Spirit Hunting Union

Doran breathed weakly as he opened his eyes.

For a second, everything was blurry. Then, gradually, he saw the icy ground. To a crimson surface, then to…

"Huh?"

He blinked.

In an instance, he limped to his feet, fists raised in a boxer's stance. But then, his lips parted.

A second ago, he had seen a half-naked figure squatting beside the fox's dead body. He had thought the person was a Spirit. Or another creature this damned dimension could have brought along their way. But right now, everything got clear.

That didn't make a difference either. It got clear only to be even more terrifying.

Because… that figure was Quinn.

"What?"

How did he manage to kill that fox?

Not even only one?!

Doran's lips parted even more as he looked across the field.

All three!

He refocused his stare on Quinn.

"What in the world?"

In spite of everything, Quinn didn't show him any attention at all. It was as if he didn't notice he was awake. And was only focused on the fox's body.

What for?

Soon, Quinn rose.

That dropped a storm of fear on Doran. He rushed back, tripping in his steps.

He panted hard in fear. Staring at Quinn's open stomach.

A gaping, wide hole tore across his abdomen. Showing white coils of intestines and organs. It stretched from a point slightly below his chest line to his belly button.

Holy shit!

Doran could literally see the view behind Quinn through that hole.

He stuttered aloud,

"Wh-what in the world are you?!"

Quinn glanced at him, seeming as curious as a kid.

"Huh… why?"

Doran wanted to pronounce it out. But what if he says it and this monster kills him too? He knew so damn well this guy wasn't human at all! Might as well be that he set all this up for fun!

Just like a true monster.

By that time, Quinn pointed at his stomach.

"Oh, this? Well, it's surprising to me too. Doesn't hurt, but still not looking right."

Almost immediately, Doran saw him widen his palm at the fox's corpse.

The corpse emitted a momentary glow of red energy. Before a black orb slipped from it to Quinn's hand.

Wait, what did he just do?

"What are you doing?!" Doran asked aloud.

But it seemed his nosiness annoyed Quinn.

The guy grunted before turning towards the other fox's corpse. But something strange happened as he did. Doran could literally see some of his intestines starting to glue together. And even the upper broken backbone was getting a bit longer.

How was he even able to heal such a damage?

It wasn't even damage. But a total disaster.

A thought suddenly crossed Doran's mind. He gasped.

"Kael!"

Immediately, he ran closer to the mountain and climbed to its summit. But Kael was nowhere to be found there anymore.

Doran hiccuped. And slowly glanced back at Quinn in the distance.

His chest pounded faintly.

"Don't tell me…"

***

A few minutes ago, Quinn activated the "Evil god's ordeal." It was astonishing even to himself how he came back alive. After the fox had eaten almost all his organs.

But most importantly, he had undergone a transformation.

Bulky veins had popped out through almost all his body parts. His body felt heavier. And he felt much taller when he stood. Quinn watched his body in both amazement and fear back then.

His arms and muscles had enlarged a lot. Like that of a giant, eyes glowing vibrantly.

These all matched the ability description from the system. So, it wasn't unexpected.

Just that it was scary.

In the end, Quinn annihilated the fox in a single strike. A forward dash, actually. His bare hand the weapon that sliced its neck off.

That's cold, Quinn had thought.

It was only a matter of time before excitement shadowed all other emotions in him. Not that he wanted to. But… he just knew he was excited.

After killing off the other two, he came to understand why the system glazed his "Evil Form". Because, while in it, he was pretty much unstoppable.

Now, imagine how deadly his Evil Form would be once he becomes an S-rank Hunter. Quinn couldn't wait to feel such a level of excitement soon.

But when he started feeling weaker and shorter, he realised one of his teammates' pain had eased.

***

Doran stormed closer to him. While walking quickly, he asked,

"Did you do that same thing to Kael too?"

Quinn nodded.

"Yes."

Taking a hesitant step closer, Doran grabbed him by his collars. Glaring into his eyes with a sad, yet raging expression.

"Why? WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT?!"

Quinn smirked slightly and tilted his head.

"What else when he's already dead?"

"Huh?"

"If you'd have preferred crows to feast on his corpse, then you're making sense with your confrontation. I only gave him the kind of funeral no one else could have given."

Doran gritted his teeth, hissing aloud.

"You fucking bastard. There's not even a crow in here. What if his system could have respawned him only if you'd waited for a bit more time? EH?!"

Quinn found that funny. And he chuckled.

"What? Respawn?"

Doran's grip around his collar seemed to loosen.

"Don't tell me you think the Curse is some charity giver or something. We're all bound to die off if we fail to handle the beasts here. Why else do you think there are so many rewards for this mission? This is-"

Doran cut in,

"And what if you're wrong about all this?" He let go of Quinn's collars.

Quinn paused for a moment, the question echoing in his head. He stepped back.

"Then that means I am."

Doran's expression tightened.

But Quinn added,

"And we should be meeting Kael outside too. Hm?"

They agreed on a term. If, in the end, Quinn was wrong, he must apologise for everything. Everything.

And Quinn nodded back.

Soon, they both climbed back to the summit. Proceeding down to the cave.

Inside, it was definitely warmer than where they were coming from. The only concern about it was that it was dark. With only some spots dimly lit by light that cast through holes.

And most especially the foul scent in it.

It turned out a lot of monsters had died there. Because they sometimes stumbled upon animal skeletons. Even fresh decaying corpses.

What a dimension.

Quinn and Doran found a space by a hole, which was a bit lit. Both of them sat in silence until Doran asked why Quinn needed those orbs.

Quinn could see the intense curiosity in his eyes. At least, part of his eyes. Not everything because of the darkness.

He raised his brows. And told him only a few things without saying anything about his Divinity Path. If he did, he would just be a fool to trust someone that much.

The guy seemed satisfied at the end though.

Quinn knew for sure that he feared him right now. But what he didn't know was that they probably were on the same level now. For all he cared, the guy might even be stronger than him.

Talk about the insane speed he displayed at the shore. The struggle Quinn resisted when he grabbed him by his collars.

But Quinn would use this as a chance to manipulate him. Besides, it's all thanks to him that the guy was alive.

Quinn didn't even ask anything when Doran himself said he had <Rapid Healing>. The ability that made sure he came back alive after the fatal damages.

But it seemed that wasn't just for nothing.

Immediately, he asked Quinn, his expression serious:

"If I hadn't woken up on time, would you have extracted me too?"

Quinn wasn't expecting that question.

But it wasn't like he had to act the good guy here anyways.

He nodded back.

"I was just planning to do that."

Doran smiled slightly. He exhaled.

"Ah… seriously, you're strong. Really strong. But still a monster, I guess."

Quinn smirked, leaning against the rough wall.

"If becoming one is all it takes for you to have the world, would you?"

"Tch… you have not got the world yet."

"Just asking. Will you be a monster for that?"

Doran rested the back of his skull against the wall too. He then gave a response:

"I'd not call it a "monster" if I'm getting stronger to be a better Hunter. Responsibility-wise."

Quinn wanted to chuckle aloud.

And he did.

"Don't you think you're being biased here? What if I were trying to do the same too?"

Doran didn't let a second slip by.

"Well, are you?"

Quinn smirked.

Doran soon concluded,

"I know your kind, man. Just want to get stronger for the fun of it."

… After some hours, they left the cave. Going deeper into the mountains. Every step they made got the air more chilling.

Not long afterwards, they got there - the Winter's Maw.

Super cold - enough to turn you into an ice statue if you stay for too long.

Thankfully, at that time, it remained just a small hole yet to be healed in Quinn's stomach.

If not, the cold would have frozen all of his inside.

But most importantly, the gate was just over there.

Iron. Rusted. Standing under the shade of an orange-leaved tree.

Quinn didn't know there could be any trees here.

Right at that moment, a guy wearing the same gear colour as them limped closer. Quinn raised his brows as he noticed him covered in blood. Pinning a palm to the side of his bloodied abdomen.

Doran mumbled,

"He seems injured."

"Sure, he is…"

Quinn smiled slightly.

In an instance, Doran shook his head.

"Don't you dare, Quinn. Not him."

Quinn smirked.