The Unawakened Porter's Divine System

A Spike.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After a brief drive, the faint blue glow of the dungeon portal came into view.

It stood a short distance from an abandoned Church.

Its rounded surface shimmering like a thin layer of water suspended in the air.

Unlike Gates, which looked more like jagged cracks tearing through space, dungeon entrances were usually stable and smooth.

This one was no different.

The hunters slowed as they approached.

Once they reached the entrance, the atmosphere changed.

The casual conversations stopped.

Everyone became more focused.

The hunter's dropped while the large vehicles were moved a short distance away from the portal.

The hunters began unloading their equipment. Tents were set up, supplies were arranged, and the group gathered together to discuss their strategy.

Xavier stood slightly away from them, watching.

He had entered dungeons before.

But never anything like this.

The difference wasn't just the rank.

It was the number of people.

The preparation.

The equipment.

Everything about it made the situation feel far more serious than the E-rank dungeons he was used to.

"Xavier."

He jolted as he turned.

“Y...yes?”

The Holy Maiden was standing a few steps away.

"Come with me for a moment."

Xavier followed her.

She glanced toward Alexandria.

"Alexandria."

Alexandria nodded and walked over to the package the attendant had given her earlier.

She brought it over and placed it in Xavier's hands.

"Open it." Freya said.

Xavier looked down.

He carefully loosened the package.

The moment the cloth fell away, his eyes widened.

A sword.

Its blade was long and slightly curved, forged with a deep green metal that faded into almost black along parts of its surface. It was a single-edged weapon, its shape elegant but unmistakably built for killing.

Xavier reached out and wrapped his fingers around the handle.

His hand trembled.

He immediately felt the difference.

This wasn't one of the cheap blades he'd seen E-Ranks use.

Neither was it a pickaxe or the knives he previously used.

This was a real weapon.

The weight.

The balance.

Even the faint pressure he felt through the handle.

[Host Heart Rate Is Now At 99bpm]

He began taking deeper breaths.

His instincts told him it had to be at least a D-grade weapon.

He looked at the Holy Maiden.

"What grade is it?"

She looked toward Alexandria.

"C-grade," Alexandria answered.

Xavier froze.

"C-grade?"

His grip tightened around the sword.

He looked down at it again.

C-grade.

’This could easily cover my cost of living for at least six years!’

He had never even come close to owning something like this.

His breathing became heavier.

He slowly raised the sword, staring at the blade.

For the first time since accepting the Holy Maiden's offer, the reality of everything began to sink in.

He was about to enter a D-rank dungeon.

He wasn't a porter anymore.

His life was actually changing.

And that realization was both exciting and terrifying.

The Holy Maiden watched him quietly.

"That's not all." She calmly stated.

Xavier looked up.

Alexandria handed him another item.

A pair of thick leather gloves.

They were heavily padded, with metal plates covering the knuckles.

Xavier slipped them on.

They fit perfectly.

He flexed his fingers.

Then he looked at the sword again.

[Analyzing Equipment.]

Xavier's eyes widened slightly.

[Equipment Analysis Complete.]

[Name: Unknown]

[Grade: C+]

[Condition: Excellent]

[Unique Ability: Continuous Bleed]

[Unique Ability Status: Locked]

Xavier blinked.

A C+?

He hadn't expected that.

Then another line appeared.

[Would you like to unlock the hidden ability?]

Xavier stared at the message.

"Yes."

The moment he answered, the sword trembled faintly in his hand.

[Hidden Ability Unlocked.]

[Unique Ability: Continuous Bleed]

[Effect: Wounds inflicted by this weapon resist natural clotting and natural healing.]

[Equipment Grade has increased.]

[Current Grade: B]

Xavier's mouth fell slightly open.

"B-grade!?"

He stared at the sword.

The Holy Maiden watched his reaction with a faint smile.

She couldn't quite understand his sudden surprise.

Then again, she hadn't been able to understand much about him from the beginning. So she simply smiled.

"That is what I can provide you with for now."

Xavier looked up.

"For now?"

She nodded.

"Before we enter, the Church will provide you with the standard equipment issued to the hunters we've hired."

She gestured toward the group.

"You should join them."

Xavier looked over.

Several hunters were already putting on their equipment.

The Church's standard gear wasn't anything extravagant.

A reinforced vest covered the torso, while padded guards protected their knees and shins.

Simple.

Functional.

Enough to offer some protection without restricting movement.

Xavier joined the others and began putting his equipment on.

As he did, he listened to the hunters discuss the dungeon.

"D-rank dungeon."

"Dense Forest type."

"Kobold population."

The word caught Xavier's attention.

Kobolds.

He had heard of them before.

They were short, humanoid creatures with features resembling wild canines.

They walked on two legs, but their bodies were lean and animalistic, covered in rough fur.

Unlike werewolves, they weren't large or muscular.

They were smaller.

And much more numerous.

The dungeon's environment made them even more dangerous.

Dense forest.

Heavy vegetation.

Limited visibility.

Perfect terrain for creatures that hunted in groups.

The hunters continued discussing their formation.

The stronger fighters would stay near the front.

The ranged hunters would remain behind them.

Anyone with support abilities would stay in the center.

Xavier listened carefully.

He didn't know enough to contribute.

So he simply remembered what he could.

After several more minutes, everything was ready.

The hunters gathered near the portal.

Before entering, a head count was taken.

Twelve hunters excluding Xavier, the Holy Maiden and Alexandria.

It was the largest Raid party he had ever witnessed.

The Holy Maiden stood among them, calm as ever.

Alexandria stood beside her.

Xavier was nearby, gripping his new sword awkwardly.

He stared at the glowing blue portal.

His heart began pounding.

Faster.

And faster.

His breathing became heavier.

He hadn't noticed how tense his body had become until his chest started rising and falling rapidly.

[Calm yourself.]

Xavier froze.

[You will survive.]

He swallowed.

[Remain cautious.]

His grip tightened around the sword.

[Give it your best.]

Xavier slowly closed his eyes.

He inhaled.

Once.

Then again.

His breathing gradually steadied.

When he opened his eyes, the portal was still there.

Waiting.

The Holy Maiden stepped forward.

"Let's go."

The hunters moved.

Xavier followed.

The moment he stepped through the portal, the world changed.

The first thing that hit him was the smell.

Rain.

Not the rain itself.

The scent that came just before it.

Wet leaves.

Damp soil.

Fresh vegetation.

Xavier stopped for half a second.

Everything around him was green.

Tall trees stretched toward the sky, their branches tangled together above them blocking most of the sunlight.

Thick plants covered the ground, while vines hung from the trees and disappeared into the dense forest.

Somewhere in the distance, water dripped steadily.

The air was cool.

Heavy.

Alive.

Xavier slowly took in another deep breath.

This was a dungeon.

A D-rank dungeon.

And somewhere beyond those trees were creatures that wanted to kill him.

He took another breath.

Then stepped forward.

‘Let's clear this shit...’

Outside the Dungeon.

The technical officers continued monitoring the dungeon as medical officers stood on standby.

Suddenly an alarm began blairing.

“What's that!?” One of the Senior officers asked.

“S...Sir, we are receiving a sudden spike in mana concentration.” A junior responded.

“Shit! we need to contact them immediately, their lives might be in danger.” The Senior officer rushes towards the desk.

“Umm... Sir?... The spike isn't happening inside the dungeon?” Another Junior states.

“Huh? what do you...”

Just then they all began to notice the change in the atmosphere around them.

Heavy wind began to blow as the place gradually grew darker.

“ The spike is happening here...”