Chapter 7
Now the day had finally arrived.
After sixteen long years, I was leaving this place.
The hunter training headquarters stood like a massive metallic dome. Its curved walls glinted under the morning sun, protecting us rookies from outside demonic attacks. I had grown up here. I had trained here. And now, I was about to walk out of it for the very first time on a real mission. My heart was quiet, too quiet. Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was numbness. I didn't even know anymore.
We were all gathered for a final briefing before heading to the training camp. The commanders gave us a quick explanation of our mission and the current situation in the nearby towns. They kept reminding us over and over how dangerous demons were, and how the smallest mistake could cost us or innocent people their lives. It wasn't just about strength, they said. It was about strategy and control.
Julian, of course, wore his usual smug look. Like this was just another fun game for him. He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, grinning like he already knew he'd come out of this a hero.
Liam was distracted, obviously trying to impress Iris. He kept fixing his hair and adjusting his jacket, glancing over at her every few seconds. And Iris, as usual, acted like she was too good for everyone else.
I didn't care about any of it. I just wanted to get this over with.
Captain Strix stepped forward and gave a short but sharp speech. His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it.
"Ignorance can get you killed," he said. "Not just you, but your comrades too. Watch each other's backs. You're only as strong as the person beside you."
I didn't realize how serious everything was until he said that. It made the whole mission feel real. Like any of us could actually die out there.
Then Iris rolled her eyes and spoke up.
"If anyone slows me down, I'm leaving them behind. I'm not dying because of someone else's weakness."
Her tone made my skin crawl. I clenched my jaw and looked away.
Carlos, who usually didn't talk much, surprised us all after we left the office. While we were getting ready, he sat down beside me and said something that stuck with me.
"You know… today might be our last day," he said quietly. "Rookies die all the time out there. But being a hunter… it's not just about killing demons. It's about protecting the weak. Don't forget that."
I nodded slowly. His voice had a strange softness to it, like he had seen more than he ever told us. And maybe he had.
We weren't even given any special weapons. That was weird. Instead, we were told to dress in the standard hunter gear.
I didn't waste time. I pulled on a green and black cloak. Underneath, I wore a simple white shirt, with my forearms wrapped tightly in brown leather bands. My pants were rugged brown battle trousers—loose and practical for movement. They were tucked into leg wraps that made it easier to move through rough terrain. Just above the pants, there was a soft cloth frill—more decorative than useful, probably part of the uniform design.
Around my waist, I tied a thick, rope-style belt. At the center of it was a green gemstone, shining faintly. It looked magical. Probably a symbol of our rookie status or something more.
But the most important thing I wore was the pendant.
It hung from a leather cord, resting just over my chest. The center was a glowing green gem, almost like an emerald. It was smooth and round, and it pulsed softly, like it was alive. The gem matched the color of my eyes—and my magic. It reminded me of my village. Of what I had lost.
The gem was set inside a golden frame, shaped like a starburst or sun, with sharp points sticking out in all directions. The design was old, sacred. Like something out of legend. Two small wooden beads were placed near the collar of the cord, giving the pendant a tribal feel. I had worn it for years. It was the only thing I had left from home.
When I stepped outside, I saw that everyone else was dressed almost the same. But none of them had a pendant like mine.We waited for Captain Strix at the gate. Minutes passed. Then more. The air was tense, filled with the quiet buzz of nerves.
Finally, he arrived.
He didn't say much. Just turned and led us toward the giant front gate. The gate was huge, made of thick metal. As it opened slowly with a heavy groan, a cold wind rushed in. And then we saw them—demon corpses lying across the path, freshly killed. They had tried to break in during the night.
The town we were sent to rescue was supposed to be only a few hours north, but when I looked at the map, I realized it was at least a full day's journey. Even with horses, it wouldn't be easy.
While I was still wondering how we were supposed to reach it fast, Captain Strix suddenly disappeared in a blur.
Oh, right. Enhanced speed.
We had trained in it, but this was the first time we were using it for real. No choice but to follow. One by one, we all pushed off the ground and started moving, fast as lightning, jumping over trees, rushing through the forest like shadows.
It felt like flying. My feet barely touched the ground as I moved. The trees blurred past. The wind whipped at my face. We covered hours of distance in what felt like minutes.
And then, we arrived.
The city in ruins.
Venice.
It was beautiful, even in its broken state. The architecture, the bridges, the water—it reminded me of the ancient stories about Italy's Venice. But now it was soaked in blood. The air smelled like ash and death.
We didn't have time to admire it.
Screams echoed through the streets. Fires burned in the distance. Civilians ran, trying to escape. And demons—huge, terrifying creatures—were chasing them.
Without thinking, I ran toward the closest scream.
But Captain Strix was faster.
He picked up a stone, sharp and heavy, and threw it like a spear. It flew through the air with deadly accuracy and hit a demon square in the face.
The creature dropped instantly.
When I reached the body, I saw that the stone had pierced straight through its skull. But it wasn't just any stone. It was shaped like a blade, narrow and deadly. That's when I realized—it wasn't just about strength. Strix had used skill. Experience.
The demon's skin was thick, almost like armor. Its body was muscular and built for killing. The color of its skin was deep red, almost sangria, and a huge horn curved out of its forehead like a weapon.
That was just one of them.
We kept fighting. Saving who we could. Pushing forward.
We were in Venice for only a few hours…
Until something unexpected happened.