章 10: Gold is Glitter

"I like to sit around for a little while to collect my thoughts, it's incredibly soothing. So how about you, Chloe?"

"Oh, I kind of just fell asleep at the library and when I woke up school was over."

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, I have a nasty habit of just falling and staying asleep." She said as she laughed.

So this is a normal thing for her, it must be nice just to fall asleep so easily I guess.

"Wait a minute, why were you in the library in the first place? Don't you have any class during the last period?"

"Nope, that's why I was hanging around the library."

"I see."

"Hey Ken, do you mind walking to the train station with me?"

"Um, sure." Things are moving way too fast, and I barely have time to register anything.

"Cool, let's go!" She said as she grabbed my arm and dragged me away with her.

On our way to the train station, we talked about many mundane things. From the latest blockbuster movies, we've seen. Books we have read and music we listen to, and I've come to the conclusion that we have very little interest in common.

While waiting on the platform for the train to come, I spotted the local newspaper with one hell of a catchy headline.

It read: Cops left dumbfounded as no bodies were found at the grisly scene. As a casual fan of the macabre, I bought the newspaper and began to read it.

"Wow! I can't believe someone of your age bought an actual newspaper, let alone a physical copy."

"I like to keep informed on local events."

According to the article, over eighty people disappeared mysteriously at a local club. Only random pools of blood left on the scene and what is described as some giant claw marks are the only clues left on the scene.

Shit. With the way the article is written, the only logical conclusion is that this is the work of a demon. It could be the work of Marcelene, which would make my efforts last night of destroying that nest completely useless. Liberty City or any major metropolitan area in Galatea has magical barriers erected that prevent wild monsters from entering and killing people. But for whatever reason, it doesn't stop humanoid paranormal monsters from coming in and killing people.

I don't know the exact details of how it works. All I know is that it involves solidifying mana, which is the energy required to perform magic, called Mana Crystals and technology. I should do some research later as to why that is.

"Damn, that's pretty scary," Chloe said, reading the newspaper over my shoulder.

"Yeah, it is. I better get going, I have to get ready to go to work."

"You're going to leave me after reading that," Chloe said glaring at me with her golden eyes.

"I sure am. You'll be safe, I doubt that whatever did this frequents Liberty City's subway system."

I said goodbye and left the subway. Man, that was a complete waste of time. It's a good thing that I don't have work today. It was half past four when I returned home. I changed into house clothes and logged into my laptop.

I searched the requirements of being a monster hunter and found that I met most of the requirements. Being a natural-born citizen of Granvalle, check. Being over twelve years old, check. Oddly, they would let thirteen-year-olds risk their lives fighting monsters and such, but that's beyond me. Finally, it is recommended to already have a superpower before applying. I clearly have that in spades, all I have to do is to show up to one of the tests.

Harper and Noel appeared to stand next to me.

"This is a waste of time, you didn't apply for a license when you wanted to be a caped crusader, so why are you so gungho about obtaining Hunter's License now?" Noel said with a scowl.

"I'll be the first to admit that I didn't think things through the first time around. But now I have had time to let things marinate, I am going to do things the right way. Besides, a little extra cash coming in won't hurt."

"If that's the case, then why not quit your other job?" Harper inquired.

"Because I am not planning on being a monster hunter for the rest of my life. I am only doing this to help you guys with Marcelene and also deal with the one responsible for the club's disappearance."

"That's a shame, you really have the knack for demon hunting," Harper said.

"Is that a fact?"

"You have the spirit," Noel said. "You just lack experience, but that can be remedied by killing more demons."

I registered online to take the earliest test possible, obviously, I am skipping school for the first time since attending high school. But it's a fair trade since I will be saving people from brutal death. I just have to be careful that I don't end up dead also.

Hours have passed since I started doing research about being an efficient hunter. The clock on my computer tells me it's fifteen until ten. I didn't expect my research to last this long. Apparently, being a hunter is more than just going around killing monsters and demons. Some guilds specialize in slaying specific monsters. Guilds that only mages can apply to, there are also Independent Hunters, like that girl I met two nights ago.

While searching through some hunter forums, I've seen rumors discussing hunters that belong to the White Church called The Agents of White (I'm assuming that the other five major churches have their own version of the group).

According to the rumors, there are currently eleven active members of The Agents of White. Each member is given a title based off of a celestial body (usually a planet) in a galaxy far away. Anyone can join them as long as you have power and faith in the Goddess of White. Out of all of the demon-hunting organizations I can join, the Agents of White is an automatic no for me. One thing that I know is that anybody that's hunting demons for a religious organization cannot be sane.

Well, I will decide what organization to join after I obtain my license. For now, I need to grab something to eat. Since I don't have the will to cook, I just threw four frozen calzones in the microwave and called it a night.

Tomorrow is going to be busy for me so I have to get all the rest I can.