William Arthur's Office (Vanguard Guild):
William sat at his desk, thinking hard about Kael. He called George Henry in. "George, I need to test that boy, Kael. Is he *really* a D-Rank? Did you check?"
George nodded. "Yes, sir. The Guild records show it clearly. He's officially D-Rank."
William frowned. "I don't believe it. That boy fought like a top hunter." He made a decision. "Let's test him properly. Send him on an A-Rank dungeon mission tomorrow."
George looked shocked. "But sir! If he really is only D-Rank... he could die in an A-Rank dungeon!"
William waved a hand. "Don't worry. I'll be there secretly, watching. Or if I can't go, you go. Send the order: D-Rank Hunter Kael Jones is assigned to the A-Rank dungeon tomorrow."
The Next Morning - Kael's Room (Gilded Grove Inn):
Kael woke up. He washed his face and looked out the window. He saw a young boy walking happily, holding hands with his mother and father. A sharp pain hit Kael's heart. I could have had a life like that once... but it's gone forever now.
He put on his clothes, grabbed his Guild ID card, and headed towards the Vanguard Guild.
Velmora Forest (Meanwhile):
A group of Knights fought monsters that had escaped from a broken dungeon. Their leader, Erec Edison (the powerful Crystal Knight), watched them.
"Focus! Work together!" Erec shouted.
Suddenly, a huge monster charged straight at Erec! The other knights yelled, "SIR! LOOK OUT!"
FLASH! Erec moved faster than sight. His sword gleamed. The monster's head flew off its body and thudded to the ground.
The knights stared, amazed. "Wow... that's the power of a Crystal Knight!"
Velmora Streets - Later:
Kael walked towards the Guild. He didn't want to be late. He focused. "Teleportation," he whispered.
POOF! Kael vanished from the busy street.
People nearby gasped and pointed. "Where did he go?!"
POOF! Kael reappeared right in front of the huge Vanguard Guild building.
Okay, Kael thought. Let's see what jobs there are. He walked inside and headed towards the board showing dungeon missions. He looked for D-Rank ones.
Vanguard Guild Hall:
Suddenly, George Henry walked up to him. "Kael Jones! I need a favor."
Kael turned. "Sir?"
George smiled, but it looked a bit forced. "We're short on hunters today. Could you please join a group going to an A-Rank dungeon?"
Kael was shocked. "An A-Rank dungeon? But I'm D-Rank! That's too dangerous!"
George held up a hand. "Don't worry! Guild Master William will be nearby, keeping an eye out. And we have an A-Rank Healer ready if anyone gets hurt. Plus... we'll pay you extra gold coins."
Kael thought fast. Why me? There are other D-Ranks here. Is this because of the fight yesterday? Do they think I'm stronger than I look? He needed the money. "Okay," he said. "I'll go."
George looked surprised Kael agreed so easily. "Great! We leave right now. Come on!"
On the Road - In a Carriage:
Kael sat in a carriage with a few other nervous-looking D-Rank hunters. George got in and sat next to Kael.
Kael watched George. *This guy is definitely up to something.
George tried to make conversation. "So, Kael Jones... where are you from originally?"
Kael felt a jolt of panic. *Oh no. Not this again. "Sorry," he said quietly. "I... can't talk about my home."
George nodded slowly. "Okay, okay. Everyone has secrets, right?" He paused. "Your last name is Jones, huh? So your father's name was Jones?"
Kael felt a stab of sadness and anger. "Yes," he said, his voice tight and irritated.
George noticed Kael's reaction. Okay, I'm annoying him. I'll stop.
Later - Carriage Nearing the Forest Dungeon:
Kael looked out at thethick forest. He saw a strange, shimmering wall of light – the entrance to the dungeon. "George," Kael asked, "if the dungeon has walls like that, why do hunters need to go inside and kill the monsters? Why not just leave them behind the wall?"
George stared at Kael like he was crazy. "What? Where are you from?!" He took a breath. "We have to break the walls and kill the beasts inside! Because if we don't..."
The monsters get stronger every day.
If they get too strong, they can BREAK the dungeon walls themselves and escape!
Dungeons can appear ANYWHERE – forests, towns, anywhere!
If hunters don't find a dungeon fast, and it breaks open after about 4 days...
...then the Knights have to hunt down all the escaped monsters in the wild! It's much harder and more dangerous then!
Kael listened, his eyes wide. So that's how it works. This really is a whole different world.
The carriage stopped near the glowing dungeon wall. Kael and the other D-Rank hunters got out, looking at the dangerous entrance. George watched Kael closely. The test was about to begin.
(Chapter 13 Fin)