Hubert is now totally bewildered about what is going on. He thought he was just doing a regular handyman job at first, but now that he is on the way to the actual job, he is skeptical and afraid of what will happen.
He glanced at the tools that popped out after the briefing and pulled one of them. The tool looks like a gun, but instead of a muzzle, it looks like it was replaced with a barcode scanner or something similar. It is light and wireless, and it really does look like a gun, just without the ability to shoot anything.
The voice on the screen speaks as soon as he removes the tool from its container
"Anomaly Scanner. Anomalies are hard to distinguish from regular items and household items scattered in the area. What this does is identify anomalous objects and mark them in a different color after a scan. If the object is small, one can just pull the trigger to get rid of the anomaly or fix the anomaly itself by reverting it to its prior state. If the anomalous object cannot be reverted or destroyed, the operator who discovers it should recover the anomalous object and bring it with them for extraction."
Hubert sighed in relief as the item in his hand didn't seem dangerous. However, it seems that the voice was not yet done talking.
"Be careful with the scanner. Scanning without identifying an anomalous object 3 times will render the scanner useless for 30 minutes, and it cannot be used until the 30 minutes have passed. Successfully scanning an anomaly will not trigger the penalty, so make sure you use it with restraint. Considering that this tool is the only way for operators to get rid of and detect anomalous objects on site, it is recommended not to scan haphazardly unless you are sure that you have found something that can be considered anomalous. This is why you are working on teams so that you can cover each other's backs."
Since Hubert had no idea what these "anomalous objects" were in the first place, he was a bit rattled. He looked at the others, but it seemed they were composed and silent about it. From the looks of it, he is the only one who is clueless about what is going on and what his real job is all about. And since everyone else is not complaining, even though he wanted to ask or even talk about the things he didn't understand, he decided to keep quiet. After all, even though he is hired, the current first job was said to be a "taste test" before the official and hard part of the job.
With the explanation done, he slotted the anomalous scanner into his toolbelt before checking on the second item. It looks like a regular stopwatch, but it was anything but regular as far as he can guess.
"That is something we called "Time Stopwatch". Like its namesake, it can stop time literally for a certain duration of time. It sounds fantastical, sure. But this item only works on site, and it is absolutely useless outside, so don't bother using it right now. Like the anomalous scanner, it has limited uses and can only be used at least 5 times each stopwatch, so use it wisely. Although time will stop, no one will freeze, and the only user will be able to move. It will only stop time from flowing literally. Now, this item is only used if you encounter a hostile anomaly. One has to use it to have a time pause for the time being, allowing for operators to exterminate the anomalous hostile entity."
Hubert is now not sure about his situation anymore, and whether he needs to back out after hearing the explanation. What kind of job did he apply for and get accepted into?!
Then, he turned to look at the three items holstered inside the container. One seems to be a handle of a bladed weapon, one seems to be a gun handle, and the other seems to be some kind of tool. Before he can take them out, the voice speaks again.
"At the current moment, since the first job for recruits is simple, only these two gadgets will be allowed for use. However, we will also add tools that will allow operators to handle hostile anomalous entities. Plasma Gun, Extermination Blade, and Trapper Catcher."
"Plasma Gun fires weak but infinite plasma bullets that replenish every time the last loaded bullet is fired. They are not too effective for killing, but they can be used to effectively weaken enemies in the process."
"Extermination blade is your primary weapon and your main weapon for getting rid of anomalous entities. Highly lethal, but only works on short ranges. But don't expect the anomalous entities not to fight back, which makes the last tool your friend for this job if you are in a face-to-face battle against the anomalous entities."
"Last but not least, the trapper catcher. It is a throwable trap that allows operators to temporarily catch and stun enemies in the process. Use them effectively and wisely, for you only have three of them per mission per person."
As soon as the voice finished talking, the van they were riding in also stopped.
"Wear the smartwatches on your wrists. That will be your tool to know what kind of anomaly you are looking for. Now then, operators are ready for deployment. Everyone, I wish you good luck and return alive."
Hubert is now totally ready to back out, but he can't back out now. This is for the sake of his daughter. In exchange for a chance to save her, he will do anything, as long as he is still alive...even if he has to do a job that requires risking his life, he will do it.
The other recruits got out of the van. Even the driver went down the van as well, but he isn't there to join in the recruits; he was there to open up the portal mentioned in the briefing.
"You heard the briefing, right? This site is the place where anomalous events are currently happening, and your job is to correct and keep the place stable and safe, ensuring those anomalous effects do not affect the real world or anything. This is also why you are entering another dimension, since those anomalous effects can be effectively destroyed in that dimension. So search and go look for weird things happening. It could be a weird placement of random stuff, duplicating items, and even objects you are sure were not present. And whatever you do, don't rearrange or disturb the placements of the objects inside the place. That way, spotting the changes would be much easier for you all without relying on the watch to give you the ne.xt anomalies spotted. And a quick advice for novice recruits like you lot. Don't let the anomalies stay active for too long. The dimension will collapse, and you will not like what will happen next, so I will not say anything else."
He pushed a button, and all of a sudden, a portal that Hubert had only seen in movies appeared before him. Was there such advanced technology present nowadays?
Everyone looked at the portal a bit before they entered without any problems, leaving behind Hubert, who was still having second thoughts. The driver seems to have noticed this, and before Hubert can react, he is pushed by the driver inside the portal.
As soon as he passed by the portal, the portal that once allowed them to enter that dimension closed, leaving everyone inside a small house. Compared to what Hubert thought, the house looks more ordinary than every other house. Sure, some stuff is a bit messy, but since they are not allowed to touch those, they have to explore the house.
The man who looked to be more sensible of the group faced the others and nodded. "Alright. Since this team is temporary, we will call ourselves by codenames to easily remember who is who. I should be number 1, the only woman in our group should be number 2, you are number 3, and as for you, who came in last, should be number 4."
Hubert can only nod as the guy who calls himself number 1 decides to become the leader of the group. The other two seem not to mind it either way.
"Good. Now, let's get over to our current agenda, which is to find at least five anomalies to solve for the portal to reopen. So, without further ado, we should split up and look for these changes so that we can cover more ground.
Hubert frowned and quickly protested. "Isn't that risky? We have been informed in the briefing that some anomalous entities are out there that can kill us. Doesn't that mean we are in a bad situation if that is the case? What if those things suddenly pop out while everyone has been busy?"
Number 1 nodded, but he smiled and pulled out the Plasma gun and Executioner Blade out of his toolbelt.
"We don't need to fear! With these weapons at hand, we will be fine!" he smiled as he reassured the worried Hubert.
But then, his body suddenly went stiff and all of a sudden...
"THUD."
Something rolls to the ground, and the woman who is called number 2 screams in horror as the head of Number 1 separates from his body.
And just like that, one of their teammates has been slain, confirming the first casualty in just a few minutes upon entry. At that exact moment, the watch also gave out the first anomaly.
"1st Anomaly detected: Anomalous Entity Flesh Spider identified. Everyone, move in and remove the anomalies."