Chapter 2: Testing your skills
Isaac stood in the queue in front of a huge concrete building marked by impacts and cracks. This was the Hunter Centre, a place where those who had awakened a power came to look for work or to be assigned to teams.
He already knew what was going to happen. He was only an F-rank Awakened, the lowest echelon, which meant he would never be able to fight on the front line. Hunters of his level were relegated to menial tasks: equipment carriers, low-level scouts or cannon fodder for the most desperate.
He moved slowly along the line, listening to the conversations around him. Some were talking about their recent successes, others were boasting about new equipment or their rising rank. Isaac said nothing. He knew that for him, the climb would be a constant struggle.
When he finally arrived at the counter, a woman with short hair and a jaded look barely glanced at him before handing him a tablet.
- Name and rank? - Isaac, rank F.
She raised an eyebrow at his rank, then pressed a few buttons before displaying a mission on the screen.
- Level E team in need of a carrier for a level 1 portal incursion, standard mission, no combat bonus, but support reward of 5 credits if you return alive.
Isaac sighed inwardly. No wonder.
- I accept.
She nodded and handed him a worn plastic card.
- Report to the north entrance of the Centre in an hour. If you're late, the team leaves without you.