I walked down to a building that resembled a corporation and stole an ID from a passing worker then I wore my hood up and strolled to the 2nd floor using the back staircase and walked to the clinic using the map. I observed the sleeping Xu Ling and the drip in his hand then I removed it and injected an anesthetic into his blood before reattaching the drip. After that I left the building storing the card passing by an interesting doctor on the way who had blood at the end of his gloves; it seems like another seed is growing here too. I went to an internet cafe, hacked into the student platform and posted the picture of the bodies arranged at the gym then I sent another message to his parents asking them to pick their child up from school, all while eating a slice of cream cake. I carried a box of cake missing a slice dropping it at the shack but this time I didn't leave immediately. I don't know what to do about this situation we're both in and this isn't really a type of relationship but I don't like unexpected variables because that's how all stories start, with something suddenly occuring.
"Let's talk, I give you 5 days to think about it and you know where to find me" I say looking at the window waiting.
"Okay" a smooth voice quietly said.
It's been a while since I've spoken to anyone and that someone hardly sounds like they've had a lot of conversations with anyone; I think depreciatingly walking back home. The effect of what I just did would be little so I have time to think about the direction I want to go in especially the meeting I have in 5 days time. Considering the origin of that individual, it's impossible to be low key besides there is a dense aura of mana around that shack that is well hidden but considering the setting of this world, it would be impossible for someone that strong to not get exposed so the only option is to have that person work for me as an insider in the places where major scenarios will happen.
Anyway it's not like I can separate myself from that person as our fates were tied together long ago, I think tracing my scar absentmindedly. Since I've come to a conclusion I guess it's time to exercise. I do my sets in the room I had built for exercise and then step outside for a jog around the neighborhood listening to the audio for that novel I am reading.
"Don't overdo it" I say passing the shack.
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Xu Ling woke up confused and dazed; surprised that he was alive and lingering fear that he almost didn't make it when he heard the sound of throat being cleared and turned to see a man and a woman examining him with a frown on her face while the man looked stiff.
"Who are you" Xu asked in a weak voice still a bit weak.
"How did you take down the Yuan Gui" the woman snapped at him. Xu Ling instantly frowned not liking her tone.
"I don't know what you mean. I was attacked and I defended myself, the process was a blur" he said in an annoyed tone.
"Come on kid, even you don't expect us to believe that excuse " the man said chuckling in a mocking tone.
"That's because it's not an excuse but the truth" Xu Ling said glaring at them indignant.
"Look how weak he is, he probably just awakened on the spur of the moment and beat it by pure luck and the matter of the light mana must be a mistake. Let's go we have more important issues regarding the cover up" the woman said standing up to leave.
"When you get better come back here and register. Don't reveal what happened to anyone carelessly or you'll both get in trouble,by the way I'm Chen Ming and that was Li Jing" Chen Ming said tossing Xu Ling a pass and walked away.
Xu Ling watched them leave with a piercing gaze considering not registering with them but he knew he had no choice. Sighing he slumped into bed examining his stingy status who couldn't even protect him from a normal human body and he only acquired a level with an increase of 10 points to be added to of his stats. He was interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing then he remembered that they mentioned his school so that must be his parents.
"Hello" he said answering his phone just to be bombarded with questions from his mom and sister to which he assured them that he's alright explaining that he got out before his teacher entered and he's okay. The conversation warmed his heart fortifying his resolve to protect them and everyone else.
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Two days later I took a bus back to the corporation and went to the registration room playing with the ranking detector making it glitch then I went outside joining those on the seat waiting scrolling on my phone.
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Xu Ling left the clinic after a few hours then tried to absorb the dark mana in the air but it only yielded a 1 point for 3 hours so the conversion rate was disgustingly slow even though he doesn't go to school now since his whole class ended up dead. He had no choices but to join the Hunters Co. as was on the ID so that he could slay some monsters. He walked to the receptionist and showed her the card and she directed him to a private room where he saw a flat screen tablet the size of a palm. He followed her directions to infuse his mana into the machine.
"Congratulations you are D-rank, for someone just registered too" the receptionist said in surprise while talking excitedly while Xu Ling frowned at the fact that he still couldn't control his mana and he almost got drained just now.
"Here's your watch complete with ID, mission list for your rank plus your own support team responsible for after job clean up" she said
Xu Ling wanted to ask if the rank could be reevaluated but changed his mind not willing to expose his cheat key. He resolved to go on his first mission in a few days time, he would've liked to go right now but his parents were still fussing over him because they heard about what happened at school from their friends and forbade him from leaving the house this week, besides he still needed to learn how to use a sword and exercise to increase his stamina before he would attempt a mission.
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I left the building and went to that restaurant again observing the boy. His mother bruise and battered limping served me the noodles with an expression bordering defeat. Interesting it looks like a two for one so I went home satisfied and in good spirits since my week ended up free. I aimlessly walked around Xu Ling house spotting areas of dark mana, researching everything about the Hunter Co. or HC including the speculation they have about an organization built on the use of dark mana. The days went by in a flash until it was day 5 and I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in" I said feeling surprisingly awkward.