Spirit Hunting Union

Quinn sat before the monitor. He hesitated to search anything up at first. But soon, he did it anyways.

He typed into the search bar,

Fire incident near Kingslanding Academy

But moments later, Quinn shut the computer down in a rush. His head hit the table with a loud bang.

Didn't care how much it would hurt.

But what's that compared to the heat in his chest?

Quinn whimpered,

"She would be in so much pain by now."

His mom.

At daybreak, Quinn was still up. Didn't even catch a flash of sleep. And so, his face wore eyebags like it was a tattoo.

After a few minutes, he looked up at the wall clock. Saw it's already 10pm. How did time pass so quickly?

While considering whether to go downstairs or not, someone knocked on the door. Opening it, Quinn found the old woman there. She asked him to come down.

Even now, Quinn couldn't stop thinking about his mother. This woman's kindness and smile reminded him of her.

Nevertheless, he quickly got dressed and soon appeared in the dining room.

But today, no one was waiting.

Everyone had eaten and gone to train, as said by Lady Maya.

Quinn's heart sank for no reason.

But, why did he expect more?

He spent too much time upstairs, simple. No need to think too much about this.

After finishing his meal, Quinn went into the basement. The team leader welcomed him in the usual playful tone. And River pounded the punching bag non-stop, not minding his presence.

Silas asked if he wanted workout suggestions today. But Quinn already had what he wanted in mind.

To train his agility.

Silas was clearly stunned by his choice. But he brought Quinn to a machine anyway. It was at the far corner of the gym.

The man called it the Multi-Arm Agility Trainer.

For improving reaction speed.

Then Silas left him to figure things out by himself. Quinn was okay with that after all.

The machine had six metallic arms with ends shaped like fists. Some arms were longer, especially the upper ones.

One hit and you're probably rolling in pain, he guessed.

Quinn turned on the red button on it. The machine powered on with a buzz immediately. And all metallic fists rushed at him in a second.

His eyes were locked on them.

Quinn shifted leftwards so that a striker missed his limb by a heartbeat.

But the rest slammed into him.

His body thrashed on the ground. And his cry echoed through the basement, drawing everyone's attentions.

Quinn winced. Why punch him that hard? He's not a damned robot!

The mechanical arms were still moving the moment he got up. So, he made sure to keep a distance.

That was when he saw the words on the machine's screen.

Quinn blinked, his lips parting.

'What in the world?!'

The words were "Movement Rate: 1/1000."

That means he was struggling with the first phase here. And there's someone probably training at max rate!

What the…

Quinn glanced back, and the others were already looking at him.

That was when River turned away. She tapped her earbud and resumed training.

Silas chuckled in the distance. And reassured Quinn,

"Don't worry. It gets easier the more you practice."

Quinn swallowed. Then, he returned his glance to the machine.

Dragging a long, heavy breath, he raised his fists. What if he sees this thing as an opponent, not equipment anymore?

An opponent like the bastard who set the hall on fire.

Quinn's breathing stalled.

What if… just what if he illusionises a human standing before him, attacking him with six arms? Could he move faster then?

'Yes, I can.'

… Even after two weeks, Quinn stuck with the agility training. He had his reasons. After every session, he collapses either in the basement. Or right on the floor of his room.

New wounds have opened. They sting like hell.

This training requires you to move your body by the second. Also, holding punches you can't attempt to throw. Or else you're risking breaking a bone.

So, it had definitely taken a toll on Quinn.

But none were enough of an excuse to quit yet.

Besides, he was seeing improvements.

Quinn came to the basement early today, before sunrise. And was still working out. Sweat wrapped around his body like a second skin.

The machine's hum cascaded through the room.

'They're coming.'

Quinn planted himself in one spot when the fists rushed towards him. Each moved at blinding speeds.

He only focused on the upper arms first. One moment, he dipped under a sweeping arm. Then, he leaned back until the second upper fist whooshed past his nose.

He sprang upright again.

Over the past weeks of training, Quinn learned one other thing. Maybe physically countering an arm won't really break your bone.

And so, he smacked the two middle strikers aside. Thus, he was able to twist out of the way of the last ones.

Quinn then inched away from it. And exhaled sharply.

The faint red screen popped up with a message,

[You have leveled up!]

When Quinn turned to fetch his water bottle, he surprisingly saw River. She was standing close to the entrance.

Quinn blinked. How long had she been there for?

Whatever.

"Oh, hi." Then he continued to get his bottle.

The question stopped him in his tracks,

"What rate did you train under?"

Quinn almost choked on his saliva. Did she just ask something about him?

Anyway, he answered,

"Ten."

River nodded and continued towards the punching bag.

Just like that?

But Quinn had something to tell her too. Something he had been keeping to himself for long.

Maybe this was his chance.

His voice rang out, firm and direct,

"Excuse me…"

River paused and looked at him.

"What?"

Quinn clenched his jaw.

"Let us have another spar."

"Why?"

"Just because. And if I am able to dodge five of your attacks, you will grant me a wish."

River held her gaze on him.

"What wish?"

Quinn didn't blink.

"Come with me somewhere. Because I need your help concealing my form in any way possible. It can be done, can't it? With magic."

"How are you sure I can?"

Quinn chuckled.

"Can you not though?"

River looked at him for a few moments. Then, she slowly walked into the boxing ring.

"Must be why agility has been your main thing for a while now."

Quinn chuckled the second time.

"I guess I'm such a see-through then…"

"Get in."

Afterwards, the fight began. It was almost the same scenario as last time. But one thing that was different was that both of them attacked each other this time.

With his improved agility, Quinn managed to evade three of her punches. The others got him, but River had just said…

"Get up. I'm following you anyways."

Wow. Why is she suddenly nice to him?

But Quinn sensed something wasn't right.

Even if she admires his persistence, it shouldn't be this much.

Anyways, he had got her approval. That matters more.

Quinn jerked off the floor, forcing a smile.

That moment, the red screen lit up again:

[Huge congratulations to you, Transformed Quinn! You have unlocked a new ability.]

Quinn's heart raced.

'Just like that!'

His eyes lit up with a genuine smile.

But River's voice drew his attention,

"So, to where?"

Quinn turned at her.

… He held a firm face.

Then, said,

"Let's go pay my mother a visit."