Cap 2 - A Bitter Mission

"Aaaaaaah! Freedom! How good it is to get out of that hell."

"You look pretty good, girl."

"Of course I'm old! Finally I'm out of that prison."

Haruka looked much happier than usual, apparently she really didn't like hospitals, I understand in some ways a hospital is not a very nice place to spend time.

"Hmm... Wait Carlos? Why will the jet cat help in my training?!"

"It was a direct order, there wasn't much we could do, apparently he didn't want to be part of it either."

"Where do I sign to get out of this job?"

Apparently the girl didn't really want to work with Carlos, but she didn't have much to do in that situation, despite everything it would still be very good for her to learn from another hunter as well.

"You need to go back to your trainings, this month that you were recovering greatly hindered your income, if you don't focus you will end up regressing your progress, with Carlos' help it is very likely that you will be able to evolve even more girl."

"Tsk"

“At least come meet your team members, the ACP also needs to pay you for your last mission."

"Pay? Hmm... It's okay, let's go."

"Girl... Is there something that's making you uncomfortable?"

"Old man, when I was in that hell, I had a lot of time to think, you know."

"I understand."

"It was then that I realized..."

"What did you notice?"

"Staying all day while others take care of you is too good."

As she looked at me with that twinkle in her eyes, I just thought how much she could be blind to tell me that, Haruka was a peculiar girl, knowing what she was thinking was something difficult, whenever I thought I knew what she was thinking. girl showed me that I was totally wrong.

"..."

"What a boring old man, I can't even joke anymore because he gets all serious."

"Girl, if something is bothering you you can tell me, as your master I can try to help."

"Can you really help me, old man?"

"I will do what I can."

Haruka seemed to be thoughtful at that moment, I had no idea what to say to her, saying that the girl could count on me was all I thought at the time, now it was just enough that she had confidence in me.

"So... buy a Biostation 5 for me!"

"..."

"He has a lot of cool games! I saw there would be some cool releases this month, buy me one!"

I could tell that wasn't what she really meant, but because she wanted to keep something from me so badly, wasn't I confident enough that she could tell me what she really had in mind?

"Maybe on your birthday girl, I'll think about it until then."

"Serious?! I promise to make an effort in the next trainings!"

“Good girl, I hope you're not kidding about this."

Before we returned to our path, Haruka stopped beside me, she leaned towards me placing her face next to my ear.

"The less you want to know, the better, old man, I don't much like people intruding on other people's lives."

"..."

"It's getting late, let's go, I want to get my pay and go home."

"So... She really came, right?"

"She must not be feeling very well, after all she was discharged today, but I believe that soon the girl will be better."

"Whatever, go meet your new team, try not to kill any of them this time."

"Okay, the jet cat, but who are they? I just remember the drums there, who are the patati and the patata?"

Haruka actually hadn't been informed about that situation, I had just commented about the elders having formed a team, apart from Jean she had no idea who the other 2 were, one was called Vitor, he was the second to arrive after the announcement of the elders, he was a water user, wore black casual clothes and had emo hair that covered one of his eyes, the other was called Hyper, despite being a kind of serious and tough girl, she was a very good hunter for her rank, the girl was known to have completed 3 D rank missions alone, she is a light user, wore white dress clothes, accompanied by a black scarf.

The girl wasn't one to socialize, I think one of the reasons she chose me as a teacher was because I didn't have many students, as she walked to the training floor I could see she wasn't happy at all.

"Get in formation, the last member has just arrived, I want to see you all together."

Carlos gathered everyone in formation, side by side, the idea was to inform who would be the team leader, while taking the opportunity to introduce each other.

“Very well, introduce yourselves, hunter rank, name and spiritual ability."

“Haruka, I use my soul for a few stops there."

"introduce yourself right girl."

"Tsk! My name is Haruka, apprentice hunter, soul user."

After that girl's pronunciation, Hyper was perplexed, the mere fact of being close to the soul user was something exciting for that hunter.

"So, you are the user of the soul? Nice to meet you."

“Very nice to meet you too..."

"Were you informed that you will be the leader of our team?"

"Leader? I just came here to get my pay, I'm not interested in being anyone's leader."

"But for what reason don't you want?"

Hyper's questions were something that bothered Haruka, the girl wasn't very patient anymore, but Hyper was someone who couldn't quite understand people's feelings, it was as if she didn't have a common sense.

"And why do you want to know so much?"

"It's very simple, you have really impressive magic, your results in your last mission were also well regarded by the elders, they chose you as their leader, I see no reason for you to refuse, being nominated by the elders themselves is an honor for us hunters ..."

Before the girl finished speaking, Haruka delivered a kick that was about to hit the girl in the face, however, before his blow hit the girl, Carlos stopped his kick a few inches from hitting the girl.

"Hey! What are you doing brat?!"

"Girl! What did you have in mind?! You know the elders forbade you to use your abilities against humans, as your master cannot tolerate it."

"Honor?! Do you think it's an honor to carry the death of others on your back?"

After those words Haruka lowered her leg, her face had a look of deep hate, she just turned her back and walked away, I didn't expect that girl's reaction.

"That girl is going to be a headache."

"..."

I was more than baffled, at that moment Haruka looked like a totally different person that I had met a short time ago.

"What are you going to do, Sebastian? The elders were not satisfied without her."

"I'll talk to the girl."

"Welcome."

"Good afternoon, girl, how long."

"What do you want here, old man? No blue pills are sold here, the pharmacy is across the street."

“Girl, why aren't you going to your workouts anymore?

"If you're not going to buy anything, then go away old."

“You said it would be better if I didn't want to know about you, but you're my student, I can't help but worry, so tell me what's making you this way, I'll try to solve your problems."

Haruka was starting to get nervous again, that angry look in her eyes was actually frightening, but I was focused on figuring out why the girl was like that.

"Old man, go away."

"Don't you trust me girl?"

"It's not a matter of trusting or not, old man."

"Girl, I just want to help you, the elders have selected a mission for your team, her day is today, they're already waiting for you."

"This is already getting on my nerves, what did these old people do to be able to boss us around?!"

"Girl, what are you talking about?"

"Fuck it... Where's the damn mission?"

"Girl... Apparently you carry a very heavy burden, I don't understand why you don't want to talk to me about it, but I hope to make it clear that I'm here to help you."

"Let's get this over with..."

"Are you okay, girl?"

"Old man... Sometimes I think, that everything could be easier, you know? I always imagine myself waking up tomorrow and everything being different you know?"

"It's a long journey, girl, there's no faster way to reach the end of your journey, it all depends on you, can you understand that?"

"Perhaps, my mother when I was a child told me something similar, it's easy to imagine a glorious and exciting ending, it's hard to walk the path that takes you to it."

“Your mother seems to be a good person."

“She was a good person."

"Where is she these days?"

“In the spirit world, she was dragged by the anomalies between our world and the spirit world."

"..."

"She's certainly not alive anymore, I think about it every day, you asked me once about why I wanted to be an old hunter, are you still interested in knowing?"

“It's a fact I want to know, but if you don't want to tell me I understand."

"The reason I want to be an old hunter is to put an end to the magical spirit world, I want to end it all, users and threats, I don't want to be strong or have some kind of recognition for anything, I just want to end with all this."

"..."

"Hmm, dry as always, old man, but this time I'll let it go, let's get this over with, I want to go home."

Haruka's reasons for becoming a hunter was to end the cycle that reigned in the world, to destroy everything that linked our world with the spiritual, the goal was not really easy, the thought of ending it was impossible to imagine, I didn't I knew what to say to her, I couldn't say the girl would succeed, not even that I wished the girl luck, keeping silent was my best answer.

"You have a very fantastic thought, girl, to say the least."

"You think old man? Although this idea seems to be very difficult, I think the scheme is to give it up and sell foot packs I think."

I noticed that Haruka for a short moment had a slight smile, that scene somehow made me happy, for the first time I felt that the girl really had a sincere smile.

“You are a very curious person, girl."

"What smile is that old man? This is scary, you must be imagining strange things right?"

"Apparently you don't change, aren't you, a girl?"

"Change? I don't have the capacity to do that, I can't change the way I am, you know, that's part of me."

For the first time in a long time, I was happy to be able to talk to the girl, that way of hers made things more interesting.

“Okay girl, just remember to stay focused on your mission."

"Don't worry, old man, remember? The most that can happen is for them to kill me."

"Apparently you found the troublemaker, right."

"It was easier than it sounds."

"Whatever, the others are already waiting for you, brat."

"You can leave cat on the jet! Don't forget to cheer for me."

"Tsk! Shut up and go."

"Hay! Hay! Even in a little while, old, prepare my payment and I'll be right back."

"Good luck girl, remember not to underestimate the threats, the mission is containment but there could be anything there."

"Leave it to me!"

As her companions arrived right behind the girl, she continued to keep her analysis of that situation calmly, Hyper was the first to see the girl, she remembered well what happened in the training room, the hunter couldn't let her worry about the girl pass.

"Haruka, are you okay to lead?"

"Your name is Hyper right? It was bad for the other day, but relax I'm fine, more importantly, I'll split this team in two, you come with me, the rock boy will go with you drums."

"Rock boy? My name is Vitor."

"Right rock boy, drums I need you and the boy to cover a part of the city, apparently there are many areas affected by the fissures, you need to see if there are no more civilians in the area, given the current situation you need to see where they are they can be hidden, to be more specific the areas of the buildings, me and the lamp will cover the center, any problem you can't solve is to back off."

"Why did you call me Lamp?"

"Because I think it's nicer, changing the subject, can you keep up with my speed?"

"Yes."

"That's it then, let's start the mission, 3, 2, 1, now!"

The girl advanced towards the center of the city, using her soul skill, she ran at a surprising speed, Hyder on the other hand followed the girl side by side matching her speed along with her light skill.

"Leader Haruka, the threat in question is level D, apparently there are only super-human class threats, but there may be a possibility of having some prime class, the combatants are demons."

"Interesting, devils right? Looks like this mission will be dose."

"Dose? I must apologize, but I don't understand this slang."

Before reaching the center of the city, Haruka noticed that the containment mission would not really be simple, in the superhuman class the demons were the most powerful, by that time the hunters were already surrounded, Haruka along with Hyper drew their swords, Hyper he was an expert in handling his rapier, it was possible to say that the girl's combat level was on the same levels as Haruka, the girls were back to back, covering the surroundings, combat was imminent.

“I must say there are many of them Leader."

"About 8 of them, going head-on with 8 will be soda."

"I suggest that we separate so that our chances are better leader."

“It's definitely a good idea, splitting their numbers and pushing yourself for less will be a big help, so we'll meet in the center later."

"Affirmative."

"Looks like it's one against one now, right? Come on! Fall in, come here."

The creature even after the girl's speeches showed no fear, demons were known for not being afraid of anything, despite the girl's affront the demon did not shake, in a rapid advance the creature began to reduce its distance between the girl, Haruka no However she wouldn't let him get close, the girl used one of her attack that launched a soul cut that broke one of the creature's legs and arms, knocking the demon to the ground, even when the creature was down, it was still ready to fight, if dragging towards the girl.

“Man, I have to say I admire your strength, but I can't waste any more time here."

Haruka then stuck his sword in the creature's skull, ending that threat, withdrawing and sheathing his sword soon after, the girl then returned to her path, the girl ran through the streets of the deserted and destroyed city towards the rendezvous point while looking her companion, around the path that the girl walked she was able to identify three of the creatures shot down by the hunter Hyper, but she had no idea where her ally was, as she approached the meeting point Haruka came across what appeared to be a threat of superhuman level, but that demon was kind of peculiar.

"You are very fast girl."

"What?! Do you speak horned?"

"Can you escape yet another one of my advances?"

Haruka at the same second her soul ability made her invulnerable, at that same moment the creature passed between the girl, stopping further ahead, the creature's attack could not be seen by the hunter, the enemy was very strong, the girl knew that, at that moment that fight was beyond her abilities, Haruka had no idea if she would win that battle, the girl was reluctant to continue that fight.

"That magic of yours... You're a user of the soul, aren't you?"

"You talk is scary as hell, you can't just be silent?"

"Humans with ancient demon abilities, this is outrageous, I'm going to rip your insolent human head off."

Before the creature made its third charge, three quick beams of light pierced its body, that light attack was the specialty of the hunter Hyper who had just arrived for battle.

"Are you okay leader?"

"I'm fine but... this guy is very strong."

the creature even after being wounded by the two hunters began to strengthen even more, its muscles even stronger, its size even bigger.

"Humans... I'm going to slaughter and deform you both!"

"Then that insufferable crazy, can't you just go back to your house?"

"Leader, what shall we do?"

"The only thing we can do, right light bulb, let's put down that threat even if we die trying, if we let this madman pass the old man will beat me dead."

The creature prepared to attack again, the demon had in its focus now the hunter Hyper, while the creature prepares to give its impulse, Haruka advanced towards her, using the body enhancement and her soul magic, the girl got into a Violent combat with the creature, its quick and powerful blows were ricocheted by the creature's dense muscles, Hyper didn't wait to join the combat, the hunters even with all their might couldn't press the creature, however Haruka was still analyzing the demon, it was just as the girl noticed the creature's drastic drop in speed, Haruka then signaled Hyper to back off, at the same time the girls gathered away from the demon.

"He's really strong, our blows didn't even scratch that monster."

"It's not really that light bulb, that animal is adaptive, he's just strengthening his muscles, his speed dropped a lot after his muscles got bigger, he sacrificed speed for strength."

"Your eyes are indeed impressive human, in a short time you realized that, so I've already stopped playing with you."

Decreasing its muscles the creature begins to divide its focus between speed and strength, that demon had already adapted to be able to fight the hunters on an equal footing, as well as Haruka the creature adapted to fights, he also realized that he could not fight back. blows of the two hunters with his focus being only on strength, but he also knew that only his speed made him fragile against the hunters.

"Okay, if you're ready, let's get the game started for real."

The creature advanced quickly against the girls, its speed could not be compared to its fight against Haruka, but it was still fast enough, at that moment the hunters responded to the fight advancing towards the demon too, in that fight the creature showed itself superior in speed and strength, however fighting the two hunters left the fight balanced, in any slip the hunters could be eliminated, however the wise creature could be shot down if hit by the consecutive blows of the two hunters.

Hyper at that time was waiting for the right moment, in a short second when the creature focused its gaze on the hunter she used her light ability to blind the creature, Haruka then dealt several blows on the creature, the demon could not resist so much damage, but not was totally defeated, before he had a chance to counterattack the girl, Hyper unleashed his slashing beam of light, slicing the creature into two parts.

Despite the victory, the hunters had used a lot of magical power, the fatigue they both felt was immense.

"Disgusting beast, dammit if it wasn't for that short period of time he would have passed us on to another life."

"I believe our victory was a matter of luck, leader, that threat was not something we had to win alone."

"Glad you sprouted at the last second then, thanks light bulb, I owe you one."

"I just came to assist my leader, that doesn't need to be rewarded."

"Okay! Okay! Stop with this leader talk, you can call me Haruka anyway."

"So could you call me by my name too?"

“No, my nickname is cooler than yours."

The mission was almost over, at that moment the hunters took the opportunity to recover their strength, while waiting for the end of the containment of the fissure, something caught the attention of Haruka.

"Hey, are you feeling it?"

"Yes... Is it likely that it would be another prime?"

"No, it's much stronger, we have to go, it's coming from where the drummer and the rock boy are."

Haruka didn't think twice, along with Hyper, they used their strength to run to where that terrible presence was, as they ran towards their allies the girls witnessed the combat scenes around the city, whatever it was had just entered combat with hunters.

“But what the hell is this magical pressure? What is the threat level of that freak?"

"I can't answer leader, I have to say that I think we'd better back off."

"I deny myself! I won't let them die."

It didn't take long for the hunters to find the owner of that frightening presence, in the middle of the totally destroyed street was a man who wore black clothes with a hood, he had his back to the hunters, the first sight of Haruka was of his allies defeated.

“So…you're the new soul user?"

"And who would you be?"

Before the hunter had a chance to think the man had hit Hyper, when the girl turned her eyes to her mate the girl was already on the ground.

“Don't worry, I didn't kill them."

The girl then managed to visualize what the man's hood hid, a mask with a frightening smile.

"You... You're the guy the old man used to train, aren't you?"

"Is Sebastian still alive? Even in these three years that guy keeps standing, isn't that right."

"..."

Haruka then drew his sword aiming at the man's neck, but with a quick attack the man broke his sword with a punch, the girl was pale after that, the difference between their powers were more than devastating, she realized it when she didn't even notice the movements of that man.

"Sorry, I didn't want to break your sword, I just want to talk."

"To talk? And what do you want to talk about?"

"It's very simple girl, do you trust the ACP?"

"..."

“You shouldn't trust them, I don't expect you to believe me, but I think you'd better do some research on the people you work for."

"You said something interesting, why should I trust your words?"

The man then started to approach the girl, fear would not let her move.

"You can call me G, don't trust anyone Haruka, ACP is unreliable, you might not even believe me now, but you'll understand in the future, don't count on Sebastian too much, he sticks too much to the rules of that bunch of pigs, my advice is that you keep our conversation a secret, otherwise what prevents the elders from killing you won't help you anymore."

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

"How did I get here?"

“You and your team took a surreal beating. Sebastian and Carlos are hunting the guy who did this to you guys, at least trying I think."

"Where are the others? They are well?"

"They are relatively well, the most injured are the hunters Vitor and Jean, which I don't understand... It's because he didn't kill you, did he say something?"

At that moment Haruka could feel the danger coming from the hunter Speack, in her mind the girl remembered the lines of that man, she didn't know if she could trust him, but she also felt that the best choice was not to tell about that conversation.

“No, he just gave us a whack."

"Hmm, you're not lying to me are you?"

"And why would I lie about that ma'am?"

"Ah! I already said that I don't like it when they call me lady!"

"..."

The girl was thoughtful, on the one hand she was disappointed at being defeated so easily, but she was also curious about what the man had said, not trusting anyone in ACP, the girl didn't know what to do, at that moment she was wondering if I could even count on someone.

Leaving the tent the girl saw a very distant light, its glow even miles away from the girl left her with her vision blurred.

"What the hell is that?"

"Is this the first time you've seen it? That's the end of the last rift between our world and the spiritual, your mission will be completed after that disappears for good, Sebastian and Carlos must be there."

"Are they hunting that guy over there?"

"Exactly Haruzinha."

"It's interesting isn't it Sebastian? History repeats itself, me on the verge of passing to the other world, Carlos again injured and you here again trying to stop me, although this time you didn't have many chances."

“How did you get so strong in that short amount of time?"

"This I have to thank ACP, the hunters they sent to kill me made me stronger, after a long time in that world, I managed to develop a new skill of my soul magic, I named it soul thief, with that I it could consume the souls of my enemies, it greatly strengthened my strength."

"Have you consumed their souls? What kind of monster have you become G?!"

"I've become a necessary monster Sebastian, the monster that this world and the next needed, I'm going to put an end to your suffering now, just close your eyes, I'm releasing you from the burden of following that organization."

"Not! Get away from the old man now!"

"You? I didn't think you'd be back so soon."

Haruka was unarmed and knew she couldn't fight that threat, but she wouldn't let her master die at that man's hands.

"You know you can't beat me girl, it's no use trying to fight me."

"Girl, get out of here now!"

"Shut up, old man! I won't let you die."

"Being defended by an apprentice, it seems that your level has managed to get even lower Sebastian... I'll let you pass this time, next time I won't give that chance again."

"Not! Come back here now G."

"Goodbye…Sebastian."

"Old man, are you all right?"

"He has become very powerful, we need to help Carlos, he is in a worse situation than mine."

"You look awful Carlos, it looks like you lost to him again, right?"

Speak had just arrived, while she was helping Carlos who was unconscious, Haruka was trying to understand the current situation.

"Old..."

"..."

"Help me get stronger, I need to get into that world, but I can't in my current condition."

"What's the real motivation for you wanting to go in there?"

"My mother, she was there."

"Was she at the portal? Impossible! How could she survive in this place?"

"I do not know! But... She was there."

"..."

"So Haruzinha, how about we do a girls' night?"

"I don't like these ideas very much."

"Let's go, why not? Where is your home? I accompany you."

"See that bridge?"

"Yes, are you after her?"

"It's not under her, come pay me a visit later."

Any normal person would understand that Haruka didn't want to say where she lived, much less take someone to her house, but in Hunter Speack's mind, she thought the girl was in financial trouble.

"Wow, sorry... I understand that apprentices don't get paid much, but don't worry! You will be able to solve this! believe me Haruzinha!"

"Our lady, how noisy you are."

At that moment Haruka knew her situation was delicate, she began to distrust ACP and after Speack started training the girl it just made her even more thoughtful, the girl now understood what that man meant, she understood that ACP is the elders were not to be trusted.