To the Depth of Abyss

Chapter 1: Abyssal Terra

Abyssal Terra

Surface / Afternoon 

The surface of the Abyssal Terra, or being called a station to the underworld, is the safest place. The surface is the starting ground for success, people say.

A small town being built as a residence for novice hunters. In the middle of the town, there is a large building, the Hunter's Guild. The Guild is the organizer and person in charge of the Abyssal Terra. Their job is to record data and receive sales of goods obtained by the Hunter.

Outside the Guild building, one certain Party has just finished their exploration on Floor 1.

One of the people in the Party is Arsen. The young man dropped the bag full of luggage. The bag that Arsen brought could even explode if not given more ties.

"Good work, Arsen. This is your payment."

The leader of the party raised his right hand. A black metallic bracelet that shines blue on the inside, and at the center of the bracelet releases a 2d hologram screen the size of a smartphone.

The bracelet is the 'Hunter Bracelet', a device as well as the identity of a Hunter.

The party leader does something with his Hunter System, then directs the data he extracts to Arsen.

Arsen's Hunter Bracelet reacts because of the data just now.

"We might contact you again in the next exploration. I hope we can get along well"

"Okay, and thanks. I guess."

Arsen left after receiving his payment.

On the way, he saw the menu inside his Hunter Bracelet. The menu he saw is his digital wallet.

"431 ABC. Around 450 dollars. 9,500 more to go," Arsen then exhaled.

ABC is an abbreviation of AByssal-Cash. Currency system used in Abyssal. Sounds a little funny indeed, seeing the abbreviation of Abyssal-Cash itself.

Arsen does not know whether a guild or a particular person determines the use of the name of the currency? But that name is the one being used now. So he can't protest to anyone.

The only reason he ended up in that place was because of his shitty father's debt. The debt is not his dad's fault, tho. The bad guy trap, that's what made his family - especially Arsen - end up on an island full of monsters and treasures in shape of drop/natural item.

Arsen has been in Abyssal Terra for a month now. During that month, he has earned around 431 dollars.

That's also because he uses his daily income for food, shelter, and care for his body if he got injured.

Honestly, that kind of income is quite as much for fresh graduates like Arsen. What fresh graduates who do not want to earn 400 dollars a month? Certainly not Arsen.

Arsen did not choose to be in that place. Even in his bed, he always thought of how he would live his life and face his family's debt if he not being thrown into that place.

"Regretting, what can't possibly happen is a waste of time."

Trying to calm down, Arsen closed his eyes and fell asleep from the fatigue of working all day.

______________

Surface / Early morning

When the sun had not fully risen, Arsen had already rushed towards the Guild Building.

Hunter has three main jobs: Vanguard, Specialist, Supporter.

Like their names, Vanguards are those who hold weapons and fight on the front lines. Supporters task is guarding the Party from behind, they are further divided into two, Archer and Medic. Specialists divided into many sections, one example is the Porter Specialist.

Porter Specialist, that is the work Arsen is trying to persevere right now. His job in the Party is to transport valuables, usually transporting hunting products.

Arriving at the guildhall, Arsen found that there were already some of Porter's colleagues who were ready in the front seat. Those who usually arrive early are veterans who don't want to lose the opportunity to go hunting.

Seven years after the Abyssal Terra appeared, there were quite so many people coming to be Hunters. But most of them are not strong people who can become Vanguards, or who are good at supporting teams from behind such as Supporters. Most of them are people who are not ready to fight directly with monsters and end up being Porters, for example, Arsen.

For video game fans, Abyssal Terra is like paradise come true. But in fact, 100 Hunter of Arsen's contemporaries, only around 30, have survived until now. Those who died fell victim to the atrocities of Floor 1, even though Floor 1 is the easiest Floor in all Terra's territory.

Get in to the Guild Hall, Arsen sat in the last waiting chair of the queue, becoming one who did not want to lose the opportunity to succeed.

After waiting long enough, finally, there is a Party Hunter who wants to go down to the Floor.

The party contains five people. Three vanguards: they have weapons. One Medic Supporter. And at last, he looks like a Specialist.

The party filled out the permission form first. Because of the horror of Abyssal Terra, the Hunter who wants to go exploring must fill in a form containing their personal data, how long and where they will go to hunting.

Moments after filling out the form, the Party leader glanced at the Porters. That's a sign they want to recruit one of them. But none of the veteran Porters paying attention to their arrival.

At such times, usually, the Porters will fight over and offer themselves. Arsen felt that there was something wrong with the Party if the seniors did not offer themselves.

Because no one offered themselves, the Party leader came to the Porters.

"Hey, don't you guys want to come with us to hunt to Silver Steel?"

Silver Steel Mountain. It was a giant black mountain that had to be crossed before can go to the 2nd Floor.

In addition to work, the ranking also applies to the position of Hunter. Starting from the weakest: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Those are three common ranks for Hunter.

Hunter rankings, of course, determine their strength, and whether they can enter certain locations within the Abyss.

Arsen is a Bronze-ranked Hunter, the weakest of all ranks. Silver Steel Mountain is a dangerous place Bronze Hunter must avoid, like Arsen.

The leader of the party glanced at Arsen, who's a Bronze Hunter, then walked closer. "Hey, are you a beginner? I just saw you around here."

"Yeah, that's how it is."

Arsen tried not to be too interested in the man. If Arsen showed little interest, he would definitely force him to come along.

"Oh, I see. By the way, my name is Bryan. My rank is Silver and I am the leader of the Party. Can I sit here?"

Arsen did not answer, but Bryan already sat next to him. It looks like Bryan wants to start negotiations with Arsen.

Shrinking his voice, Bryan began to speak: "Since you are a beginner, how about I give you a good deal?"

"Deal?"

Arsen is not interested, he just wants to hear what Bryan wants to say first.

"Yes, a good deal. I - we will pay you four times the normal amount to be our Porter. How is it? Not a bad deal, right?"

Rates of Goods Porter Specialist range from 80 to 100 ABC per exploration to the 1st Floor for Bronze-ranked Porter Specialists. Also, they got restricted to the exploration of floor 1, Land of Nod.

If they are willing to pay four times more, it is the same as four days of work. Arsen certainly showed an interest in the offer.

Arsen' Senior next door might hear Bryan's offer too. But he showed no interest in stealing the chance.

Even though Arsen wants it, its location is in Silver Steel Mountain, which is quite dangerous for novice hunters like him.

"If you're afraid, don't worry. Because the three Vanguards in our Party, including me, are Silver-ranked Hunter. You only need to move slowly behind us, we will ensure your safety."

Sounds like not a bad offer.

Before accepting an offer, Arsen must confirm one thing. "What is your guarantee in this agreement?"

Bryan seemed to have guessed Arsen would ask that.

Bryan did something with his Bracelet Hunter, "I'll give you half your pay in advance."

Arsen received 200 ABC without being asked by Bryan. Even so, Arsen was still in doubt.

Bryan read Arsen's doubts, then rose from the chair. "I'll give you time to think. But don't take too long because we have to leave quickly. Come to our table to give an answer. If your answer is still no, you can return the advance payment."

Bryan left Arsen, who is still fighting with his doubts.

Does he have to reject the offer for safety reasons? Or accept because the offer isn't bad? Arsen must be quick in deciding.

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