"The local government does not owe you, or your family anything."

"It's up to you to come up with a game plan. Sink or swim, it's your choice."

"In trying times like this, the strong will survive and the weak will perish."

"You are all well capable of providing for yourselves. Grow up, grow a pair, and step up."

"A message from the emergency government of Berrystone City. Erhm." The dude on the stage cleared his throat. "I will proceed to repeat this message."

"Oh fuck you! There are fucking murderous monsters out there! You want us to fight those with our bare hands?!"

"Fuck You! You hear me?! FUUUCK You!" Someone in the crowd shouted.

"What the fuck did we pay our tax for then!"

"Let us into the nuclear bunker!"

"Where is the army!"

"When are you guys going to clear out the monsters out there!"

Heading towards the sanctuary hiring station, this was what Jeff walked into.

There was a dude standing on a stage, repeating the same message into a megaphone. A dozen unarmed bodyguards stood behind that dude.

Below the small stage was a crowd of 200 to 300 angry protestors. All of them were shouting at once. It's just a mess. It's impossible for Jeff to hear what they were saying clearly.

Behind the stage, there was a newly-erected ten-feet wall. There were also barbed wires on the walls. Behind the stage, there was a closed gate.

Looking past the wall, Jeff could see warm yellow lights penetrating the dense fog.

'So the buildings inside have electricity...'

Jeff looked around. At this rate, he was not getting in anytime soon.

Someone passed a note to the dude on the stage.

"Erhm. Look. The nuclear fallout bunker will not be open unless there is a nuclear fallout. Alright." The dude spoke in a flat voice.

"You all can protest here all day long, but there will be no handouts."

"There's free food and shelter in the city for grabs. It will be more productive if you go and search for food, instead of ranting here, alright?"

"SCREW You!" Someone in the crowd shouted really loudly.

"Well." The speaker shrugged. "I'm just here to read the message. You can swear at me all day, but I don't call the shots around here."

"Anyways, if you want to become a contractor, it's to your right." The dude gestured for a direction. "And now, I shall proceed to repeat the message from the emergency government of Berrystone City."

'Uh huh...' Jeff nodded and left.

Following the wall, Jeff walked down the street. There were also some buildings connected to the wall. The doors of those buildings were barred shut though.

For some strange reason, this reminded Jeff of a famous medieval real-time-strategy game.

'Using buildings as walls huh...'

In some time, Jeff reached a three stories recreation center. Well, this place looked somewhat lively. There was even a small line-up going on.

In a moment, it was Jeff's turn.

Walking up the stairs, Jeff nodded at the smoking doorman.

"Applying to be a contractor?" The doorman puffed out a ring of smoke.

"Yeah."

"What role?"

"Hunter."

The doorman raised a brow at Jeff. "In the gym at underground level 2."

"Thanks..." Jeff raised his brows at the doorman as well. 'What's up with that look.'

Walking into this building, Jeff looked around. This place was lit up. All the lights were functioning as usual.

Looking to the right, through the glasses, there was an orientation inside that empty pool.

In the middle of the hall, papers were stuck onto whiteboards by magnets. Taking a closer look... Yep, it's the detailed role descriptions.

Some people had gathered up by the whiteboards. Some people in suits lined up outside meeting rooms. Some people still fanatically flipped through textbooks, as if they were doing last minute preparations for a final exam.

Only small chatters and flipping of papers could be heard here. Jeff could feel the nervousness in the air. 'Huh... Is there an interview for hunters...'

For an instance, Jeff felt a little nervous too.

Without further hesitation, Jeff walked down the stairs. Two levels underground...

After pulling open the unlocked door, Jeff squinted a little at the light. The rows of fluorescent lights lit up this place real well.

Apparently, this entire level was a gym.

And then, Jeff understood why the doorman gave him that look.

There were around twenty people waiting here already.

Five of them were holding compound bows or recurve bows. These guys formed a small group.

The other fellas were carrying their firearms. Old school double barrels. Semi-automatic rifles. Hunting rifles... Those guys formed another group.

Jeff looked at the dagger by his waist.

Looking at the size of these guys... Looking at his own arms...

Looking at their camouflaged outfits and backpacks... Looking at his hoodie...

Apparently, everyone here looked like veteran soldiers or experienced hunters...

Jeff felt a little out of place.

"Son. You look like you walked into the wrong party." A dude holding a shotgun let out a coarse laugh.

Some big dudes laughed as well. Some snickered and went back to their own conversations.

"This place ain't for scouts boy. The scavengers entrance test is at the ground level pool." It's a dude holding a bow this time. The dude spoke like his advice was for Jeff's own good.

'Huh...' Jeff raised a brow.

'Aura Vision.'

'Beast Instincts.'

Looking around, feeling the feedbacks, Jeff lightly nodded.

What could he say. Jeff could only describe these guys with five words: 'So weak, yet so confident.'

Heck. Even Alice had a brighter glow than these guys. (Aura Vision: The brighter the glow, the stronger that being is likely to be.)

"Yeah... Thanks. But this is the right place for me." Jeff pulled a number from the ticket dispenser.

[258]

"Well. Don't say we didn't warn ya." The archer shrugged and shook his head. Leaving Jeff with a playful smile, the dude went back to his conversation.

Seeing that nobody here was inviting, Jeff walked around the gym by himself.

Finding a spot, leaning against a mirror, Jeff waited by himself.

Jeff didn't plan to hold back. He had a simple belief.

'The resources I get depends on the power and promise I show.'

'There will be challenges. But I'm not afraid.'

During this wait time, some more fellas walked in. Some walked out. Some stayed.

Time slipped by. Gradually, the number of people in this gym reached about 50.

The loud chatter died down. The people here were gathering up at an empty space now. Jeff followed the crowd.

Forming a wide and sparse arc, they surrounded a dude who looked like a model. Waxed hair. Wearing a crisp dress shirt. Holding a clipboard and a briefcase.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Broadsword. A-rank hunter. I will be your examiner today."

"First of all, thank you for choosing the sanctuary and coming here."

"Now. Let's get right into it, shall we."

"To some of you's dismay, there is no written exams." Broadsword looked at Jeff.

Laughter broke out in this room.