Spirit Hunting Union

… At Crescent City's central Hospital.

Silas and the others appeared in the crowded hallway. Dressed in normal clothes, just like any random human.

They stopped after reaching a corner down the hallway. Then shared glances with one another. Before Silas proceeded into that corner.

River and Lady Maya turned. Walking back towards the hospital's entrance.

It didn't take long for Silas to reach the ward.

Quinn's.

Turning the knob gently, he crept inside. Only to catch sight of that same boy. Standing at the ward's window, clad in a white hospital gown.

He mumbled as he walked towards an available couch,

"Is he a statue now or something?"

Almost immediately after he sat down, Quinn turned at him.

Silas raised his brows nonetheless.

"Do you feel just all right or… do you think maybe a rib hasn't yet healed?" He wore a hypocritical, tight face.

Quinn confronted him immediately, eyes focused,

"You brought me to a hospital…"

At this point, Silas thought maybe he was really born to be a seer. Because… why is it that he always predicts Quinn's questions correctly?

Yesterday, when they brought him here, Silas had told himself. That when this kid woke up, he would ask why he was brought to a hospital. When, as they all knew, their injuries heal over time.

So, they do not actually need any medical approach.

That doesn't mean medications won't work for them either. It will, just like for any ordinary human.

But Silas had a reason for doing this. That's exactly what he replied to Quinn with:

"To remind you that you're still a human. Not a demon. No matter the circumstance."

If there were any way to crack Quinn's skull open and force the truth into him, Silas might have done it. Because… the truth just had to be fed to his brain.

Even if he's the Child of the Flame. Irrespective of whether he were a cursed Hunter. A beholder of the evil archetype "Dark Father"... Quinn Vale remains Quinn Vale.

He might be a little far from that high schooler now, considering his brilliant growth. But his inner child definitely yearns to go back to the peaceful days.

Free from worries.

But what keeps contrasting this were just two yearnings.

The desire to be strong. The yearn to take revenge.

If no one helps redrive his course now, he'd become a disaster not only for the Union. But the whole world.

And that is something Silas didn't want.

The boy deserves way better.

"Better" - could be death if there's no other way around it. It's all for his own sake.

So, as a leader, Silas was giving him another chance.

… By the evening of that day, Quinn was discharged.

The sunset outside was beautiful. The moon dipped slowly into a cloud of orange. And as though gathering to bid goodbye, a lot of birds filled the sky.

That sight was heavenly.

Silas entered the car.

Quinn followed.

In a minute, they were already on the road. The silence in the car was loud. Too loud.

But in the end, Silas broke it:

"Don't stiffen up. It's just normal training."

Quinn instantly glanced at him. But the last thing Silas would expect was the boy cracking jokes with him already.

"No wonder you're such an old man."

Silas faced the front. He sighed. His expression tightened.

"Should I be honest with you, lad?"

Quinn chuckled. He responded, scratching the back of his neck,

"What another day to see the old man's frank side. What is it anyways?"

Silas didn't react.

"I'm scared for you, kid."

Quinn's expression never changed.

He leaned into the seat, resting the back of his head in his palms.

"That I might become a monster? Come on, we know there's no other way around it. The Divinity Path can't be changed, can it? So, yeah, it's what the Curse wants."

Silas said back almost immediately,

"... But you can still reverse what you feel." His tone was strong, one that unnerved Quinn to stare his way. "That thrilling feeling of being the judge of people's character. And take judgement into your hands… You can change how you react. Your ember hasn't yet been set off, so it can still make fire. You can…"

Quinn cut in, his tone firm,

"But I do not want to."

… He took a closer look at the man.

"... It's not about the feeling. Not about manipulation. But getting stronger. That's what matters."

For some seconds, Silas stared at him. Then he smiled a little. Nodding gently till he faced the front.

He then said,

"The Spirit you killed had an accomplice. One that's much stronger. Besides, he came for me and Lady Maya on your task day. But he's still what I alone could handle…"

The only feature that stood out most about that Spirit was his ginger hair. Such wasn't easy to come across in the Crescent City.

But there was something extraordinary about the Spirit. Not that he had mind-blowing abilities. But… it just seemed as though he never gets tired. As if he never really gets injured.

"... He was just as cocky as you, kid. And even though I'm no psychopath, I can't stand cocky people."

Quinn seemed to have blinked.

Silas still smiled warmly.

"So, re-guide yourself while you still can. You don't know if it's just one more chance you've got left."

"What are you on about?"

"Just watch. Isn't it the training we're headed to?"

***

Silence stretched inside the car for much longer. For hours till they got to where they were headed to begin with.

Everywhere was ice cold. Snow poured non-stop from the sky. As though they were in winter.

But the truth about the Ice Mountain was that it never gets devoid of snow completely.

This phenomenon makes some humans believe magic truly exists. Others say that it's just another wonderful creation of the Almighty.

But neither of them are correct.

… Silas could see Quinn shivering as they stepped out of the car. That's normal. For someone who hasn't grown accustomed to the cold.

But for him, it had become just another thing after years of training here.

He could never forget the feeling.

The cold would bite into the sharp cuts on his body.

For a while, the pain was like hell.

But over time, everywhere went numb. Like that, he stopped feeling the pain.

The two of them proceeded deep into the mountains. Finding a route here was easy as shoe prints were very visible in the snow.

So, Silas traced the path to a wide field where everyone else was waiting. There was a crowd of Hunters, male and female, clad in fighting gears.

The training instructors stood by green tents across the field, recording Hunters' power levels. And assigning weapons like daggers, snipers, shotguns…. And so on.

Silas said to Quinn as he stepped in,

"I told you everyone else would be here."

As soon as they got onto the field, everyone looked their way. Then, greetings started flocking towards Silas like wealth. Hunters bowed to him in respect. Instructors shook his hand, even immediately finding him a seat.

***

In a bit, Silas was already in conversation with them.

Quinn was left alone.

He stared at the other Hunters. Some gave him momentary glances before turning away. Much like being assessed in a second and dismissed almost immediately. Like someone that didn't really matter.

Quinn did expect that.

Which elite gives a noob much attention?

They didn't seem like some inexperienced folks at all. They could arrange a gun really fast. The grip around their weapons was perfect too. Not what you'd expect from a makeshift Hunter.

It was likely that he was the weakest here.

Even if there were other D-ranks too.

Suddenly, he caught sight of the girl.

River.

His brows creased.

She was leading a group of armoured Hunters somewhere, likely a corner.

Her hair had now been loosened, draping long down her back. Clad in dark green armour. Clasping a silver sword to her side like a fantasy warrior.

But soon, she was gone too.

Quinn breathed out.

Then he walked closer to one of the tents, asking a lean man there,

"Excuse me, sir. May I ask how often this training session is held?"

The idiot could take an eternity before responding.

Instead of answering him on time, the man simply focused on the newspaper in his hand. For seconds.

Unfortunately, the moment he looked up was when Quinn smirked.

The man tilted his head.

"What's that attitude, young man?"

Quinn forced himself not to curse.

He smiled.

"Nothing, honourable sir."

"Honourable…?" the man mumbled, seeming a bit flustered.

Tch… was he thinking too highly of himself now? He's just a damn attendant, not even a Hunter. Quinn bet he could solo him and win.

Th-then… then…

'Extract his Soul Fragment.'

Quinn clenched his jaw as the thought crossed his mind. It was the Curse again. He was sure of it.

Telling him what to do as if he wasn't going to do it anyway. If necessary.

Soon, the man told him the session was held a few times a year.

Quinn then nodded.

That means the team leader probably didn't organise this with an ulterior motive. Well, Quinn had thought maybe the man was trying to test him or something. But guess he was just overthinking.

In a second, the instructor told him,

"Get your details down, young man. You need to put on your gear. Plus, you can't take part in the hunt without some decent weapons."

Quinn blinked.

"Hunt?"

"Yeah. That's what this is all about after all."

For a few seconds, Quinn said nothing.

Soon, he leaned back. And grinned widely.

"If it's not too much to ask, does the hunting include a waiver then? Or is it just normal training?"

The instructor nodded slowly.

"A waiver? Maybe."

Quinn raised his brows.

Interesting.

… Unbeknownst to him, as he put down his details, Silas kept staring at him from the other side.