The morning was nice and we had plenty of time so Harper and I ended up walking to the Euclid Avenue dungeon.

  "So her name is Caroline, she actually used to work in the coffee shop before she became a hunter. She's single by the way." She waggled her eyebrows at me.

  "Come on, don't tell me that. I'm about to meet her for the first time, I don't want that kind of pressure."

  "Okay, okay. I mean if you become a hunter, you'll be making a lot more money and have a lot more time on your hands. It might be good to start looking."

  "Later. And not at work." I shook my head. "This is her job and only real creeps hit on girls at their jobs."

  "Fair" Harper nodded. "Extremely fair. I used to hate it when it happened to me. Just... don't rule it out if you guys get along okay?"

  "Fine, lets see what she's like. We almost there yet?" I started looking around for the dungeon. Sure enough, I saw a massive stone mound in the center of the park. Cave entrances run up and down the sides of the mini-mountain.

  "Oh, look, over there!" she pointed into the crowd "They're already here!"

  I looked over to see Max, still in his full suit of armor, waving at us. Right next to him was a short blonde girl in a white robe.

  "Hey man, it's good to see you." Max offered a fist bump "You come to cheer us on in the dungeon?"

  "Hah, not this time." I tapped my fist against his. "Harper said you have a slot open, so I figured I'd come along. Got my dungeon key and everything."

  "Really? You sure you've got what it takes, Connor?" Max looked down at me. "This is a real dungeon. Like the one on the livestream last night."

  I pulled my mace from my bag. "Got a weapon too. I'm sure there's a learning curve but I'm also sure you guys will keep me alive long enough to get the hang of it."

  "We'll do our best." The girl in the white robe, Caroline I assumed, extended a hand for me to shake.

  "Connor Steinguild," I took it. "Pleasure to meet you. Have you been dungeon crawling long?"

  "Long enough. I'm level 10 and I have one each of Bronze and Gold Utility Skills."

  Harper smiled at her. "Nice, I just hit level 12 from training and repelling Dungeon Breaks, but I only have one silver Utility Skill."

  "And I'm Level 19 with a Gold Tanking Skill." Max slammed his gauntleted fists against his breast plate like Tarzan. "I don't imagine Connor has too much to offer the group, no offense."

  That one hurt. I had to tamp down the urge to rub my shiny new S. Platinum card in his face. It would feel good, but I didn't want my secret to get out until I had a game plan on how to use my card to actually improve my life. And besides, that's probably not a good way to treat a friend, even one that's being a jerk right now.

  "Hey, that's not fair." Harper blurted. "Connor has a Skill Card now, he'll be able to pull his weight."

  Dammit Harper.

  "Oh yeah?" Max grinned "That's great news, kiddo. What rarity is it?"

  Harper drew in a breath to answer. Fuck, even if the news got out that I had a skill, I didn't want her to spill the full details. There had to be something I could do-

  "It's a platinum card!" I panic yelled.

  Max and Caroline just stared at me like I'd grown an extra head. Fuck, I should have said something more normal, like silver or gold.

  "He has a-" Max started.

  "Platinum card!?" Caroline finished.

  I started frantically drawing my hand across my own throat, hoping they'd get the picture and not make a big deal of things.

  It... did not work.

  "What kind is it?"

  "Is it single ability or multiple?"

  "When did you unlock it?"

  "Will you show me? Please please please?"

  "If you show her you've gotta show me, I'm your friend, you literally just met her."

  "Enough!" I took a couple steps back from them and raised my hands. "I just got it last night and I'm still... pretty overwhelmed by it. I'm not even sure if it'll be useful in there, but I'm going to try anyway. I may only be level 1, but everyone starts at level 1, right?"

  The two of them exchanged a look... and then burst out laughing. Max smacked me on the shoulder. I'm sure he thought he was being playful but I almost fell over "That's the spirit, kid, it's never too late to start grinding!"

  "Agh, don't call me kid, we're the same age."

  "If this platinum card thing is for real, we should definitely get to know each other." Caroline's voice dripped with sultry energy all of a sudden "I wanna see what kind of guy awakens that rare of a card."

  [Evaluator: Oh my god, she's a carddigger.]

  [Connor: That is... not a thing.]

  [Evaluator: I see it all the time. Guy gets a fancy new card, shows it off, and then boom: Drowning in bitches.]

  [Connor: I'm positive that's not what's happening. Also never say "Drowning in bitches" again]

  [Evaluator: Just saying...]

  I was torn from my thoughts by a loud Siren going off from the area near the dungeon. A woman with glasses and a ponytail stepped up on a small stage and started speaking into a megaphone.

  "Attention, Hunters! The freelance dungeon raid is about to begin! Please line up in groups of 3 to 5 and have your dungeon keys ready! Groups will be allowed in at five minute intervals until all groups are inside. When you start down a dungeon path, please mark it with the chalk in your dungeon kit. Other parties are not to travel down a marked path unless there are no unmarked paths left. In that case, go down the path with the least markings. Remember the boss monsters on every fifth level are first come first served, so don't forget-"

  This went on for a while and I started to tune her out. A different intern with an emerald green pixie cut handed out duffel bags.

  "That's the dungeon kit." Max must have seen my baffled look. "It has a first aid kit, chalk, energy bars, water rations, few other things."

  "Oh cool, I didn't realize they gave us free stuff." I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder.

  "They don't always, but they usually do for the freelance raids." he nodded towards another group nearby. They were swinging swords around, slaughtering a horde of imaginary goblins. "For the noobs, you understand. By the time you're in a guild they expect you to have your shit together, but they like to give the new guys a chance."

  I looked over the nearest group. A man in a Blue tracksuit was talking into a hovering camera drone.

  "What up, my Chill Crew! We're doing a three-man collab with Magmegan and Spark-dog for the new Dungeon on Euclid Avenue-"

  I stared at the man. "You don't, uh...You don't know who that is, do you?"

  "Oh yeah. That's YetiMan Chillz." Max rolled his eyes. "He's part of some big livestreamer guild."

  "Like the Rhinos?" I ask, scratching my head.

  "Nah, the Rhinos took it seriously. They just happened to livestream it. These guys are Streamers first, Hunters second."

  Harper put an arm around Max "Take it easy, love. They're not that bad."

  "I know." Max sighed. "It just gets to me. Most streamer Hunters get really good Skill cards and waste them on chasing clout."

  Caroline fluttered her eyelashes in... Chilli Yatzi Mama's direction. "I've heard of these three. They're part of a guild just for streamers. They're not the friendliest but they do have..." She gulped and I swear her eyes widened "s- SUPER RARE SKILL CARDS" She actually stuttered over the idea of rare skill cards. She was practically drooling.

  [Connor: Okay, you might have a point about this... carddigger thing.]

  [Evaluator: I'm never wrong. You should listen to me more often.]

  [Connor: Hah! Yeah right.]

  [Evaluator: Hey, if you want to ignore good advice, that's none of my business.]

  I sighed and looked back up to my friends. Wait a second...

  "Where'd Harper go?"

  I was alone with Max and Caroline and people were already being let in to the dungeon. Where on earth...

  "You know her, she... does this." Max laughed. "She'll be back before our group goes in. I'm sure she's-"

  "She's over there." Caroline pointed over at the group of streamers. Harper was standing in front of an older man in a suit.

  If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

  "That makes sense." I nodded. "She does that."

  "Yep." Max nodded too. "She saw an interesting person, she wants to go talk to them."

  "That's probably how she met you." I pointed out.

  Caroline looked stunned. "People just do that?"

  I laughed "Not normal people. Harper's people skills are a superpower. Maybe she secretly has a platinum card too."

  "God, could you imagine Harper with a social skills boosting card?" Max asked "Actually kind of scary. She'd be like a Bene Gesseret."

  "You'd have to get her one of those little needle things to fight with."

  "I hold the Gom Jabbar at your throat!"

  "Umm." Caroline cut in "If you guys are done riffing I don't think it's going well over there."

  A girl in a red Tracksuit had a gold card in her hand. Flames were licking off of it, like a bonfire just about to go out of control.

  "We should go." Max started moving towards the group.

  I started following him. Not really sure what my plan was without any combat abilities.

  [Evaluator: You can be Moral Support.]

  [Connor: "Moral Support" is just code for "Doesn't do anything but we invited him so he doesn't feel left out."]

  [Evaluator: See, you'd be a natural at that. That's like your whole life.]

  As we approached I realized how incredibly snooty the man's voice was. It had an extra punchable quality, like... like an adult Draco Malfoy being played by Andy Dick. "And what makes you think you can come over here and talk to me? Do you know who I am?"

  "Well no," Harper's voice was tinged with irritation. "That's the reason I came over here to begin with."

  "Haha, how foolish you are. I'll bet you don't have a single skill card over a bronze."

  "Silver, actually." Harper shot back, as the three of us came up behind her. I noticed the confidence in Red Tracksuit's eyes waver a little now that the numbers weren't on their side any more.

  "Ooooo, Silver" said the colossal prick. "My Guild requires at least a gold for entry.We are the leading guild for high-subscriber livestreamers in the tri-state area, you know. Maybe if you can develop that skill of yours into a gold, you can earn the right to talk to me, but in the meantime, know your place."

  [Connor: What on earth is he talking about?]

  [Evaluator: He's talking Card Evolution. Repeated use can cause a skill card to develop new or stronger abilities. Enough development and they can go up in rarity.]

  "Not only that, but the three Hunters I'm bringing in to the Dungeon today all have unique gold rarity combat cards."

  I locked eyes with Max. A text box opened over his head.

  [Add Max Dennison to your HUD Contact List?]

  [Y/N]

  I selected yes.

  [Connor: Do you also want to show this asshole up?]

  [Max: Oh, so badly.]

  [Connor: Let's show off. You go first.]

  "Oh man!" Max laughed haughtily, matching this rich prick's energy perfectly. "You think that scares us?" Max pulled out his Golden Card. Red Tracksuit lowered her hands, letting her flames die down.

  "Ah, you must be the leader." Black Knight snarked "I can't imagine a group like this would have two gold carders."

  "Ahem" Caroline cleared her throat and held up her gold card. "You were saying?" That was good, she didn't need to be told what was going on. That was a good sign that we'd work well as a party.

  Now Blue Tracksuit and Yellow Tracksuit were starting to look nervous. I really needed a better goon name management system. This was getting untenable.

  [Evaluator: Don't call them goons. You're on the internet enough to know that word's got... new connotations.]

  [Connor: ... Ew]

  Even the rich dick was starting to show cracks in his composure a little. "I see how it is. You two are the ringers to compensate for Miss Silver and... this one." he finally seemed to notice I was there. "An unskilled if I've ever seen one."

  Harper stepped to the front of the group again. The tracksuit triplets converged in front of their boss like some kind of goon shield. "I'll have you know that Connor-"

  "Harper!" I put my hand on her shoulder. I wanted to keep my skill somewhat secret. "We don't have to waste our time with this guy. Anyone who won't share their name when asked is someone who has something to be ashamed of. He probably wants to think he's from a more important family than he is."

  "How dare y-" We interrupted him by turning around and walking away. I'd gone to school with people like this, he raised a fuss because he thought we'd grovel and apologize and feed his ego. Ignoring him would absolutely kill him.

  "Come back here!" I felt his hand lock around my wrist as he pulled me around to face him. Behind him the Tracksuits were milling around, not wanting to follow but close enough to fry me if I tried to hurt their boss.

  "I'd let go of me if I were you. You're a bit out of your depth."

  His beady eyes flashed with rage. "What did you say to me? Since you care so much about my name, it's Nicholas James Hoster, Owner of Hoster Arms and Armaments, the largest dungeon equipment contractor in the world, and I-"

  "Talk a lot of shit for someone who thinks Double Gold is a life goal." I held up my free hand between us, using his body to block it from the rest of the crowd's view. In my palm was my Skill Card. My theory was right, if I held it just right it was mostly indistinguishable from a normal Platinum skill card.

  My other theory, that going up against someone with a bigger metaphysical dick than his would take the wind out of Hoster's sails, was also correct. He just stood there, making horrific croaking sounds like someone choking on a fishbone.

  "Next team, to the front!" Pixie cut called through her megaphone. "Next team to the front!"

  "That's us she's calling for." I said to the stunned man. "Would you kindly remove your hand from me? Because if you don't, it's coming into the dungeon with me, and I'm afraid the rest of you isn't invited."

  He hurled himself backwards, falling over with a clatter. The Tracksuit Trio rushed to help him as we turned and headed to the dungeon entrance.

  "Everyone hold your dungeon keys out for registration." Pixie cut called as we approached. "If you are a new Hunter please submit your key for engraving."

  Harper and I both handed the girl our keys. She placed them in two small crystalline boxes and turned back to us "Names?"

  "Cynthia Harper."

  "Connor Steinguild."

  Pixie cut typed something into a small handheld tablet.

  "Please place your hands on the crystal with your key inside and wait a moment."

  I'd heard there was some kind of ritual for your first dungeon delve but I had no idea what it was. I set my hand against the box. It was warm to the touch, and somehow I knew my key was inside. Something instinctive told me that's where it was, like it was a part of me. It felt just as natural as knowing where my arm was when I had my eyes closed.

  There was a flash of light and the crystal box shrank and twisted, before vanishing. There was my key, my name engraved on the side in small, glowing letters.

  "Now the keys are bound to the two of you, you'll always know where they are and nobody but the two of you will be able to use them to get into a dungeon. Your key will act as your Hunter's license so be sure you keep it on hand. When you approach the dungeon's reality manipulation field or RMF, press the key against it to be allowed to enter, if you do not press the key to the RMF the dungeon will reject you. Have a nice first crawl, you two!" I liked Pixie cut, she was peppy.

  Harper and I shared a quick look, and I used the opportunity to add her to my HUD's contact list. "Ready to go?"

  "You know it." She grinned at me. "Last one in the dungeon is a goblin snack!"

  I put my key out in front of me. I pressed the key into the shimmering curtain of energy in front of the cave mouth. I took a deep breath, and when the curtain changed from blue to gold, I took my first step into the dungeon.