**Sound of Alarm Intensifying**

" Ahhh!! Man, it's already 7:00 AM, I didn't even have a proper sleep last night on the sofa, I don't want to go to work today, I want to sleep some more !!!!", said Kalkin as he tried to cover his ears with the pillow. 

Finally, he gave up and turned off the alarm!

He finally sat back on the sofa and picked up his mobile, checking messages from his colleagues in a chat group in a chat app, he saw the usual messages wherein they were making fun of their bosses and detailing whatever funny incident happened in the company on some XYZ day, he wasn't interested in all that, he was waiting for a message in the exclusive chat room created by his team lead that only his team members and support staff could access, finally, the message popped up from his team lead :

" So I am sure you all have already read about the assignment today from the company's email, our task is to clear the 'level 3 C & D' type dungeon within the week, after that we need to clear the path for 'level 3 B' type dungeon for Paul's team and hand over whatever stones we can extract in the week's time. The company has already set up our camp, the details and location are already on the email, so Kalkin don't be late again!"

Kalkin's POV:

This Captain doesn't leave even a single chance to make fun of me.  There was no need for the last line but he has to say that every time. It makes me want to be late deliberately. Let's check the email first, I need to know the location. 

"THE F**k, we have to go to another STATE altogether, when does the company transport leave?

THE F**k, at  7:30 AM, OH! Man, I will never be able to reach by that time, it's already 7:10, and it will take me another 10 minutes to prepare Divya's med and breakfast. What to do, guess I'll have to take the company's shuttle, Man! another added expense !!"

Why are you shouting like a siren in the morning? Why aren't you ready still, didn't you have to leave around 7 AM today?" asked Anaisha, as she came out of my room, stretching and yawning.

How do you know about my schedule for today?

"Ahh! you don't remember last night before you sat down to watch Sir Jack's origin story for the 1000th time, the Captain messaged everyone in the team, and since he knew you wouldn't look at the message before morning, he messaged me too, to inform you that the group/party will meet at the company's transport station at 7:30!"

So Why didn't you tell me that yesterday, don't you know it's going to be my 10th late for this month alone! I asked her, knowing that it was somehow going to be my fault again 

" You don't have any sense of guilt, right? yesterday before I went to sleep, I told you specifically all that info and you without even processing it said 'ya ya don't worry' and was again engrossed in that movie altogether, you didn't even listen to what I said, right ?" 

I knew it, It's kind of like my 6th sense, I know whenever something happens to me like this, I automatically understand that I might have done something to cause this, I am a walking bad luck you know! 

It's one of my many charms don't you think, Anaisha !, I said while trying to act cool and parting my hair on one side.

I could physically see Anaisha wanting to vomit at my action but she controlled herself and said "Don't worry about  Divya, I'll take care of her, you get ready, I knew you would be late so I already took out your adventurer outfit, it's clean, you just get ready ok, I prepare some breakfast for you"

I rushed to the bathroom slipping on my way but luckily before I fell I was able to hold my posture and then I rushed inside before I could hear Anaisha laughing at me!

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Anaisha's POV :

Well, there is never a boring day with Kalkin, he is always so over the top, I just cannot help but smile whenever I am with him, his special attribute is definitely bad luck and slipping, whenever he is in hurry, he falls or slips first definitely, as if it's like God also loves watching his happy and full of life attitude.

Let's see, well he has to leave so I just make some sandwich for him.

I just feel blessed that he found me in the orphanage. I still remember that day, all the children in the orphanage were called to the common hall of the orphanage, and the caretaker Ms. Shelly introduced us to Kalkin and his baby sister. He initially looked so tensed holding her sister close to his chest as she slept peacefully as if he was not ready to trust any of us any time soon somehow I understood his feeling and that's when our eyes met. As soon as Ms. Shelly went inside after introducing him to all the children in the orphanage, he came to me and said "Don't worry, From now on, you me, and my sister we all are a family", something I took so lightly at the time but now look I am preparing his breakfast, we have dinner together most of the time, we are really a family now and yesterday I slept in his bed again, it's as if now I am his ......., I stopped,  I suddenly realized what I was saying to myself and with each realization, I could feel my face turning red with embarrassment. I already know that I like him but I still get flustered every time I think about us being together. But still, he is the reason why I was able to break out from the shadows of my past and could dream of a bright future. As I was busy in my thoughts, Kalkin came out of the bathroom wearing a towel and asking for his sandwich. I tried to stop him and told him to get ready first but he isn't the type to listen.

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As Kalkin was taking the sandwich after his struggle with Anaisha, he bend and tried to pick up the ketchup pouch that fell on the floor, he picked it up, feeling triumphant about his win, he tried doing the 'SUPERMAN' pose and just then his towel loosened and fell down and his family jewels were face to face with Anaisha, who closed her eyes and tried covering them with her hands, she shouted " GET OUT OF HERE, you crazy idiot, I told you to put some clothes on first", Kalkin he just rushed to his room and banged closed the door as fast as he could. 

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7:30 AM Kalkin's House :

" I am sorry, Anaisha, I am really sorry," said Kalkin as he ate his sandwich.

"By the way, this Sandwich is awesome, I loved it," said Kalkin getting tensed as Anaisha was not saying anything, she just quietly sipped her tea.

"I am not angry Kalkin, I am surprised, I mean how do you hunt monsters if you are so careless, I just don't get it, so anyways how do you plan to reach Abbeytown, it's already 7:30 and the company transport might have already left" asked Anaisha, her eyes closed as she sips the tea and not looking at Kalkin.

" I plan to take the shuttle, it will take 2 hrs and I will reach the location by 10 AM, just in time" Kalkin smiled proudly thinking about the group's reaction when he will surprise them there. 

" Eh! how do you plan on taking the shuttle when today is the shuttle strike? No shuttle service will be operating today!" said Anaisha now feeling a little worried about him.

Kalkin spat out the water he was drinking and exclaimed " Why today of all days?" 

" Because today is World transportation Day and striking today means the empire will have no choice but to listen to the demands of the transport workers," said Anaisha bored of Kalkin's lack of knowledge of current affairs.

" Then I have no choice, I will take your car for today," said Kalkin 

"No, no way, you still haven't paid me for the repairs last time you crashed my car and it still needs some more Maintainance so nopes you are on your own today. I will say go to the company quarters and ask them for help since you are the fighter of the group they will need your help, even the captain knows it and he will have definitely have set up another means for you since unlike you he is someone with brains and like me aware of your shenanigans," said Anaisha nonchalantly while Kalkin could feel daggers getting shot at him.  

Still, Kalkin being Kalkin said " ya ya I know I am great, I know you are my fan, Anaisha" 

Kalkin didn't even dare to look into her eyes, he knew if he looked he will be dead, he quickly finished his remaining sandwich and tied his boots, picked up his explorer/adventurer identity card and anything necessary, and ran out of the house. Once out, he shouted " Thank you Anaisha for the sandwiches and please give my sister her meds, you are so great Anaisha, I don't know what I will do without you"

" Run fast you idiot you are already late " shouted Anaisha from inside.

Kalkin just laughed and walked away. 

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After walking for a bit Kalkin opened his status window:

Kalkin's POV:

Kalkin

Species: Human

Strength: 32/50,

Agility: 24/50

Intelligence: 18/50,

Dexterity: 32/50,

Special Attributes: None

Powers: Mana Control Lvl 3

Legend: None

a message popped up : 

You have 200 stat points saved up, do you want to use them?

yes/no

Agility: 24 --> 34

Strength: 32-->39

Intelligence: 18-->27

Dexterity: 32-->36

170 stat points still left! want to use them? yes/no

ok! this is enough, It's still 7:45 if I hurry I can reach to company's quarters within 15 minutes, If I get to borrow a company car or get a lift then I am all set and can make it to Abbeytown in 2 hrs. 

Let's run! 

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Kalkin's POV :

"Finally, I reached the place", I said as I gasped for breath. Well, even with me upgrading my stats, it's still a huge run to do within 15 minutes. 

"Oye!, if It isn't the Captain's guard dog, Oye!, Kalkin did your master left you on the streets ?" I heard the voice of the person I absolutely despise 

"Ahh!, I was wondering why I suddenly smell something pungent, Nathan" I mocked him, it was a joke as on the first day of our actual explorer trip, he fell down in mud full of monster shit and he absolutely hates being called that!

" Aren't you going a little overboard, want me to put you in your place", I could feel suddenly something approaching my face but I dodged it. It was Nathan's fist of fire!

I was about to counter when the whole area suddenly got covered in ice and me and Nathan were stuck in our place unable to move.

"Thank you, Marissa, you can now undo your spell", he was none other than Paul, the Captain of Dungeon Giants--Branch Aaditya Empire--Assembly E--Team Alpha, ya its kinda looks like a long name, and I was made to learn it by my Captain the hard way. And you guys might have guessed it by now I am from Team Beta.

He came along with a girl about 17 years old, Marissa, she is kinda the mute of the group just following orders and never saying anything in return but she is beautiful nevertheless, she is what many call a cold or aloof beauty and I'll say just one thing she is not by a million dollars flat-chested. I mean if I am to compare Anaisha and her Anaisha is definitely better endowed in that department and definitely a bit taller than her but other than that, It's a tough competition, and the added fact that she remains aloof most of the time, makes her even more tempting at times.

"Kalkin, if you are finished ogling my vice-captain, let's go, and Captain Samuel already informed me to bring you with me when you arrive here so both you and Nathan take your weapons from the armory and report back here within 5 minutes, we'll leave you guys otherwise," said Paul as he turned and went back to check with his remaining team. He was followed by Marissa.

" Ya, I actually came here to tell you that, but your face annoys me," said Nathan as he waved his hand as if trying to make a dog go away.

" Ya, I also can't face you," I said while trying to cover my nose as if saying that I can't breathe the air due to the 'pungent' smell. ( He doesn't actually smell pungent, it's just a joke to remind him of his first day).

"You wanna go at it again, I won't be lenient this time," shouted Nathan.

"Just make sure you don't miss, 'again' " I mocked him. 

"THIS IS IT, BOTH OF YOU ONLY HAVE 3 MINUTES LEFT, IF YOU DON'T COME WITHIN THAT TIME, YOU BOTH ARE OUT AND WILL BE ON FILE DUTY AND NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER DUNGEON!!", shouted Paul, and I and Nathan both could feel his anger, even though he was no way near, the air around was becoming heavy to breathe.

 " We were just joking, Captain Paul" pleaded Nathan, as he wasn't able to breathe anymore.

" Good, only 2 minutes left" we heard Paul and it was normal again.

We both gasped and ran with all our strength picking our weapons and coming within 2 minutes.

" Since everyone is here, we all leave now, get on the transport, and Kalkin Captain Samuel told me to inform you to meet him as soon as we reach the place," said Paul, as we all started to board the transport.

"Looks like someone's in trouble !!" laughed Nathan upon hearing Paul.

I just looked at him, " Oh! Nathan, I will have a quick practice match with you as soon as we reach the location" said Paul without even blinking an eye.

And I swear I saw Nathan's eyes going lifeless for a second as if his soul was sucked out and all that smile he had on his face was gone.

"Ahh!, the remaining trip will be so pleasant, isn't it Nathan" I joked seeing his pale expression or rather his sweating face.

"Oh! I am gonna enjoy my trip" I said to myself as I couldn't help but laugh seeing Nathan.

The HUNT has begun

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Hey guys! That's it for this chapter, I hope you all are excited about the updates, keep sharing and liking my chapters. It means a lot to me, I just want to tell you all if you have comments do write, I do love sincere feedback. Keep sharing and keep liking !!!!!