In the boss room,
Large werewolf about six to seven meters in height and hundreds of pounds weight sleeping soundly.
He is the boss monster of this gate. Despite being extremely muscular physique like orc his overall stats are 5-10% lower than last guardian also his skills ranks are far inferior to him.
This difference may not sound too large from layman perspective and one can argue basis or accuracy of those numerical data, ranks system shows. But answers are not that simple, while in class skill level number indicates their current proficiency but in other/genral skill it's rank. In same case rank show innate potential in class skill but their nothing similar for general one.
This jumble don't make much sense and same goes with stats. With some basic game logic stats should be character's current power level but those numbers represent upper limit to which they can grow. And with each level up increase that cap.
For example, if we talking just strength its not mere difference of 3 to 6 points between boss and last guardian. Even though their is no real indicator for true strength in status.
But Lawrence has a vague feeling that guardian already reach it cap in strength while werewolf only 3/4. Which makes true difference in their strength is atleast 18 points.
As for why code don't make both equally strong because this gate is merely E rank so mana it contains is so low to create two powerful monsters.
So he naturally chose strong for his protection.
Lawrence don't waste time start to twisted werewolf's limbs to unnatural degree with bare hands. Even though his literal flesh and bones mangling he doesn't flinch let alone wake up.
This is the control origin code has over his monsters. It's truly frightening and questionable.
Then slit open his throat with blade. Werewolf's larynx, windpipe all cut neatly with Lawrence slash and remaining parts barely hanging in air.
He remains calm in front such inhumane scene and activate his conversation skill.
"Now! Rest is upto you. They are now your prey."
[ Thanks, I will eating something delicious in long while. ]
Code himself doesn't understand any emotions but it first time he had this prideful feeling of victory.
If we exclude he's early period when he born and era when hunters kill eachother inside him. He never truly gets chance to eat them.
He feels never this much complacent as everyday he needs to be vigilant to not discovered. Adapt and evolve in response to hunters to just survive another day.
While code caught these storm of thoughts Lawrence call him.
"I am leaving the gate now but I will come next week. So what do you think think repeating same deal but you put atleast 80% monsters in sleep."
[ You will trap another group like this? ]
Code question in excitement. He also can trap people even without Lawrence help. But in that case he needs severely lower the strength of all monsters. Which he definitely can't afford also he tried past but it never succeed.
"Another group might be issue a little as other suspect me sole survivor. This one time I can slip but it repeat few more times then they probably execute me. How about this I will give you monster corpses from D rank gate??"
[ Okay, I agree with deal but need atleast twenty to thirty corpses in that case. ]
Code was don't like it as he can't feast on hunters but monsters from D rank gate can still provides him considerable mana.
While they were talking code already heal boss's throat to some extent. Healing was only in name as he barely breathing. Like their plan werewolf succumb to death any moment.
Lawrence after confirming everything leave this gruesome scene behind for Erik's team.
He didn't waste much time and come near entrance. He three regular and one elite wolf's corpses put them on back.
After coming out of gate with disheveled apperance, torn clothes and some little injuries. It's almost midnight of fourth day since he entered gate.
A guard check his hunter ID before he can enter market area of sector.
Guard smirks at Lawrence as newbie hunter.
As he doesn't process the corpses and carried them whole. Weither it regular or elite wolf both's flesh don't have much value. It may significant amount of mana but it start to lose within day or two to use in anything.
So in market main value these corpses hold in their fur,claws, teeths and bones.
Lawrence well aware of it just doesn't want attract attention for standout. As for his fight with Erik and extravagant clothing choice also for creating persona of rich idiot guy. Even though sector dominate by slave hunters of various guilds still there is considerable amount of hunters from aristocrat or rich background.
He personally doesn't like this idea very much but it was Michael's request so he followed anyways.
After three corpses to merchant and changing in some decent shirt and trouser he left towards teleportar.
4 am in morning, outside of hunter headquarter.
Lawrence already contacted Ross while he was lobby so was now waiting for him. He was Lawrence's butler and help Michael in bookstore on his behalf.
Shortly after butler came as he was order to standby before entering gate and their car head towards Michael's residence.
It's mansion situated in central region unlike his villa in uptown. While his villa gives air of extravagance but this mansion straight out history books. It was more of royal place than residance.
With main five story building in center surrounded by other small structures. Mansion spread around thirty acres or something. Scale wise his own villa barely two tenth of it.
Lawrence shock no matter how many times he sees it. Mainly because no one he meet till now have such kind mansion. Even governor's close aids and various guildmasters don't get such treatment.
Car entered the main get and greeted with mesmerizing architecture which compliment with beautiful marble statues, fountains.
After entering main hall Lawrence move straight to library as no matter what Michael always their most of time. All servants are familiar with Lawrence so no one stop him.
Other than Michael family includes his mother, younger brother and brother's wife. Lawrence good relation with them.
This good relation also thanks to Michael himself. Because all these years learning under him Lawrence inherit his various habits and his evident curiosity knowledge, world make his image like younger Michael in eye their eyes.
It's early morning so other family members either asleep or just woken. But he still goes to library as Michael barely sleep 5 or 6 hours as he had decipher various characteristics and traits. So he had read different historical data and books regularly.
All fortune and luxury his family enjoy because governor need his expertises for gates. It was same for his late father and late grandfather.
His family doing it generations as they created vast amounts knowledge and records so any governors till now don't try to rashly replace them.
After his father's death baton pass to him.
Despite all this michael and family can consider as prisoners. Because neither they can leave city or contact anyone from outside. Perfectly confine in it.
While thinking all this he comes infront of door.
'Creak'
Wooden door open and he greets Michael.
Michael's historical taste of things can seen deeply rooted house also. While other people's vaunt modernism his home thrive on past legacies and traditions.
"I know teacher likes books more than me. But isn't it can consider addiction at this point."
He speaks with charming smile and as always Michael try to dodge it.
"We already discussed it but still come too early. Does anything serious happen?" Michael question him with serious tone.
He nods after hearing this and recounted all things till now. He doesn't hide anything and tell about his deal with origin code.
"In short, you maintain that persona according to my words and bump into those guys. You were aspect little fight inside but they full on try to kill you. So decide to go this way also confirm both skills on code."
Michael speak in low tone. He doesn't feel any pity for them. Moreover he was proud of Lawrence's scheme.
It was mainly because to them retort such way they must do it others and he can bet all his fortune that them atleast kill few dozens of people. So there's no room for sympathy.
"By the way when they will die?" He asked.
"Now all depends on that code. But with my experience with him, he will tired them more and make sure very close to boss room so can't runway." Lawrence replied with expressionless face.
"By the way how much your level increase?"
"Well I also didn't check but -
"What happened?? Why did pause all of sudden?"
"I just get large amount exp and level up. Like I mentioned before of last guardian case so boss must be dead. What is exact time now?"
"5:25 to be precise."
"For to be murder suspect you doesn't seem to worried." Michael try to tease him.
"What are saying teacher? I am just trash support class hunter. Who is nothing but failure." Lawrence speaks in scarcastic manner.
What he spoke now indeed true. Atlantis tier three city where C- rank hunter consider as top of food chain. So logically his AA+ rank class must overturned the city.
But class despite being high rank is a failure at least in others eyes.
Reason behind complex yet not same time. Classes also had their hierarchy with novice, skilled, master and grandmaster. Higher one had better the class skills gets.
In that perspective Lawrence class 'Master Trader ' must have better skills than his novice and skilled counterparts. But here's the problem because both lower one provides skills like appraisal, shows success rate in business, etc.
But master level only gives active communication skill which disregard language barrier and passive one which slightly increases chances of striking successfully deal.
So his class consider as useless and there are more hundred such failures.
"Well you are not wrong either. Their only five hunters recorded with this class and all their experiences set such bad criticism. But do you really think compatibility was reason for your such vast improved skills??"
"Teacher I definitely think it as nothing else makes sense. My compatibility was 100% but their range between 50-60%. Even various hunters I see also same it. Moreover Mary's abnormal behaviour on this question also her desperate attempt to dodge it to varies time." Lawrence answer in little serious but cool voice.
"So what next now?" Michael question him curiosity.
He face filled devious wide grinn and speak.
"Well just ride the wave and create some troubles."
Both man laugh to heart content with uninterested to their surrounding.
Back to sector, In front E rank gate wolf's den.
"Gate became grey and hour ago which means boss is killed so team must preparing for exist." First guard speaks.
"But they clear very fast. Almost take down previous record." Second guard speaks and other one agrees to him.
After some time they leave as their shift complete now.
Hour after hour morning pass and afternoon starts to taking steps. Five hours already passed some guards start panicking little but no one called superiors as this kind situation is rare but occurrs something.
Few more hours pass silently,
"Did you inform the head ??? Only half an hour left now." It was superior officer who was called as eight hours cross.
On-site guards follow safety guidelines inform situation to him as buffer period ends.
"Spells shows thy are still alive but what the hell are doing inside!!" He speaks in full panic and anxiety. They're basic tracking magic which for showing target dead or alive.
Time start to feel accelerate now and site became dead silent.
No one checking time but their gazes fixed on gate. Suddenly gate front of them vanish as it hit that nine hours.
?????
Sector head connect call to superior officer who was trying his best to muster courage to speak.
"Sir team didn't make it."
"Oh! So they died. Well that wild boar(Erik) was useful for plan still what a pity. You worked really hard by the way. Let's end call as I need prepare compensation for Nex's guild."
It raspy, cold voice. From start to finish his words where superficial and tone itself lack any emotions.
Upon hearing it officer fell on his knees and start crying and mourning.
Before he even think anything -
'Bang!!' 'Bang!!'
Heads of each person standing there start poping one after another. There where at least dozen people all dead in seconds and create large pool of blood and corpses.
Inside the gate,
After running out of boss room they still had atleast some hope of escaping. But hitting by harsh reality they drown in endless sea of despair.
'Aaah!!' 'Aaaa!!' 'Ppplease!!!!'
All their clothes, boots and their very body start melting. Pain intense as they're dissolving at molecular level and absorb in gate. Some were screaming, begging or try to run mindlessly but all of this wasteful.
All of them simply digested by gate while being conscious and alive.
It was very tragic and grosteque end for their story.
Extra Info :
1) Michael's class is novice melee fighter (F) at level 9 and Andrew is skilled hitman (EE+) at level 16.
2) Nex named mentioned by sector head at end is prominent guildmaster of hydra guild. Also he is leader of hunter's faction supporting current governor.