Spirit Hunting Union

They soon arrived at the school.

Quinn and River paired up. While the Escalade waited at a gate not far from the principal's quarters.

Their agreed plan was to sneak him out of the school. That would also keep the man safe too. Well, if it is not too late already.

After some minutes of slipping around, Quinn and River got there. The principal's office. It was a building in the southern part of the school. Not so far from the teachers' quarters too.

So, they had a hard time getting there.

But yeah, here they were now.

Right as River proceeded behind Quinn, he stopped her.

She gave him a slightly curious stare.

He gave her a reason,

"It'd be better if one person goes inside. I'll give you a signal when I've got him."

After a few seconds, River nodded. Quinn then walked towards the door. That was when she called him back.

"Hey."

Quinn spun around and whispered,

"What?"

Taking a sharp breath, River asked him,

"Why are you doing this?"

Quinn seemed a little bewildered for a second. He straightened his back, his expression dull. Soon, he gave an innocent grin.

He shrugged.

"To save the world, of course."

River nodded, her face tight.

"Sure. You'd better remember that."

"Can I go now?"

"Suit yourself."

Quinn smirked before inching closer to the door and stepping inside. He crept like a shadow, slipping between corners and offices without being noticed.

Soon, he made it to the walkway that was next to the principal's office.

Then Quinn sighed and walked in.

He checked his wristwatch again. Then he nodded slowly.

"A minute to lunchtime. Great."

In split seconds, he finally neared the door. The sign on it read Principal Rothfuss's office.

Quinn grabbed the knob and turned it. Didn't knock. But the door won't bulge.

That was when he decided to knock. But how many more times did he have to do that to know that no one was coming?

He took a sharp breath.

But right at that moment, he heard a shoe step from behind. Quinn groaned,

"Geez."

He looked backwards. To see a slender woman - the secretary - at the mouth of the hallway. She was clutching a bunch of files as usual. Clad in those silly jean skirts and blue shirts.

Quinn smirked. Why do some people just like to never change?

She hasn't. Not even a bit.

And as he expected, she approached him with questions.

"Excuse me, who are you?", "Are you an electrician by any chance?".... "I don't think we called one, though."

Quinn stood tall, face turned to the door.

In a moment, he felt her shadow finally close in. He glanced over his shoulder. And sneered…

Seconds later, Quinn dragged her over the ground. Finally leaning her back against the wall.

The woman's eyes were shut. She was unconscious. A red bruise stretched across the side of her neck.

Staring down at her, Quinn rolled his wrist.

"One problem, one solution."

Without wasting time, he re-approached the door. Pressing his ears against its warm frame, he listened closely. For even the tiniest bit of sound.

But nothing came. As though the office were empty.

Or maybe it really was.

Quinn then paced back. He thought of using his mana as soon as he clenched his fist. Immediately, blue flames engulfed his hand.

Without hesitation, Quinn drove his punch against the door knob.

The metal shattered like crystals. Not only the knob but the entire lock. Such that a wide rectangular hole replaced it afterwards.

Now, Quinn could easily push the door open.

It shut behind him.

But almost instantly, his brows creased.

He stopped. Staring at that same principal who was tied to his swivel chair. With a tape pressing his lips together.

Most importantly, blood was slowly oozing from his abdomen. Judging by his pale skin, saggy neck skin, and half-closed eyes, he was almost dead. That was even an understatement.

He was a bloody living ghost.

Besides, that terrible, decaying scent filled the whole office.

Quinn breathed out.

He looked around him - the window wasn't shattered. And the walls were still intact.

Meaning whoever did this to the hag locked the door from outside. Or worse, they had the ability to teleport.

"As expected."

Quinn walked closer to the man. Upon reaching his side, he forced the paper tape off his mouth. So much blood oozed out from his lips.

Still, the principal could only breath weakly.

Quinn slowly crouched beside him.

Then… he smiled.

"Do you have anything to tell me, Mr Rothfuss?"

After seconds of trying hard to talk, the man could only say,

"P-please…"

Quinn raised his brows.

"Ah. Do you mean I should end this pain for you? If I kill you off right now, everything will end, right?"

… The principal glared at Quinn with bloodshot eyes. One could tell he was clenching his jaw too.

Quinn then said back to him,

"Cursed old fool. Have you got any idea how painful it was for the kids you used as test subjects? How horrible it was enduring the stimulations you placed in them? Thank heaven you're already half-dead when I found you. I would have stabbed you gently at different places, on different parts. Make you experience what a slow death really is. It's not a big deal at all."

The man's face reddened. He glared at Quinn, forcefully bringing his head downwards. As though he were trying to headbutt him.

Quinn watched him with hopeful eyes.

Those that literally said, "I like to see you try."

"I know what's on your mind. And it doesn't matter. Just watch… By the time I'm done, you'll beg me to finish."

Immediately, Quinn grabbed a pen from the table.

Without hesitation, he drove it into the principal's already stabbed abdomen.

Blood sprinkled on his face. It was a bit cold. A bit warm.

While the man struggled to breathe, Quinn not only pressed the pen deeper into him. But also cackled as though he were having fun.

***

After the principal exhausted his last breath, Quinn rose back to his feet. He stared blankly at the corpse. Then at his blood-covered palms.

He swallowed. Nonetheless, he gave a gentle command,

"Let's harvest his Soul Fragment."

The screen popped up instantly,

[The human's Soul Fragment is extractable.]

[You have received a random command word.]

["Extract". Please say the word. And the process will start.]

Quinn took a gentle breath.

If he gets the principal's Soul Fragment, it leaves him with thirty-nine more. To ascend to the next Divinity Path.

He had come to reason that this was the only way for him to get stronger. Simply by striving to get stronger.

By accepting his fate as a cursed hunter and owning up to it.

Quinn pronounced the word,

"Extract."

A coil of red energy enveloped the principal's corpse. It cast a bright light all over the office. Consequently, a round hole sharply pierced the centre of his chest. Soon, a small black orb drifted from it to Quinn's hand.

Thrills surged through his body when he held it. Not of anything but pleasure. Like he had just got blessed by heaven.

He could hear voices. As though a lot of people were thanking him.

Quinn recognised this feeling. That of being a hero. A savior!

It was… incredible!

… In the aftermath, the orb vanished from his hand.

The Curse then acknowledged his choice,

[Soul Fragment Extraction: Completed.]

[You're remarked… Ambitious!]

[You need 39 more to unlock your next Divinity Path.]

***

Seconds after the extraction, the door creaked behind him. Quinn's face grew tight. Without looking back, he asked,

"You knew all along, didn't you?"

He took gentle steps, turning around. His glance fell on River, who was right at the office's entrance.

Maybe Quinn had never actually seen her be frank. He could hardly see her face now. Just like a black void with glowing eyes.

Yet, he chuckled.

"Too late, I guess."

River remarked,

"You're one spineless pile of shit, aren't you?"

… Quinn clenched his fists.

"And you're a crazy bitch who likes to meddle in people's businesses! Kill me if I'm wrong. The three of you knew this is why I'm here. Talk about some goddamn teammates right there!"

River held her fists up.

"Always knew you were up to no good. I'll end things for real today. Right now. Right here."

Quinn's chest pounded. He yelled,

"You think your lame threat works on me any more, huh? Bring it on, bitch!"

River dashed towards him.

But Quinn struggled to catch her movement.

Thus, he hurried towards the wall. For better stability. But on his way, he tripped into the cupboard.

Now, she was fully unto him.

Yet, Quinn grunted,

"Activate mana!"

But right as River's shadow covered him completely, a sudden air flushed into the office. One that gripped her in place. That stuck Quinn to the ground even though he wanted to move.

None of them could no longer move.

River shut her eyes, sighing.

"Lucky yet again."

The screen opened before Quinn:

[A strong True Title nearby.]

[The Breeze That Calms the Storm.]

[Remark: God.]

Quinn gritted his teeth. And glanced towards the door.

Right there, the tall figure approached gently. With ease.

Quinn finally saw who it was.

He yelled,

"Silas!"