Silas waited by Jensen's side, seeing an old man along with a young boy and a girl who was in high school.

"What happened?" The old man asked pacing his way to Jensen, holding his grandson's hand. The boy and the girl walked close, but Silas grabbed some chairs to offer them a seat.

"It was a tough job, but Jensen pulled through. He saved a family by letting them get away from the monsters but he's badly injured."

"Who are you?"

"Silas...Silas Glenn." The old man's eyes lit up, looking at Silas with a pair of teary eyes.

"I... I thought you died in that fire.."

"Sorry grandpa. What happened to me was... It's complicated, but I am alive. Always loved your turkey roast. Alex and Bigby... I always kept this with me." Silas pulled out a drawing that was done by the girl 6 years ago and a baby photo of the young boy.

"You... You kept it?"

"It was the one thing that helped pull me through when I had to fight to survive for a long while." Silas said, patting the girl's head. Silas sat down, explaining about what had happened and that he'd be attending Richmond University as a First year as Silas Ryan but his real name is Silas Glenn.

"Richmond University? The private U? How did you get there?" His grandfather, Ericson asked.

"I was offered a scholarship after I rescued the Chairman of the University. At that time, I didn't remember that I was Silas Glenn. It's also going to be turning into a Hunter's Training Grounds soon." Silas spoke with a bit of hesitation, he needed to be careful but that was the background since the Supreme Goddess had written some of the details to make Silas's transition a smooth one. There shouldn't be any gaps in the story.

"Richmond is close to the house. We've been living in the Richmond apartments for a while now, but as you can see. Jensen's been pushing himself to make sure we stay safe. He earns roughly 20 thousand per Dungeon but he has to spend roughly 10 thousand for his own medical expenses. I want him to stop doing this, I'll find some work somehow." The expression on Ericson's face was painful for Silas to see. A cut in the chest, something he had never experienced. Hearing those word were enough to make Silas feel the strings of his heart be tugged, perhaps it was the effect of having the original Silas Glenn's soul in him.

An emotion that he had never felt before, was this regret? Or was it the feeling of guilt for not being there for his family? Whatever it was, Silas was going to need to figure out what to do next. This emotion felt like it was tugging his heart strings and it felt like it was eating him alive.

"It's fine, Grandpa. Let Jensen rest. I'll help out too." Ericson grabbed Silas's hand.

"I don't like seeing my children get hurt like this."

"Don't worry, I won't. Bigby, Alex. Look after grandpa and Jensen okay?"

"Okay." Silas patted their heads as he left the room, this time. It was going to be Silas taking on a job. The story about this will be that Silas was transported inside a dungeon during the fire. Then going surviving through things the best way he can, until he managed to leave the Dungeon. That was the story.

Silas went over to the Hunter's Association to register himself as a Hunter. The registration was simple, Silas was to put his hand on an orb and it will determine his power level with a glow. The dim glow had the receptionist letting out a sigh.

"You're an F-Rank. There's some dungeon missions you can take over there. Your class is a combat type, known as Grunt. You can change combat class types over there as you level up." She spoke with a bored voice, perhaps that was the norm here. The environment didn't feel the same as the Venerators Union back at home.

Correction, back at Joshua's Homeworld. It was not as friendly or as inviting. Even then people put up airs a lot but over here? It was different.The air here was heavy on the competition, people were glaring at each other and when Silas put on the F-Rank badge over his Hunting gear, he could hear the snickers.

"Just another F-Rank. Can't wait to see how long this one will survive. Hey want to make a bet? 5 grand says he's going to die."

"Why bother betting when he looks weak and puny like that?"

"He's just a kid, so lay it off. But kids going to war when it's an adult thing." Silas heard it, but when he took a moment to look through their powers. C-Ranks who was an Advanced Ranger, a Warlock mage and a Heavy Knight. If it was the Lord of Thorns, he could use his power of Supreme Rule to force them to kneel, but that shouldn't be part of it.

Silas went over to the board to look at the F-Ranked Dungeons that were available. One of which was a location called the Blasphemous Temple. One that had a spot open for an F-Rank. Mainly the duty is to be a collector, collecting drops and looting the bodies. The pay was at 10 thousand dollars, it's a good start. Silas went ahead to register, only to see the group of Hunters that was led by a D-Rank with a few E-Ranks in the mix.

"Hey kid, you're new right?" Silas nodded to the question, hearing snarky remarks about how Silas would be an easy kill for the monsters.

"The Blasphemous Temple is a tough job, even for a C-Rank. What's your class?"

"Grunt." The others started laughing.

"Oh you really got the end of the short stick, Grunts are basically cannon fodder. Your job is to just hit and don't die. But you're joining us as a collector. So you'll be using the rental collector gear to help make sure we get stuff. My name's Bradley. Alright, let's go." Bradley said as the others followed him.

"Don't let them get to ya. We're a rowdy bunch." Another man said, shouldering his rifle.

"We're a bunch of delinquents that one day woke up as Hunters and we take some decent jobs here and there but stick close to me. I'll keep ya safe. Name's Ian. I'm the only ranged guy in the group. Everyone else just likes to go in and attack with their brute strength." Ian was different from the others, he had a proper combat gear whereas the other wore some uncommon enchanted gear. They got into the trucks that brought the 15 Hunters to their location.

Ian seemed nice but Silas's experience with people said something was off. It felt like a snake that was just entangling its prey, waiting to consume it. Closing his eyes, Silas found himself in his world. Midnight Haze, this time going over to pick up a book to read. The Hunter's Manual. Killing another Hunter in self defense is allowed and there was also the fact that if one person takes the loot of the Hunter that was killed, there'd be no penalty and the weapon would be registered to the killer who got it.

Silas looked over at his gear, it was all white. The words 'Common' were highlighted in white. The tier order was as follows.

Common- simple gear that can be equipped.

Uncommon which was gear that slightly better than common.

Rare which was gear that had unique status effects, bonuses and maybe a few penalties here and there.

Mythic which was gear that was stronger than 5 commons and it would have unique effects.

Phantasm which referenced to gear which had higher types of status effects and affinities.

Divine/Cursed these were the highest rarity of gears, they have a special note attached to them. Flavour text that explains their origins and the weapon itself. Capable of adding stat bonuses, even have special attacks or special buffs or special links associated with it.

Silas's gears were white on the surface, but there was the hint of black which referred to his unique weapon status. It seems that nobody has been able to see through it, perhaps it was due to the Lord of Thorns's passive kicking in. The black was likely a reference to the Black Rose, the symbol of new hope by Silas's side.His weapons were all black even his clothing was black.

Silas opened up his eyes to feel the truck come to a stop, as the Hunter stepped out with Silas carrying the collector gear, looking at the dungeon's entrance. It was unlike the Spires, merely a large portal. Where there figures in suits just observing things.

"Just show your tag. You'll be alright." Ian said, Silas showed the tag as they stepped into it. Finding themselves in front of a damaged temple. The temple's doors were as tall as a 5 storey building. Bradley put on his pair of gauntlets as the doors opened. Unveiling the ghouls that came out from the door.

"Alright! Let er' Rip Lenny!" The guy named Lenny was carrying a gatling gun, unleashing a storm of hail through the ghouls. The other Hunters waited for Lenny to finish firing.

"I'm out! All yours!" Lenny stepped back in the formation to reload as they readied their weapons. Bradley unleashed a roar that buffed his allies's attack for the next 3 minutes. 10% increase, they went ahead to start fighting. Close range to break through the formation of ghouls. Lenny was loading his gatling gun with a fresh batch of ammunition while Ian was firing his rifle. Taking pot shots at enemies that were going to hurt the other Hunters.

They had good teamwork, but Silas had no time to enjoy it. He grabbed the loot, placing them inside the bag while Lenny kept an eye on him. The drops included ghoul teeth, ghoul fangs, ghoul bile ducts. Ghoul meat. A few rare drops such as broken medallion, broken blasphemy knife or a broken blasphemy staff.

"Come on." Silas nodded as he followed Lenny and Ian inside. He was going to be observing their teamwork. Silas was still collecting the drops, the ghouls were a horde but these guys were clearing it like it was nothing.

Silas was thinking of Jensen's weapon, it was similar to Donovan's blade. A long sword, but the weapon that Jensen had used was a basic sword. The techniques were long sword style. Perhaps Silas could request Donovan to teach Jensen long swords properly. The collection was going fine, until a body flew past Iacus, it was Bradley who was coughing up blood. The enemy type that was present was a Minotaur but it looked different. It had more of a skeletal appearance to it, with its body smelling like rot.

'Status Effect : Rotten Smell. Weakens defense by 20% until Decayed Minotaur dies' Silas noticed it, Lenny was firing off his weapons to stop it. The others were being pushed back. Silas pulled out a potion, passing it to Bradley.

"Here." Bradley coughed up blood and he took it. Silas took a moment to notice a blade being stuck in a minotaur's rib. Only for the Hunter to be swung aside like it was nothing.

"Damn... A minotaur's tough. You might die here, newbie. Better run." Bradley watched his wounds heal up. Then seeing Silas put a dozen potions by his side. One by one they were all thrown, Silas used his magic to lighten the impact. Then dragging them close to Bradley, passing them the potion as Ian was thrown to the wall.

"Ian!" Lenny got back up, Silas passed the potions to them. Ian was able to make it through thanks to his Uncommon vest but the damage on his health was there. He was at death's door, he could die at any moment if he was reckless. The minotaur grabbed a broken pillar, swinging it down to Ian. Silas dashed close to grab Ian.

"I'm alive?" Silas put Ian beside Bradley. The others were getting up, but the potion was taking its time to heal them back to full health. Silas left another dozen potions for them.

"New guy. Are you crazy?" Silas scratched the back of his head as he readied his bat. A sword would only get stuck in its body. The Decaying Minotaur roared at Silas, only to look around. Silas then appeared by the side. smacking its eye. Groaning in pain as it was stumbled to the left. Silas was hanging by the horn, smacking the head to the side. The minotaur smacked itself, where Silas was standing on the other side as he grabbed the fur.

'Status : Staggered.'

"It's staggered!" Silas shouted, he wasn't sure what staggered meant but at the very least, the others might know what it was.

"Alright! Come on guys! We can't let the newbie take all the glory! Come on!" They began attacking in full force, Bradley punched the legs to the left, while Ian was firing to its head. Ian was aiming for the eye, trying to blind the decaying minotaur. The foul stench didn't bother Silas, he was going to keep smacking the Decaying Minotaur's head until it began to crack.

The 5000 HP was reduced to 200 with just a few hits. Another status effect appeared.

'Status : Cracked Bones. Weakens Decaying Minotaur's attacks by 80%.' So this meant that blunt weapons were useful against enemies like this. Bradley punched the Decaying Minotaur's head, causing it to fall down. Motionless as blue drops appeared. 15 rare items that was present.

"Hey newbie, take one. You'll need it. Still, why a bat?"

"I saw that one of you had a blade stuck to the ribs. So I thought maybe using a bat to strike its head would do the job. If you hit something hard enough, it'll start to feel the pain." The other Hunters looked at each other and laughed.

"Huh. That's a simple solution. I never thought about it, but these rare items. 15. One for each of us. Hey newbie, pick out what you like. My rule is whoever that got the strategy for the kill should pick first." Bradley said with a large grin, as Silas made his choice. It was a set of barbed wire, the sharpness was at expert sharpness. Silas put it over his bat.

The Gates Bat.

ATK: 60 + 15

STATUS Effect

Dazed- Enough damage to an enemy causes them to be in a state of confusion. Not guaranteed to work on all enemies.

Bleed : The addition of the barbed wire around the bat grants a bleeding status to the enemy.

Note : True potential has been hidden during dungeons. It's got more damage than what it suggests but the damage will come from its ATK status. Only when you choose to unlock its potential during certain phases of combat will it change..

"Damn. Now I'm getting shivers just looking at it. You're not bad newbie. I expected you to be a bit more terrified but you seem calm... Calm like... What was that fruit again?" Lenny turned to Ian who let out a sigh.

"Cool as a cucumber, Lenny. If you don't get that right, how can we face Miss Morgan later? She'll prolly get mad at you for not remembering the basic phrases." Ian said, looking at Silas with a relieved smile.

"Those potions must have been expensive. They healed us much faster than the Association's usual potions. Did you make it yourself?" Ian said, where Silas nodded.

"Alright. You know what, take a break newbie. You must have been tired from the action." Silas nodded as he took a break, seeing the Rotten Smell debuff stick to him for a while longer and he took a bit of health damage. Silas sat down as his health started to regenerate bit by bit. He thought that they were dangerous bunch, but they seemed like a bunch of softies.

Silas wonders what's their reason for being Hunters. Their age gap was about 5 years, they were older than him and must have been like this for a while. When the break was over, Silas helped out with collecting the loot, and he even managed to keep the pieces of the Decaying Minotaur's bones and some of its meat. Moving along with Bradley. They were much cautious than before, but when the ghouls were back. They just kept on fighting. The ghouls were taken down within seconds. A blue glow appeared on Lenny, who was excited. Giggling like a schoolgirl meeting her crush, but there must be a good reason.

"Seems like you leveled up Lenny. Getting some assist experience with your attacks." Ian said where Lenny chuckled. The big guy seemed like an oaf but his support with the gatling gun was superb. Reminded Silas of a much more inexperienced Leon but if Lenny got the training, he may be far more dangerous with that gatling gun alone. Bradley on the other hand fought with hand to hand and those gauntlets had fangs at it. Lugasa or Guren would be a good trainer for him. Ian's marksmanship was fine but his battle sense was bad. It makes sense why he was a good support, his support thinking focused on making the fights easier for his allies but it would leave him open for attacks. A Trooper from the Suicide Division would be a good coach.

Seems like Silas has already considered these people to be good allies, even if the thoughts that he had was an idle one. Heading in deeper to the temple, it seems that there's more coming in. More ghouls to fight, while Silas stayed behind.

"Hey newbie, come join us! Grab your bat and start swinging!" Silas smiled as he put the collection bag over his shoulder, then he joined the fray. Swinging the bat fast, then shoving it through a ghoul's head. Kicking the ghouls back.

"Lenny!" Silas ducked as Lenny opened fire to where Silas was, blasting away the ghouls with ease.

"Nicely done, Newbie! You sure you're fine with giving Lenny the kills? You won't be able to level up this way." Silas nodded.

"Hey, you took on a newbie like me without an issue. I think you guys should get the kills. I'll just do what I'm paid to do. Grab the loot."