CHAPTER 21: A CRY FOR HELP

"Something big is going on Rokuro." Ghost says while taking notice of the people crowding around the board.

I’m going to assume that a big quest must’ve been posted to everyone to see so maybe it’s best to investigate it. Climbing the ranks is essential anyway.

I walked over to the board and tried to get a look, pushing through some people to see the board properly. I finally caught a glimpse of what was posted... It was just posted a few moments ago.

[Central Ashvalis Help Request]

City is noticing a major increase in monster activity and is under attack. Requesting all the help that we can get.

Reward: Rank increase and ???? Silvite amount.

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Central Ashvalis is under attack now of all times? I hope this isn’t related to anything that happened in the dungeon that I found Lilly in.

I’d like to believe that it wouldn’t cause such a thing but I have no clue how things work with the dungeons. I’m still learning about everything myself so it’ll take a bit of time for me to figure it out.

"Why should we care about that city?" A man grumbles.

"Yeah it’s better off that way anyway." Another hunter chimes in.

I shouldn’t be surprised that anyone here would feel that way when their city is doing a lot better. I’ve lived in Ashvalis since the collapse happened so I won’t just leave it to rot.

I head over to the message board and accept the request before moving back past the crowd once more.

"Tch. Screw you guys." I mumble while making my way towards the door.

Those assholes can figure it out if their city ever comes under fire like Ashvalis since I won’t be there to help them. Even if people don’t know a damn thing about me there, I’ll protect them.

Not everyone is capable of fighting, most of the hunters there should be strong but it depends how many monsters are appearing. The ranks are also something I’m uncertain of there so who knows the strength of the guild itself.

"Heading out!?!?" Lilly asks with a bit of excitement in her voice.

"Yes. We are heading for Central Ashvalis." I respond while beginning to grit my teeth.

I won’t let people die once again, not when I’m finally capable of doing something to stop it. I don’t know the true capability of my power yet but I know that it’ll be enough to fight against some monsters.

"I’ll make sure not to freeze up this time." Ghost says while following behind me.

Like that we were heading back for central Ashvalis, the sun was starting to fade away at this point but who knows how much time they have.

We needed to make haste for the city as fast as possible so that way no one died before we could do anything.

It would be a different story if they didn’t ask for help but this was a lot different than anyone probably expected. Another guild needing help to defend a city has to be a rare occurrence.

I’m glad I became a registered hunter but I’d never go with any of these damn guild around here. Especially not Aetherion if that’s how the hunters act with lives on the line.

"Glad someone has the balls to head for the city as well." A familiar voice says as they catch up.

Quickly turning to face the person on my right side I’m greeted by the same man who completed my registration. Lukas, he was easily recognizable since he was well dressed and stood out like a sore thumb.

"Of course. Aren’t you supposed to handle the registration shit and what not?" I question with a bit of confusion in my voice.

"I was just helping out while Alize was away, but I can’t ignore a city in need." Lukas answers with a bit of eagerness in his voice.

I’ll have to do my best to avoid showing off the appearance of my power while around so many people. Shit. That probably involves me keeping my emotions in check as well since my rage might’ve had a hand with it last time.

"Someone’s eager to defend a city, is it the reward? Hehe." Lilly asks with a slight chuckle.

"Not at all. Everyone deserves to have the legendary hunter Lukas assist them." He responds with a cocky tone.

Aah so he’s one of those hunters after all, I should’ve guessed that from the moment I met him at the Aetherion reception desk. Something about him threw me off from the moment we talked but it wasn’t obvious at the time.

His name was on one of the hunter banners there but I can’t quite remember what the rank was for him. He’s definitely not weak by any means but his cockiness pisses me off.

"Yeah. Yeah." I speak up with a bit of an annoyed tone.

Central Ashvalis wasn’t much further from us and I could see that the sun was finally just about gone. Monsters were definitely out now if they weren’t already so this was definitely going to be a battle.

What monsters await us here is what I can’t stop thinking about. What will we encounter when we enter the city itself?

Screams were something we started to hear as we reached the city gate, there was definitely monsters within the city already. Monsters that I never encountered before, maybe ones that people never even spoke of either.

"Ashreavers... Holy shit." Lukas says while stopping in his tracks.

Ashreavers? I’ve never heard of such a monster before this so I don’t even know what to expect.

Looking ahead I could see these massive monsters with charred muscle and burning cinders throughout their body. They gave the feeling as if they came directly from a volcano.

"I doubt that’ll be the worst monster we see." Lilly speaks up while taking a few quick glances.

I turned my attention to the right and that’s when I noticed another monster I’ve never seen before.