Why did I become a Ghost Hunter?I've never really thought about it. Maybe because I was born with magic, with no clear direction in life. I took this job because the pay was decent, and I got assigned to a squad that didn't handle the most dangerous missions.At least, that's what I used to think."Hah... Uh... Hah..." A man, wearing a blue Ghost Hunter uniform, stumbled out of a house, his body covered in blood. In his arms, he carried a girl—disheveled, her long hair tangled, bruises and cuts scattered across her small frame."Amzar!" A man dressed in a red uniform and black coat rushed toward them, his expression filled with concern. Amzar's wide eyes stared blankly ahead, barely registering his approach."Captain Mikael..." Amzar's voice was barely a whisper as Mikael stopped in front of him, his eyes locking on the girl in Amzar's arms. Shock flashed across his face as he took in her pitiful state."What happened?" Mikael asked. Silence followed as Amzar struggled to recall the events.I had entered the house after receiving reports of strange paranormal activity. A high level of spirit energy had been detected, but no one lived here anymore. For Ghost Hunters, this wasn't unusual—haunted houses like this were commonplace.Everything seemed normal, until I descended into the basement.There she was—a little girl. Her clothes torn, her body bruised and bloodied. She was filthy, her lips cracked, her body frail and thin. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The girl's spirit energy was almost nonexistent... she was on the verge of death."Damnit... Ghost Hunter!" A voice echoed behind me. I turned around to see a man, terror evident on his face, retreating step by step."Who are you? What did you do to her?" I demanded, anger boiling within me as I imagined the horrors he might have inflicted on the girl."You fool! You think I'll answer you? Pontianak! Kill him! I've given you my daughter's blood—now obey me and kill him!" The man shouted before fleeing.I tried to pursue him, but a Pontianak—her hair short and black—appeared before me, claws outstretched, aiming for my throat. Instinctively, I raised my pistol, drawing in a sharp breath as I channeled my spirit energy into the bullet."Distortion Technique, Distortion Bullet!"The bullet tore through the Pontianak's hand, slicing through her shoulder before my magic activated. The bullet twisted, destroying the area around her shoulder and neck, leaving her head shattered and her body crumpled.But there was no time to rest. I rushed after the man, who was already at the door, trying to escape.I shot him. And I used my magic.His body exploded into pieces, splattering the floor, walls, and door with his blood.I stood there, frozen, staring at the remains of the man I had just killed.Later, I found myself sitting alone on a bench in the hospital lobby. Mikael approached me and sat down beside me."How's the girl?" I asked, my voice hoarse.Mikael gave a small smile. "She's stable now... That's good news, right?"I exhaled heavily. "Don't sugarcoat it for me..." I muttered, tired of hearing comforting lies.Mikael's smile faded. "That girl... she was used as food for the Pontianak you destroyed. The man you killed... he was her father. Is that what you wanted to hear?"A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Yeah... makes me feel like he deserved to die."Mikael removed his hand from my shoulder, his face grim. "I won't preach to you about whether what you did was right or wrong. The man tried to kill you with his own Saka, so you had every right to defend yourself."I nodded, understanding but still lost in my thoughts. Mikael stood and walked away.I killed for a reason... even though I knew it was just an excuse.I stood outside the hospital room, still wearing my Ghost Hunter uniform, a bouquet of flowers in hand. Taking a deep breath, I slowly opened the door.The girl, wrapped in bandages from head to toe, sat at the far end of the room, staring out the window. The rain was pouring heavily outside. I quietly shut the door and walked toward her."Hey... uh... how are you feeling?" I asked with a weak smile.She turned to look at me, her eyes empty, devoid of emotion. I placed the flowers on the table beside her bed, unsure of what to say next.I remembered the horrific state she was in when I first found her. Slowly, I sat down in the chair beside her bed, reaching out to gently hold her hand."What's your name?"But the girl remained silent, her eyes distant and unfocused."There's no birth certificate... no records of her anywhere. I can't even imagine how she survived until the day we found her," Mikael exhaled a cloud of smoke, leaning against the car next to Amzar. His voice was heavy with the weight of their discovery."I'll take her in," Amzar said, his voice firm yet gentle. "As my adopted sister. I've already spoken to my family, and they're on board with it."Mikael glanced at him in surprise before a small smile crept onto his face. "Seriously? That's great. She could use a new start."But Amzar's expression remained serious. His thoughts drifted back to the basement, the horror of what he'd found, and the darkness that had nearly consumed the girl. He couldn't let that happen again.Kneeling beside the young girl in her hospital bed, Amzar took her hand in his, his grip firm but kind. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he spoke."Listen closely, from now on, you're my family," he said softly, his voice cracking slightly. "You're my little sister. I swear I'll do whatever it takes to help you, to protect you."The girl stared at him, her face a mask of confusion, not fully understanding the meaning behind his words."I don't know if you understand what I'm saying," Amzar continued, his voice steadier this time, "but you're my sister now. And as your brother... I'll protect you. I promise." He linked his pinky finger with hers, sealing the vow."This is our promise," he whispered."Pro...mise?" she echoed in a faint, fragile voice, her first real words since he had rescued her.Amzar's heart swelled with relief as he smiled at her. It was a selfish desire, he knew, but he didn't care."Your new name is Emilia Kasturi," Amzar said gently, watching as the girl, now named Emilia, studied him with cautious curiosity. She glanced down at the bandages on her hands, a small smile tugging at her lips as if trying to understand the meaning of her new identity."Emilia... Kasturi... that's my name," she whispered, her voice soft as she placed a hand on her chest, feeling the weight of her new life. Amzar nodded slowly, watching as something inside her shifted—a fragile sense of hope.She was the reason I became a Ghost Hunter, Amzar thought to himself, the weight of that realization settling deep in his heart."Take it easy, Emi," Amzar said, holding both of her trembling hands as she took tentative steps forward. Her legs wobbled beneath her, fear etched into her face."I'm right here," he reassured her, his voice calm, steady. Emilia managed a small smile, encouraged by his presence, and took another shaky step forward.I promised... no one else will ever suffer these scars, not while I'm still standing."I got something for you," Amzar said one day, handing Emilia a box. She took it cautiously, her small fingers trembling as she opened it."A gift? Why?" she asked, puzzled."Just open it," he replied, grinning.Inside, Emilia found several pairs of long gloves in different patterns and colors. She looked up at him in awe. "Woah..."Amzar chuckled softly as he lifted one glove, a deep purple pair with delicate floral designs. He took her right hand and gently slid the glove over her arm, the fabric hiding the scars she had carried for so long."These are for you," he explained, his voice low and filled with emotion. "To remind you that you're strong, that you don't have to hide anymore."Emilia's eyes brightened as she stared at the glove, a small smile forming on her lips. She turned to Amzar, raising her hand proudly. "Pretty?"He smiled back, his heart aching with pride and sadness at the same time. "Yeah... very pretty."I don't want to be a hero. I just want to make sure that the people I care about... never get hurt again.Emilia's smile grew as she admired her new gloves. She turned toward him, beaming as she showed off her right hand, now adorned with the glove he had given her."It suits me right, right?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with childlike wonder."Yeah," Amzar replied, his voice catching in his throat. "It's beautiful. Just like you."He wasn't sure what kind of expression he had on his face at that moment. He only knew one thing: he was happy—truly happy—to see her smile.