9. JOINING THE HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
Even though Blake had now acquired a powerful ability and was strong, he wasn't stupid. He knew that Elliot's background was not simple and there was going to be revenge. Thus, what he had to do right now was to find a person or an organization to back him and give him the needed protection. At his current state, the only group he could sufficiently rely on was the Hunters Association. This was an association more like a mercenary outfit that completed missions or dealt with beasts for rewards and money. They ensured the protection of all its members from external harm as long as they stayed with them. The Association was powerful as the head was an Ancient level powerhouse and one of the Big 5 with many members around. There was a branch here in Malen city which Blake could pay a visit to. After resting in the house, he changed into a casual outfit and got out of the house.
"Who dared to this to you!!" raged Mr. Ribas in the Ribas family house. Elliot was on a bed and servants were given him high grade healing and recovery drugs. His back was red and raw, beaten to a pulp by Blake and his eyes showed extreme fear and pain. Elliot was whimpering in the bed, his body still aching from the agonizing beatings. Mr. Ribas, Elliot's father, was a high ranking official in the Pharmaceutical Association and was a peak Legendary level personality! Elliot was his only male child and the last born among five children, the other four all females. Coupled with his B+ ability, he was his father's favourite and this had made him grow up proud, rich and spoilt since he got everything he wanted. Mr. Ribas' aura was leaking out like mad, terrifying the servants. "Find the one who did this to him and bring him to me immediately!" he roared. Four servants bowed and got out of the house as soon as the order was given.
"Young man, what brings you here?" said the old man sitting behind the ancient wooden desk. For a big city like Malen city, you would expect an enormous skyscraper for a building belonging to the Hunters Association but the building was far from that. It had only one floor and an old man sitting at the front desk. Burly men with beast weapons at their back were moving to and fro, chatting, looking at a board or eating. Blake was feeling sceptical but this was the best shot he had at protection from a powerful faction. "I want to join the Hunters," said Blake. Those milling about idly in the room turned their heads around to take a look at Blake. The old man behind the desk raised his eyebrow. Surprisingly, Blake could sense no aura from him. It was as if he was a normal person. "Oh? and what level are you?" he asked. "Evolver," said Blake. "How old are you?" "15 years," replied Blake. The old man nodded slowly, looking at Blake. "Not bad. At least you fit the level and age requirements. Will your parents agree to this though?" asked the old man. "They're dead," answered Blake curtly. The old man nodded again. "What rank is your ability?" "S," replied Blake. "How good are you at combat? Have you learnt any ability arts?" asked the old man again. "Yes," replied Blake. "Fair enough," said the old man. He took out some forms and gave it to Blake to fill. When Blake filled it and handed it to him, the old man got up and entered one of the nearby rooms and came out with an ID card and a dagger
He placed them in front of Blake and started speaking again. "You're now a member of the Hunters Association. Listen carefully to these rules. First, as a new hunter, you will go on missions once every two weeks to earn money. Your performance will determine the amount of money you recieve and all this will be determined by your group leader," said the old man. He handed the ID card to Blake. "You're now registered into the Hunters Association database. This card doubles as an Identification card and as a drive. When you get home, put it into your data pad, phone or Omnicomputer to access the HA website and check it out. This weapon is a surpassed class weapon and it's yours for the taking. Use it well and wisely. Now, you are one of us. If anyone tries to worry you let the person know that you are a member of the Hunters. See you next two weeks, hunter," said the old man. Blake nodded and got out of the building. "Since when was Old man Yang so accommodating? he didn't even let the kid take the test!" said one of the Hunters in surprise. "He even gave him a weapon one level above his level. That's so unfair!" commented one of the Hunters. "Sshh, don't let Old man Yang hear you," his friend cautioned.
"Now that was easy," said Blake as he entered his house. He had expected it to be harder but it went far easier than he had hoped for. On top of it all, he had recieved a gift from the system which he was yet to check out. For now, he took his phone and inserted the card in to check out the HA site.
"Master Ribas, I've discovered the culprit!" said one of the four men who were sent by Mr. Ribas to investigate the one behind his son's beating. Just thirty minutes had passed but the four servants were back with results. "Good, good. Who dared to do that?" said Mr. Ribas, barely suppressing his anger. One of the servants came forward and handed a data pad to Mr. Ribas which showed Blake beating seven boys of which Elliot was among. "Preposterous! an ant like that dared to do this? What is his name?" Me. Ribas was laughing from anger, leaking out his aura and killing intent. "His name is Blake. He recently awoke an ability and registered it about three months ago. Yesterday was his first day in the Malen Ability School," said one of the servants. "Good work. You shall be well rewarded," said Mr. Ribas, clapping his hands. "Go and prepare. Tomorrow we go and take a look at this ant which dares to mess with me," said Mr. Ribas, his bloodshot eyes making him look like a maniac.
The next day, lessons were ongoing when a devastating aura landed on the school. "Who here is called Blake? Come out at once!" boomed a voice. Many of the students fainted and the teachers vomited blood. Blake's knees buckled from the force of the aura and he vomited blood while some leaked from his nose. "Oh, so you are a coward as well? You thought beating my son won't have consequences? Retard! I am going to put an end to your miserable existence right here and right now!" boomed the voice again. An invisible hand yanked Blake up from his class and brought him face to face with a dark haired man who was emitting dense killing intent! The aura from the man almost made him faint and he almost vomited blood again. "I am going to break every bone in your body and kill you after!" swore the man. He raised his hand and brought it down with shocking speed to Blake's chest. Blake closed his eyes, waiting for the end but it did not come. Another terrifying aura zoomed into the school and stopped the hand of Mr. Ribas which was inches away from punching Blake's chest in. Just the air from the palm knocked Blake out! "Who dares!" roared Mr. Ribas, trying to separate his hand from the iron grasp but to his dismay, he was unable to. He looked around and spotted the serene figure of an old man floating in the air. "Old man Yang!! Why are you interfering in this matter that does not concern you or the Hunters Association?" roared Mr. Ribas in shock and fury. "He is part of the Hunters Association and is my disciple. You have no liberty to touch him. I will let you go for this one time but the next time I won't be so accommodating. Begone!" said Old man Yang, waving his hand. Immediately, a purple power erupted and Mr. Ribas was sent flying just like that! A peak Legendary level expert sent flying by the wave of Old man Yang's hand!
As if nothing had happened, Old man Yang dusted his hands and took Blake's body out of the air and vanished with it, shocking both the teachers and students.