait."
I suppressed a smile before turning back. "Yeah?"
She took a deep breath. "If we do this, we need to be clear about roles. I'm the Hunter. You follow my orders, stay behind me at all times, and do exactly what I say. One hint of danger, and we abort. Got it?"
"Crystal clear," I agreed. "You're the boss."
She looked me up and down, assessing. "Have you even been inside a Gate before?"
"Nope. But everyone has a first time, right?"
"This isn't a game, Satori," she said, her voice suddenly serious. "Even E-Rank Gates can be deadly if you don't know what you're doing."
"That's why I need a qualified Hunter," I replied, matching her seriousness. "I'm not suicidal. I want experience, not a death wish."
She nodded slowly. "Fine. Register us for the job. But we'll need gear, and there's no way you have proper equipment."
"The client provides basic Porter gear," I said, having already checked this detail. "And I've been saving up for some entry-level protection. Nothing fancy, but enough for an E-Rank."
This was a lie. I had exactly zero protective gear. But I did have Schema Points, and Apollo's Gacha Emporium might be feeling generous.
Natalia stood up, her decision made. "Register us. I'll review the contract before you submit anything final."
"Will do," I said, keeping my voice neutral while my mind did cartwheels of victory.
She walked past me toward her room, then paused. "Satori?"
"Yeah?"
"If this is some kind of trick..."
"It's not," I assured her. "Just a mutually beneficial arrangement. You get paid, I get experience. Simple."
She studied my face one last time, then nodded and continued to her room.
As soon as her door closed, I let a grin spread across my face. I opened the Hunter Net app and began filling out the registration form.
[Congratulations! Manipulation successful. +10 SP awarded.]
The System notification felt like a pat on the back. My Schema Points were now at 25. Not enough for another ten-pull on the gacha, but getting closer.
The registration form was straightforward enough. I entered Natalia's Provisional License number, which I'd memorized from a document in her desk drawer during one of my snooping sessions. For myself, I checked the "No License - Porter Only" box and filled in my basic information.
Just as I was about to hit submit, I paused. The System had taught me to read the fine print. Under the "Special Considerations" section, there was a note:
"Porter candidates without previous Gate experience must complete VHC Form 30-C (Liability Waiver) and provide proof of minimum insurance coverage (10,000 Credits)."
Insurance? I didn't have insurance. Or 10,000 Credits to buy it. I scrolled further down:
"If Porter is a blood relative or legal dependent of the registered Hunter, the Hunter may assume liability by completing VHC Form 30-C(F)."
Perfect. Stepsiblings counted as legal family members. Natalia could sign for me.
I checked that box, submitted the initial application, and got a confirmation page:
"Your team has been provisionally selected for this contract. Please complete all required documentation within 12 hours to finalize your selection."
The attached documents included the main contract, equipment requisition forms, and the liability waiver. I forwarded it all to Natalia's email, then headed to my room.
Once inside, I flopped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. It was all coming together. In two days, we'd enter the Gate. Natalia would get her money, and I'd get something far more valuable—my first real combat experience in this world, plus a significant step toward winning her over.
[Warning: Complacency detected. Be advised that Gate environments are unpredictable. Prepare accordingly.]
I frowned at the warning. Typical System, always the buzzkill. But it had a point. E-Rank or not, a Gate was still a Gate. Monsters, traps, unknown variables. I'd need to be prepared.
I opened up my Status screen:
Name: Satori Watanabe
Title: Fat Fuck
Level: 1
Class: [NONE]
Strength: D-207
Dexterity: F-192
Agility: F-187
Endurance: D-263
Magic: F-38
Active Abilities (2/2):
[EMBER]
[FREEZING BREATH]
Passive Abilities (1/4):
[CHARMING EYES]
Not great, but better than when I started. The training was paying off, slowly but surely. My attributes were gradually climbing toward C-Rank. But would it be enough for even an E-Rank Gate?
I accessed the Gacha store interface. 25 Schema Points. Not enough for a ten-pull, but I could do two singles and still have five points left over.
"Better than nothing," I muttered, authorizing the first draw.
The familiar spinning animation appeared, Apollo's smirking face flashing as the wheel turned. It stopped on a bronze glow.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: BASIC FIRST AID (Skill - Bronze Tier)]
[Effect: Grants fundamental knowledge of wound treatment, bandaging, and emergency medical care. Includes the ability to identify severity of injuries and appropriate initial responses. Note: This skill does not replace professional medical training.]
Useful, if underwhelming. I authorized the second draw.
The wheel spun again, this time landing on a silver glow.
[Congratulations! You have obtained: DETECT TRAP (Active Ability - Silver Tier)]
[Effect: When activated, grants enhanced perception of hidden dangers within a 10-meter radius. Effectiveness scales with user's Dexterity. Duration: 5 minutes. Cooldown: 1 hour.]
Now that was more like it. Perfect for a dungeon crawl.
I lay back on my bed, a satisfied smile playing on my lips. Step one was complete. Natalia had taken the bait. Now I just needed to survive an actual Gate, prove myself useful, and continue building our "partnership."
The System interface pulsed one last time:
[Primary Quest Updated: Seduce and Corrupt Natalia Kuzmina]
[Progress: 15%]
[Time Remaining: 4 weeks, 6 days]