Silas cleared his throat, and he began:
"You can't fully understand their nature with mere explanation. But at least, you can have the basic details about them.
The Spirits are simply creatures born from darkness.
Imagine them like dark fumes with no arms, no legs… no body parts at all. Just an entity with an evolutionary brain. A brain that observes quietly and adapts immediately.
Give them a name far beyond genius. And I will stop seeing you as a dumb boy.
These beings shouldn't have made it to Earth. But, yeah, in a way, they did. They kill. Corrupt. And do lots of terrible things… Oh God, you don't wanna go into details.
As I was saying, they are bodiless. And this partly limits their actions in this world.
The major reason for their restrained actions is…
Oh, wait, you should know something more important. Since you're one of us now.
I'm not sure if this is too much for you, but just try to cope. Spirit hunting is never an easy job.
… The creatures are classified.
Into ranks.
This is based on their power affinity and deadliness.
It goes from God, Nightmare, Architect, Nullifier, Dimensionist... and Undead.
And the road to their ascension in ranks is simply… to kill.
To devour human souls.
And our job is…
—----
Suddenly, the metallic door to the basement opened with a swing.
Quinn and Silas turned towards the sound. And in an instant, the golden-haired girl entered.
She was in the same red uniform as Quinn.
Silas's attention clearly shifted to her.
"Oh, you're back, River. Found something new?"
Stopping mere metres from the ring, River shook her head.
"No. It's still covering its scent."
Silas raised his brows with a gentle smile.
"What a scaredy-cat."
River asked in a soft tone,
"What if it's actually not hiding? I bet they don't run. They would rather stall ...."
Silas completed it for her,
"... for more fun. Yeah, that's what I thought too. Just stay put for now."
Now, they're done with their chatter, right? Because Quinn still had questions.
He assumed they were done.
"The ranks…!" his voice rang out with urgency.
Well, that just came out of nowhere. It was a bit awkward. Even River, who usually ignored him, glanced over.
Yeah, anyway, the ranks…
Silas turned at Quinn.
"Hm, yeah?"
Quinn pressed on,
"Do we have one too? Are there ranks for hunters as well?"
… The man held his stare on him. Then he tilted his head. And smiled, as usual.
"Bracing yourself for the climb, huh? Not bad. Everyone was once like that. Yeah, we do."
Namely?
"But your Curse will reveal that when the time comes."
Quinn was a little disappointed. Crazy, will he get penalised for just telling him mere ranks? What a cheap man.
Silas seemed slightly interested in Quinn all of a sudden.
"Say, boy, what has the knowledge of Spirits brought to your burning heart now? Peace? Or… a greater pain? You must have felt something by now. Even if it's a sudden goal to end them."
Quinn chuckled right away.
"Nothing, to be honest. Why'd I want to fight them? Let's be realistic, I just accepted the Curse's conditions because I want to live. Nothing to do with any creature… I mean, they never did anything to me. We aren't enemies."
He was expecting a direct scoff from the man. But instead, Silas and the girl exchanged glances.
Why?
The man grinned as he walked closer.
"Ayo, I like people with a positive mindset. What a line - 'we aren't enemies'."
Nearing Quinn, he gave him a gentle pat.
And reassured,
"Don't worry, everything will be clear soon. Just focus on your training for now."
Quinn smiled with pride.
"Definitely."
Silas clasped his arms at both sides.
"Well done today, kiddo. Let's continue from where we stopped."
"Eh?! Right now?"
Silas snickered.
"Relax, boy. It's tomorrow."
"I get it. But why are you always calling me "boy" though? I have got a name too."
"Yeah, I know."
"What's my name then?"
"Boy. Haha, kidding… It's Quinn, right?"
Still unsure? What an old man!
***
Quinn returned to his room.
Lying flat on the bed, with his eyes glued to the white ceiling, he suddenly recalled all that his senior had said in the basement.
Quinn couldn't grasp exactly why he kept thinking about this even when he didn't want to.
Because, what's his business with Spirits?
… The morning came sooner than expected. Sunlight filtered from the curtain linings to Quinn's eyelids.
He jolted awake in response to the stimuli.
And he sat up, only to gaze at the wall for absolutely no reason. After getting back to his senses, he went into the bathroom.
Minutes later, Quinn was done preparing for today's training. So, he went downstairs.
But to his surprise, the team were waiting on him to arrive before they would start eating. Wow, he wasn't expecting this level of generosity.
Quinn wanted to tear up at this point.
He quickly walked into the dining room so as not to keep them waiting any longer.
But, sadly, the only available seat was beside the girl.
Well, does that even matter? Screw everything else. He first had to eat!
Quinn jumped in immediately, eyes glued to the food.
There were servings of rice, steamed chicken, watery lettuce soup… Everything looks yummy.
Lady Maya told him in a pleasing tone,
"Serve yourself. And you can eat as much as you want. There's more left in the kitchen."
Quinn's eyes lit up. He could eat till he's satisfied?
"Thanks for the food!"
And he dug in.
Again, nothing else mattered.
Quinn had already shovelled rice into his mouth in seconds. And brought the bowl of soup close to his mouth, then sipped it.
He didn't stop a bit.
Can't blame him. When had he last eaten?
It's his happy day!
And on a day like this, apparently, you are allowed to chew loudly.
He took heavy bites. Who cares?
Along the line, he heard someone say something. At first, he tried to catch the message. But when the voice itself was too low, he ignored it anyway.
'The food tastes too good.'
Lady Maya whispered to him,
"Quinn…"
He raised his head, still making war with the food.
"Hm?"
And he saw the woman gesture left…
"Hey!" River finally yelled, hitting the table with her fists.
She has had enough.
Quinn was startled. He stopped chewing. And slowly looked at her.
And the craziest thing? She was actually staring back at him.
Quinn looked here and there.
"What did I do?"
River groaned,
"You're biting too loudly. Have some manners, will you?"
Lady Maya lightly armed Silas and whispered,
"Help him out, Silas."
The man gave a gentle nod, eyes on the duo gazing at each other as though this were a staring contest.
"Yeah, I know… He's done for."
Then, he grabbed his own spoon, dug into the rice, and started chewing exactly as Quinn was.
Gnawing like his jaw's on speaker mode.
Quinn and River glanced at him.
Still, he continued. He even munched louder.
"This is how we eat, right, Quinn?"
Why is he suddenly helping him?
Anyway, that's awesome! He could finally go back to eating.
Quinn smiled as he grabbed his spoon back,
"Yea…"
But Silas dropped his.
"Train with him today, River. I approve of it."
And he put on a playfully serious face.
Quinn's mouth was left open. He couldn't take his eyes off this traitor.
Now, of all time?!
'Oh no.'
River hit her spoon on the table and rose.
"Follow me." Then she left the room.
When Quinn hadn't followed yet, Silas even went over to help him up his seat.
And curse this, he's even pretending to be nice!
"Go on, kiddo. It's just training."
Lady Maya shook her head.
"That's not fair, Silas."
Quinn asked in a low tone,
"Why now, of all time though?"
"What do you mean? I just know what's best for you. Most of the previous candidates improved in combat just by training with her. She's amazing, seriously."
Quinn was reluctant. But he still went ahead anyway. Honestly, he wasn't sure if disobeying a senior was right at this point. Besides, he still needs guidance navigating hunting.
'But honestly, he fucking wants me be dead.'
… In the boxing ring, Quinn stood stiffly before River. They both have got gloves on.
Quinn struggled not to wet his pants. Chickening out before a girl was as shameful as walking around naked!
He swallowed.
"What do I have to do?"
River urged him,
"Try not to get crippled."