The Porter is Secretly an SS-Level Hunter - Chapter 25: Ari, A-level Hunter?

Disclaimer: Remember that Ari was a hunter from the beginning when Neban started as a porter.

****

It has been two days since Neban found out his feelings for Wey and Isona (and them returning it). He has been ignoring them, and indirectly Owain when they would message the group chats with Owain included.

Neban has been in his mind lately that he had not talked to anyone except his son, and surprisingly Xan. The man did not question Neban’s attitude when he came home; he even remained quiet the next day when Neban took him home. He knew Xan wanted to ask but did not.

So, Neban clarified that Xan was not bad, but he still did not fully trust him; that will take a while.

Theo asked what was bothering him, but for the first time he could not open up to his son. Even though he solidified his feelings, Neban was still confused about them.

‘You humans get stuck on foolish things.’ Siren spoke. The weapon has been quiet for days, making Neban want to throw it away once again.

‘Look who is finally awake. Would you tell me about the dungeons now?’ Neban asked.

‘Be patient. I am hungry. Let’s go to the dungeons today.’

Neban was getting ready to say something when his phone started ringing, cutting him off. He grabbed his cellphone resting near the stove (he was in the kitchen, making Theo some food).

He grabbed a napkin near him, wiping his hands off before he picked up his phone. The name showed that Xan was calling him.

“Good afternoon, Neban; I have hunters looking for one more porter to fill a spot for them; they only have three at the moment. Would you like to take it? You only have a minute to answer since it was last minute; they are already at the dungeon.” Xan greeted.

“Did something happened to the fourth porter?” Neban could not help but ask. It is weird to be at the dungeon with only three porters when a group of hunters needed four, if the group had seven or more people. How did they end up short, unless the fourth hunter decided not to show?

“They said the fourth porter did not show, so they have a spot ready for anyone to take. The dungeon is a mid-level one that was cleared before, and there are four M-levels and three A-levels.” Xan responded.

Neban thought for a second; this would be the first time being a porter without his group with him. But to face them, especially Wey and Isona, he was not ready.

“I will take it,” Neban answered without hesitation, “but could you watch my son. And how is your cooking?”

Neban was in the middle of making brunch for Theo.

“I will send you the location. And I can watch Theo; my cooking is also good.”

“Okay. See you soon.” Neban hung up the phone, setting it down as he took off his apron.

‘You are a lucky human. I am excited to go to the dungeon.’ Siren excitedly said.

‘Since I do not have the others with me, I cannot step in to fight like I’ve been doing. We will be porters.’ Neban told the weapon.

‘Boring.’

Neban ignored Siren as he walked into the living area to tell Theo that he was leaving for a few hours, and Xan will be watching him.

****

Neban made sure he [Shadow Travel] a few feet from the location. The dungeon was close to Cavor Park (he took Theo there a few times), so it was easy to travel all the way to area.

He started walking, and when he reached the dungeon’s location, he saw seven hunters and three porters standing there, waiting for another porter to pop up (which is him).

As he made his way in front of them, pushing up his round glasses to make sure they were on, the group looked up at him with relief faces. They were probably happy that someone came, so they can clear the dungeon.

Looking at all the hunters and porters there, Neban noticed Ari was there. He remembers her from the beginning when he first started working as a porter. He let her live because he did not catch any thoughts of her wanting to mess with the porters. But then again, Neban could not hear her thoughts at all.

Did she block [Almighty Mind]?

Ari glanced at him before quickly looking away and moving back to blend in with the crowd. Neban raised his eyebrow at her reaction but did not have time to think about it as one of the hunters walked in front of him.

“Thank you for filling in the spot last minute. I am Lina, the leader of the hunters. We do not have time for introductions because we were supposed to start ten minutes ago,” the woman started before she turned to the hunters, pointing, “that group is all the M-levels; they will remain in front of the porters to protect all of you.

“I and those other two are the A-levels and will be in the front. Please stick close to the group, and do not get hurt.” Lina finished in a rush as she was already walking away.

Neban stared at the other two that the leader said was A-levels and was surprised that Ari was one of those people. ‘That girl said she was an M-level last time, so how is she an A-level? There is no possible way she can upgrade her level. Something is going on here.’ Neban thought as he narrowed his eyes at Ari.

Feeling his gaze, Ari moved behind one of the group’s tall people, trying to hide.

Neban let it go for now as the group started to move to the dungeon’s entrance. He joined the porters as one of them handed him an empty bag. Neban nodded his thanks while the others did not say anything.

The porters looked nervous; their hands were shaking, and they were walking a bit slow. It was almost like this was their first time entering the dungeon.

Neban wanted to ask, but it was not his business, and he did not care. He walked forward, making sure he stayed behind the M-levels while silently observing Ari.

‘Is there something special about that girl?’ Siren asked.

‘There is something suspicious happening here. The girl is either lying right now or lied when I first met her.’ Neban answered.

‘Oh, do I get to taste the blood of humans? I like that taste too.’

Neban ignored that comment as the group walked into the dungeon. The dungeon inside looked like a typical one, showing that there was nothing special about it. There were bones of hunters on the ground since some hunters already cleared this dungeon before.

It should be easy since the hunters have information about what to expect. So, Neban does not have to do anything (he is hoping that he does not have to step in). Just once, he wanted to get the feel of being a porter.

But as his gaze kept going back to Ari, he felt that it would not happen this time.

As they continued to walk, it was quiet for a few minutes as the hunters were on guard, looking around. The porters were behind Neban, walking at a slow pace while they were bunched together.

Neban took one glance behind him and saw the hunters were looking everywhere while their knuckles were white, showing how they were tightly gripping the straps of their bag.

Neban faced forward when he heard the sound of a herd coming their way. “Stop moving and get into position.” The leader spoke, causing everyone to stand still.

The M-levels created a wall in front of the porters to make sure no monsters get past them while the A-levels were in the frontline, prepared for battle.

He saw a shield form around the leader, showing that she was a Warrior. The one in the middle of the leader and Ari had a spear in his hand. He was adding a glow to the leader and Ari, showing that he was a Supporter.

There was a wall of water forming around Ari, and this was where Neban’s suspicion came back full force. Because when the girl said she was an M-level, she used spatial magic. But, now, she is using water magic, making her a Mage.

Is she a Mage that can use water and spatial magic, or is she a copier like Neban?

Neban started to rub his chin as he watched her. His eyes never left Ari, even when the herd appeared, attacking the frontline.

He watched as the girl would use sharp water attacks to create multiple holes in the creatures’ bodies; she was fighting more fiercely than she did the first time he met her.

Neban’s hands started to twitch; he wanted to test Ari.

‘Can we play with the human? I do not mind human blood.’ Siren began to speak again, sounding excited.

‘Not yet.’ Neban surprisingly answered as he continued to watch; right now, he will be the spectator.