If only… I could go back to that day…Perhaps my only "secrets" would still be just my face and the status hidden beneath this mask.
…
…
The HermitRosaline, age 18.
The area where Rosaline's team had set up their temporary base was a highland plateau adjacent to a vast lake—part of what was once the Amazon rainforest. Since the appearance of the De-vons 300 years ago, the world had changed at a terrifying pace. The melting of the polar ice caps had caused sea levels to rise so drastically that within a century, the ice was gone, triggering a global flood.
Coastal cities worldwide were swallowed by the abyss, along with islands and low-lying regions. Only countries situated on high plateaus or far inland managed to survive. Even here, in the Amazon, 60 percent of the land sat underwater, transformed into a scattered network of massive lagoons. Vegetation had mutated, sprouting from beneath the saltwater to survive in this new, submerged environment.
"Alright, Hermit, Lapez—come and eat," a senior female Hunter called out. In front of her, a line of Hunters stood waiting for their morning rations.
Lapez moved to the queue obediently, followed by Rosaline. The line was long, and it took nearly five minutes before they finally received their food. A total of 108 Hunters were participating in this operation; everyone was Rank S or, at the very least, Rank A. It was, for all intents and purposes, a small-scale war.
Once breakfast was finished, 'Ready,' the mission leader—a legendary Greatsword warrior and the team's primary tank—stood before them.
"Our target is Aternum. The only information we have so far is that it is a humanoid entity… but regardless, we are moving into 'The Darkness.'"
"What about the scouting unit we sent in the other day?" a Hunter asked.
Ready fell dead silent. Seeing this, Rosaline felt a surge of anxiety. Normally, scouts were only tasked with reconnaissance and immediate return. Even if they encountered obstacles, they shouldn't have lost contact so easily.
Ready's expression darkened. "Their life signals… they've vanished."
Rosaline's eyes widened. A wave of murmurs erupted around her—a mixture of tension, disbelief, and a creeping suspicion that was rapidly turning into terror. The situation grew suffocating as everyone realized their numbers had likely dwindled to 103.
"Those five scouts were among the best in the Association!" someone shouted in panic.
Ready knew this would happen, but he pushed forward. "We must continue the mission regardless. 'The Darkness' is expanding across the forest. If left unchecked, the Dungeon territory will keep growing, and if this continues, the unthinkable might happen."
Code name: 'The Darkness'—a Rift-type Dungeon located about ten kilometers from their current position. At first, it was merely a pitch-black dome that swallowed even the sunlight, only a kilometer in diameter. However, in just two days, it had expanded to five kilometers. Equipment sent inside rendered useless, forcing them to rely on human scouts for data.
"But we can't fight with this little information," another Hunter argued. "Commander Ready, please send another scouting team. Or better yet, why not invite the 'Golden Chairs'?"
"We won't send anyone else to die in vain. As for the Golden Chairs, they are currently occupied with the Fourth Great Gate near the Phlegraean Forge," Ready explained, his voice laced with exhaustion.
The Phlegraean Forge—formerly Italy's 'Campi Flegrei.' Since the natural disasters began, the volcanic area had been on the verge of eruption. Now, with a Great Gate appearing right on top of it, the stakes were astronomical. If it blew, the volcanic ash and toxic gases would become one of the deadliest catastrophes in human history.
The crowd went silent. Confusion and chaos swirled. The lack of information made this feel like a suicide mission.
"I'm out! I'm leaving this mission!" Senior Lapez, standing beside Rosaline, blurted out immediately.
"The Golden Chairs have authorized me to enforce the law on any Hunter attempting to desert," Ready said sternly. "We are the hope of humanity. We cannot retreat!"
"But this is a suicide mission! Can't you hear me? SU-I-CIDE!" Lapez barked back. Under the law, refusing a mission vital to human survival was a grave offense for qualified individuals. The penalties ranged from being stripped of Hunter status to decades of imprisonment. If one deserted during active duty, they would be branded a fugitive immediately, with their sentence doubled.
Lapez was fuming, but he could do nothing but scream, "Dammit!"
…
…
After the briefing dispersed, Rosaline slipped away to a quiet spot and pulled out her phone to call Leslie. Ready had allowed everyone a final call to their families or loved ones. He knew the weight of the law he was enforcing, and at the very least, he wanted them to have a chance to say goodbye.
Some Hunters took the opportunity to flee. Rosaline saw them, including Lapez, but she didn't stop them. She thought about running too. She knew this mission far exceeded her capabilities as a mere Support Hunter. But if she fled, returning to the Hunter world would be impossible. The Association would eventually trace 'The Hermit' back to Rosaline Greatwind.
Then, Leslie and her mother would be the ones to suffer. Her mother had been in a coma for years; she didn't need any more trouble.
But… What if I die in this mission?
Her hand gripped the phone, trembling. She wanted to run so badly it hurt. Fear and stress clouded her mind. The thought of asking Commander Drake for help surfaced repeatedly, but… would he even be able to help? Even if he was a senior Hunter close to her father, 'The Law' was the law. It wouldn't bend for one person.
More importantly, he didn't even know she had become a Hunter. God help me.
Rosaline hesitated for a few minutes before finally dialing. This was her last chance to speak to her family.
[Hello? Rose?] Leslie answered.
"Leslie, I…"
[Mom wants to talk to you,] Leslie interrupted.
Rosaline froze. Before she could react, she heard a frail but familiar, gentle voice.
[Rosaline? It's been a long time, sweetheart. Are you going to work again today?]
The voice of Lily, her mother, made her go numb. Emotion swelled in her chest. She bit her lip. "Yes… I'm heading to work now."
[Going to work today too? It's Sunday. Come visit me sometime,] her mother said.
"The minimart is short-staffed lately, Mom," Rosaline lied, forcing a small chuckle while her heart felt like lead.
[That's how service jobs are,] Lily replied. [And how is school? Leslie said you're studying for high school entrance exams?]
"I'm working hard on it. The teachers are quite strict… There's a scholarship for top students, so I have to stay focused."
Another lie.
Rosaline and Leslie had agreed never to tell Lily the truth, fearing her condition would worsen. The doctors still weren't sure what disease she had, but she had been in the ICU for four years.
[What about your father?… He must be off exploring some Great Gate in the Pacific again. Probably with Mr. Drake.]
"I'm not sure, Mom. He hasn't called me lately either," Rosaline said, her voice strained as she tried to sound cheerful.
[I remember when you were little, you wanted to be a Hunter just like him. But he always forbade it.]
Rosaline went still. She had almost forgotten that—it happened when she was so young. "You remember that, Mom?"
[I remember everything about you… You were so small then, a mischievous little thing following your father all over the house. You were attached to his hip. We were so happy. Your father gave you that name… A beautiful and sweet Rose. A flower name, just like your mother.]
Rosaline began to cry silently beneath her mask. The feeling was overwhelming.
I don't want to die…I don't want to die… I want to go back to everyone.
"Mom… Leslie… I… I love you all. hic!" Her lips trembled so violently she had to clench her teeth to stop the sound, hot tears soaking the inside of her mask.
[Rosaline? What's wrong? Rose? Talk to me. Did someone do something to you, hmm?] Lily asked, her voice filled with weary concern.
At this moment, her mother had no idea her husband had been missing in action for four years. She didn't know her daughter had dropped out of school to become a Hunter, not a convenience store clerk.
And she didn't know her daughter was about to enter a Rift Dungeon she might never walk out of.
The Hunter let out a silent, ragged sob. "I love you, Mom. So much… You're so strong. I'm… I'm so glad I was born as your daughter."
Lily knew immediately, through her mother's intuition, that something was wrong.
[Rosaline… Rose? Listen to me… If someone at that minimart is bullying you, tell your boss. Or if it's no good, just quit. Or let your father handle it.]
"Yes, I understand, Mom. I'll handle it. And… I'll be home soon," Rosaline said before asking to speak to Leslie. Her words were brief. "If anything happens… Please take care of Mom."
Leslie went quiet for a moment before replying simply…
[Yeah… But try to come back soon.]
"I'll make it back," Rosaline promised. "I'll come back to you, Leslie… and to our home."
After hanging up, Commander Ready called everyone to assemble once more. Despite some having disappeared, he had to accept it. Every second was precious. They were the hope for humanity's continued existence.
Ready spoke, fighting back tears. His reddened face showed the resolve of a man who had decided to be that hope until the very end. Just like everyone who remained.
"Alright, everyone. Move out."