The Johannesburg Gate Hub was a massive circular structure built directly over a localized spatial fracture. It was the primary deployment center for all official guild operations in the city.

The interior looked like a high tech military airport. Heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter while logistics teams loaded crates of monster cores onto armored transport trucks. In the center of the facility dozens of glowing portals shimmered in the air ranging in color from dull green to bright crimson.

Glen Isla and Caleb walked through the main entrance drawing immediate attention.

They did not look like a standard guild team. They wore no matching uniforms or corporate logos. Caleb was dressed in a stylish dark purple coat leaning casually on his wooden staff. Isla wore her signature black duster her dual runic pistols holstered at her hips. Glen walked in the center wearing a reinforced black combat jacket with his massive black longsword strapped to his back.

They approached the primary clearance desk. The officer behind the reinforced glass looked up from his terminal his eyes scanning their youthful faces.

"Guild affiliation and deployment orders" the officer said his tone bored and dismissive. "If you are academy students you are in the wrong building. The training gates are three blocks down."

Glen did not say a word. He simply reached into his jacket pulled out the solid black metallic card and slid it across the counter.

Isla and Caleb did the same placing their black cards next to his.

The officer looked down. His bored expression vanished instantly replaced by wide eyed shock. He looked at the cards then looked back up at the three teenagers.

"Independent Licenses" the officer stammered quickly sitting up straight. "I apologize. We rarely see free agents in this sector. Especially ones so... young. Which gate are you requesting access to?"

"Show us the open B Rank gates" Isla said leaning against the glass. "Something with high monster density. We are not here to mine ore. We are here to hunt."

The officer typed frantically on his terminal. A holographic map projected onto the glass displaying several glowing red dots.

"We have a fresh B Rank fracture that opened twelve hours ago" the officer said pointing to a jagged red icon. "Designation is the Sunken Necropolis. It is an underground ruin type dungeon. High concentration of undead and shadow type monsters. The Valor Guild was scheduled to clear it tomorrow but since you have Independent status you have priority access."

"We will take it" Glen said taking his card back.

"Understood" the officer said pressing a button on his console. "Gate four is yours. Be advised the recommended party size for a B Rank ruin is ten Hunters. You only have three."

"We are more than enough" Caleb smiled twirling his staff.

The trio walked away from the desk and headed toward gate four. The portal was a swirling vortex of dark purple energy radiating a cold unnatural chill.

"A B Rank dungeon for our first run" Caleb said adjusting his collar. "Are we sure about this? The monsters in there are going to be significantly faster and stronger than the academy training holograms."

"That is the point" Glen said drawing his heavy black longsword. The weapon hummed slightly as he channeled a fraction of his mana into the hilt. "We need real combat experience. We need to push our limits. If things get too heavy we fall back. But we are not running from a fight."

Isla drew her pistols the icy blue runes flaring to life. "Just stay out of my line of fire you two. I am not paying your medical bills if any of you catch a stray bullet."

"Just shoot, do not worry about me" Glen smirked.

Without another word Glen stepped forward and walked directly into the purple vortex. Isla and Caleb followed close behind.

The spatial transition was instantaneous. The bright lights and mechanical hum of the Gate Hub vanished replaced by absolute darkness and the smell of ancient dust.

Glen’s boots hit solid stone. He activated his enhanced Level 15 senses his eyes quickly adjusting to the gloom.

They were standing in a massive underground cathedral. The ceiling was lost in the shadows supported by towering stone pillars that were crumbling with age. The floor was covered in cracked marble tiles and shattered statues of forgotten gods. Faint glowing moss grew along the walls providing the only source of light.

"Atmosphere is breathable" Caleb said tapping his staff against the floor. "But the mana density is incredibly thick. It feels heavy."

"Keep your eyes open" Isla whispered raising her pistols. "We are not alone."

From the shadows between the massive stone pillars movement flickered.

Low guttural growls echoed through the ruined cathedral. Glowing red eyes ignited in the darkness one pair after another until dozens of them surrounded the trio.

Stepping into the dim light of the glowing moss were the guardians of the Necropolis. They were massive skeletal knights wearing rusted iron armor and wielding jagged broadswords. Dark purple mana leaked from their empty eye sockets.

"Shadow Knights" Caleb identified his grip tightening on his staff. "High defense high physical damage. They usually hunt in packs."

"Perfect" Glen smiled rolling his shoulders. He gripped his heavy black sword with both hands. "We need to warm up anyway."

The lead Shadow Knight let out a piercing shriek and charged forward its heavy iron boots cracking the marble floor. The rest of the undead pack followed swarming toward the three Hunters like a wave of rusted metal and dark magic.

"Sterling" Glen called out. "Give me an opening."

"You got it" Caleb grinned. He slammed his wooden staff into the ground. "Gravity Well."

A localized field of intense gravity erupted in the center of the charging undead pack. Ten of the massive Shadow Knights were instantly crushed against the floor their rusted armor groaning and buckling under the immense pressure. They thrashed wildly unable to lift their weapons.

Glen did not hesitate. He activated Lightning Movement.

Blue electricity sparked around his legs and he vanished from his starting position. He reappeared directly above the pinned Shadow Knights his heavy black longsword raised high over his head.

He brought the massive blade down with devastating force.

The impact shattered the marble floor and completely obliterated the three Shadow Knights caught in the center of the strike. Bone and rusted iron exploded outward in a shower of shrapnel.

"Three down" Glen smirked standing up from the crater. "Who is next?"