Chapter 4: I'm New Here (1)
Note: Last reminder that my MC is bisexual (he is going to end up dating a female and male; polyamorous relationship). So if it is not for you, you have the chance to leave before continue reading. (Relationship is PG with only attraction and short kisses mentioned. Fighting and profanity is R-18)
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"What is the job?" Neban asked.
"Tonight, two M-levels and four A-levels from PetalGreen Company are going to try a mid-level dungeon, and they need four porters. Can you take this job?" Xan answered.
"Where is it?"
"The address is 5445 Liven St, the place where the first Korn Bakery used to be."
Korn Bakery was one of the first places to get destroyed when the dungeons came into the world, meaning that this dungeon must be one of the old unexplored ones. Should they be allowed in there? Because Neban heard how old dungeon levels are erratic.
After a minute of thinking, he decided to take the job. Neban has never been to the old unexplored dungeons from twelve years ago; this would be interesting. "I will take it." He said before ending the call without waiting for a response.
"Papa! I want to play on the swings!" His son shouted. Neban looked at him before nodding. He stood up, pocketing his phone while making his way towards Theo. 'I wonder how I should break it to him that I am leaving tonight. Hopefully, my parents won't mind me dropping him off at their place.' He thought along the way.
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Neban used [Shadow Travel] to appear at the location once night came.
He wore a black and white cloak with a hoodie and zipper; it was similar to what he used to wear as a hunter. His pants were simple black ones with a bondage pattern going down them. He did have his fake glasses on as he pushed them up; they were a bit big and round, blocking off his green eyes.
Neban saw three other porters waiting at the front of the dungeon for the hunters. They hadn't noticed Neban, yet, which gave him time to smooth his reddish-brown hair more into his face; he wanted his face to be covered as much as it can without a mask.
When he made his way towards the porters, they looked at him. They were confused about if he was the fourth porter or a hunter. But, then again, the hunters were coming together. So that should make the man a porter.
"Uh, are you a porter?" One of them asked.
"Yes," Neban answered with a dead tone as he stuffed his hands in his pocket; he seemed laid-back, but at the same time, not.
The porters did not believe it. Neban had an intimidating and robust aura that told others not to mess with him, or he will fuck them up. It made them not want to come close to him because of it.
"Are you sure?" The porter bravely asked, but when Neban looked at them with a blank expression and a raised eyebrow, the person started to feel the last drop of their confidence walk away.
"I-I mean, are y-you an F-level?"
"Yes," Neban answered without elaborating on anything else. He was never a good talker. People thought he did not talk because he did not have an interest in it and due to him not liking talkative people, which was accurate, but at the same time, not.
Even though he was already a grown man, he never took the time to learn social skills. During school, he ran from presentations and stayed in the shadows most of the time, so he never made friends. And his parents could not teach him in the beginning, because they used to work a lot during those times.
So his responses were always short or weird because he does not know how to socialize with others.
The porters started to sweat at his answer, not knowing how to respond, so another spoke out, changing the subject.
"My name is Isona; I am 18 and an F-level. My abilities came two years ago, and I am still new, possibly confused, on being a porter." One of the porters introduced themselves.
Isona had chest-length blonde hair that she let flow with the wind instead of wearing it up. Her eyes were dark brown, almost looking black as her face was round. She had on a plain purple sweater with dark blue jeans on. Neban would admit, she is a stunning girl.
"My name is Owain; I am 24 and an F-level. I've been a porter for four years now, so if you have any questions, you can ask me." The one who kept asking him questions spoke.
Owain had shoulder-length blue hair; he most likely dyed it, as his eyes were a nice blue color. It seemed like he wanted his hair to match his eyes. He had on a black button-up shirt with faded blue jeans. The man was very plain-looking, with his hair and eyes only being the interesting part.
Neban wondered if he missed the memo on something because what was up with them wearing jeans?
"My name is Wey; I am also 24 and an F-level. I've been a porter for six years. And, Isona, I can explain some stuff to you after the last person introduces himself." The third porter said.
Wey is gorgeous. So was Isona, but Wey looked better than her. He had short hair and long bangs, but he split them down the middle. His hair was black, but his bangs were white. He had a rectangular-shaped face with a mole under his bottom lip. He wore a checkerboard turtleneck shirt with some blue jeans. Neban would admit, he was a bit mesmerized by the man's look.
The others turned towards Neban, waiting for him to introduce himself; he stared back at them, not saying anything.
It was silent for a while until Wey cleared his throat, "Do you want to introduce yourself?"
Neban nodded but still did not say anything; he wondered how he should introduce himself.
Another long second passed in silence as Wey was getting ready to say something until Neban finally opened his mouth.
"Neban. 27. F-level. I'm new here." He answered as short as possible.
The others looked at him, once again, not knowing what to say to his response. They started to wonder if the man was going to be like this the whole time.
"Uh, since the hunters are not here yet, I will explain being a porter to you, Isona," Wey told her as he looked away from Neban.
Isona nodded as she waited for Wey to start. Neban was also interested in learning, but he did not look like he was on the surface.
"A few years after the phenomenon that happened when the dungeons came, people knew that the F-levels were too weak to enter them. F-levels were quick to die and barely lasted long because they did not possess the same abilities as the other hunters.
"It was like being a super-powered human, only minus the power.
"Well, F-levels still wanted to enter the dungeons and experience it, but how could they when they always died the first few minutes inside? One day, the answer was evident when some hunters needed someone to carry their things for them while getting the loot that the monster's dropped.
"Citizens could not enter, and all the other hunters, D-level and higher, were busy fighting, so who did that leave? The F-levels. So, the hunters used an F-level to carry their things for them while collecting what was needed. And all it took was one person to do it before it shot out and became popular.
"Porters were born. Our purpose is to help the hunters out by carrying their things while collecting the loot. It allows the hunters to fight more effectively while giving them time to rest.
"Being a porter seems like an easy job because all we do is carry and collect, but it is the job with the highest death rates. And the reason is that we could get caught in the crossfire if we are not paying attention.
"Do not forget that we are not strong enough to fight the monsters.
"To remain safe, stay behind the hunters, and when it is time to collect or rest, be extra cautious about your surroundings. It would be nice to change our level, but we are stuck with what we wake up with, so learn how to survive with it.
"Any questions?" Wey finished explaining. Neban was amazed that the man could speak that long without getting tired.
"I got it for now," Isona said, taking in what she learned.
Wey nodded, and no one said anything as they heard a car pulling up. When they turned towards the noise, they saw a dark blue van appear. Once it stopped near them, six hunters were coming out with weapons in their hands. Two of the hunters were holding big bags.
They stopped when they glanced at Neban. As they stared at him, Neban used [Almighty Mind] to read their thoughts.
'Is that a porter?'
'That dude has a crazy aura; what the hell?'
'Damn, this guy had me stopping for a sec. He is crazy tall.'
'Is the company getting confused about whom the F-levels are because that dude cannot possibly be one?'
"Hello, we are the porters that will be working with you tonight." Owain moved to the front, sticking his hand out at the hunters. After hearing Owain's voice, their thoughts cut out.
'I hope they are not assholes like the others.' Neban heard Owain think.
One of the hunters looked to be the leader with the way the others were staring at her. Her aura was powerful, and the hunters backed up as they let her through. She walked up to Owain, shaking his hand as she smiled, "Hi, we cannot wait to work with all of you."
'These porters will be fun to play with.' Neban gazed at the woman as he heard her thoughts.