Lezian went crazy trying to attack Gun-wo but fortunately, I was able to intervene "It's okay. Calm down." I said as I tried to push them back.

  Gun-wo kept smiling at me, knowing that my back was turned, "Why not let that beast go wild and see what will happen to the both of you? Not only is that beast a liability, but I will be damn for an outsider to be allowed to ascend the ranks when his strength came from that demon." he said, his confidence unwavering.

  Years of training have taught me that you must understand when to fight and when to walk away. My body was telling me that Gun-wo is dangerous, so it would make sense not to engage with him.

  I tightened my grip on Lezian and met their gaze. "It's okay, it isn't the first time I have faced unfair treatment. But it's an opportunity for me to rise through the ranks like everyone else. So please, stop." I could see Lezian registering the growing sadness in my eyes.

  They stopped their hostility towards Gun-wo and soon disappeared.

  Immediately after, Gun-wo started to laugh, "When Kyorin said a human would be under my supervision, let alone a bound one, I was utterly repulsed." he declared.

  I turned around with one unhappy face, and slowly, I moved closer to him, my blue eyes fixed on him.

  He unsheathe his sword and declared, "Are we going to have problems? If so, I'm more than ready to send that monster back to where it belongs." My frustration grew quickly, but it stopped the moment Ren and Gabrielle stepped between us.

  Noticing their worried looks, I responded, "No, I think your decision was fair. As a newcomer, it's not right for me to skip over the ranks. I'm content to progress at a gradual pace." For now, I needed to maintain a friendly atmosphere with my teammates.

  Including him.

  My response appeared to calm the two, but Gun-wo remained unsatisfied. He teleported closer to me and said, "You're missing something. No who?" He waited for my response with that damn irritating smile.

  My response was simple and quick. I gently squeezed his cheeks and said, "You right, no cutie." He attempted to backhand my face, but I blocked his attack.

  Our expression swapped, but he decided to walk away.

  "Calm down Lezian." I felt my family trying to come out, but they decided to calm down for the time being.

  Ren and Gabrielle approached me, Ren asked, "Are you okay?"

  Brushing a strand of hair from my face, I revealed my smile, "It's all good. So, what happens next?" I asked.

  The atmosphere felt awkward, yet they were okay with overlooking it, "Umm next we search the area for any monster eggs or offspring. Once we have destroyed them, we can head home." Gabrielle said.

  "Cool, lead the way." I replied.

  (Five minutes later)

  We began our search in the house. The three of us split up to cover more ground but found nothing.

  When we regrouped on the bottom floor I asked, "Found anything?"

  The pair shook their heads together, "No, maybe in the mineshaft." Ren replied.

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  We exited the house in silence, "Umm, so how was your first mission as a hunter?" Gabrielle asked.

  He was right about one thing, "Too easy, I guess. I know that it was a simple mission, but I kinda expected more, but given my strength...I highly doubt that I will enjoy hunting." I said

  "Do you want me to share why the Mothman was easy to defeat?" Ren asked

  "Sure, why not." I replied

  "You see, we face three types of supernatural foes that were created by humanity. Demons were created by human fear, monsters were made by humanity's believing in their existence, and spirits are a dying person's regret taking the shape of a ghostly figure. The Mothman was once believed to be this powerful being, but now mankind is losing interest in it. It's now a shell of its former self." Ren explained.

  "Regarding our enemies, monsters are the weakest but also the weirdest. They can explode in power for a week, but all of a sudden they are useless." Gabrielle added.

  If they put it like that, it makes sense why the Mothman isn't feared anymore. Goodness sake there are books where he adopts you as a pet.

  "I would blame our stupid side of humanity for that. Since they are devolving as humans, they will turn the most feared monster alive into the most loveable creature. Anyways, the mineshaft is up ahead." I said to them.

  Nothing good happens when you decide to venture into an abandoned mineshaft in the middle of nowhere.

  As we entered inside, Ren traced something on our backs that made our environment much brighter. "This should help with the darkness." he said.

  These sorcery skills appear to be very useful. "Is this something you can both do or is it exclusive?" I asked.

  Gabrielle nodded her head and replied, "All hunters can learn sorcery techniques like that. They are taught to us during the academy phase and when we rank up. It depends on whether you remember the combination and have enough soulstream for the spells."

  So, I can potentially do all that. After this mission, I can ask Hinata to teach me a few while I have her interested.

  "I see, I might have the chance to learn more later today-" Suddenly, there was a sound of heavy machinic footsteps walking on a puddle of water from the end of the tunnel.

  We all halted and fell silent. Something else was concealed within the tunnel.

  "Guys, the fog is back." said Gabrielle, noticing that the entrance was blocked.

  Gun-wo probably knew about this and didn't say anything.

  The figure in question walked slowly towards us and was a boy in a black trench coat reading a book, "Who are you?" I shouted.

  At that moment, I heard the two of them backing away. When I turned to face them, they were so frightened that they were shaking uncontrollably.

  Tears streaming down Gabrielle's face, she dashed towards the fog, desperately trying to break through. "GUN-WO! THE DOLLBOY IS HERE! PLEASE BREAK THE SPELL!" she cried out, continuing trying to fight her way through the fog.

  I was confused by their response but remained vigilant. Meanwhile, Ren with tears streaming down his face, kept muttering "We are finished." repeatedly.

  The boy discarded his book and removed his trench coat revealing a machine-like wired body, "I want to be a real boy." the Dollboy said.

  "Guys I need-" I turned around once more, but they were still freaking out.

  When I returned my focus to the Dollboy, a wire was wrapped around my legs and immediately he pulled me closer to him.

  It attempted to drag me towards the back of the tunnel, but Lezian interfered by rippling the wires apart. Following up, Lezian used the wire to pull him closer to them and punch the dollboy toward the deeper parts of the tunnel.

  I thought to myself that it was destroyed.

  As I got up to my feet, I experienced a full-force knee to the chest.

  That was too fast even for Lezian to intervene.

  But that didn't stop it. Immediately after, it grabbed my hand and hurled me deeper into the mines.

  Thankful, Lezian broke my fall, "Thank you." I said to them.

  The attack inflicted severe damage on my chest, to the point where I struggled to breathe a bit.

  Lezian noticed that and started to silently whimper, "Xavier." they said as they rubbed their head against my chest.

  I stroked their head and murmured, "It's merely a scratch. Don't worry." The machinery rattled and came closer to us.

  He had Ren and Gabrielle tucked under his arms, "Hey, let them go, or I am going to turn you into a toaster." I warned as I rose to my feet.

  He dropped them removed his human face and revealed a machinic face, he said, "You are beautiful, with a strong body, nice skin, and a pleasant voice. All the girls must love you. I must wear you to become a real boy."

  I reached for my sword and unsheathe the blade while I kept my gaze upon my opponent, "If you want my body. Then come and take it." I had Lezian behind me releasing a loud ear-piercing growl towards it.

  In response, the dollboy transformed its right arm into a long blade, while its golden eyes shifted into a deep, burning crimson.