Johnquis froze when he saw their faces. That look disgust, disbelief, it hit him hard. Just like back in training. That old feeling came rushing in.
The girl continued, "Randy, that's our batch mate, the one with the chain! We call it The Leash, right? You're the guy who fights up close, hugging every Eater to death? Oh man, hahaha!"
"Oh hey! Right, Johnquis! The leash boy! Still dragging that thing around? How's life treating you, buddy?"
Johnquis's voice wavered slightly.
"Hey. Uh, yeah, hello. Good to see you two again. I didn't recognize you... congrats on reaching bronze—"
Randy cut in.
"Of course you didn't recognize us. You only ever had eyes for your little sister. The sister who ended up way stronger than her big bro. The one who was supposed to protect her."
The girl laughed.
"Man, we have to drop him. He's dead weight. The weakest Eater Blade ever. Like why is he even here? Look at him, it's been three months since we graduated, and he's still unranked. He hasn't even unlocked his first skill. What the hell?"
"Totally agree, he's useless! Just gonna slow the whole squad down. I'm not carrying him like his little sister used to. And where is she now, huh? The same girl who never let go of him? She's ranked up, way ahead. Left him behind cause he couldn't keep up."
"Leash boy got ditched by his baby sister. Maybe you should've put the leash on her then she wouldn't have left you behind."
Lex and Randy burst into laughter.
Mars stepped forward.
"That's enough."
He looked at Johnquis, eyes cold.
"Listen up, unranked. I don't care if this is your first E-rank quest with a squad. You're here now. I can't drop you even if I want to, system's already locked us in. So don't screw this up."
He turned to the others.
"Target nest is ahead, rooftop level. Queen confirmed. Other Eaters likely out hunting to feed her. We hit the roamers first, then the nest. Keep sharp, stay tight, and don't speak unless spoken to."
He pointed at Johnquis.
"You stick behind Lex. She says move, you move. She says shut up, you shut up."
Johnquis replied calmly,
"Understood."
A chime echoed in his ears. He checked his Eater Stone and tapped it.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
You are now part of: [Active Squad]
Status: Mission Initializing
Time Limit: 6h00m
Objective: Eliminate all Eaters in identified nest. Confirm Hatchling Queen kill.
Another screen blinked:
[SYNCED Squad MEMBERS]
Name: [Mars]
Rank: [Bronze]
Feed Count: [52,100/70,000]
Star Rate: [★★★☆☆]
Role: [Breaker]
Status: [In Squad]
Name: [Lex]
Rank: [Bronze]
Feed Count: [25,000/70,000]
Star Rate: [★★☆☆☆]
Role: [Ranger]
Status: [In Squad]
Name: [Randy]
Rank: [Bronze]
Feed Count: [27,200/70,000]
Star Rate: [★★☆☆☆]
Role: [Attacker]
Status: [In Squad]
Johnquis stood there, still as stone, the laughter still echoing in his ears. His eyes flicked from one name to the next on the squad list; Mars, Lex, Randy. Each of them stronger. Then he saw his own name. That lonely one-star rating. A gut punch he could never get used to.
"The leash boy with just one star. Always that one damn star. No matter how many I've fought or what I've survived, I'm still the weakest to them. Even before I graduated... They see only what they want: weak, supporter, leash boy. Everyone remembers me by that damn chain... But you're not here to impress anyone, Johnquis. You're here to avenge them all and find your sister again."
A sharp chime cut through the cold air as the system pinged again. One by one, they checked their Eater Stones.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
Quest Range Entered: E-Tier Nest
Objective Activated: Eliminate all Eaters in identified nest.
Time Limit: 6h00m
Status: Squad
Mars looked over at the others. He didn't bother looking at Johnquis.
"Alright, team. We're officially inside the hunt zone. This is where it gets serious."
Lex said, "Yeah, no pressure, leash-boy. Try not to embarrass yourself. Your little sister isn't here to save you."
Randy added, "Remember, you're just meat on this team. We don't need any accidents."
"As a supporter, you can leash some Eaters and drag them to us. That's what supporters do, right? Set up the kills for everyone else?"
"Tch, supporter roles are for the weak. Most squads don't even need them, they're just trouble."
Johnquis kept silent. He forced himself to breathe and followed behind, staying as close to Lex as he could.
The Squad carefully walked down the broken remains of High Street. Tall buildings stood on both sides, their glass windows all shattered. They were empty shells of what they used to be. Shops were ruined, busy cafés and stores were now covered in weeds and rubble. Weak neon signs flickered, casting a strange light over the messy street.
The wind blew through broken windows and bent street lamps, bringing a faint smell of rot and rust. Above them, torn banners and ripped tarps flapped like ghostly flags. The usual sounds of a busy city were gone, replaced only by the soft crunch of their boots on broken concrete and glass.
No Eaters moved.
Mars led the way, his eyes sharp as he watched every shadow. Lex moved smoothly beside him, Randy kept his fists tight, muscles tense. Johnquis stayed just behind Lex.
Mars scanned ahead.
"No sign of Level 1s..."
He kept walking, then spoke more casually, almost bragging.
"I ran into a few Tankers on past quests. Big, dumb, and nasty. Took all four of us to bring one down."
Lex looked around as they walked.
"Really, you beat a Tanker, love? I've never seen one. You really are strong."
"These muscles aren't just for show, love!"
Randy chuckled, "Oh man, my ears are gonna bleed with all this sweetness."
"Always bitter, Randy. Just like my brother Rex. Whatever! So, how is it, love?"
"They're slow, but they don't stop. They take all your hits and keep walking, just soaking damage. Like fighting a walking tank. Guess that's why they're called that."
Randy added, "And they're not even the worst Level 2s."
Lex responded, "Yeah, another squad got wiped out last week. Completely gone. All dead! Turned into food for the Eaters!"
Johnquis, still keeping his distance but trying to blend into the group, added quietly:
"The Runner... the famous one. They say it's the nemesis of all the rookies here in the South Zone. Every new Eater Blade that enters this hellhole... ends up as meat for it."
The mood shifted slightly. Even the veterans grew a little quieter.
Lex muttered, "Yeah, that thing's not just fast. It plays with you. Like it enjoys watching you panic before it rips your chest open."
Johnquis asked, "You've heard stories?"
"I've seen what it leaves behind. No one survives that Runner, dumbass."
Randy added, "If you saw that squad last week, leash boy? Just bones left. Suits torn open from the inside. One guy? Had his head ripped right out through his body. So you better get ready. Could be you next!"
Lex burst out laughing. "Come on, don't scare the kid. He already looks like he's about to piss himself."
Johnquis looked down. He couldn't deny it. Everything they said was true. If he saw that Runner… it'd be his death. No skills unlocked. Still unranked. He wouldn't survive a second.