Spirit Hunting Union

Quinn and Silas got into the car.

In a short period of time, the Escalade parked at the front of a building. As soon as Quinn stepped out of the car, his lips parted.

The building's structure was crazy and surprising.

It was built of black bricks, maybe. The tops were almost like those of a mountain. Ivy plants crawled all over it like a second skin. This was just the kind of house you would see in movies that feature the Middle Age.

Even though the ground was covered in modern interlocking stones, the vibe was still there. That of something old. Ancient. Something that has a story to tell.

And Quinn was sure that, deep inside this place, there exists something that contrasts with the human world.

"Incredible," Quinn remarked.

Silas sniffed. Stabilizing himself between the car frame and the door.

"That's the Union for you. There is just… something about this place that overwhelms me too. Sometimes, I imagine how possible it is to build this."

Quinn glanced at the topmost part of the tower.

A large stone slab was there, on which a set of bold words were written:

Spirit Hunting Union.

Silas prompted him,

"Come on. You gotta be fast with this."

He quickly slipped out of the car. And paced to the rear, where he opened the boot. Quinn appeared beside him immediately.

He grabbed a leather bag and handed it over to him.

Quinn could feel grains against his thumb as he rubbed the bag's surface.

Silas grasped his shoulder tightly.

"Go inside now. I trust you'll pass your summoning. I believe in you, Quinn."

Quinn almost gasped. But he smiled instead.

"Finally got you to call me by my name."

Silas chuckled back.

"It changes as soon as you get back. Anyway, go inside."

Quinn nodded.

He walked to the building. Things got a little surprising when he got even closer. But there was no door.

However, in the next second, the black wall shifted on its own. And Quinn saw the dimly lit passage next.

He sighed. Then proceeded inside.

Much as he expected, everywhere smelled of aged dust.

Flanking the passageway on both sides were flamelamps. The walls were rough and cold when Quinn touched.

Meaning the building was really made of bricks. But no other materials were used to fine-out the texture.

Thankfully, at the end of the path, there was a door.

Quinn pushed it wide open. Only for his limbs to freeze at the doorstep.

It wasn't the space that got his eyes wide with shock. But the person staring back at him.

A female elf.

Long, sharp ears. Hair so silky and long it seemed to be changing colours by the second.

But Quinn swallowed, isolating a part of his fear upon recalling Silas's words on their way here:

Most of the workers in the Union are otherworldly beings captured decades ago. But you need not fret when you see one. It's unlikely they will hurt you.

But… unlikely?!

The lady elf prompted Quinn, her voice as delicate as ocean waves,

"Hello. Could you please come inside?"

Quinn's brows raised.

"Oh-oh, right." He stepped inside.

Then zoomed closer to her. A long table divided the space between them.

'Seems she's the receptionist.'

The lady proceeded to ask,

"Are you here to make inquiries? Or to register in your hunt?"

Quinn was about to rush to answer when he remembered again. Another thing Silas told him.

He first took a sharp breath. Before looking up straight, holding direct contact with the lady's emerald green eyes.

"It's my first. So, I'm here for my summoning."

It was at the time the receptionist rose from her seat that Quinn's eyes widened, seeing her full upper body.

Slim frame. With large breasts.

Quinn gulped his saliva.

'Damn.'

The receptionist seemed to have caught what he was on to. But she said nothing. And went over to grab a large book from a shelf.

She came back. And opened it.

A ledger.

The receptionist then warned, eyes stuck on the pages,

"Don't stare too much. It usually doesn't end well."

Quinn blinked.

"What?"

"I saw you staring. At my breasts."

Quinn was a little embarrassed. He apologised, scratching the back of his neck,

"Oh… sorry."

"That's fine. You're here for your summoning, right?"

Quinn straightened his back.

"Yes."

"A new candidate, I see. Are you with the horn?"

Quinn nodded in agreement. He placed the leather bag on the table. Further bringing out a scaly twisted horn.

This is the Warped Horn. A short term prison for Spirits before being sentenced in the Union.

Quinn followed the lady's next instructions.

Into the ledger, input the date and time the Spirit's soul was absorbed.

Absorbed into the Warped Horn.

Silas already told Quinn what time it was on that day.

Next, Quinn opened the Curse. As he was told to do. And he navigated to the <Summoning> section. He never knew this was here. Anyway, he accepted the conditions by the Curse and signed.

Not long after he got done, a man came down to his side. Again, Quinn told himself not to be scared. But how could he not?

The man was in a gloomy black gown. One bun of his long hair shielded half of his face. Most importantly, he had fangs.

Is he a vampire or maybe a mutant? This is insane.

But Quinn had no choice. He followed him.

After minutes of climbing stairs, the man finally stopped. At the front of a towering gate.

His voice deep and commanding, he warned Quinn,

"Listen carefully. In there, you'll hear. Feel. Desire. Nothing beyond this gate wants you to pass. Or return alive…"

Quinn's eyes widened.

"What did you just say?"

"Yes, you heard me right. You may never come out again. Simply because the Gate won't open. So, do your best with the summoning."

The man then turned to leave.

That was exactly when Quinn started asking questions. Non-stop.

But the stoic didn't pause for a second. Nor talk.

When he was gone, Quinn clenched his jaw and gazed at the massive gate.

'They are all out of their mind!'

Should he just not go inside?

But Quinn knew so well what the answer to that was. Backing away now wasn't an option.

The Curse won't allow it.

But, also, Quinn reminded himself of his dream.

To become strong. Not even a dream. But the promise he made to himself! To the clone from his subconscious mind.

And he was going to fulfil it. Who was he? The newbie that won against an experienced Spirit.

Quinn clenched his fists tighter. He groaned,

"Let's have it!"

And as he inched closer, the gate yawned wide open. A biting, chilling air rushed at his face.