Chapter 3: Chapter 2 - Call from her
When I opened my eyes, I heard my phone ring.
"Huh?"
It was weird. I never receive any calls or texts from anyone. I don't have many friends, after all. No, I don't have any at all.
My phone's contact list is similar to a ghost town.
I rubbed my face and looked at the time. My room was ridiculously luxurious. Although we had a perfect home and a perfect family, I still felt empty inside.
"What the heck… 5 in the morning. I slept through the entire day?"
My door was set on automatic lock so no one could disturb me. Was I truly that tired that I slept for an entire day?
'Well, I was chased by goblins for three nights.'
I never had any sleep since I had to escape to stay alive. Other dangers also lurked in the dark in that dungeon. It's not rare for monsters higher ranked than the dungeon they were in to appear.
"Huh?"
It was an unknown number.
"Hello?"
Even though I was suspicious, I answered the call regardless.
-Ethan.
"…!?"
It was a familiar voice. It was from someone I always loved from afar.
'Sylvia…'
"S-Sylvia…?"
My voice cracked far more than it needed to. I never spoke to her unless necessary at the academy. We never had any casual talk, though. Much less did I ever text her.
"How d-did you get my number?"
-That's not important. Anyway, do you still want to continue being a hunter?
"…"
It was an unexpected question early in the morning.
"Why are you asking that…"
-The guild is giving me my first job for a raid.
"Really!? That's wonderful!"
-….Be ready in a few days. I'm picking you to be one of my porters.
"Porter?"
Although being a porter sucked, I still get to join a raid with one of the top guilds in the world. They may be newbies but they graduated top of their classes.
-Do you have any complaints?
"N-No. I'm happy that you thought of calling. Anyway, which dungeon?"
-It's a recently opened B rank gate that appeared in the abandoned part of Felmore. Monsters roamed the area before but with my team's help, we were able to clear them out. I'll send you more packages of items that you will need to be in the team. Remember that I cannot protect waste when I have an entire team of 15 people to lead.
"…I understand."
-Buy a good quality weapon. At least C grade. You'll have to buy your own armour. I'll send a vehicle to pick you up when the day arrives.
"Okay. Um, thanks for the offer. It means a lot."
-…Just don't disappoint me. I called you especially because you've never been in a real raid before. There might even be an artificial skill scroll for you.
'That's enough for me…'
Artificial skill scrolls are items that can be found everywhere in ancient tombs located in dungeons. Some are common while others are rare. One of the top high rankers got to that position using a scroll like that. There's a one in a million chance of getting an SS rank skill.
Although Absolute Defense is great for smaller mobs but it sucks against tank monsters like golems. Improving my physical power would be beneficial for my defense.
I smiled as I held the phone in my hand.
"Really… Thanks."
-Ahem. I need to go. You better rest well.
After she spoke, the call was hung up.
"Haa…"
I squirmed in excitement.
"I'm going on a raid!"
◇◇◇◇
"You look awfully happy this morning, son. Anything special happen while you were lying in bed like a corpse?"
Paul spoke as he bit into a piece of toast. We were gathered around the dining table. Paul, Claudia, Alice, Farnese and I were gathered around the table.
"Just excited to see my friends today."
He snorted.
"By the way..." I put down my utensils. "Is it alright if I use your name when I buy equipment this afternoon? I need things of good quality. They might be expensive since I want to go to the capital's biggest item shop."
Paul stopped right in the middle of eating.
"?"
Paul, Claudia, Alice and Farnese looked at me.
"W-What?"
Claudia chuckled.
"This is the first time you ever asked for something during these ten years you've been our son."
"Is the sun rising in the west this morning, dear?"
It was true that I never asked them for anything. I had zero desires after all. All that was on my mind was becoming good enough for the Adventurer Exams.
If I can pass that exam then I will be able to freely cross the two worlds. Maybe my life when I need to become independent will be better there. I don't want to take Paul's offer to work at that guild.
"Well... I got a job to be part of a raid."
"Pft."
Alice laughed.
"Which team would be dumb enough to take a no class like you?"
"Alice! That's very rude."
"But it's true, mom. He doesn't even have any useful skills."
She smirked mockingly.
"At least I can read. Didn't you fail last year for being a dumb idiot? All of your marks were below average. Even your basic language mark was shitty. Seriously, what person can't pass their home language subject?"
"What did you say ,bastard!?"
She tried to grab me by the throat. The salt I was trying to sprinkle from its container almost fell out of my hand.
"Enough!"
Claudia shouted and hit the table.
It was the first time I saw her that mad. Even her husband looked surprised.
"Let's try and get along, okay? The two of you do this every morning."
She looked at Alice and me with narrowed eyes and a small smile. Even Paul flinched at his wife's cold smile.
"O-Okay."
"Yes, mom..."
"Wonderful. Be quiet for now. I'll put on the news."
Claudia pressed a button. The television appeared after the artificial walls opened up.
After pressing a few buttons, the news channel appeared.
-Breaking news, the Alexander Family are announcing their new battleship, Titan. It is said to be equivalent in cost to a large city.
"Tch. How the hell are they still so rich after building something like that?"
Paul grumbled.
The Alexander family is a noble family from Ardell that specializes in building aircrafts and battle armour. They are one of the most prominent families in the two worlds. Possessing both wealth and power, they are a family anyone would want to be a part of.
"Hm? Isn't that the young master?"
Farnese pointed at the screen.
I saw a handsome dark haired young man being reflected on the screen. He was dressed in a slim fit suit that showed off his fit body. He was surrounded by reporters in front of a plaza.
By the looks of it, the broadcast is coming from Ardell.
-Our aim for building this battleship was so that we could make it safe for anyone to travel to the dungeons. It doesn't matter if you're a person born with powers or not. Anyone will be able to travel into the unknown once we finish the project.
"He's so dreamy... I wish I could marry him."
Alice's eyes were so passionate as she looked at the TV.
"You better give up, sweetie. They say he's quite the playboy. Even the royal princess isn't safe from his charms."
'Yeah. Clauria's right. Isn't he in relationships with multiple high ranking families young ladies?'
Despite being a massive playboy, no one hates the guy. He's handsome, wealthy, smart, strong and ambitious.
What kind of woman do you have to be to not like him? Maybe men don't appreciate the guy for taking so many women.
Alice was basically drooling as she looked at the TV.
-Is it alright if we ask a question, young master?
-Please do.
-Thank you very much. Whose idea was it to start this mega project?
-It was an idea I came up with five years ago when I was studying the notes of the previous family heads. With power, defense and safety all taken into account, I wanted to let anyone be able to venture like those who we call our heroes.
-Amazing.
The reporter sighed in awe.
-If we may ask, why are you working so hard for the Adventurers Exam?
At the reporter's question, the guy, Arius Alexander smiled. His smile seemed to lighten the entire screen.
-I will be attending the World Adventurers Academy as a student.
The entire crowd made a commotion.
"He's coming here!?"
Alice turned the volume louder.
-W-What made you decide to come to the academy? The academy is only for those who want to become adventurers one day. Isn't young master going to take your place as the CEO of the Alexander Airship Industries?
-Well, if you must know...
He smiled again.
-I want to try going into the SS rank dungeon, Ragnarok one day.
""""..."""
-....
The entire crowd was silent after his declaration.
'How big must your balls be to confidently declare something like that, you bastard?'
I threw expletives around in my head as I looked at him.
Was he an idiot or just extremely confident?
-Because recently, I have awakened for the second time.
"What!?"
-HUH!?
Both us and the crowd exclaimed.
Second awakening. That's something very rare in our world. People who experience it receive classes that vary from D to S rank. Many of the high rankers of today were also blessed with extra classes.
-Is it alright to ask the name of the class?
He shook his head.
-It is unfortunately not a good idea for me to do that. I will most likely be hunted down if I reveal its name here.
All of them sighed in disappointment.
Claudia turned the TV off.
'What a fucking lucky bastard.'
I thought with jealousy as I ate my food. The taste didn't even register because of how bitter I felt.
"You may use my name for buying the things you need. You'll need to take the card for now as I do not have any cash on me."
Paul said with a stern face but I could see that he was trying hard not to smile.
"Thank you!"
"The two of you should get going now. You already missed a day at the academy."
At Paul's words Farnese hurriedly stood up and picked up her backpack.
"I'll be going now! Bye!"
"Have a good day. Make lots of friends!" Claudia waved Farnese goodbye.
She clearly showed that she didn't want to walk with her big brother. With tears daring to come out, I finished eating and went out of the door as well.
All I need was armour and daily necessities since I already haď Fafnir's Fang as my weapon. I might not have been able to activate its abilities but I can at least use its sharp blade.
'My first team raid...'
My excitement wouldn't go down as I walked to the train station.
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