HE SHOULD HAVE HAD saw that coming.
For Hunter, the obscured sun was the most interesting scenery he could watch, though that wouldn't change his condition being tied to a stake far from the village and near the foggy forest. It would have been dramatic eventually had there been onlookers, and torches, but the smell of dry wood and damp earth were the only pungent that lingered. There was no "kill the witch" or "burn him" phrase as the crowd by then would throw him stones.
He was merely tied, facing an eerie atmosphere that most probably could have deafened him had this continue.
Hunter became reminiscent of his time as a citizen of the Slumberer's Realm, specifically Gap-3121 City, where those between the ages of ten and seventeen were required to learn about the world. Their exploration began through the books that were given to them at home.
He could still imagine the small house that had been assigned solely to him, furnished with a single bed, a small table, a wardrobe, and a library. The same food had been delivered every morning, portioned to last an entire day. The scent of books remained clear in his memory, along with the thought, "I am done with this life!" yet he had continued living regardless.
Each year, he had been made to watch seventeen-year-old children depart for their first trial, all while hoping that his turn would come next. It had never been a matter of choice, but he had remained determined to obtain a Tower.
Yet. . .
'Ah, to think that this happens.' He was too disappointed to himself. 'Such a pity that I've took the bait.'
But it was still fine, although if he survived then he would need answers why such evil acts were even committed.
After all, Hunter was a poor, innocent soul.
The literal lamb to the slaughter.
'Anyway . . .'
He summoned his Handscroll and sifted through earlier messages toward the latest ones. The parchment had stretched far beyond its original length, layered with countless panels, each bearing its own text. Hunter found himself amused, having never expected the Handscroll to behave like an ordinary artifact, now unfurled before him like a carpet.
「Your [Descent] [Path] is being assessed.」
「You are an [Unclaimed] [Descent] from the path of [Orphanhood].」
「You do not qualify for [Inheritance Attributes].」
「Reassessing your qualifications...」
「You are qualified to have [Trait Attributes].」
「Your [Trait Attributes] are being accumulated from your [Slumbering].」
「Please standby...」
「You have acquired your first subtrait [Shift of Two Personas]!」
「You have acquired your second subtrait [Existential Drift]!」
「Yo have acquired your third subtrait [Mind of the Messiah]!」
「You can view the [Trait Attributes] description on the status window.」
'Let me see,' he thought. 'Descents are either called Heirs or Orphans. From what I have seen, Attendants tend to favor the path of an Heir, like Mr. Abernathy, an Attendant of Hope. Before becoming an Heir, one must first be an Adopted and prove oneself through an initial trial, like mine. But I do not want to be an Adopted, so my only choice is to remain Unclaimed. Like the Adopted, the Unclaimed holds the same value. One only becomes an Orphan if that existence is chosen willingly.'
'I remember this clearly. When Mr. Abernathy asked about my knowledge of the Adopted, it was all rooted in the truth of the Ascension Paths. If one can descend, then one can also ascend. For the Adopted or Heirs, there is something called Inheritance Essence, a mystical power borrowed from their chosen Parent and eventually inherited, as the name suggests. But for me, an Unclaimed moving toward Orphanhood, it is different. I should have nothing at all. Yet I can manifest three attributes from my Slumbering, and I even have a Trait Essence. That should be a good sign. Why am I even questioning this?'
Lost in his thoughts, he attempted to view his status window, and the Handscroll rolled back, returning to a normal sized phantom screen, no longer stretched or unwieldy.
「Name: Hunter Morningstar
Origin: ??
Existence: Slumberer
Slumbering Period: [1000] Years & [7] Days
Descent Existence: Unclaimed
Descension Path: Orphanhood
Ascension Path: —
Spirit Essence: Trait Essence
Trait: ??
Attributes: [Ship of Two Personas], [Existential Drift], [Mind of the Messiah]
Eminence: — 」
He wondered what the two question marks signified for his Origin. Origin was the root reason the system could manifest three attributes from his Slumbering. Even Mr. Abernathy had reminded him of this, as his Phantasm carried the structure of his dream.
Meanwhile, Spirit Essence was divided into four categories, yet only two had been introduced. It was said to be the most reachable feat one could attain. An Heir descent, however, could possess both essences, unlike an Orphan who could only wield one of the two. That alone explained why Heirs were often favored, even by the Entities themselves.
'As for my Trait, I may need to figure out my Origin first before I can unveil that.'
For Hunter, there were still many things left to uncover, especially why an Heir could possess both essences and whether it was even possible to unlock all four. Such a state would be overpowered and excessively privileged. They would become spoiled beings, ones who should be questioned for taking everything for themselves. Perhaps there were deeper mysteries beneath it all, waiting to be brought to light, especially why Spirit Essence is broken down into four categories.
'Only one thing to do.'
He let out an exasperated sigh as he stared at the tree trunks, their bark fading beneath the thickening fog.
Gradually, Hunter recalled what he feared most, and to his bafflement before, it was clowns. He could not trace where the fear had originated as his mind drifted through fragments of buried memories. In truth, he felt more curious than afraid, wondering how such a fear had taken root, and what kind of life he once lived on Earth.
'Just kill me, and let this get over with.'
A sly smile formed on his lips.
FROM AFAR, villagers were seen looking out from the windows of their respective houses. They were like cats, their curiosity laid bare, as they observed the seventeen-year-old boy bound to the stake as the offering.
From the forest, the omen of crows had spread above the sacrifice, until they formed a looming body made entirely of shadows that descended before Hunter. Those who watched did so as if it were ordinary, for this was something they witnessed every week.
"AAAAAAH!"
A loud scream had cut through the forest, yet the fog had already grown thick, and little of what happened was truly perceived.
In the end, the sacrificial lamb had simply dissipated, as though the body had been consumed by the being known as Soulrend.
Silence then spread across the entire village.
Even the eyes watching from the windows had faded away.
However, the boy in white garments, standing at the mouth of the forest, looked back at the strange village, with only an intrigued look he could return as a cursed favor.