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Antares. Not a King. Not Powerful. Not a fearsome Dragon.
Choi Antares, E rank hunter. Weakest of the weak. How he hated that title. Hates how true it is. How through the gates he can not prove that they are wrong.
Left to scraps. Trying to survive. For himself…and the one family he has left. A father in the curse of Eternal Sleep.
“Coffee.” “Sorry Hunter Choi. Just ran out.” Antares tsks. “Fine.”
Turning away from the disappointment, he walks closer to gathering hunters.
“Oh boy, here he comes.”
“Who is he? A strong hunter?”
“Haha, no. Don’t know? That's Choi Antares, possibly the weakest of all E rank’s.”
“Complete opposite of powerful S rank Choi Jongin, huh.”
“Totally.”
“Heard he has a temper too.”
“Hey careful, he might hear.”
Antares grits his teeth. ‘Bastards. I already heard you. Lucky I don’t act on it.’
“Antares!” Juhee, the B rank healer. A kind, and warm personality. Most of the time. “You got hurt again didn’t you?” Antares sighs. She cares to much. “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.” Juhee pouts. “Jeez, stop trying to hide it. You know, that I know you better than that.” Juhee lightly punches him in the arm.
Antares, despite the effort of holding back a wince, still failed. “I knew it!” Antares groans.
Sitting nearby, the two hunters wait for the raid to start.
“You were hospitalized?” Juhee, as always, expresses her concern over him.
“Yes.” Antares avoids Joohee’s eyes. “...I was the only one who got hurt.”
“What? How?”
Antares scowls. “I thought I could take them!. They were fine, higher ranking, didn’t even bring a healer.”
*Still, confidence isn’t always enough. As you might know, Antares.” “Yes yes, ‘I should be more careful.’ You've said it before.”
Juhee crosses her arms. “I’ll keep saying it too.”
The other hunters were finished prepping. Gathering near the blue expanse of the gate. “Looks like It’s time to go, Juhee.” “Hm.”
A man stands in front of the crowd of hunters. “Listen up everyone. I'm sure we all want to have a good time and hit the jackpot today. That being said, although I'm not in a position to say so, I'm thinking of taking the reins and being the party leader. How does that sound?”
“Song, you're ranked highest here! I agree!”
“Yes, we can trust Song. Let’s see those skills!”
“Yes, I agree too.”
“I’ll trust him.”
“We’ll be counting on you, Song Chiyul-nim!” Juhee smiles.
Antares says nothing. He doesn’t need to. After a few gate experiences with him, he knows his abilities. Song Chiyul is a capable man.
Song Chiyul nods. “Very well. Let's all head in.” He turns, beginning to enter the gate. Others follow close behind.
“Maybe stay behind us, and don’t charge in. Don’t get hurt, you know.” One man says over his shoulder. Mocking with false care.
Antares ignores him. Johee going in before him.
Staring up at the swirling blue tear in space. Antares narrows his eyes. This time. This time will be different. Something in him feels a chance. A chance for something greater behind this portal.
“No backing down.” Antares mutters. Stepping forward. Letting the feel of mana spill over him. Breaching into another world.