"It's never been disproved"
"Hmm."
"All right then, let's check ourselves. Who knows? Maybe we've seen a S-rank hunter among us."
The hushed words of the fourth-year students changed the way the other students looked at one another. They couldn't help but think of the enormous earnings made by S-rank hunters.
With the emergence of magic beasts and the remains in the dungeon ores as as new resources, new hunters were in prime positions to sweep up the new riches. The
Profession had become a symbol of wealth and prosperity..
But only two years has passed since the Great Cataylism occurred, and there was still no clear understanding of how one could awaken their magic powers.
"Also, do you all know that teaching assistant Axel is an E-rank hunter?"
"We've heard. He always complaining about how an E-rank hunter doesn't pay well. That's why he juggles teaching assistant duties during the semester, right?"
"Tsk,tsk. You don't know what you're talking about. That's deception, buddy. He earns so much for just going into dungeons with the mining team, even though he's not part of the combat squad?"
"How much does he make?"
The fourth-year students spoke as if he's was revealing a great secret, and once his whispers reaches the other students' ears, their eyes widen in curiosity
"Really? He makes that much?"
"Even as an E-rank?"
"Yea, kid. Even if your lucky enough to be the lowest-rank hunter, it's still that much. So, are you going to let such good opportunity slip through your fingers? Come on"
"Wow, hunters really amazing. Then, why is Axel still a teaching assistant at our school if he earns that much?"
"He makes this money from the dungeons then splashes out when it comes to studying art. Besides, working in the teaching assistant office provides plenty of exhibition opportunities"
"That's the way to live"
The chances of an S-rank awakening were even rarer than winning a lottery, so it is was more convincing to share with a E-rank individuals earned to motivate the other students
The students eventually cracked under the seniors presistent persuasion and set aside their phones.
"Well, they say the first few minutes when the black mist start flowing is relatively safe.."
"Then, should've we wait a little longer? Just a few seconds?"
"You punks are talking of these nonsense, you only lived once. Take a small sip of the mist as it comes out, then report it. It won't kill you"
***
Thud! Suddenly, the building shook.
Huh? Xun, who was in the exhibition hall, raised his head. What was that? An earthquake? He felt something was off, the space itself felt unhinged. However he was the only person to the the disturbance. No one has took any notice.
At any moment, a figure slowly approached the entrance.
"Ugh…"
A student has limped into the exhibition hall.
Axel has happened to be near the entrance and approached him and ask "Youngcheol, what took you so long? I only ask you to go to the storage room…"
"I tried to stop them…"
"Youngcheol?"
"The senior kept.."
"What's going on?"
"The smoke.."
Chills ran down everyone's spine.
Something's gone wrong. Axel's expression
Stiffen significantly as he closely examined Youngcheol's condition. His students eyes shook uncontrollably as he continuously mumbled something indecipherable.