Only I Am A Reader

Although it wasn't as much as the announcement event in First Hero Plaza, quite a bit of people gathered around District 5's Hero Association building. It was finally the true event's D-Day!

Of course, the lack of a great audience was understandable. Aurora wasn't going to give another announcement.

Rather, she and her team of Heroes were doing their last preparations to enter the Gate. The source of everyone's dread was only less than a kilometer away!

While most people nowadays treated Gate Entrances as some sort of artistic scenery, that only held true for normal ones. As for the Gates that Aurora specialized in, everybody wanted to stay away from them as far as possible.

'This fear…'

The Gates used for Enigma Stone Farming were a rare sight to catch, most of them were cleared on day 1. However, this close-by Gate was already left unapproached for many weeks.

The area around was already deserted by all the residents. Aurora had already promised that she would clear that specific Gate before, but no one was willing to bet their life on that.

After all, as strong as Aurora had proven herself to be, the variables of an ominous Gate were too many to count. If she were to fail, the Gate Break chance would be guaranteed 100%.

'Is why I need to vanquish it all.'

That being said, there were still people who believed in Aurora from the bottom of their hearts. They all gathered here to support her as much as they could regardless of the potential danger!

They were once in a situation similar to this area's residents, but Aurora had saved them, and they wanted to return that favor in any way possible!

'I can do it.'

As usual, Aurora calmed her heart as the power of Light engulfed her whole being. This was the purpose of her existence, and she was never going to back down from it no matter how long it took.

She was going to save everyone!

"I'm ready."

"Same here."

Naturally, all of Aurora's eight teammates had come prepared, but everyone still did one last check according to protocol. This Gate wasn't anything to scoff at.

"Looks like we are on our own this time."

A brown-haired girl standing next to Aurora stated the obvious as she tried her best to hide her mocking smile. Did this Savior wannabe really expect people to keep flocking at her?

"That seems to be the case."

Aurora answered without much emotion. This wasn't exactly ideal, but it was impossible for her to be disappointed after she roused her spirit. New teammates or not, this Gate was going to fall!

"I told you we should have skipped this part this time around."

Another teammate helplessly shrugged, it was a blonde guy that had slightly darker hair compared to Aurora. He knew the meaning of this wait to her, but he couldn't be bothered.

"Eh? Didn't half of you appear in equally desperate situations? Stop doubting Aurora-sama's process!"

A black-haired girl stuck next to Aurora with a frown on her face. These guys were just being too nosy!

The wait before a publicized Gate Clearing wasn't something that had only started recently, but it was already a solidified tradition of Aurora's. One that started from the very beginning when she was raiding Gates on her own.

Despite receiving little affirmation at the start, Aurora always waited for about an hour each time, waiting for any brave spirits that would join her on her quest.

An organized Hero Team usually found it troublesome to add new teammates right before the start of a mission, but that was none of Aurora's concerns.

The Gate Clear itself was usually carried by her. What she was truly focused on wasn't additional help for the specific Gate Clear that followed, but rather what resulted from it.

To join in a mission that many feared at the last minute showed a Hero's commitment. While they might not contribute much during their first time, they could become proper teammates with time as long as their heart was there.

Once their numbers grew, they could split into more teams and clear even more dangerous Gates!

'Next time.'

Unfortunately, it seemed like this specific Gate was too infamous for someone to take the first leap. As long as she could survive it, Aurora believed that a hefty number would join during the next 'member invitation'.

"Ah, sorry. Was I late?"

However, just as Aurora's team was exiting the crowd to march toward their destination, a blue-haired man showed in with a wry smile as he scratched the back of his head.

'Oho? Did they trick another one into it?'

The brown-haired girl looked at the man with interest as only two thoughts came to mind. At first glance, the man was quite good-looking and had a cheery vibe, he also wore white leather armor that seemed to match it.

'Or is it another idiot who is chasing after Aurora's heart?'

"Not at all, you can never be too late, but… Are you sure you want to join this time?"

The black-haired girl who supported Aurora earlier spoke with a hint of worry. Although she was happy that Aurora's decision ended up being validated, the man who arrived reeked of inexperience.

"I want to… I mean, please let me join! Although I have yet to register at the association since I awakened very recently, I have been training with the sword my entire life! I was waiting for the chance to make a difference, and I believe this mission to be it!"

The blue-haired man had an earnest expression on his face, but his eyes were only focused on Aurora. While words felt sincere to everyone on the team, almost everyone felt doubtful.

After all, they had all joined in the same manner. As faint as it was, they recognized that he was one of their kind, a scammer!

"Very well-"

"Wait."

A small smile bloomed on Aurora's face as she seemed to fully accept the blue-haired man's speech. However, she was stopped by the blonde guy's statement.

"As much as I would like to welcome someone who shares the same thoughts, this Gate is too dangerous for an unregistered Ability User to enter on a whim."

The blonde guy stepped forward toward the blue-haired man with a challenging smile.

"As someone who has the potential to be a True Hero, you shouldn't squander your life like this. Besides, you wouldn't want to be a burden and make it worse, right?"

"But-"

"Wait, I didn't finish. We don't know what to expect so we can't help doubting you, that's why I will give you the chance to prove yourself first. What do you say?"

"...I accept!"

"Good. What should I call you? I'm Ken by the way."

The blonde guy extended his hand to his bullying target with a friendly smile that hid his true intentions.

"My name is… Ray."