Spirit Hunting Union

Out of thin air, Silas and Lady Maya appeared in the hallway.

Seeing an unconscious woman leaning close to the destroyed door, Silas smirked. He nodded, deeming himself right after all.

As he proceeded deeper into the hallway, he muttered to Lady Maya,

"I told you. He was never here to save. But kill."

In a moment, the old woman hastily caught up to his side. She grabbed his arms, staring up at him with worry spread all over her face.

He knew she would resort to this. Always the kind, motherly figure.

Lady Maya pleaded with him,

"Promise me you won't kill him. Just send him back to the Union, okay? Besides, we know it's not his fault he has become like this."

Silas gave her nothing but a gentle smile. Before continuing towards the door.

A sudden gust of wind pushed the door open and then closed. In that spare moment, he saw River dashing towards their ruthless newbie.

He smiled lightly.

"You always had that main character energy in you, Quinn Vale."

Then he chanted in a relaxed tone,

"The jewel is in the lotus. Let peace be still, let the wind of serenity flow through all. The Breeze That Calms the Storm!"

Frosty petals instantly danced by his sides, emitting smoky fumes. His body burned with a strong white light.

The red screen acknowledged his power activation:

[True Title: Activated.]

[You are remarked… The Saviour!]

He chuckled.

'What can I do? Kids go astray sometimes, you know.'

Everyone and everything before him stilled in place. Through the rectangular hole in the door, he saw River, also frozen in place.

Just in time. Otherwise, she would have done what he was afraid of doing.

In no time, he pushed the door open. What he heard next was a loud groan from the newbie:

"Silas!"

He smirked.

"Well, well, well… you have caused quite a mess here, haven't you, Quinn?"

With creased brows, Quinn yelled back,

"Don't talk to me like I'm your damn child!"

Silas chuckled.

But was the boy to blame? No. Everything had gone wrong since the day nothing but the fire reborn him.

Silas walked closer to River and pinched her. In the next second, she gasped. Able to move again.

Out of respect, River stepped backwards. And bowed at him.

"Forgive me, team leader. I acted too rashly…"

Silas waved in disagreement, wearing a kind grin,

"No, no… not at all. You were just doing what you thought was right. No hard feelings towards that."

Then he scratched the back of his neck.

"I mean, I'm the one to blame here. Should have got here before…" he glanced at the principal's corpse, "... our little Quinn would have caused a mess. Let's just make sure he's received back for essential therapy."

River's bow dipped.

Silas glanced at Quinn. That was when the youngster's lips parted. Probably to curse again. But before he could, Silas closed in on him. Lifted him by his collars without stress. And drove a bone-crushing punch into his abdomen.

Quinn cried out loud, blood gushing from his mouth.

Silas then let go of him. Quinn hit hard against the ground.

He won't stop grunting.

Silas couldn't help but shake his head.

What a pity.

He sighed, crouching before Quinn. He patted his head.

"Aye, how saddening. Well, I already knew the Divinity Path you awakened right as you entered the car that day. That oppressive energy… It was so, so familiar. A little monster in there, heh? Pushed you to kill your principal, someone old enough to be your father, just for his Soul Fragment. Do you think that's quite monstrous too? Probably. And, have you got an idea what the difference between a Spirit and a cursed Hunter is?... Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Both are monsters."

He heard Quinn let out a sharp chuckle.

River worriedly took a step closer. But Silas stopped her by lifting a hand.

He wasn't done with this little devil.

"My level is pretty high. So, I produce more Soul Fragments than any normal person. What do you say now? If you can kill me, all the orbs are yours. Then you'll be just a few more to unlock your next Divinity Path. I know you want to."

… He felt Quinn's body suddenly stiffening.

He tilted his head.

Waiting.

Monitoring even the slightest twitch of his muscles.

Quinn suddenly glared at him.

Then smirked.

"Treating me like some mindless beast now? How generous of you, old man!"

That got Silas smiling.

He was right all along.

In a sense, the kid was still a monster. No different from the embryo of someone disastrous. Much like the Demon Lord, his last form of the [Path of Damnation].

But on the other hand, it was still too early to judge him. Won't be bad giving the boy another chance to prove himself.

Silas knew someone on the team wouldn't want that. But what was he again? The team leader.

And he knows what is best for them.

In the blink of an eye, he slapped Quinn. And after struggling for a while, the boy slumped onto the floor, unconsciously.

Lady Maya gasped in clear worry. But Silas reassured her with an innocent smile.

Thus, he lifted Quinn and slung him over his own shoulder.

He then walked out of the office. Not saying anything to anyone. Till he exited the entire building.

Consequently, he leapt high into the air. As though he had wings. As though he put on any flying vest.

But there were none. And that's just how mind-blowing real superpowers could be.

In a moment, Silas landed close to the car. Which was just outside the gate. He pulled the door open and placed Quinn inside.

… Everyone deserves a second chance.

That wasn't even the main reason he won't be handing Quinn over to the Union anymore.

Because the boy was a gem.

The Union's law entails them to submit new Hunters with Dark Divinity, not to sit them down for some damn therapy. Or try to reverse their psychopathic belief.

But because, with adequate training, they become the best Hunters. Most SS and SSS rank Hunters were the demons. The embodiments of the [Path of Damnation].

Their own system ignores all moral boundaries. And just strives to get stronger.

Still, it wasn't that Silas himself planned on nurturing one. If Quinn fails a second test, he wouldn't even send him to the Union.

Silas slipped into the car. Kicking the engine running.

Lady Maya and River approached in the distance, running.

He thought, hand clasped around the wheel,

'... I'll kill him myself.'