Cincinnati, 2038
A man could be seen sitting atop a building looking over the destroyed city. Goblins were everywhere below, tearing out trash and killing other monsters. Over the city skyline a giant portal was bursting with energy sending sparks flying, destroying anything they touched and killing the smaller monsters that happened to unfortunately wander near them.
The man looked around, taking in the sight of the city around him and taking a deep breath before turning around. The people behind him looked up from what they were doing and paid attention when the man spoke.
"This is the raid that is going to determine the fate of mankind", the man paused before continuing, "if we successfully complete this gate then humanity can be restored!"
The crowd roared, a fire having been lit underneath them. The man continued, "All of you prepare, we head out in fifteen minutes".
As he finished the men and women atop the building disbanded and quietly went back to what they were doing before. The man hopped down from the ledge he had been standing on and made his way towards a group of four that were talking amongst themselves. The four guys, each with their own fears that all told their own unique stories, along with disheveled hair and clothes that look like they had been through numerous battles, all looked at him.
"What's up Alex, that was some speech you gave, really made me feel like we have a chance here". One of the guys spoke up, giving Alex a wry smile.
"Yeah, I was hoping that it would boost the morale of the group, hopefully it worked", Alex replied, looking at the man, whose name was Donovan, with a sad face.
Donovan understood where he was coming from, having been with him the longest out of anybody. He understood why he was feeling so down despite having just given what was supposed to be a speech to raise morale. He understood this because he was also an S-Rank hunter
Truth is the chances they were able to clear this gate was incredibly small. Whatever lay in it is the most powerful beast they would have to face yet, and most of the people here weren't even S-Rank, Alex and Donovan being the only ones. The rest of their group was A-Rank and most of the other people were B-Rank. It wasn't looking too good for them.
They never gave up though, even when they were lowly E-Ranks with nothing but cheap daggers to their names, it just wasn't in their nature. So the group decided they were going to rally the rest of the rankers in the city and try one final attack on the gates and the beasts that inhabited them.
Alex was looking around at the rest of the rankers around them, some sharpening their blades and others putting small potions into bags. He did feel bad about dragging them along, but they had signed up for it. They knew this was their final chance, and they had to support the 2 S-Rankers.
Alexander looked at the rest of his group, there was Rian, an A-Rank White Mage. Jordan, who was an A-Rank Support Tank, and the final guy there was Jacob, who was a Fire Assassin. Each of these guys were beasts when it came to rankers and would help them tremendously when the time came in the gate.
Alex was a Dark Swordsman himself, it was the class that allowed him to become one of the top rankers in the country, of course, it was a Legendary class so that was expected.
The rest of the people on top of the roof seemed to be finishing up their tasks, as everyone started getting up and packing all the items into bags that could carry much more than they appeared to be able to. Everybody put their weapon on holsters and lined up in front of the ledge one more time, waiting for Alex.
Alex looked around at them as he made his way towards the ledge once more, they definitely looked like real soldiers now, not some group of misfits put together by him and his team in a hurry. He thought that they wouldn't be a big help in the dungeon, but they are all rankers, no matter what level.
Alex hopped up on the ledge. Looking out over the people who had all decided to trust him. Then his gaze met Donovan's, the person who had basically been with him through this whole ordeal, the man who had been there from the start to help and support him. Donovan gave Alex a smile then nodded his head. Alex nodded back then fixed his gaze back on the people in front of him.
"Let's move out, remember we've only got one shot, so we better make it count!". Alex shook his head before continuing. "I'll take the lead, remember Donovan's got your back, if we lose formation, well, we're screwed. So let's make sure that doesn't happen!".
Everybody looked serious now, as if it had just sunk in what they were getting themselves into. Alex said one more thing before moving out, "Now, are you guys ready!". This seemed to get the crowd fired up again. The yell they produced could be heard from the edges of the city.
—
The group headed down the many stories of the apartment building, looping around over and over as they descended. Many of them carried hundreds of pounds of gear and potions, but they didn't seem fazed at all.
Alex led the group down eventually making their way to the bottom. He then stopped to make sure everybody was ready once more. "If anybody wants to turn back now we won't blame you, this is the deadliest dungeon any of us will face". Nobody even entertained the idea, even though they hadn't been with him that long they trusted Alex. Alex nodded his head and turned on the heel of his foot, beginning to walk towards the entrance of the gate.
Alex looked around the city as he walked, it was his home city of Cincinnati, he was born and raised here. The city was one of the last to be destroyed by the day they all call Ragnarok. It was the day that almost a thousand gates all spawned at once over the country, and this was just the United States. This included almost 10 S-Rank gates, Alex and Donovan were sent to clear one, coming back to the city after having done so only to find out everyone else wasn't so lucky.
Apparently other gates exceeded S-Rank, but the mana stones they used to measure them to only go up so high.
After the gates had opened there was no stopping the hordes of monsters, especially with many of them being beyond S-Rank. They quickly wiped out the west coast, thankfully staying over there for the time being. But they would eventually make their way over here, and when they did, well that would be the end of humanity in North America, and eventually the world.
With most of the world also dealing with the events of Ragnarok, communication was swiftly cut off, with most of the world not being able to talk to each other. The exception was for the S-Rankers, who were privy to information the general public was not. That's why Alex and Donovan knew there was no point to this raid, it would just delay the inevitable, but they wanted to protect the city that raised them.
'Maybe we'll get some rare loot for this dungeon'. Alex thought to himself, trying to make the situation seem better. 'Something that could change the tide in the war against the magic beasts'.
"Alex!", as he was thinking to himself he heard Donovan yell his name from behind him. He turned around to see his friend running up to him. As he approached Alex held out his hand to dap him up. Donovan returned the gesture.
After this they both turned and continued walking next to each other before Donovan began to speak.
"What are the chances we both survive this?"
This question caught Alex off guard, he had never heard Donovan talk like this before.
"What do you mean by that? Do you think there's a chance we don't?"
Donovan looked down at the ground before looking up and nodding his head.
"Obviously we're both going to survive this dude, we've managed to survive everything else together, this is just one more obstacle."
Although Alex said this out loud, there was a little doubt in the back of his mind, but he kept this to himself. While he was thinking this Donovan spoke again.
"Well, I hope we do but just know that I always have your back"
Alex didn't like his tone, it almost sounded like he was ready to give up his life if need be, something Alex would never let happen. But Alex just nodded his head anyway.
"Hey guys, it's time to get into formation"
A yell from one of the A-Rankers calling Donovan to the back of the group again. Alex had been too engrossed in the conversation to even notice that they had made their way to the gate. It was about 100 feet in front of them. Donovan put his hand on Alex's shoulder before leaving.
"I love you man"
"I love you too, and make sure no magic beasts are sneaking up on me"
Donovan just laughed before returning to the back of the group.
Alex turned around looking ahead at the gate, knowing damn well that this could be the last one he ever entered. Even knowing this he still signaled for the rest of the group to follow him.
Entering the gate.