Contrary to Volkova's expectations, I was in no hurry to faint. Any other Tamer in my position would have collapsed, or more likely, they would have passed into the afterlife after such an ordeal. It isn't just about pressing a button, you are literally feeding the beast with your own lifespan. When you are young, you hardly feel the impact. That is why no one ever sees an elderly Tamer.
Suddenly, a piercing siren began to wail, forcing Hanako to cover her ears and huddle low. Shouts, heavy footsteps, and the slamming of doors echoed from every direction. Within seconds, the entire guild hall emptied as everyone rushed to close another breach in the city center. Only Dima, the receptionist, and I remained. Volkova had even swept up Kuznetsova and the instructors with her.
"Unranked rookies are forbidden from participating in emergency missions," the girl behind the counter explained, answering the unspoken question of why we were left behind.
"The risk of becoming cannon fodder or a burden is too high. But if you want to make a difference, you can complete a contract suited to your rank."
Dmitry was practically beaming with joy. "Yes, yes, yes!" he almost jumped, his annoyed expression quickly turning into a childish grin.
"Give me something right now, or I'll die of boredom! Are there goblins? They make the funniest hissing sound when you crack their heads with a hammer."
The girl let out a long sigh, her fingers dancing across the keyboard with a rhythmic tapping. Soon, an information window appeared on the electronic screen beside her monitor, displaying the details of an available contract.
The contract, listed as serial number F-734, was located at the Severny shopping mall. The primary objective was to cull a population of wolf-type monsters that had begun to overbreed there. A special note emphasized that the mall was to remain in operation, so we were required to work quietly without causing panic among the shoppers. The mission status was considered low priority, with a new portal breakthrough not expected for another two weeks.
That last point was what caught my attention the most.
"Why don't they just close the portal?" I asked, staring intently at the girl.
"That portal opened over a year ago," she shrugged indifferently.
"There have been many attempts to seal it, but according to the analysts, this is one of those that closes on its own over time. The rift is expected to shut within a year. That's why we periodically send hunters to clear it out so it doesn't overflow."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Dima sign his name electronically without asking for further details. "I'm in. A real hunt at last!"
I didn't share his enthusiasm. A growing feeling told me it was time to fire the local office analysts. A portal that disappears over time? Such predictions were pure guesswork because the mechanics of portals remained a mystery even to those who had studied them for centuries.
"Fine," I finally said, signing the contract with a lazy smile. "I'm free until tonight anyway. I'll try to kill some boredom and close this unclosable portal myself so the local hunters can stop having headaches."
The girl clearly thought it was just the bluster of a newcomer. She continued typing her report, ignoring our presence entirely. After leaving the guild building, I continued to ignore the man trying so hard to be my friend. Since we both took the same contract, we had to complete it together.
Dima talked to himself excitedly while I only offered one-syllable answers. While waiting at the bus stop, Dima rambled about his grand plans for the future.
"Listen, why so gloomy? This is your first mission, come on! Where's your sense of adventure?"
"I'm just curious what punishment awaits me if only one of us returns."
"Don't you dare kill me," Dima frowned, then burst into laughter again. "You bastard. I almost believed you."
When the long-awaited minibus arrived, the journey to the shopping mall passed in silence. Severny Shopping Mall turned out to be a grimy, run-down little place. Bored crowds wandered the aisles, completely unaware that a hole to another world gaped just a few meters above their heads.
According to the instructions, the portal was located on the roof, accessed through an abandoned service stairwell. The guard at the entrance didn't even look up as we showed our guild tokens.
"I'll give you the key for an hour," he muttered, handing over a greasy iron key. "Don't be long. Last month, two rookies went in and disappeared."
The steel door to the roof opened with a horrific creak. We were immediately hit by a blast of cold wind. As soon as we stepped into the fresh air, a glowing blue oval appeared before us, frozen in the center of the concrete platform. A cold mist flowed from the center of the portal in all directions.
"So, bro, shall we go?" Dima glanced at me. "You coming or what?"
"Do I look like a fool? Going into an Arctic wasteland without proper clothing?"
Without waiting for an answer, I turned and headed back down the stairs. Fifteen minutes later, we were fully equipped with two insulated ski suits, thermal underwear, and backpacks we bought from the sports shop downstairs.
"Well, at least now we won't freeze," Dima boasted in his new bright blue suit that somehow fit his massive frame.
As he admired his reflection, I closed my eyes, feeling the thin thread connecting me to Hanako.
"Go," I commanded silently. "Find their nest. Kill the young. Distract the main pack."
We returned to the roof and stepped through the portal. The sensation was horrific, like being dipped in liquid nitrogen and suddenly pulled out. We stood in the middle of an endless snowscape where the wind howled and snow hit our faces like thousands of sharp needles.
"Oh, wow!" Dima shouted, but his excitement was drowned out by the wind.
Blurry silhouettes of opponents began to emerge from behind the snowdrifts. They were Ice Wolves. Their hides were made of hundreds of crystals that shimmered with eyes glowing with cold blue fire.
"Alright, wolves, shall we dance?" Dima took his fighting stance.
The wolves attacked without warning. The first lunged at me, and I dodged calmly. I punched its side and felt the cracks in its crystals, but the wound immediately began to grow a new layer.
"Careful. These creatures might be weak, but they can regenerate," I shouted to Dima, who was fighting three other wolves.
Evading a wolf's fangs, Dima lunged toward the shadow of a giant ice block. The shadow enveloped his body, his movements became faster, and his punches shattered the wolf into pieces.
"No body, no regeneration!" he shouted gleefully.
Meanwhile, I tried to save my energy by only dodging. Occasionally, I struck back, blinding them or dislocating their legs.
"Submit," I commanded, expanding my aura. As they froze for a moment, I drew a Tamer seal in the air, duplicating it onto their magical cores.
"Bro, you're a real piece of work," Dima panted, seeing a dozen wolves bowing before me.
Within a minute, all those wolves lost their heads. Dima wiped the sweat from his forehead, annoyed that he had to be the one to split their heads open. He ripped a pulsing blue crystal from a monster's chest.
"Look how beautiful this is," he tossed the crystal into the air. "Just take it, don't be shy!"
I quietly began collecting ice crystals as well. Once finished, we stretched our aching muscles.
"So, is our job done?" he asked.
"The clearing is done, yes, but I have other plans."
I released the aura of my core and cast an invisible net. "There. That is where the thing preventing the portal from closing lies," I pointed.
We reached a vast desert surrounded by giant ice peaks. In the center stood a colossal crystal surrounded by needle-like ice fences. It was much larger than the ones we carried.
Approaching the massive crystal, I placed my hand on it and closed my eyes.
"Freeze," I commanded.
The storm died down and a massive crack spread across the crystal's surface. The three-story high crystal exploded into thousands of tiny pieces. I caught the largest shard and began to absorb its energy.
"The portal problem is solved," I said, tossing a large crystal that still held a trace of energy.
"Now it's time to go home."
Back on Earth, I headed toward the portal. With a snap of my fingers, the blue rift shrank into a single point and vanished with a soft popping sound.
"How did you do that?" Dima stared with his jaw hanging open.
"Just a lucky coincidence," I shrugged.
After returning the key to the guard, we headed to the hunter headquarters. The receptionist was shocked to see our bags full of crystals. We were paid for the portal clearing, while the closure was officially recorded as having happened naturally.
After receiving his share, Dima suggested celebrating at a bar, but I declined. I took out my phone and sent a short text to Airi to get her dress ready.
An hour later, we were sitting at the Azure Sky restaurant overlooking the Novosibirsk night. Airi looked stunning in her red evening gown.
"You look happy," Airi said, playing with her wine glass. "It's like you're tasting real food for the first time."
"Isn't it? In Hell, I was fed ash. On this Earth, this is a true culinary paradise."
We talked for a long time about the past. After dinner, I paid and we walked home in the cold night air. Hanako greeted us at home in her cat form.
Airi, wanting privacy, grabbed Hanako by the scruff of the neck and threw her out the window before slamming it shut. Her eyes glowed purple, and the outline of wings began to emerge from her back.
Airi transformed into the Succubus Queen with giant leathery wings and sharp obsidian claws.
"Usually a night with me costs a fortune," she hissed, approaching me. "But for you, Master, I will make an exception."
"You'll be receiving payment with my energy anyway," I replied, pulling her close.
"I hope you can handle it, my Prince," she laughed.
We spoke no more. Only Hanako meowed piteously outside the window, begging to be let in.