It feels magical here. Like we were in an entirely different world.

  Many people were walking around in their various robes, children were playing with wooden swords, and there was an occasional random street duel between two participants.

  Most households resembled a standard Western home, while the rest reflected traditional Eastern design.

  The one thing that excited me was the display of magic happening around me. I saw a woman watering her flowers by spraying water from her hands, a man creating clones of himself to assist with his street performance, and finally, a girl who could control a plane with her fingers.

  Hinata didn't say anything while I was excitedly observing the beauty of the environment.

  We entered the giant temple and encountered a woman sitting atop a mound of pillows.

  She had striking orange hair, bright yellow eyes, and nine fluffy fox tails bulging from her behind while wearing a white and red flower-patterned robe.

  Hinata bowed deeply, her hands and forehead touching the ground. "Lady Kyorin, I am Hinata Veil, currently under Mr. Mizukami's supervision and an A-rank. I was assigned to eliminate this target, but I have convinced him to ally with our society. Your approval is all that remains." she announced.

  Kyorin glanced at me and her eyes widened briefly with a suspicious smirk, "How interesting." she remarked, likely having noticed the demon standing behind me.

  I felt its presence returning behind me, gripping my chest as a low growl emerged. Kyorin stood up, grabbed the two fans beside her, and commanded, "Leave us be, Hinata."

  Hinata stood up and turned to leave, softly whispering, "Good luck" as she carefully took Loki's sword from my hand and left the temple.

  "Was anyone close to you killed?" asked Kyorin.

  An odd question to start off, "Yes, my family was killed two months ago during the great disaster in New York City."

  She looked intrigued as she began to approach me, "I'm sorry for your loss. That day, we lost many of our lower-ranked members. To make matters worse, we didn't destroy the monster; it retreated and is currently regaining its strength." I watched as six of her tails retracted into her body.

  The demon released a loud cry as Kyorin got closer.

  Kyorin paused for a moment before beginning to circle around me, "You mentioned that your family was killed two months ago. I assume the spirit started appearing on the same day. This entity is likely the souls of your family, unable to find peace and thus transforming into this form. Since they are bound to you, they will follow you regardless of what you say. If you observe the spirit closely, you will notice certain resemblances to your family." Kyorin explained.

  My eyes widened in shock at what I was hearing, "Is that true?" I asked the demon, but it only clung to me and watched Kyorin's movements.

  Now looking at it.

  The figure resembles my mother's face even though it has black hair and pure white eyes, my older brother has always loved fantasy and sci-fi stories...could that be where the demon's design comes from, my younger sister used to have a pet white snake in her room.

  "I refuse to believe that claim. No, that can't really be you in there?" I asked once more, a tear nearly escaping from my eye.

  It responded to me by rubbing its head against my hair, "Normally, humans require two years of training to develop a body suitable for hunting. However, your body has undergone multiple enhancements from being bound to that thing, making you a monster trapped in a human's body. The immense energy within you is another reason why you cannot be left alone." Her movements began to blur, and I started to see afterimages.

  "To combat these threats, we must harness our sorcerer abilities, fueled by a unique energy within our bodies known as the soulstream. This power transforms us into Sorcery Hunters." As I watched Kyorin's afterimages, she executed a slide tackle from behind and swiftly followed up with a kick to my chest while I was inverted in mid-air.

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  Which caused me to crash against a pillar near the entrance.

  I actually felt a kind of pain. I don't remember the last time I felt something hurt me.

  As I lifted my gaze to Kyorin, I found her standing before a mound of pillows, her twin fans drawn, "This is the path of a Sorcery Hunter," she declared.

  "You must understand that you will fight for others over yourself, prioritizing the innocent and putting your own needs last. You will also be required to adhere to the laws of the Hunter Sanctuary. If you still wish to pursue this life, then pass me and claim a seat upon my cushions." It was at that moment that I noticed the blades concealed within her fans.

  I got back on my feet, eyeing my objective, "I came here to stop people from dying from the curse following me, and also to find a way to repent for my past actions. Like it or not, I will become a hunter." I responded.

  "Show me," she said as I dashed toward the pile of pillows.

  She intervened and attempted to kick me, but I blocked her attack and leg sweep her off her feet, but her body burst into countless flowers.

  I thought she was going to attack me from behind, but I was wrong.

  The instant I turned around she immediately hit the back of my head with the base of her fan, sweep me to the ground, and held the blade pointed to my neck while being seated on my chest.

  "Noticing something missing?" She asked.

  She looked to the left and I followed, noticing the demon was trapped in something, "It's a barrier; we can't let it go wild in this place."

  Kyorin made one cruel error that was going to change the outcome of this battle, and that was not keeping her eyes on me. Immediately I pulled her close enough to execute a throat jab.

  She jumped back, trying to catch her breath, which allowed me to follow up with an uppercut and then a spinning backhand to the face which caused her to drop to the ground.

  And giving me the opening to dash towards the pillows.

  I kept looking back to see if she was going to attack but she was too busy recovering from the first attack.

  Upon my arrival, I settled onto the mound of pillows, "Congratulations, young hunter." Kyorin said, reclining beside me with a glass of red wine in one hand and a bowl of grapes in the other.

  At first, I thought I was hallucinating. Her body was no longer where I last saw it, and she seemed unharmed.

  I couldn't help but wonder how much she had been holding back during our battle, "This feels too easy to be a real test." I remarked.

  She giggled softly, and before I knew it, the items she had been holding were in my hands, "I wanted to see your potential and I must say, I'm impressed. You're not only fearless but also cunning. Do you practice any martial arts?" Kyorin asked, moving slyly behind me to gently massage my shoulders.

  Something was troubling about her demeanor. "Yes, I've trained in boxing, Krav Maga, and taekwondo. But that's beside the point. Have I proven myself?" I asked, brushing off the unexpected message.

  Leaning in closer, she said, "You were accepted the moment Hinata shared our location with you. I wanted to see if you could fight without that monster and if you were as fearless as I hoped. You possess the qualities we seek in a Hunter: strength, high potential, and a touch of madness." Kyorin declared.

  "I see, what is going to happen?" I asked.

  "Next, you will meet your new teammates and also your assigned household. Together, the three of you will form the team White Hawk, and you will receive your first mission tomorrow. After that, you will meet your supervisor, who will oversee all of you. If you need more information, feel free to return to me or consult Hinata." With a clap of her hands, Kyorin released the barrier that contained the demon.

  The demon didn't hesitate to launch its attack, but Kyorin conjured a storm of flower petals. Once the storm subsided, I found myself outside the temple, with Hinata leaning against the sealed door.

  She sighed, tossing Loki's sword back to me. "I will show you to your room. Congratulations, by the way." she said, as she approached me.

  After I caught the sword, I asked, "Why are you giving this to me?"

  "According to Law 14 of the Hunter's Sanctuary, any hunter defeated by an outsider shall be banished. Even if the hunter survives, survival does not grant them the right to return. Since you have defeated him, I give you permission to keep his sword as a trophy." With that, she stood before me, slicing through the air to create another portal.

  If that is the law, then I will follow suit for now.

  We both stepped through the portal and paused outside a white two-story house, "I'll return shortly to prepare your equipment. Try to get along with your teammates." said Hinata, handing me a key.

  "I will. Could you show me around later?" I asked.

  She gave me a soft smile and said, "Of course, I was hoping to do that anyway." Turning around, she stepped through the portal.

  I let out a quick sigh before stepping into the house. As I entered, I collided with a girl who had short brown hair and was holding a tracksuit, "Sorry-" she wanted to say something, but was motionless as her gaze locked intensely with mine.

  "Give me back my-" he shouted while running downstairs, but froze the moment he noticed me. He was a boy with black hair, wearing nothing but his boxers.

  I looked at two before saying, "I am your new teammate." Their shocked expression was evident that they were not expecting to have a new teammate so soon.