This dungeon, or Gate, as they call them Mutation Gates in this world, was swirling so fast that even the air around it was moving wildly.

I was standing around some thirty feet away from it and yet I could feel the wind hitting my face.

But those three hunters were standing right in front of it without giving a damn about the wind. However, as I looked around the Gate’s surroundings, I noticed something.

I could see the rubble of buildings and some half-destroyed walls still standing strong. It looked like there were houses and buildings here before the gate’s appearance, that might have been wrecked by the monsters which came out from it.

I took some steps forward and without being noticed by the hunters I walked toward a wall and hid behind it.

Now, I was much closer to them that I could hear their voices as whispers. The sound was low however I could still hear the words clearly.

"What are we waiting for?"

First of all, a heavy voice reached my ears and following it was a girl’s voice.

"We are waiting for someone."

Hearing it, the first guy spoke again. This time his voice was filled with a bit of anger, "How long are we supposed to wait?"

Just like him the girl also got a bit irritated from waiting and said, "Why do we even need a fourth hunter for a C-Rank Gate? We can clear it in like sixty minutes."

Both of them were clearly irritated and angry yet the third guy remained calm and didn’t speak up. But when he heard the girl he didn’t have any choice other than clearing her doubts.

"He is necessary for this raid."

He only said one sentence and for a moment silence fell over my ears. I couldn’t hear the other two either. It seems the guy who spoke just now was their leader.

After some seconds, I glanced behind the wall and looked at them.

The first was a bulky man carrying a tower shield large enough to hide a person behind, and a sword hanging loosely from one hand.

The second was a petite girl spinning a dagger between her fingers as if she had been too bored.

The last one stood the stillest. No visible weapon. No unnecessary movement. Just a black mask and an aura that made even the other two feel quieter. He looked like their leader.

All of their faces were covered behind masks. Not any ordinary masks, but very kinds of different.

The big guy had a half skull mask that was only covering his eyes and nose. The girl was wearing a white fox-like mask which actually looked like it was made for children to play with. I know because I had seen those masks before in a shop near my house.

’Is she a kid or what?’

I thought and looked at the leader. Unlike the other two his mask was completely unsettling. It was dark in color and only had two holes for eyes, other than that there was nothing. No expression or anything else. It was just clean except for a cut under its left eye.

As I looked at them, I remembered something. The Mercenary Hunters. They were the only ones who wore masks. They took on requests of VIPs and rich people to protect, save, and even kill targets.

’They must be here on someone’s request.’

Those guys only had one goal. Earning money. Other than that nothing mattered to them. And there are countless of them scattered all over the world.

While I was peeking at them the leader spoke up again, "The one who hired us had one condition, that we have to take this guy with us. But he is late. We will only wait for five more minutes. Otherwise we will proceed as planned."

Wait!

So, does it mean they don’t know the fourth guy?

Thinking that, my eyes fell onto the ground where I saw a paper bag in which people have their takeouts. It had a smirk printed on it with the word, ’Smile’ above it.

Suddenly, an idea struck my mind. I quickly grabbed it and tore open two holes for eyes. But, I couldn’t make them the same size, one hole was bigger than the other.

After doing so, I wore it on my head. I thought it would smell but it didn’t.

Well, that makes it easier for me. Now I just hope it works.

I let out a sigh and began walking toward the trio. In my mind I kept repeating only two words.

’Please, work! Please, work!’

Soon, I was able to reach them. First of all the girl noticed me and tightened her grip on her daggers.

’Shit, I think it doesn’t work.’

She slowly walked to me and pointed her dagger at my neck.

"You," she began and my heart started beating faster from the adrenaline. "You. Why are you so late?"

When she said that my eyes widened.

’That worked?’

The girl stared at the paper bag on my head for a full three seconds and then lowered her weapon.

"What are you wearing? Did you rob a lunch or something?"

She laughed and the bulky guy crossed his arms and tilted his head. "No, no. Let him cook."

Saying that he nodded seriously as if defending a great artistic decision.

"There’s probably some deep tactical reason behind this."

I stayed silent. Because there was no tactical reason behind it.

Nevertheless, I can’t stay silent for too long. I also can’t just say anything. I need to be a little intimidating and strong, something that won’t provoke them nor make them belittle me.

"You talk too much."

I let out in a heavy and serious tone. Hearing it, the girl began to glare at me. I could feel it under her mask but the tanker’s response was different. He just laughed it off and pointed his sword at me.

"Hahaha, I like that one."

However, both of the side characters didn’t matter to me as much as the leader. He was just standing there quietly, assessing the situation.

For a moment he didn’t make any movement, then he looked at me from head to toe that was followed by a single nod.

"...Acceptable."

Wait, acceptable?

I blinked. The leader had given me the green light and now I was able to get into the team without much trouble. I didn’t think it would be this easy.

The foxy girl moved her gaze away from me and immediately turned toward the leader.

"You cannot be serious."

She was shocked by the leader’s decision but the leader just ignored her and turned away. Witnessing this the tanker let go of his shield and slapped his knee, then laughed out loud.

"See? Even boss approves. Rookie’s already ahead of you."

"I hate all of you." The girl pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Fine. What’s your name, Lunch Thief?"

For one terrifying second, my brain stopped functioning. A name? I never thought of that. What should I introduce myself as? Lets just say whatever comes out of my mouth.

"...B... Brian. My name is Brian."

Following my name another silence fell over the atmosphere.

"That somehow makes this worse." The tanker said and turned toward the gate. Then the leader finally spoke up.

"Now," he said, facing the gate. "Shall we begin the illegal raid?"

My heartbeat stopped for half a second.

Illegal?

What kind of lunatics did I just join?