Lodra's words sounded rather weird in Redd's ears. He didn't sound sad or nostalgic… Just angry.
The boy didn't know where that anger stemmed from. However, what he was certain of was that something bad must've happened to Lodra for him to speak like this about the place where he lived most of his life.
"I see…" Murmuring in response, Redd looked down, deep in thought.
"Anyway, enough talking about me. We need to talk about your new powers. In actuality, you're still not fully assimilated yet."
"Oh? But it says I am." Redd pointed at the still-floating holographic images in front of him.
"Hunter's Dream connection to you goes both ways. Your side is still not connected to it." Lodra explained. "To make that connection, you need to open the status window."
"Status window?" Redd asked with confusion.
"It's basically the most important thing you get for becoming a hunter. You will understand more once you open it."
"And how do I open this thing?"
"Just think of the word 'Status'," Lodra said as he suddenly signaled for Redd to not do anything. "No, first, go lay down on the couch. You will need to be in a comfortable position."
Lodra said to which the boy nodded and did what he asked. When he adjusted his position properly, he imagined the word 'Status' in his head. Instantly, the holographic images in front of him shifted completely.
[Ding!]
[Hunter isn't awakened yet. Would you like to start the process?]
[Yes.] [No.]
Redd looked at the notifications for a few seconds before he focused on the word 'Yes'. Instantly, that column lit with a green light for a split second before the holographic window vanished. A moment later, everything around Redd changed.
His body suddenly felt lighter as a surge of cold feeling penetrated his body from every part. It wasn't an uncomfortable feeling by any means. If anything, it actually felt really good. It was as if his body was getting cleansed from the inside out.
"Something is happening, Lodra!" Redd said as he looked at his hands. His vision was growing sharper by the second. He now could see more details on everything he looked at. His hearing also improved as he started hearing rather smaller noises with more ease. All his senses felt like they had gone through an evolution of some kind.
Power pumped into Redd's body out of nowhere. This was the best feeling he ever felt. Like a clogged part inside of him had been unlocked after a long time.
"Just focus on the awakening, boy," Lodra said as he watched the boy with a solemn gaze. This wasn't the first time Lodra had seen someone awaken in front of him. But, for some reason, this one felt hard on him. He really didn't wish for anyone to really become a hunter. It was dangerous, unpredictable, and short-lived most of the time. Not especially for this kid.
Sure, the benefits are amazing from wealth, fame, and unimaginable power. But, the risk is equally high if not higher. How many young, ambitious kids he had seen start their journey in that god-forsaken land with a smile and end up either broken beyond repair or dead? Many… Too many to count.
But, he really can't do anything about it. Even if he caged Redd inside the house, the Hunter's Dream would find a way to lead him to that realm. There was a popular saying in The Hunter's Dream that goes 'Fate is always unpredictable, unless you're invited then your fate becomes bound to your dream.'
Nobody could alter fate and nobody could defy The Hunter's Dream. Those are two iron rules that everybody knows and goes by.
Meanwhile, Redd's awakening was reaching its end. The changes the boy felt in his body were numerous and quite amazing. It was as if something new in life had finally presented itself to him.
His perception of everything almost shifted completely.
"This is… unbelievable." He murmured as he rose up from the couch and looked around him. The house interior was still the same. But, there was something different about his entourage.
"You can feel it, can't you?" Lodra asked.
"Feel what?"
"Aether."
"Aether?"
"It's the energy that permeates every particle of the world. Most people can't sense it. But, hunters can."
"Oh, so this feeling… It's Aether?" Redd looked around him with a mesmerized expression.
"Aether is the energy that Hunters use to perform abnormal things. You can consider it to be the median between The Hunter's Dream and the Hunters."
As Lodra explained, a notification appeared in front of Redd.
[Ding!]
[Awakening completed.]
[Status Window.]
[Name: Redd.]
[Race: Human.]
[Level: 0 (0/1)]
[Bloodline: ???]
[Title: ???]
[Stats: Strength: 4 (5) / Agility: 4 (5) / Stamina: 6 (5) / Healing: 7 (5) / Aether: 15 (5)]
[Main Skill: Blood Manipulation (Partially locked).]
[Phase 1: Blood Augmenter (Unlocked).]
[Phase 2: ???]
"Oooh? So many things." Redd read through the wall of text with a curious look.
"That's the status window. It tells you your strength and how far you've gone. The stronger you become, the more it will change and the more new things you will get. If there is one fair thing in this world, it's that status window. As long as you work hard, you will get rewarded by that thing." Lodra said.
"I see. Hmm, I think I understand most of this. But, what are these things with question marks? Bloodline, title, and… Phase 2 of some kind." Redd rubbed his chin as he read through the status window again.
"Let's see, Bloodlines are basically aspects of power that could add a huge boost to your overall strength. They can differ in effect and purpose depending on what kind of bloodline you get. They're very essential for Hunters. The better the bloodline you have, the higher your chances of surviving against the abominations that lurk in the Hunter's Dream. However, since you're still new, you don't have one."
"Oh, more power! I can't say no to that. Ok, I will do my best to find the best bloodline there is." Redd declared with a confident look.
Although, his main reason for that declaration wasn't the bloodline itself.
'Strong bloodlines mean I need to venture into some dangerous place to find them, right? Hehehehehe!' Giggling sneakily, he continued listening to Lodra's explanation.
"Titles are almost the same as bloodlines except they're extremely hard to find. The reason for that is that they don't exist in the world. The Hunter's Dream is the one that decides whether you can get one or not. If you do certain things at a certain time or in a certain way, you might get a title. That's your best chance. As for phase 2… Wait, what does your 'Main skill' column say?"
"Hmm, it says 'Blood Manipulation'," Redd replied.
"Blood Manipulation?" Hearing Redd's response, Lodra fell into deep thought. "I've never heard of that one before. It does sound unique."
Since the number of powers that exist is endless, there is always bound to be a new, unique ability that appears.
"Yeah, it sounds very cool. But, the question is, is it strong?"
"It might be or it might be not. It mainly depends on you. I can't help you on that one, Brat. Each individual has a unique way of using their powers. If I try to give you any advice, I might ruin your progress before it even begins."
"Hahahaha! Well, learning by experimenting sounds more fun! I hate long lectures." Redd flinched just remembering the long hours he spent being tutored by Lodra. He always ends up sleeping and before he knows it, he has a bump on the top of his head.
"Now, let's get to the most important matter. How you can get to the Hunter's Dream."
"Oh right! I forgot about that." Red scratched his head awkwardly. He had been too engrossed in this new thing he got he forgot the main point of all of this.
"I can just get on a ship that goes there, right?"
"Huh? Of course not. As I said, most people don't know that place even exists so no ships come or go there. Well, mostly."
"Mostly?"
"Yeah, there is one exception. Every 5 years, ships coming from the Hunter's Dream will sail around the world to gather all the people who get the Invitation and bring them to the Hunter's Dream. Call it 'Talent scouting' of sorts."
"Wait, every 5 years? When are they coming next time?"
Lodra went silent for a second as if he was calculating something before his eyes widened. "The next time is… in a week."