The sun hung low on the horizon by the time the last bell rang, casting long shadows across the schoolyard. The air buzzed with a mix of exhaustion and relief as students poured out of the classrooms, their backpacks heavier with scribbled notes and half-used pens.
After hours of back-to-back exams, the once energetic hallways now echoed with yawns and stretched limbs. Yet, despite the fatigue clinging to their bones, a shared excitement coursed through them, no more exams until next term. It was a thought sweet enough to wash away the memory of aching wrists and last-minute cramming.
Peter swung his bag over his shoulder, grinning as he nudged Alex. "I thought those exams would never end. My brain's probably fried now."
Alex gave a faint smile, his thoughts elsewhere, but even he couldn't deny the relief of finishing. Across the hall, Elizabeth leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her usual sharpness softened by a hint of weariness. She caught Alex's eye for a brief second before looking away, still keeping her distance.
As the students flooded out of their classrooms, a sudden burst of chatter swept through the crowd. In the middle of the hallway, a few student council members stood on a table, waving brightly colored flyers in the air.
"Attention, everyone!" One of them, a girl with a loud voice and an even louder personality, called out. "To celebrate surviving the exam marathon, we're throwing an After-ExamParty this Friday! Food, music, and fun—don't miss it!"
The announcement instantly sparked a new wave of energy. Students eagerly snatched the flyers as they passed by, their exhaustion temporarily forgotten.
Peter grabbed one and held it up for Alex to see. "An after-exam party, huh? Sounds better than burying myself in textbooks. You in?"
Alex took the flyer, scanning the bold letters. "Celebratetheendofexamsthisfridaynight!music,games,andmore!" He hesitated, his mind drifting to his secret work in the portals but a part of him craved something normal, even if just for one night.
"I'll think about it," he said, folding the paper neatly.
A little farther away, Elizabeth snatched a flyer from a passing student without a word. Her expression remained unreadable, though her fingers toyed with the corner of the paper as if considering the invitation.
"Come on, it'll be fun," Peter grinned, nudging Alex. "You've been too serious lately—you need a break."
Alex only gave a noncommittal hum in response, but as he tucked the flyer into his pocket, he couldn't shake the feeling that this party might be more eventful than anyone expected.
At night, Alex went out as usual.
After his first hunting in the portal, he had been going from portal to portal, defeating the monsters and clearing the dungeons. It was the best way to grow strong and not only did he grow stronger, he was able to learn his power and be able to use it longer than before.
Also, he made a lot of money from selling some items he thinks are useless, as well as the cores and vitals of some high-ranked monsters.
Now, he was able to maintain his handsomeness, keep his room tidy, and even buy stuffs for himself — This way, he didn't have to depend on anyone anymore.
The city was quieter at night, but Alex had no time to enjoy the silence because beneath the ordinary streets, hidden from the public eye, portals shimmered, gateways to otherworldly dungeons crawling with monsters. And for Alex, they were both a danger and an opportunity.
Tonight's portal was a A-rank—more dangerous, but nothing he couldn't handle. The moment he stepped through, the air grew heavy, thick with the stench of decay. Jagged rocks jutted from the ground, and the distant sound of something crawling echoed through the cavern.
His footsteps were quiet as he advanced, scanning the area with sharpened senses. The monsters here were stronger, but each fight made him faster, lhis control over his necromancy sharpening with every battle.
A low hiss broke the stillness. From the shadows emerged a creature, its insect-like body covered in a dark, chitinous shell. Its multiple legs clicked against the stone floor as it circled him. Without hesitation, Alex lunged forward.
His strength made quick work of the first strike, shattering the creature's legs. It shrieked, but before it could retreat, he extended his hand. Darkness rippled from his fingertips, tendrils of necrotic energy wrapping around the dying monster. The moment it stopped moving, Alex pulled.
The energy flowed into him, cold and electric, fueling his body. He could feel the difference. With every defeated monster, his stamina stretched further, allowing him to use his powers for longer periods without feeling the crushing exhaustion.
But there was something else, too—a growing ease in controlling the dead. If he focused, he could feel the lingering essence of the creature he'd just drained. With a flick of his wrist, the broken husk twitched. A smirk tugged at his lips.
"I'm getting better," he said to something.
Deeper into the dungeon, Alex found more creatures—each stronger and faster but none were a match for his growing skill. Bones cracked beneath his fists, and with every fallen enemy, his power swelled.
All of a sudden , a faint shimmer caught his eye. Among the usual pile of monster cores and potion vials lay something unusual—a dagger. He picked it up, its weight light but balanced perfectly in his grip. The blade was golden, glowing faintly under the streetlight, its edge sharp enough to cut through metal. Strange runes etched into the surface pulsed softly, radiating a quiet magic.
'Not bad', he thought, slipping the dagger into a sheath on his belt. 'Weapons like this weren't common from regular portals, this one was special'.
Alongside the dagger, he gathered a handful of monster cores—small, smooth stones humming with residual energy. They could be sold for a decent price. A vial of red liquid, likely a healing potion, and a leather pouch filled with silver coins rounded out his haul. Tonight's hunt had been worth the risk.
Satisfied, Alex tucked the rewards into his bag and stepped out of the alley. The city stretched before him, quiet under the pale moonlight. No one would guess that just beneath their feet, monsters roamed and battles raged.
The walk home was familiar, quiet, almost peaceful. But Alex's mind never fully relaxed. He knew that the stronger he became, the more dangerous the portals would be. And with every new power he unlocked, the shadow of the organization that destroyed his family grew closer.
When he reached his apartment, the lock clicked softly as he slipped inside. He dropped his bag by the door, kicked off his shoes, and let out a slow breath.
The golden dagger gleamed as he placed it on his bedside table, a reminder that his double life wasn't something he could escape.
"Just a little stronger," he told himself, pulling off his jacket. " have to keep going until I become the strongest man."
With that thought lingering, he collapsed onto his bed, his body exhausted but his mind already planning his next move.