Chapter 1: New Beginnings
Ten years ago, our world was thrown on its head. The arrival of portals throughout the planet brought monsters wielding powers beyond human comprehension. As if to level out the playing field, certain humans began manifesting powers of there own. It was found that these individuals could enter the portals and should they kill the empowered monster found inside, close the portal permanently. Understandably, individuals that came to manifest immense power shot to the top of the social hierarchy. Not merely for what they provided in safety, but out of fear for what they themselves could do. And in this world where power is everything, I awoke to powers less than that of an Olympic-level athlete. Aside from having a slighter, quicker recovery time, I can hardly be called a Hunter, as they've come to be known.
Fortunately, the qualifications for an E-class Hunter's license is just having magical energy within your body. So far, I've been able to afford my Mom's medical bills by signing as a porter in E and sometimes D-class raids. But that won't last. My sister has just finished high school with grades good enough to go to college. And if I'm going to have any chance to send her there, this will be my last chance. In rare cases, a portal of extraordinary size will open. In these cases, it's impossible for any single guild to monopolize the gate's resources. Instead, the government will set a date whereby any individual that arrives will be permitted to take part in the raid. If I can just stay far enough back and let the A and B class Hunter's clear the waves. I'll be able to take whatever they can't hold, and in a raid this big anything leftover from the large guilds will be worth the risk.
The day of the grand raid had finally arrived, and I found myself standing among a sea of Hunters at the entrance of the colossal portal. The sheer size of it was astonishing, towering high above us like a gateway to another world. The air crackled with anticipation as A and B class Hunters, decked in their formidable armors and wielding powerful weapons, exchanged confident nods and strategized for the impending battle.
I glanced down at my own modest attire—a simple leather jacket, worn-out combat boots, and a small knife strapped to my belt. It felt almost comical compared to the intimidating arsenal of those around me. But I refused to let my lack of power dampen my resolve. I had always been resourceful, finding ways to make up for my shortcomings.
As the government official announced that the raid would begin shortly, a surge of energy filled the air. The Hunters tightened their grips on their weapons, their eyes filled with determination. My heart pounded in my chest as I mentally prepared. Each portal has it's own condition, typically the condition is simply headcount. Only a specified number of people are able to enter the portal at any given time. But in the case of a Colossal Gate, the condition wouldn't be known until the raid started.
As the gate crackled with energy, signaling its imminent opening, the Hunters around me grew restless. The moment arrived, and with a resounding boom, the portal split open, revealing a swirling vortex of darkness. Without hesitation, the other Hunters rushed forth, their battle cries of nearly a thousand Hunters visibly shaking the air around them. A great surge of adrenaline found me, and soon I too was stepping forward into the dark, unknown.
"Huh?" I questioned. After rushing in amongst the shouting of an entire mob, the sudden silence was off-putting. 'Was it random teleportation?'. In most portals, the group entering would all begin in the same spot. If I'm here alone then the condition was likely random teleportation. As soon as the realisation hit, fear took hold. 'The area inside a colossal gate could be insane, the chance there is anyone even near me is probably abysmal considering I couldn't hear anyone shouting near me'.
A new voice took me out of my thoughts, a soft, motherly female voice asked "What will you do now?". Thinking another Hunter had teleported in beside me, I turned to meet them. Only to find nothing. In fact, now that I take a look at it, the area I'd been teleported was a blank space seemingly without dimension. If I closed my eyes, It would look the same. And yet, the space was distinctly different from just a dark room. I could see clearly around me.
"The condition of the gate was to bring only your mind", the mother voice returned. "How could that even be possible" I asked back. "The condition of a gate must relate in some way or another to the gate's clear condition", she explained. "As this gate's clear condition isn't to bring about the defeat of a boss monster, the constraint it imposes can be entirely different than what you might ordinarily be familiar with."
"How do you know all this?"
"I'm the boss monster, of course I know the imposed condition of the portal I made"
"What's the clear condition then?"
"Answer my question correctly. And the dungeon shall be cleared in its entirety" The originally motherly tone turned deep and silken as it spoke "What do you wish for?"
A thousand different answers appeared in my mind. Do I wish for power, success, to give my sister the opportunity I couldn't have, to heal my mother and let our family come together again. If this is the clear condition, then there must be a correct answer. No, this creature is capable of reading my mind. Before when I couldn't discern the nature of the gate's imposed condition, she knew what I was thinking and answered me without me ever asking. If I give a facetious answer I don't truly believe in, she'll know. 'Then what do I truly want right now?', even with my life on the line I couldn't think of anything other than the way she asked me. How her voice had suddenly became the embodiment of seductive, smooth and oh so deep.
"I know what I wish for", If this was my last words I might as well speak my mind. "I want to fuck the shit out of you" I breathed with sudden abandon knowing nothing would change if I had said otherwise.
My bold confession echoed in the nebulous space, waiting for the invisible mistress to respond. Her silken laughter danced through the air, a hint of provocative promise within its melodic contours. "Oh my. You've opted for a very intriguing challenge indeed," she purred, her voice taking on an evocative tone that sent shivers down my spine.
"I'm Albedo, the Monarch of Lust." she whispered against my skin.
"excite me."
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