Kieran sat amidst the crowd of newly awakened Hunters, his mind reeling from the System's revelations. The implications were staggering. The Gates weren't just portals to other dimensions; they were access points to different points in Earth's timeline.
"So," Kieran began, his mental voice trembling slightly, "the Anchor... it's not just a place within the Gate. It's... it's a point in time?"
"Precisely," the System confirmed, its tone grave. "The Anchor can manifest at any point in your planet's past. It could be during a historical event, a significant cultural moment, or even within the narrative of a fictional story."
Kieran's mind raced, trying to grasp the sheer scope of this temporal invasion. "But... but how? How do these other worlds integrate themselves into our history?"
"They need to weave their essence into the fabric of your world's timeline," the System explained. "They subtly alter events, introduce their creatures into your myths and legends, and leave their mark on your past. This integration is crucial for them to establish a stable foothold and fully manifest in the present."
"That's why..." Kieran trailed off, realization dawning on him. "That's why we recognized the creatures during the initial dungeon breaks. We'd seen them before... in stories, in legends."
"Correct," the System said. "Your world's collective unconscious, its myths and legends, are echoes of these past incursions. The otherworldly creatures are not entirely alien to you; they've been subtly woven into your history, your cultural memory."
Kieran was horrified. "So, the invasion isn't just happening now. It's happening... across time?"
"Yes," the System confirmed. "The common Hunters fight in the present, dealing with the immediate threat from the Gates, hunting for resources, and eliminating the Dungeon Boss. They are focused on damage control and resource acquisition."
"But the Star Hunters..." Kieran began, finally understanding the distinction.
"The Star Hunters," the System affirmed, "hunt in the Anchor. They travel to these different timelines, to the source of the invasion, to sever the connection at its root. They are the true defenders of Earth, fighting a war across time itself."
Kieran struggled to comprehend the scale of it all. "But... why isn't this common knowledge? Why don't they tell everyone?"
The System's voice turned cynical. "I don't know the full reasons behind their secrecy. Perhaps they fear the chaos that such knowledge would unleash. Perhaps they believe that most Hunters are ill-equipped to handle the dangers of the Anchor. At least they tell you about the Anchor and that it is the permanent way in closing the Gates."
"But it's not just about danger, is it?" Kieran realized. "It's about resources, about power."
"You are learning quickly," the System said. "Hunting in the Gates provides access to resources that are categorized into tiers: common, elite, magical, and rare. These resources are valuable, but they are limited. Think of them as the standard loot drops in your video games."
"But the Anchor..." Kieran prompted.
"The Anchor," the System stated, its voice filled with a sense of awe, "offers resources of epic, legendary, and even higher tiers. Artifacts of immense power, knowledge lost to time, weapons beyond your current comprehension. The potential rewards are exponentially greater, but so are the risks."
Kieran was stunned into silence. The difference was astronomical. The Gates offered a path to power, but the Anchor offered a path to godhood.
"And the Star Hunters," Kieran asked, "they can also... ascend?"
"Yes," the System confirmed. "Ranked Hunters are responsible for hunting at the Gates, as that man mentioned. That's where most of your missions from the Hunters Association will take you. Star Hunters, however, are like you. They possess the potential to transcend the ordinary Hunter ranks and reach unimaginable heights."
"But why the secrecy?" Kieran persisted. "Why not let everyone know about this?"
The System's voice turned grim. "What do you think would happen, Kieran, if every Hunter knew that the Anchor held the key to ultimate power? What would happen if they knew they could find ways to increase their Hunter Rank?"
Kieran's face hardened. He imagined the chaos, the greed, and the reckless pursuit of power that would ensue. "It would be a massacre," he said grimly.
"Precisely," the System agreed. "You Earthlings are known for your ambition, your desire for advancement. The prospect of becoming stronger is a powerful lure. Revealing the truth about the Anchor to everyone would only lead to unnecessary deaths, as countless Hunters would rush headlong into dangers they are not prepared to face. The creatures in the Anchor are far stronger than those in the Gates."
The System paused, then added, "Now, pay attention to the man. You need to understand the practicalities of being a Hunter, even if you now know the bigger picture."
Kieran reluctantly turned his attention back to the front of the room, where Tom was wrapping up his briefing.
"...Okay, if none of you has any more questions about being a Hunter, let's talk about your benefits for registering with the Hunters Association," Tom's voice reverberated through the room.
He continued, "Aside from having access to the market and mission assignments, the Association offers a loan to all its registered Hunters. You can use this loan to acquire a skill crystal, which you will need to repay by completing missions."
Kieran's ears perked up. A loan for a skill crystal? That was exactly what he needed. His earlier disappointment at the System's limitations vanished, replaced by a surge of hope.
He couldn't help but ask the System, his mental voice filled with excitement, "Did you hear that? A loan for a skill crystal! How do I apply?"
"I heard," the System replied dryly. "And I would advise you to proceed with caution. Remember, you will have to repay this loan with missions. Do not overextend yourself."
Kieran, however, was already focused on the immediate prospect of acquiring a skill. "I'll be fine," he dismissed the System's concerns. "I need a skill, and this is the fastest way to get one."
Tom was explaining the loan application process. "...For those who want to apply for the loan, you just need to submit a request through the Association's website. Your request will be reviewed, and if approved, you will be notified to receive your skill crystal at the Hunters Admin office on the ground floor."
The newly awakened Hunters began to line up to receive their badges, their faces filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Kieran, however, was already planning his next move. As soon as he received his Novice Hunter badge, he practically sprinted out of the room and headed straight for the lounge on the ground floor. He couldn't wait to get his hands on a skill crystal and begin his journey as a Hunter, even if it meant taking on the Association's missions. The secrets of the Anchor, the war across time, and his own potential could wait. For now, he had a more pressing need: to survive, to grow stronger, and to carve his own path in this dangerous new world.