Xander hesitated before opening the lone email in his spam folder, wondering who would have reached out to him there. It was from someone named Giovanni.
The email read:
"Yo Xander,
The name's Giovanni. Maybe you heard of me, maybe you ain't. Doesn't matter. I run this small guild. Not gonna lie, it's packed with low-rankers. Yeah, some of them ain't the sharpest tools in the shed, but deep down, they're solid peeps.
Now, here's the fun part. I recently got wind of your Rank E aptitude. Don't be sour, man. I think you'd blend right in with my motley crew. Got a feeling you'll shine here.
Listen up. I can cut you a deal. If you're thinking about joining my gig, I got an offer for ya. Got a slot for an initiation portal – the kind everyone waits months for. I'll be honest, you'll be diving in with a bunch of my new guild members and some randos.
But, there's a catch. Stick with my guild for a month, and part with 20% of your loot. Think of it as paying for the VIP treatment.
Interested? Meet the gang at the abandoned factory by Dawson's Creek in three days, 6 PM sharp. And hey, if you got pals itching for some action, bring 'em along. Same rules apply.
Catch ya on the flip side, Giovanni."
Xander leaned back, rubbing his temples. The location seemed absurdly far, and giving up a fifth of his earnings? Still, the offer of an initiation portal was enticing. The gears in his head began to turn as he contemplated Giovanni's proposition.
"How does someone I've never heard of get word about my aptitude so quickly?" he pondered. "I'm just a speck in this vast universe. And not even an impressive speck at that..."
That 20% cut from his earnings gnawed at his conscience. The situation he found himself in was already dire; giving away a fifth of his potential earnings was a hard pill to swallow. The more he thought about it, the more ludicrous the entire situation seemed.
"There's no way I'm going down that rabbit hole," he internally resolved.
Yet, as if fate was playing a cruel joke on him, a message pinged on his phone. Mika. "Hey Z, got some bad news. Looks like the slot for the initiation portal won't be available for another two months. Any ideas?"
Xander sighed, his previous thoughts now echoing with irony. "Of course... Just when I'm trying to distance myself from a dodgy deal, life throws me another curveball."
He quickly relayed Giovanni's offer to Mika.
Mika sounded intrigued, "A slot that soon, huh? And this Giovanni guy, he's legit?"
Xander shrugged, "Honestly, no clue. But he seems connected. Found out about my aptitude the minute I got it."
There was a pause on the other end. "Look, two months is a long wait, Z. And we're not exactly swimming in options. Maybe... maybe we should give it a shot?"
Xander hesitated, "That 20% cut, though..."
Mika interjected, "Think about it. Even if we give away 20%, we're still earning something. Right now, without an entry, we earn nada."
Taking a deep breath, Xander finally said, "Alright, let's do it. But we stay cautious, okay?"
"Deal."
Typing cautiously, Xander crafted a response to Giovanni.
"Giovanni,
You got yourself a deal. I'm in, and I got a friend with me. He has a C rank aptitude. We'll see you at the factory.
Xander."
Almost immediately, a reply came buzzing in. "Aye, Xander! That's the spirit. A C ranker, huh? Impressive. I like the sound of that. We got slots for both of ya. Looking forward to the adventure, pal? Dawson's Creek, 6 PM sharp. Don't be late!
Catch ya soon, Giovanni."
And just like that, plans were set in motion….
Xander meticulously gathered each cell, ensuring not a single one escaped his grasp. Every tick of the clock resonated with the gravity of his task. "It really took four hours to contain this thing..," he pondered, carefully placing them into a fluid-filled container.
Upon their immersion, the tiny cells merged into a more prominent structure, a blob-like entity. "0.3 millimeters," he whispered to himself, peering closely, "That's unusually large for a single cell. And it formed just by feeding on my coat's fabric?" The idea was baffling. The rate of its growth and its potential to evolve further was both fascinating and terrifying.
Xander continued, his mind racing, "The original specimen at Nano Genics had undergone so many changes after our tests. This one hasn't reached that stage yet. Maybe... Maybe it's best not to push it, not to give it any reason to advance further." He remembered the chaos and destruction the specimen had caused.
Repeated attempts to reach Blonsky met with dead air and a mounting sense of unease. "Dammit, Blonsky," Xander muttered, his frustration evident. "I need answers. I need to know what you know."
Xander looked back at the contained entity. The sheer potential it harbored was clear as day. Taking no chances, he moved to secure the container further, sealing it within a shell of tempered carbon glass. "This should hold, for now. As long as it doesn't undergo any rapid evolution, we should be safe."
But as he settled down, a thought tiptoed into his consciousness, a notion so profound it sent shivers down his spine. "Imagine if human cells had this ability to evolve... What would we become?" It was a fleeting thought, but the magnitude of its implications lingered..
The exhaustion from the day pressed heavily on Xander's shoulders as the clock struck 3 am. Before sleep took him, memories of his sister swirled in his mind, memories of laughter and childhood adventures "Sis, wherever you are now, I hope it's peaceful, and I hope you're watching over me," he whispered into the night.
Awakening the next morning, Xander's immediate concern was the specimen. Ensuring its containment was intact became his first task for the next couple of days. Between scouring listings for affordable rooms, sifting through tips for first-time dungeon-goers, and returning missed calls, Xander found himself bidding farewell to his part-time jobs. "Thank you for everything. I've learned so much here, but it's time for me to move on," he conveyed to his employers, his voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and regret.
His preparations for the initiation portal took center stage soon after. A backpack was filled with essentials – food, water, tools, and the electric baton. Slipping into a deep purple hoodie, he zipped it over the protective vest.
Stepping out, the sight of Mika was a welcome one. Their exchange was a mix of excitement and anxiety.
"Hey Z! Ready for this?" Mika asked, His eyes shining with anticipation.
Xander confirmed "As ready as I'll ever be. Thanks to that weird invite, here we are. You sure about this?"
Mika smirked, "Only one way to find out."
Together, they boarded the bullet bus, the landscape outside transitioning from cityscapes to a vast open wilderness. Exiting at an isolated stop, the duo embarked on a twenty-minute journey on foot, following a rough trail. The sun was setting, casting long shadows and painting the surroundings in a warm orange glow. Birds chirped in the distance and the rustling of leaves underfoot was the only sign of life.
Before them, Dawson's Creek loomed, marked by an abandoned, dilapidated factory. Its skeletal structure, with broken windows and rusted metal, stood testament to a bygone era.
The sight of seven individuals waiting near the factory was a stark contrast to the isolation they'd experienced thus far. Among them, two young women chatted animatedly, phones in hand, while a middle-aged woman stood apart, her gaze sharp and alert. Three men, their appearances reminiscent of street-savvy gangsters, lounged nearby. And an old man, his face a roadmap of wrinkles, quietly observed the surroundings.
Xander and Mikael exchanged a glance as they approached the motley group.
Xander and Mikael were still a few paces away when one of the three rough-looking men in leather jackets and tattoos called out, "Oi! You two the ones Gio's been chattin' up?"
Mikael stepped forward slightly, "Yeah, we're here for the initiation portal."
The tallest of the three gangsters, with a scar running down his left cheek, grinned, revealing a gold tooth. "Name's Tony. This here's Vinny," he pointed to a burly man with a shaved head, "and the other one's Rico," nodding towards a slightly shorter guy with a goatee.
Tony motioned to the two younger women, "This is Eliza, a fiery one she is," Eliza, a redhead with freckles, winked, "and that's Layla," pointing to a woman with tan skin and jet-black hair, tied into a tight ponytail. Layla gave a simple nod, a look of determination in her eyes.
"And the elegant lady over there is Ms. Cecilia," Tony continued, indicating a middle-aged woman with graying hair. She was dressed more formally than the rest, exuding an aura of sophistication.
Lastly, a man in his 50s, with a silver beard and wearing an old fedora hat, introduced himself, his voice carrying a hint of weariness, "I'm Alfred. Good to meet you both."
Mikael extended his hand, "I'm Mikael, And this is Xander."
Xander nodded, "Looking forward to working with you all."
Vinny chuckled, giving Xander a playful nudge, "Watch out for the traps in there, newbie."
Rico added with a smirk, "Yeah, we wouldn't want ya to trip on your first time."
Xander and Mikael shared laughs with them nervously, the tension from the new introductions easing. It was clear they were all here for the same reason, and despite their differences, a slight sense of camaraderie could be felt in the atmosphere.
Tony looked around and remarked, "We're still waiting on six more. Can only have fifteen in an initiation portal at any given time. And, just so everyone knows, it's the first for all of us here. Even me."
Xander's brow furrowed in thought. "So, what kind of creatures should we expect inside?"
Vinny smirked, "Usually, it's medium-sized critters. Think wild boars or large dogs. But sometimes the Nexus throws a curveball and you'll find all sorts. Still, it shouldn't be too challenging."
While the group continued discussing, their attention was diverted by the boisterous approach of five rugged men. Their attire suggested a life of crime: tattered jackets, piercings, and an air of arrogance about them. The leader, a man with a snake tattoo wrapping around his neck, called out, "Hey! You lot here for the initiation too?"
Without waiting for a response, the group swaggered over, a couple of them eyeing Eliza and Layla. "Hey, darlings," one winked, "how about some fun after we get out?"
Tony's face hardened, "Watch it. Everyone's here for a reason. No need for trouble."
Snake-tattoo sneered, "Looks like someone's playing the hero. Relax, old man."
The atmosphere thickened with tension. Then, another figure emerged in the distance. A young, dark-skinned man with flowing dreads confidently, yet cluelessly strolled in. He swung a spiked bat playfully as he approached. "Wassup you guys? Name's Jasper," he announced loudly.
Xander extended a hand, "Hey, I'm Xander, and this is Mikael."
Mikael added, "Seems like you're our age. College?"
"Yeah, majoring in English," Jasper replied, adjusting his backpack.
One of Xander's eyebrows shot up.
"Who the hell would wanna be an English major in this day and age…? " He thought to himself.
Suddenly, the roar of an old bus interrupted their conversation. The vehicle seemed like it had seen better days, with rust patches and "La Rossa Family" sprayed on its side. The bus stopped with a hiss, and from the driver's seat emerged a stocky man in a finely tailored suit, gold chain glistening around his neck.
Tony, Vinny, and Rico straightened up, immediately recognizing him. "Boss," Tony nodded respectfully.
"Gentlemen and ladies, I'm Giovanni," he introduced, his eyes landing on Xander and Mikael. Extending a hand, he said, "Ah, the ones I spoke to before, Pleasure."
Giovanni smirked, "Now, if any of you were hoping for some modern transport, I'm afraid we'll be traveling in my precious La Rossa bus." Some faces in the crowd wrinkled in disgust at the sight of the bus that was barely on its last legs...
Xander just sighed. "I had a feeling it'd be something like this."
Boarding began, with the women choosing to sit up front. But even there, they couldn't escape the catcalls from the five brash men who settled in behind them. The rest found their seats, the bus's engine revved up, and the journey to the Nexus portal began.
The rusted La Rossa bus rumbled on the uneven path, the chatter inside rising and falling sporadically. Suddenly, the bus's door slammed shut, causing a few to jump. The conductor, a broad-shouldered man with a scar running from his forehead to his cheek, glared at them all.
"Quiet down!" he bellowed, making sure he had everyone's undivided attention. "Before you all trot into this dungeon, there are a few things you ought to understand."
Everyone shuffled uneasily in their seats, bracing themselves.
"If word about the Nexus portal's location or any details about the boss gets out, believe me, you'll be facing repercussions that are far worse than anything you'll find inside that dungeon," he warned, his tone icy.
He paced the aisle, looking each passenger squarely in the eye. "Now, this is the first time all fifteen of you are stepping into a dungeon. But, as some of you might know, an initiation portal is often referred to as a Rank 0. Anyone know why?" He didn't wait for an answer. "It's designed for zeroes like you. That's right, at the moment, you're all nothing but zeroes. And depending on how things go in there, you could very well die as zeroes. But if you manage to get out alive... Well, that might just be the first step towards becoming someone of note."
He took a deep breath, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "Once you've cleared the dungeon, the boss monster's death will release an energy core. Each of you must absorb a portion of that core. That's your initiation. Every other dungeon you face afterward will operate similarly. But remember, everyone starts with a Rank 0 dungeon, regardless of their aptitude. Your aptitude isn't a reflection of your current rank. As of now, you are all Rank Zeroes. However once you absorb the core, you will all officially be Rank F explorers. Exciting isn't it? Well there is a lot more to it but that will be explained once you've successfully exited the dungeon, but for now just focus on what's ahead."
He glanced out the window, noting their surroundings. "And it seems we've arrived just in time."
As the bus halted, everyone slowly disembarked.
The hum and shimmer of the Nexus portal filled the air as they stood before it, a swirl of vivid green creating a mesmerizing view. Jasper, wearing a determined expression, was the first to step through, crossing the boundary without hesitation. For a moment, his figure distorted within the swirls before disappearing altogether. His casual entry made a few eyebrows rise, especially amongst the first-timers. The rest hesitated only for a moment before following suit.
The world on the other side was a stark contrast to what they had left behind. Gone was the open sky and the familiarity of their surroundings, replaced by a sprawling cavern. The ceiling was a mosaic of stalactites, glinting menacingly in the dim light. The walls seemed to breathe, a mix of rocky outcrops and moist, glistening patches of moss. Faint echoes filled the air, as every footstep or whispered word bounced off the walls. The atmosphere was stifling, thick with tension and the musky odor of dampness.
The only source of illumination was Xander's electric baton. The flashlight at its tip sliced through the darkness, casting eerie shadows as it went. Tony, clearly impressed, leaned over and whispered, "Man, that light's a lifesaver. Wasn't expecting pitch-black in here." Several others nodded in agreement, their faces reflecting a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.
While Xander appreciated the words, internally, he was fretting. The battery... If this keeps up, we'll be left in the dark. His grip tightened around the baton, fully aware of its dual importance now.
Mikael, sensing the danger of the unknown, released the safety catch of his gun, pointing it downwards as a precaution. The team's formation was instinctive, with Xander at the lead. However, the crude banter from the five gangsters at the rear served as a continuous reminder of their less-than-harmonious group dynamic.
A series of soft whispers kept the group connected as they moved, discussing their observations and sharing concerns. "What do you think we'll find?" "Stick close, okay?" "Damn, I should've brought more gear."
But their hushed conversation was abruptly interrupted when they reached a tunnel entrance. The group halted, the collective pause a testament to the unease they felt. From the back, the unruly gangsters grew impatient. "What's the hold-up? Move, or we'll make you!" one of them spat.
Alfred, the older gentleman of the group, attempted to play peacemaker. "Calm down," he began, but his words were cut short by a cacophony of sound. The rapid flapping of wings, paired with high-pitched screeches, reverberated throughout the cavern.
Jasper's eyes widened in alarm. He swung his bat defensively, shouting, "B-Bats!"
In the next instant, a deluge of flying creatures swooped down, their erratic patterns barely visible in the flashlight beam. They darted around, their numbers so vast that the once-calm air of the cavern was now thick with their chaotic dance….