I Siphon the Dead to Become the Strongest

I tightened my grip on my collapsible baton, the Three Times Grip Strength making the metal creak slightly in my hand. My [Low-Light Vision] adjusted, piercing the gloom ahead. My [Minor Corrosion Resistance] probably wouldn’t help against whatever made a girl with a battle-axe scream like that, but it was something.

“Fine,” I muttered to the empty tunnel. “But I’m billing you for overtime.”

And with a sense of profound irritation at my own stupid conscience, I turned my back on the exit and sprinted after Zane and Kaela, deeper into the pulsing, green heart of the E-Rank gate.

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Author’s Notes:

Look at him go. A reluctant hero who bills by the hour. Never change, Ethan. Never change.

Quick clarification for the uninitiated: In the official Association parlance, an ”E-Rank Logistics Adjutant” is not a combat role. It’s a very polite, very bureaucratic term for ”the person we send in to mop up after the real problem is gone.” It means you’re not expected to fight anything stronger than a mildly aggressive cleaning supply. You’re the janitor of the apocalypse.

It’s a title worn by people who have plateaued. Who’ve accepted that their place in the new world order is to handle the chores the real Hunters can’t be bothered with. It’s a fancy way of saying ”You exist to clean the E-Rank gates so they don’t become D-Rank gates.” Glamorous, I know.

And now, our favorite Logistics Adjutant is sprinting towards a scream. Because even janitors have a line.

What do you think is waiting for him? Another slime? Or has the ”anomalous energy signature” our mysterious sword-lady mentioned decided to throw the party early?

As always, you are the fuel. Comments, theories, or just keyboard smashes are all valid currency here.