4 Chapter 4: Raid Begins (2/2)

It was cold, and there were no monsters in sight. I could see the fear of many students. Their expressions frightened, I could tell many of them wanted to go home.

But not Alec or Oma. For some strange reason, they were as calm as you could be. I mean, even I was a little scared of just being in here.

***

As we walked further, I couldn't help but notice how deserted this place was. There was just something that felt off being here.

From what I know, this is a C rank gate with monster C or lower residing within it. C rank gates are also known as the ”Middle Rank” or ”Average Rank” by many.

Due to it being the only ranking where the gates are not too hard, yet not too easy either. A and S rank being too hard to participate in, yet alone breathing in, and D or lower being far too easy, C rank was the perfect balance to send weaker or less experienced soldiers.

This was seen as perfect for first-year students. We didn't have to worry about our lives, since we had A-ranked soldiers here with us. But we were also able to let loose.

Students were not ranked yet, we didn't get ranked until after we graduated from the university. Once you graduate, they will give a permit and paper worksheet to take up to the registration office.

After that, you show them your paperwork, ID, permit, teacher signature, and then they'll send you to some sort of room.

People who didn't get into university or simply skipped it are permitted to take a series of tests to get approved as a soldier.

”Be careful.” One of the pro-soldiers told me. ”I see a dangerous amount of Goblins nearby.”

I looked ahead towards Alec and Oma who were standing behind professor Smoker at the head of the formation.

I was in the back, with two soldiers guarding me. One was able to sense or detect any life nearby, and the other was a mage. They were both A-ranked soldiers, so a gate of this caliber shouldn't pose too much of a fight.

We walked further down the destroyed city and met a large abandoned building. Professor smoker turned towards and lowered his shield to the ground.

”This is where the monsters have been hiding! I don't understand myself, but if we want to complete this raid we will go in to defeat every monster and finish off their boss.”

Professor Smoker looked rather pale announcing our plan. He was a soldier who fought countless battles in his day and even participated in the battle of minerva.

So to see him so pale somewhat frightened me, all I could think was ”what could possibly make the great Smoker get pale in the face?”

But one thing reassured me that something must've made him pale. I watched him thoroughly and noticed no trembling or irregularities in his breathing.

So I passed it off as the cold and listened to the rest of what he had to say to us.

”I know this is your first raid, but all of you must learn to overcome whatever is holding you back. On my march, we go.” He said, turning his back towards us.

”Now, let's go!” he said pushing the doors open.

Everyone marched in, not breaking formation. Their goal was to kill every monster that we were able to find.

My goal was to find any and every clue we could get to discover more about the hellions.

Inside the building was eroded concrete with vines and rotten flesh wrapped all around.

We were able to hear small footsteps in the far distance. When we entered fully, the door behind us closed shut, and torches that ran along the walls lit in harmony.

We walked farther and farther into the building and saw nothing. But then, as we were ready to rest our feet.

”Stop!” Professor Brian exclaimed. ”We are surrounded by at least ten–no fifteen monsters.”

I felt something drip on me, but thought nothing of it. I thought to myself that this building is old and destroyed, so maybe some water was dropping down.

”What?” Professor Smoker yelled. ”How come the other sensory type didn't say anything sooner?”

When we all turned to look at him and was horrified to see his headless corpse hanging by a chain and hook through the chest.

They all screamed and the tank who was assigned to guard me along with the sensory type finally said something.

”What ranking did you say this gate was again?”

”C–c ranked, it's supposed to be a C-ranked gate!” Smoker said, backing away.

”Professor, watch out!” A student yelled.

But it was too late, we watched as they pulled apart his body. Piece by piece, little by little. The tank in charge of me managed to kill the monsters that were ripping smoker apart.

”Goblins? How are goblins able to do this? No, something seems of—”

Sounds became muttered, and my vision became blurry. It seemed like space and time was becoming restored itself.

When I came to, I was lying down in a room field with Papaveraceae flowers. ”Where am I?” were the only thoughts to come to mind.

「End」