Dungeon Raider System

Meeting with Chuck, the head of the rangers, went even better than Uriel expected. Not only did he find out that Charlie was Chuck's daughter, he also got acquainted with the head of the Cryptid hunting agency.

Technically, they were both government officials and they should have been after Uriel to arrest him, but confirming that there were cryptids within city walls got them thinking that maybe the reason why everyone wanted the young hunter arrested or dead could be because he learned something he shouldn't have.

Because of that, they both agreed to help him, though the only tihng Uriel wanted was for them to call Mister Scofield back to the city. It was a small favor, especially after taking into consideration that they may have it even without him asking, but that didn't mean it would come without strings attached.

"I refuse." Uriel shook his head.

"I don't get it, kid, you joined our ranks on your own will, why are you refusing to join the rangers?"

"Isn't it obvious? He's a hunter, hunters have a lot more freedom than rangers." The head of the Cryptid hunting agency whose nickname Uriel still didn't know know scoffed.

"Nonsense, he only did it because he wanted to become a ranger. Why else would he study under my daughter?" Chuck had a point, before being kicked out, Charlie did mention Uriel was her student, but that wasn't the reason why he asked to become her apprentice.

In fact, he never wanted to become a ranger, a fighter, a field medic or an engineer. Those were the defined roles for hunters and Uriel never wanted to be a hunter to begin with. He always wanted to be an archaeologist and hunting cryptids was always a means to an end for him.

However, now that the survival of the whole city was on stake, he needed to choose a path for himself or else he would find himself out of allies.

"I have something different in mind. The only reason I joined the hunters was to earn some money and It's been great so far, but I don't really appreciate being hunted by the Cryptid hunting agency every time someone places a bounty on me."

"Then become a ranger, placing a bounty on rangers is forbidden by law." Chuck proposed, but Uriel shook his head.

"That won't cut it either. I'd be getting annoying calls everytime someone commits a crime and people will see me and ask for help. The first time a citizen came to me for help it was to look for a lost cat and you know how that ended."

"Then, what are you proposing?"

"Well, my company is called Dungeon Raiders, and that's what I intend on doing. We'll sell some orichalcum, probably make gadgets and weapons and will certainly kill cryptids, but our main focus will be on managing dungeons." Uriel's plan was beyond perfect. It would allow Medusa craft whatever she wanted, Luna to study cryptids, Nika to manage the company while he 'studied' ancient artifacts.

"I'm sorry, but you're a bit late. The Fallen corporation has sided with the government and they're managing the dungeons. That's how they amassed their fortune."

"What!? How come I'm only finding out about this now?" Uriel was taken aback by the revelation, but he shouldn't have. Sam knew him well and anticipating Uriel's moves was easy for him. After realizing this, all Uriel could do was to inwardly cuss at Sam for becoming so competent after joining hands with Water warlock and not while he was still his ally.

"I can't say I'm against it, they've been putting that money on all the right places. They've built hospitals, schools and they're even donating money for the slums." Chuck voiced his opinion, but he was quickly shut down by Uriel.

"I thought this was obvious, but building hospitals is most likely what he came up with to keep the vampires fed. They need a lot of blood and what better place to get it than a hospital?"

"I see, but the schools..."

"Skinwalkers can thrive on any place with lots of people, I wouldn't be surprised if they use the schools as hunting grounds. What worries me the most is the slums. I have no clue as to what could they possibly be using them for." Uriel placed his hand on his chin on a pensive manner, but he couldn't arrive at any conclusions without investigating on field. Something he was very reluctant to do.

"Whatever you choose to do is only up to you, but unless you're planning on leaving this city, you should work with us."

"I'll take that into consideration, but I'll be fine for the time being." Uriel replied, even if he didn't believe his own words.

"I don't mean it in a figurative way or in the distant future, I have work for you."

"Work? I just said I refused to follow your orders. Besides, you have all the hunters in the city backing you up, why would you need me specifically?"

"I can issue orders to all hunters in this city and, like it or not, that includes you. I know our cryptid agency has mistreated you in the past, but I'm afraid I can only ask this of you because I fear some hybrids may already be infiltrated amidst our ranks."

"What's in it for me?" Uriel's eyes sharpened.

"The recognition of our city, fulfilling your duty as a hunter," The woman began speaking, but when she noticed how Uriel was quickly losing interest she added. "a sizeable economic reward."

Uriel's eyes lit up brightly as those words tickled his greed and he agreed on the spot, before even listening to the job description. He thought it'd be something like killing hybrids left and right, but he could not have been any more wrong.

"There's something strange going on at the south district. I can feel the disturbance and was planning on going there myself, but if cryptids are involved my presence will only make things worse as I'm nearing the holy rank."