The hunter market stayed alive well into the night, even after the sun had long dropped behind the horizon. Lanterns swung gently from wooden poles, throwing warm orange light across the rows of stalls while hunters shuffled between them, voices rising and falling as they haggled over prices. The air smelled like a mix of hot metal, lamp oil, and that sharp, earthy tang of monster material—dried hides, strange crystals, and bundles of herbs that made your nose twitch if you got too close.
For Aaron, this was his first real look at this side of Lemuria City. Most regular folks never bothered coming here. The market was built for the ones who actually lived and died beyond the walls, and it showed in every rough edge and loud laugh.
Rei, though, looked like a kid in a candy store. His eyes kept darting everywhere, wide and bright.
"This is insane," he whispered, stopping in front of a rack of short swords. "I've read about places like this in books, but actually being here… it hits different."
Aaron glanced around, keeping his expression easy.
The gear on display ran the full range—cheap iron stuff for newbies all the way up to pricier pieces meant for veterans. Most of it was straightforward: plain steel blades, leather armor patches, simple bows. But every now and then something caught the light in a weird way— a sword with a faint red glow along the edge, a chest plate etched with glowing runes, or glass vials filled with swirling liquids that looked anything but normal.
Every single item here was about staying alive out there.
"Try not to look like you just stepped off the farm," Aaron said under his breath.
Rei straightened up fast, clearing his throat. "Right. Got it."
They wandered from stall to stall for a while. Rei ended up buying a pair of light leather gloves that promised better grip for climbing or quick moves. He also grabbed a small pouch stuffed with basic bandages and a handful of cheap recovery herbs, holding it up like he'd just won a prize.
"Beginner essentials," he said proudly. "Can't go wrong with these."
Aaron nodded, smiling a little. "Very professional."
Rei frowned after a second. "Wait… you haven't bought anything yet."
Aaron shrugged. "Still looking."
Truth was, he wasn't planning to pick up a weapon at all. The Frostfang Dagger sitting quiet in his system inventory was already miles better than anything these stalls had. Pulling it out here would just draw eyes he didn't need. Instead, he chose a sturdy canvas backpack and a few small survival bits—a coil of rope, a folding knife, and a solid water flask. Even with the system on his side, being stupid about basics was a good way to end up dead.
A few stalls over, Luna stood at another table, quiet as always. The vendor was showing off a set of sharpening stones while she ran her thumb along the edge of a slender sword. The blade had a faint icy sheen that matched her Frostbreaker class perfectly. She listened closely as the man explained how to keep the elemental surge from fading over time.
Aaron noticed her glancing their way once or twice. Nothing obvious, but he caught it.
Rei noticed too. He leaned in close. "Brother Aaron… I'm telling you, she's watching you."
Aaron chuckled softly. "You're seeing things."
"I'm not!" Rei hissed. "Think about it. She actually talked to you twice today. For someone with her reputation, that's basically a miracle."
Aaron shook his head, amused. "Maybe she just thinks we're interesting."
Rei gave him a flat look. "You say that like it's normal."
Before Aaron could answer, Luna finished paying and walked straight toward them. Rei stood up a little straighter without meaning to.
She stopped in front of them, voice calm and even.
"If you're still shopping, pick up some cold-weather layers. The expedition leaves in the cold morning two days from now."
Aaron blinked. "Morning?"
"Hunter teams like moving out before sunrise," she explained. "Less chance of running into nocturnal monsters right at the start."
Rei nodded quickly. "That actually makes sense."
Luna's eyes flicked down to the backpack in Aaron's hand.
"At least you brought supplies."
Aaron smiled. "I listen to good advice when I hear it."
She seemed to weigh something in her head for a second, then added, "The beginner expedition usually runs one full day. Teams will scout the outer forest and clear out low-level monsters."
Her gaze settled on him.
"Don't wander off from the group."
Rei whispered under his breath, "She's definitely worried about you."
Aaron ignored him and just nodded. "Understood."
Luna gave a small nod of her own and turned to go.
But after two steps she paused, back still to them.
Without turning around she said quietly, "If you survive this… your Laborer class might end up being more useful than anyone expects."
Then she melted into the crowd.
Rei blinked hard. "Did she just… encourage you?"
Aaron let out a soft laugh. "Maybe."
They wrapped up their shopping soon after that and headed back through the quiet streets.
.....
The night passed peaceful enough.
Aaron spent some time sorting his new supplies on the table, making sure everything fit neat in the backpack. When he finally lay down, sleep didn't come easy. He stared at the ceiling of his small apartment, thoughts drifting.
Three months ago he'd been just another college kid on Earth, worrying about exams and late-night games. Now he was about to walk into monster territory for real. Life really had a funny way of flipping the script on you.
His eyes finally closed.
Then a faint mechanical ding sounded inside his head.
A new message lit up the system interface.
[Player preparing for first hunt.]
[Preparation reward detected.]
Aaron frowned slightly.
Preparation reward?
The panel showed the base item right away.
[Reward: Basic Hunter Boots (Common)]
Before he could even process it, the system kicked in on its own.
[Reward amplification triggered]
[Enhancement ×10]
A ripple of energy moved through the inventory.
Seconds later the result popped up.
[Item obtained: Windstep Hunter Boots]
Aaron sat up straight in bed.
He opened the inventory and checked the new gear.
....
Windstep Hunter Boots
Quality: Rare
Effect: Enhances movement speed and greatly reduces fatigue during long travel.
.....
He let out a low whistle.
Once again the system had taken something basic and turned it into something genuinely useful. A small smile tugged at his lips.
At this rate, even the smallest rewards were stacking up into real advantages.
The wilderness outside the walls suddenly didn't feel quite so intimidating.
....
The next morning came quicker than he expected.
Long before the first light of dawn brushed the city skyline, Aaron was already up. He washed his face with cold water, packed his bag, and stepped out into the empty streets. The air had that sharp early-morning chill that made everything feel clearer.
By the time he reached the outer checkpoint near the eastern gate, a decent group of newly awakened hunters had already gathered. Torches flickered along the high walls, and the massive steel gates loomed ahead like the entrance to another world.
Rei spotted him and waved with way too much energy.
"You made it!"
Aaron nodded, walking over. "Did you doubt me?"
"A little," Rei admitted with a grin.
A handful of Bureau officers stood nearby while a couple of experienced hunters moved through the group, checking gear and sorting teams.
Beyond those gates lay the real wilderness.
For the first time since waking up in this body, Aaron was about to see it with his own eyes.
As the eastern sky slowly brightened with the first soft hints of sunrise, the enormous gates of Lemuria City began to rumble open, metal groaning like an old giant waking up.
And just like that, the real test of this world was about to begin.