A calm morning blanketed the city of Bekasi. Thin clouds drifted across the sky, and the morning sunlight slipped through the window into Raden's small rented room. After a grueling night surviving mysterious creatures, his body still ached. Raden rose and sat at the edge of his bed, steadying his breath as he stared at the system interface that had reappeared before him.
> [Level: 160]
[Class: Voidblade – Shadow Fang]
[Status: Voidblade Recovery Mode (23:14:56)]
[Active Skills: Temporarily Unavailable]
"What does this mean? Why do I have to wait a whole day…" he muttered.
While he was examining the system panel, his stomach growled loudly. He hadn't eaten since the previous afternoon. Raden quickly changed clothes, threw on a light jacket, and stepped out of his room. The streets were still quiet. Near his usual food stall, the scent of nasi uduk filled the air.
But something caught his attention.
Two hunters in uniform were sitting in front of the stall, deep in conversation.
"Bro, we're still short one person to enter the gate. The rule says at least five hunters."
"Yeah, Rangga backed out. Said the drop rate yesterday was garbage."
Raden sat on a bench at the far end and quietly began to eat. He listened to the two men speak, until one of them—a stocky middle-aged man with graying hair—glanced over at him.
"Kid, are you a Hunter?" he asked kindly.
Raden nodded slightly. "Yeah… but I'm just Rank F. I don't have a Hunter license yet."
The man paused for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Perfect. Would you help us fill the slot to enter a Rank D Gate? You don't have to fight—just stand in the back."
"Why not look for another hunter?" Raden asked politely.
"We're out of time. I already paid for the gate access. You just need to come in with us—just stay at the back. It's totally fine," said the older man, almost pleading.
Raden hesitated. But just then, the system chimed:
> [Optional Mission Available]
[Title: Join a Rank D Mission as an Unlicensed Hunter]
[Requirement: Enter the Gate and Survive for 3 Hours]
[Restriction: No Use of Active Skills]
[Reward: EXP +12,000 | Random Rank D Material]
[Penalty if Failed: None]
Raden gave a faint smile. This system always knew the perfect timing. He could ignore it, sure—but the mission offered a reward and no penalty.
"All right. I'll join." Raden replied simply.
---
After he finished eating, the two hunters took Raden to meet the rest of their party.
The small team of hunters introduced themselves:
Pak Harun – Tank, Rank C
Lina – Support, Rank D
Rangga – Swordsman, Rank D
Agus – Archer, Rank D
Raden – Slot filler, non-guild, Rank F (claimed)
They headed to the gate located at an abandoned logistics warehouse. A gate officer stood waiting.
"Five people? That's enough. You may enter."
There was no digital ID check. Since Pak Harun had already rented the gate, and the minimum slot requirement was met—including one Rank C—nothing else was required.
A swirl of blue energy shimmered before them, and the five stepped inside.
---
Inside the gate was a tropical forest shrouded in mist. According to previous reports, the area was home to creatures known as Roclaws—large lizard-like beasts with stone-like scales.
"Raden, you stay in the back. Don't get too close to the fighting. If anything happens, return to the starting point immediately," said Pak Harun while checking his shield.
"Understood, sir," Raden replied shortly.
As instructed, Raden walked at the rear. He sat on a large rock as the rest of the team fought. From afar, he watched Agus fire arrows, Lina cast healing spells, and Pak Harun hold back the Roclaw's charge.
> [System: Optional Mission In Progress – 00:41:22]
Time passed quickly. Raden simply observed and memorized the paths, analyzing monster movements, and mentally noting escape routes. He had no intention of interfering.
But then something unexpected happened.
A Roclaw suddenly darted out from the bushes, attacking from the side. Lina didn't notice the incoming threat. Raden reacted on instinct—he grabbed a rock the size of a baby's head and hurled it with pinpoint accuracy at the Roclaw's skull.
The monster growled, its movement halted for a brief moment—just enough time for Rangga to strike.
"Got you!" shouted Rangga, stabbing the creature in the gut.
Lina turned, surprised. "Who threw that?"
Pak Harun glanced at Raden, who was still standing behind a tree. Raden raised his hand sheepishly. "Just reflex, sir. Sorry."
Pak Harun laughed. "That's a good reflex. You might be Rank F, but your instincts are Rank C level."
Rangga looked slightly suspicious, but said nothing.
---
Three hours passed safely. The party defeated 21 Roclaws, collecting their hides and fangs. Raden never joined the fight, but he observed everything. He knew the Roclaw's weak points, and the rhythm of each team member's combat style.
> [Optional Mission Completed]
[EXP +12,000]
[Item Acquired: Rough Roclaw Hide x1]
[Level: 161]
By the time they exited the gate, the sky had turned cloudy. The team rested at the same food stall where they had met.
"Thank you for coming with us," said Pak Harun.
"No need to thank me, sir. I didn't do anything," Raden replied with a smile.
Suddenly Rangga spoke up, "If it weren't for you earlier, Lina might've been in danger."
Lina nodded. "Yes, thank you so much, Raden. Because of you, I didn't get hurt."
"I was just lucky the throw landed," Raden chuckled lightly.
Deep down, Raden knew the truth—this world wouldn't trust a lie forever. But he also knew, as long as he didn't flaunt his power openly, no one would suspect a thing.
At that moment, the system gave another notification:
> [Voidblade Will Reactivate In: 12:43:00]
Raden looked up at the sky. The clouds were growing darker—a sure sign of rain.
But inside his mind, things were becoming clearer.
He knew exactly where to go next.
And this… was only the beginning of everything to come.