Chapter 104: A Successful First Raid

By the time Jet, Frey and Mikhail emerged from the White Dungeon, the atmosphere outside the Gate had become considerably busier.

Several O.R.D.O. vehicles were parked beyond the security barricades, while uniformed Gatekeepers monitored the entrance and directed personnel moving through the designated inspection area. The swirling white portal behind them had already begun fluctuating, its previously stable surface rippling as the Dungeon approached its scheduled closure.

Jet stepped away from the entrance and released a long breath. After spending hours surrounded by collapsed skyscrapers, grey skies and monsters that seemed determined to kill them, the familiar sight of Zenith City was surprisingly refreshing.

Frey emerged beside him, stretching his injured shoulder before glancing toward the afternoon sky.

"Man, it’s good to be back," Frey remarked, rolling his neck with an exhausted expression. "I don’t care what anyone says. Fresh air hits differently after you’ve spent half the day getting beaten up by monsters."

Jet chuckled and adjusted the enormous double-headed axe resting against his shoulder. "You make it sound like we spent the entire Raid getting our asses kicked."

Frey turned toward him with an incredulous look. "Bro, we fought two Green-Class monsters inside a White Dungeon. One of them nearly turned me into a pancake, and the other threw me through enough furniture to furnish an entire apartment. I’d say I’ve earned the right to complain."

Behind them, Mikhail struggled through the Gate with his enormous backpack, its reinforced straps stretched tightly around the considerable weight of the harvested materials.

The fat porter stopped beside them and immediately bent forward, resting both hands against his knees.

"Forget monsters," Mikhail complained between heavy breaths. "I’m starting to think this backpack is going to kill me before any Dungeon Monster gets the chance."

Frey glanced at him and smirked. "That’s what happens when you insist on carrying everything that isn’t nailed to the floor, Fatty."

Mikhail straightened and gave him an offended look. "Those are valuable materials, Frey. Every kilogram in this backpack represents money. Beautiful, wonderful money."

Jet shook his head, smiling at their familiar exchange. Before either could continue, a Gatekeeper approached them.

Elias Mercer, the Rank Two Official responsible for supervising the Gate, examined the three returning Raiders before glancing toward the portal behind them. His expression remained professional, although his eyes briefly lingered on Jet’s enormous axe and Mikhail’s overloaded backpack.

"Welcome back," Elias greeted them, raising his identification scanner. "I see your team completed the Dungeon successfully."

Jet nodded and presented his Raider identification.

"Yes," Jet confirmed. "The Boss has been defeated, and the Dungeon clear notification appeared before we left."

Elias scanned his identification before turning toward Frey and Mikhail, verifying their credentials and confirming that all three registered participants had returned safely.

"Good," Elias replied, checking the information displayed on his device. "Any casualties or injuries requiring immediate medical attention?"

Frey glanced toward his bruised shoulder before shaking his head. "Nothing serious. A few bruises, some scratches and a strong desire to sleep for the next twelve hours."

Elias acknowledged the response before recording their condition.

Jet then mentioned the abnormal encounter with the Ironmaw Devastator, explaining that they had encountered a Green-Class Dungeon Monster before reaching the actual Boss.

That immediately caught Elias’s attention.

"A Green-Class ordinary monster inside a White Dungeon?" Elias repeated, his expression becoming serious. "And you’re certain the System didn’t identify it as the Dungeon Boss?"

Jet nodded firmly. "We’re certain. The System identified it as a Green-Class Dungeon Monster. We encountered the actual Boss afterward, and that notification specifically identified it as the Dungeon Boss."

Elias frowned and entered several additional notes into his device.

"That’s unusual," Elias admitted, looking toward the unstable portal. "I’ll flag the incident for further review. Make sure you include the encounter in your official Raid report."

Jet agreed without hesitation.

After completing the necessary checks, Elias allowed them to proceed beyond the security barricades.

Their rented O.R.D.O. shuttle remained parked in the designated vehicle area.

Fortunately, the vehicle possessed enough cargo space to accommodate everything they had collected, although loading the enormous Castellan axe required some rearrangement.

Mikhail supervised the process with considerable enthusiasm.

"Careful with that container," Mikhail instructed, pointing toward one of the reinforced bags as Frey lifted it into the cargo compartment. "Those are intact armor fragments. If you damage them now, I’m deducting the loss from your share."

Frey slowly turned toward him.

"Fatty," Frey replied, narrowing his eyes, "you do realize I’m the one paying you, right?"

Mikhail adjusted his glasses and smiled innocently. "Exactly. Which is why I’m making sure you get your money’s worth."

Jet laughed quietly as he secured the enormous axe against the interior supports.

Once everything had been loaded, the three climbed into the shuttle and began their return journey toward O.R.D.O. Headquarters.

The drive was considerably quieter than their earlier trip.

Frey leaned back in his seat, occasionally checking the condition of his injured shoulder, while Mikhail reviewed the inventory he had recorded throughout the Raid.

Jet spent most of the journey looking through the window.

The streets of Zenith City passed beneath the afternoon sunlight, filled with ordinary vehicles, pedestrians and the towering buildings that had become so familiar to him.

After spending hours fighting monsters, the sight of people going about their daily lives felt strangely peaceful.

He glanced toward the enormous axe secured in the cargo compartment.

Today’s Raid had been unexpectedly dangerous.

But it had also been extraordinarily rewarding.

His control over the Asura Arms had improved, he had discovered Weapon Manifestation, and his Weapon Master trait had allowed him to develop considerable proficiency with an entirely unfamiliar weapon.

More importantly, he and Frey had gained valuable combat experience against opponents stronger than themselves.

Jet smiled faintly. Their first official Raid had certainly exceeded expectations.

By the time they arrived at O.R.D.O. Headquarters, the afternoon was already growing late.

They returned the shuttle to the Transportation Department, completed the required vehicle inspection and unloaded their equipment and collected materials.

Afterward, they proceeded to submit their official Raid report.

The process was relatively straightforward.

They confirmed the Dungeon’s successful clearance, recorded the monsters encountered and provided details regarding the abnormal Green-Class Devastator. The incident was marked for further investigation, although there was nothing else the three needed to do immediately.

With the administrative requirements completed, they moved on to selling their harvested materials.

The following hour passed quickly. Mikhail accompanied them through the appropriate purchasing facilities, helping identify which materials were worth selling immediately and which would be better retained for future use.

The majority of the ordinary monster materials were sold without difficulty.

Several intact pieces recovered from the Ironbound Castellan also attracted considerable interest, particularly the higher-quality armor fragments and unusual connective materials.

Jet and Frey decided to retain the Mana Crystals for their own cultivation rather than selling them.

The enormous double-headed axe was also excluded from the sale.

That weapon belonged to Jet now. By the time the transactions were completed and the proceeds had been distributed according to their arrangement, all three were considerably more satisfied with the day’s results.

Mikhail was especially delighted.

He examined the payment confirmation on his device several times before finally slipping it into his pocket with an enormous grin.

"Beautiful," Mikhail murmured, rubbing his hands together. "Absolutely beautiful. If every Raid pays this well, I might actually become rich before I turn thirty."

Frey gave him an amused look. "With how much you love money, Fatty, I’m surprised you’re not already rich."

Mikhail sighed dramatically and shook his head. "Unfortunately, the world has yet to recognize my extraordinary financial potential. But don’t worry. Give me a few years, and you’ll be hearing the name Mikhail Dragunov everywhere."

Jet looked toward him. For a brief moment, an amused expression crossed his face.

If only Mikhail knew.

In Jet’s previous life, the name Mikhail Dragunov had indeed become well known throughout the region’s Awakener industry. His Porter Guild had eventually grown into one of the largest support organizations operating alongside the major Awakener Guilds.

And now, here he was, celebrating the payment from a single Dungeon Raid.

Jet found the contrast rather entertaining.

"Well, you’ve certainly got the confidence for it," Jet remarked, smiling faintly.

Mikhail immediately straightened with pride. "Of course! Confidence is the foundation of every successful businessman."

Frey snorted. "I thought money was the foundation of every successful businessman."

Mikhail considered that for a moment before nodding seriously. "You’re right. Money comes first. Confidence comes second."

Jet burst into laughter.

Even Frey couldn’t suppress a grin.

After completing their business, the three collected their remaining belongings and made their way toward the headquarters parking area.

Frey’s dark metallic blue-black car was waiting where he had left it earlier that morning.

Jet carefully placed the enormous axe inside the vehicle, securing it alongside his other equipment before closing the compartment.

Mikhail stood nearby, adjusting the straps of his now considerably lighter backpack.

"Well, gentlemen," Mikhail announced, looking between them with a satisfied expression, "I’d say our first Raid together was a tremendous success."

Frey raised an eyebrow. "A tremendous success? We almost died twice."

Mikhail waved dismissively. "Minor occupational hazards. Besides, we survived, completed the Dungeon and made excellent money. That’s practically the definition of success."

Jet smiled and extended his hand toward the porter.

"You did well today, Mikhail," Jet said sincerely. "Your harvesting skills were impressive, and you handled yourself properly whenever things became dangerous."

Mikhail blinked before breaking into a broad grin.

He immediately shook Jet’s hand.

"Naturally!" Mikhail replied enthusiastically. "You won’t find many porters better than me. Although I wouldn’t object if you decided to pay me more next time."

Frey rolled his eyes before extending his own hand.

"Don’t push your luck, Fatty," Frey remarked, shaking Mikhail’s hand. "But yeah, you did good. We’re keeping you around."

Mikhail’s grin widened.

"Excellent!" Mikhail declared, adjusting his glasses. "Then I suppose I’ll see you gentlemen tomorrow?"

Jet nodded.

"Same time tomorrow," Jet confirmed, opening the passenger door. "We’ll be doing another Dungeon Raid, so make sure you’re ready."

Mikhail gave them an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

"Don’t worry about me!" Mikhail replied confidently. "I’ll be here. Just make sure you two get enough rest. I don’t want my employers collapsing before we even enter the next Dungeon."

Frey laughed as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

"See you tomorrow, Fatty!" Frey called through the open window. "And try not to dream about monster organs tonight!"

Mikhail grinned and waved.

"No promises!" Mikhail shouted back before turning toward the busy pedestrian walkway.

Jet watched him disappear into the crowd, his enormous backpack swaying behind him as he joined the stream of people leaving O.R.D.O. Headquarters.

A faint smile appeared on Jet’s face.

It was strange seeing the future founder of a massive Porter Guild walking away as an ordinary young porter.

But perhaps that was what made their encounter so interesting.

"Ready, bro?" Frey asked, starting the engine and glancing toward Jet.

Jet settled into the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt.

"Yeah," Jet replied, leaning back comfortably. "Let’s head home."

Frey smiled and guided the car out of the parking area.

The sun was already beginning to set, bathing the towering buildings of Zenith City in warm golden light as the vehicle merged into the evening traffic.

Moments later, the dark metallic blue-black car disappeared into the busy streets.