The first stage of hunter training began, focusing on mana feeling. I tried to concentrate, to sense the mana, but as I finally felt it, the mana in my body burst forth like a raging inferno. I had thought it was weak, keeping my eyes closed, but when I opened them, the people who had once looked down on me were now staring as if they'd witnessed something shocking.
Yeddah, or rather Callionatte, was utterly amazed by the sight. Riven's gaze, however, was darker and colder. Our eyes met again, and Riven's softened, just a little. I noticed it.
"Why does... his eyes look like that?" someone whispered.
As time passed, the sun began its descent. I walked through the door, savoring the cool breeze, when a system notification popped up.
[You are now successfully A Hunter]
My face went blank. My rank was F. Why wasn't it going up? Was it going to stay there forever? I stretched my arms, weary from listening to that professor drone on.
Spotting a bench, I sank onto it and gazed at the sky. I closed my eyes, and then it happened: a cold, gentle hand touched my forehead. When I opened my eyes, the person was gone.
"I was sure someone was here," I murmured to myself.
I headed home, oblivious to the shadowy figure who had been watching me, now disappearing into the freezing night. The moon ascended, casting its ethereal glow. As I walked, I suddenly paused, remembering. In my past life, a murderer had claimed innocent lives in this very alley. I scanned my surroundings, ensuring no one was following, and continued. Then, I saw her—a woman, bleeding, running towards me.
It was the first victim, I remembered her. I tried to ask what had happened, when a man came charging at us.
"F*CK!"
I cursed, shielding the lady. The man lunged, and I braced for the stab that never came. Turning my head, I saw a black, inky tendril emerge from the ground, lifting the man and choking him.
Terrified, but recognizing the chance, I scooped the woman into my arms and ran towards a nearby hospital.
"Phew! We're here…"
I gasped, breath heaving. The woman was safe. I wondered where that "thingy" had come from. It felt familiar, somehow.
"Eh, that's not the problem here. I just need that man to go to jail."
I tossed the thought aside, focusing on reality.
Tomorrow, the sun would rise, and I would wake to a phone call. I answered it, recognizing the voice.
"Yo! Yeonghon, buddy! Are you awake?"
Ah, it was Kim Jihan, an A-rank hunter living in luxury. My old classmate and friend.
The scene shifted to Jihan, with his white hair and green eyes. I remembered that in the past, Jihan had been exposed as the top 1 Hunter's little brother. I'd thought he was joking in high school, but it was true.
"Don't call me buddy, and it's way too early to call!"
I said with annoyance. Jihan laughed through the phone.
"Come to the party! It's my birthday today!"
I froze. How could I have forgotten that event? It was where I first met Riven. I shouldn't forget it. After that first encounter, I'd left the party, overwhelmed by the high-rankers and luxurious crowd. But not anymore.
"Okay, I'll go."
I agreed without hesitation. Confidence was key. As I arrived at Jihan's house, it was a mansion, so tall I'd never get used to it. Walking through the gates, I was greeted by a hug from Jihan.
"Yo!!! We finally met!"
"Jihan, let go of me, it's too stuffy."
Jihan retreated, leading me to the living room. There, I saw Riven, in a black suit, reading a book. His eyes were beautiful, and his face was so handsome, so bright that I could barely see his features.
Jihan introduced me to Riven. I bowed politely and greeted him, but he stared at me as if I'd done something wrong.
"Oh, and Yeonghon! Brother will give us a ride to the place where we celebrate my birthday!"
Jihan chirped, walking away, leaving Riven and me alone. The silence was immense. So immense that I had to sit right across from Riven on the sofa.
The silence was cut when Riven suddenly spoke.
"Quiet, are we? Didn't I tell you if I saw you again, I'd kill you?"
But you saw me in hunter training yesterday, why didn't you kill me? I thought.
"Uh… you can't kill me yet, because your little brother is here," I blurted out.
I watched Riven reveal a satisfied smirk. His gaze turned cold as ice again, piercing my eyes. Riven then placed a notebook, the one with the black tendril I'd seen in the alley choking the killer,the book was put onto a shelf. Now I recognized it. Riven's abilities were far beyond human.
Then, he suddenly sat next to me, a smirk playing on his lips. "Bold, are we?"
I got annoyed instantly. Riven grabbed my wrist and pulled me, so I was lying on the couch with him, me on top. I was utterly confused when Jihan suddenly appeared, seeing us in that position.
"Oops, wrong moment…" Jihan giggled, leaving the room.
I was utterly confused, or perhaps so pissed that I couldn't even speak or move. Riven chuckled and smirked. I suddenly turned my face to him, grabbed his hair, and choked him. Riven just kept giggling and laughing.
We cut to the scene where we pick our outfit. I was wearing a white suit, and Jihan was styled so impeccably I barely recognized him. Jihan styled my hair, and I saw my reflection in the mirror. I stared for so long that my "ugly" face transformed into something handsome.
We were in the car. Riven was driving, and I was forced into the front seat, while Jihan giggled quietly in the back.
"Don't worry, I won't tell your secret."
Jihan laughed uncontrollably. I was so pissed, but couldn't say anything more.
As we arrived at the building, we were welcomed by a crowd of people and cameras waiting outside. Riven suddenly covered my face; I didn't know why. Inside, the building was so luxurious, so bright, I could barely see.
"Damn… Money talks…"
As the party went on, I grew sleepy and fell asleep at a table. Riven noticed, quickly placing his jacket over me so I wouldn't get cold. Time passed, and I woke up feeling a heavy weight on my stomach. It was Riven, sleeping, and without a shirt. I stared at the wall, utterly pissed at Riven.
Then, Jihan barged through the doors, seeing us embracing. Now Jihan thought Riven and I were a couple. To hell with that! I pinched Riven's face to wake him up. Jihan had already left the room.
"Goddamn… wake up, you idiot!"
Riven suddenly woke, snuggling against me as if I were his personal pillow. I felt the urge to pull his hair again.
To be continued...