After five hours submerged in the pool of blood and herbs, Marcus felt a transformation coursing through his body. A powerful energy surged through his veins, as if he were being rebuilt from the ground up. During that time, he trained his skills, focusing on control and mastery. The energy he had absorbed from the witch was settling into his being, and the results were astonishing.
Emerging from the pool, Marcus caught his reflection in the reddish liquid's surface. His muscles appeared more defined, his posture firmer, and his eyes radiated a cold determination that hadn't been there before. Slowly, he opened his panel, expecting to confirm the changes he already felt.
Panel:
Name: Marcus WinchesterRace: HumanStrength: 31Agility: 34Constitution: 36Hunter Energy: 9Level: 2
Skill Point : 4
Skills:
Gunslinger Level 2Divine Fist Level 2
Manuals:
Divine Fist Manual (Complete)Basic Body Refinement (Complete)
A smile spread across his lips. He had grown significantly in a short time. For a moment, he thought about the cost: the blood of innocents and the dark magic fueling his ascent. But that thought quickly faded. To Marcus, only power mattered, and he was gaining it.
Exiting the pool, he dressed slowly, savoring the moment. He took the witch's head, carefully wrapping it in his cloak, and grabbed his sword and revolver. His next destination was the Hunter Guild. Without a backward glance, he left the cave. There was nothing left to interest him in that small village.
The journey back to the guild was uneventful. There were no significant encounters or obstacles. Everything flowed so smoothly that Marcus had time to contemplate his next step. When he arrived at the guild, his imposing aura caught the attention of those nearby. The smell of blood still clung to his clothes, and his cold gaze intimidated those around him.
He approached the main counter, surprised not to find Linda, the usual receptionist. Instead, a young man named Tom stood there, visibly nervous upon seeing Marcus. The presence of a Level 2 hunter like Marcus was enough to unsettle someone like Tom, who was merely an apprentice.
"What do you need?" Tom asked in a trembling voice.
Marcus didn't reply immediately. He simply placed the witch's head on the counter with a loud thud.
"The mission in southern Georgetown was wrong. It was a witch. I almost died there," he said in a cold, calculated tone, his aura growing heavier.
Tom took a step back, intimidated by Marcus's presence. At that moment, Linda appeared from a side door, her expression shifting to surprise when she saw Marcus.
"Marcus! You're back," she said warmly, but her tone quickly changed as her gaze fell on the witch's head. Her expression darkened.
"I almost died there," Marcus repeated, his eyes locking onto Linda.
"That seems apparent…" Linda replied, scrutinizing the hunter closely. She noticed something different about him: a stronger, more imposing aura. She knew he had been through something significant.
Marcus wasted no time.
"I want an explanation," he demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Linda sighed and nodded.
"Missions are usually issued by experienced hunters or people with direct contact with us. However, in this case, it was issued by a mage specializing in divination. These projections are typically accurate, but sometimes, targets have ways to conceal themselves or manipulate their surroundings to evade detection properly."
Marcus didn't seem satisfied with her explanation. While her words made sense, he knew something was off. The witch didn't seem powerful enough to divert such high-level magical projections. There was more to this, but for now, he kept his suspicions to himself.
"I apologize on behalf of the guild for what happened," Linda continued. "As compensation, in addition to the original reward of 100 ether stones, you'll receive 50 additional stones."
Marcus accepted the stones without another word. He knew that in his current position, there wasn't much more he could do but swallow the situation. But deep down, something dark was brewing inside him. He knew he would seek revenge, even for the slightest offense.
Pocketing the stones, Marcus turned and headed toward the guild's exit. As he walked, a sense of anticipation filled him. He knew his power was growing, and with it, his ability to do whatever he wanted.
Outside, night had already fallen. The air was cool, but Marcus barely noticed it. In his mind, there was only one thought: finding a way to keep ascending, no matter the cost.