The Hunter System
Chapter 44 - Friendship
All the cameras were instantly fixed on the 3 hunters who had just exited the Dungeon gate.
.........
After the 15 hunters suddenly came out early from the gate with pale faces and looked very worried, all the journalists could smell the unusual things that happened inside.
The confidence of the journalists was further strengthened upon seeing the way the hunters of the Flames guild reported something to the Association hunters, who were tasked with guarding the gates, which they did with whispers and nervous faces.
.........
Alvin immediately turned his face when he saw the blitz from the camera of the media crew immediately rained down on them when they just came out of the gate.
At the same time, the journalists shouted Ivory and Jack's names to ask for their time to be interviewed.
"Miss Cruz, what really happened? Did the Flames guild fail?"
"Mr Paul, can you tell us what really happened? Is there a problem in there? Why did the 15 hunters get out of the Dungeon first?"
Seeing the commotion caused by the cries of the media crew, the team of miners and body carriers from the Association immediately approached Jack and Ivory, who was, while covering the path of journalists who have been pressing forward through the fence of life formed by soldiers who are usually assigned by the Government to discipline the media crew if something like this happens.
"Jack, did something happen in there?" ask the captain of a team of miners who already know Jack Paul. They also happened to be in a single division in the Association.
"none. You can mine and transport the monster's corpse now. She..," Jack paused his sentence as he turned to Alvin for a moment, "I mean... Me and Miss Cruz killed the Dungeon boss."
Jack had to lie. He wanted to keep Alvin's power a little longer. He does not yet know whether Alvin will use his power to support the citizens of City T or not.
Otherwise, he and the Association would naturally attempt to subdue him. But, if he were to use his strength to help the Association to close even more gates, then it would be best if the Association could establish a good relationship with him.
.........
"What?! Is that true?!" exclaim a hunter who was in a group of 15 hunters who first came out of the gate.
He did not believe that because he knew that the Dungeon boss did not seem to be an ordinary A rank monster. They also had time to see the Dungeon boss was able to thicken Jack's resistance very easily.
In fact, one of his colleagues who had seen their guild master attack the giant golem, telling him that the golem was immune from his fire magic.
That's why he doesn't believe what Jack says.
"You don't trust us?" Jack asked back with a frown and an unhappy look.
Got an intimidating look from a B rank hunter like Jack. Hunter who was still ranked C was immediately bowed and turned back to return to his colleagues.
"But where are Edmund and Joey?" ask another hunter.
Coughs...
Jack then glanced at Alvin who was standing behind Ivory while looking down to take cover from the camera shots of the journalists.
Jack ignored the hunter's question and spoke again to the miner, "Please check the gorge behind the bush. It is located near the magic pillar. Hunter Joey Garin and Edmund Green fell into the abyss as they wanted to hide in the bush."
"W-what? How could a B rank hunter like them be after that?"
Jack nodded, as if agreeing with his partner's words.
"They are stupid. Well, I'll leave it to you, okay?" joey said again, gently patting the hunter's shoulder and leaving him to go to Alvin.
.........
"Bro, let's get out of here" Jack half-whispered as he showed Alvin the way so they could go quietly among the commotion.
"Mr Rufino, wait a minute" Ivory's pinta chases Alvin as Jack takes him away.
"Yes?"
"Can I ask for your contact?"
"That's..," Alvin scratched his head. He still has not memorized his new contact number and he is now leaving his phone in his jacket pocket on the bus.
"I just wanted to say thank you properly and would like to invite you to dinner" Ivory said again, as he saw Alvin apparently objecting to giving his contact number.
"I-that's not necessary, Miss Cruz," said Alvin, remembering that Rimi had taken the Mana core of all the monsters still inside the Dungeon. It was precisely he who had to thank for all of the Mana core.
["You're acting too much. When else can you have a woman's contact number as sweet as her?"]
'You talk a lot! I forgot my phone number!'
["..."]
<08xxxxxxx> sahut Rimi suddenly.
'T-thank you Rimi.'
"Ah. okay. In that case, thank you for helping us complete the raid, Mr. Rufino." Said Ivory who then smiled bitterly while lowering her head. He knew that Alvin might be uncomfortable and wanted to refuse him a dinner invitation.
To distract the journalists from Alvin and Jack, who were about to sneak out of the place, for the first time, Ivory finally went in front of the journalists and was willing to be interviewed.
["You're late Rimi. Our foster child has been abandoned... Ckck.."]
'...'
......................
After Ivory distracts the media crew, Alvin and Jack are finally able to sneak away to the bus, where Alvin leaves his jacket and cell phone.
"Bro, can I ask you something?"
Alvin breathed slowly. He could guess what Jack wanted to ask him.
"Do I have to answer?" Alvin asked back.
Jack smiled awkwardly.
"You don't have to answer if you feel uncomfortable."
"I'll hear it first. What'sthat?"
"Have you been hiding your powers?"
"I wouldn't have killed the Dungeon boss if I wanted to hide it" Alvin said.
"It's not. I mean, do you actually have any other powers you're hiding?" Upon seeing the puzzled expression on Alvin's face, Jack continued. "Look... Actually, we've been watching you for the past few weeks and we've seen you open a Dungeon gate."
Alvin suddenly smiled faintly upon hearing the confession. He also knew that Jack and some of his colleagues had been watching him all along.
'So he didn't seem to want to spy on me and set me up later. He won't confess if he has evil intentions.'
Alvin was quiet for a while. Think about what answer he should give.
He did have the choice not to answer that question. But, such a question would definitely continue to pursue him all the way to the future.
There was no way he could avoid the Association, especially when he wanted to live comfortably in this T City. So, if he and his brother wanted to stay settled without any pressure, he should at least have an 'insider' who would continue to support him.
Alvin finally looked at Jack again and answered the question.
"One day, I'll tell you. When we are more familiar," said Alvin with a friendly smile at the end of his sentence.
Hearing that, Jack's awkwardness immediately evaporated and he laughed.
"Ah... Yep... Yep... You're right.." said Jack in between his laughter. He then thrust his hand at Alvin to ask him to shake his hand. "Then, let's meet often, bro."
Alvin welcomed Jack's hand and shook his hand.
"certain."
"And thank you for helping City T today."
"Help?"
"Yes. By helping close one Dungeon gate, you've helped save millions of City T's citizens."
"Ah.., so..."
["Let's see. Are they still thanking you when they find out all the Mana cores on those monsters are disappearing?"]
'...'
["But I think he'll be a good friend to you. You better not ignore it."]
'Yes. I know that.'
......................
Jack actually wants to take Alvin home, but because Alvin still has other things he wants to do, he is forced to reject the offer.
["You didn't go to Dungeon quest from Rimi?"]
"Later."
["Huh? Aren't you waiting for it?"]
"I'll keep it until when I'm level 65."
["Huh? What's wrong with you?"]
Alvin ignored the question. He was just a bit traumatized because he was always almost dead while doing quests from Rimi. He only wanted to strengthen his status first before taking that quest.
The quest had no punishment. But, if he were to die while running his quest, wouldn't it be much heavier than a punishment? Because of that thought, Alvin finally chose to be a little more patient.
["You still have two chances to use the hidden power from me. Don't worry, you're not dead."]
"Can you not read the thoughts I think for myself?"
["I'm just reminding who knows you forgot."]
"..."
.........
Alvin finally asks Raymond to pick him up.
They then went to the Dungeon from the map that Alvin had, to perform his daily raid.
In addition to running daily, weekly, and monthly quests, Alvin is also accustomed to doing daily raids 3 times in one day and it has become his company's routine every day.
In addition to collecting treasures from the Dungeon, he also wanted to raise his level before going to the Dungeon quest that Rimi had given him.
...****************...