Can Finally Breathe

[Benjamin's POV]

<<January 15, 2023>>

<<Manila, Philippines>>

"According to the report, apparently, The Nurturer is among the first few hunters that arrived at the scene when the gate break was announced," Lucas said, making a vein pop out from my forehead.

"And that information was omitted from the first report given me, because?" I asked in utter disbelief. "What the hell are the old geezers thinking, approving something so incomplete!" I growled in frustration. I knew leaving the old geezers in charge is a huge mistake on my part. "So let me guess, this video they sent me is as good as useless since there's a big chance this has already been tampered with."

"I 100% agree," Lucas said in agreement.

"Where was the Buhawi guild, when all this happened?" I asked Lucas because that f*cking guild is really getting on my nerves. It's about time that we make a move in bringing them down from their high horses.

"They sent a report, stating that they were inside a gate when the Gate break occurred," Lucas replied as he checked the reports sent to him, on his tablet.

"And what's the rank of the gate they were in?"

"The reports state that they've attempted to clear the level 50 gold-ranked gate, Arachne's nest," Lucas answered right away.

"Are they f*cking with me?!" I Roared out in anger, "They have the nerve to lie to me when Kampilan is personally looking after that gate!"

"I wouldn't want to assume anything, but if Kampilan has joined forces with-"

"Be careful with what you say Luc!" I cut in, giving him a warning glare. "I know what you're thinking, and let me tell you, you're wrong."

"How can you be so sure?" Lucas asked with a hint of doubt in his expression.

"I've never met people who love their country more than Richard and Sofia. They would never join forces with people who only want power and are filled with greed." I told him with extreme conviction. Meeting those two was like a light at the end of the tunnel. When everyone was pursuing more power in other countries, Richard and Sofia stayed by their own motherland and fought hard for it.

"I understand," Lucas said, choosing to let the matter go. "So, what's your next move?"

"I think, it's about time we clean up the association. There's been a lot of garbage piling in, that people are mistaking it for a landfill," I replied with great resolve. It's about time we start disciplining people and showing them that they can't just be doing whatever the hell they want.

***

[Elijah's POV]

<<January 15, 2023>>

<<Manila, Philippines>>

After soaking in the tub for about 30 minutes, I slowly got out and proceeded to dry myself. Changing into my pajamas, I then went straight to bed, but not to sleep. Fetching my laptop from the bedside table, I then started to do some research. I wanted to make sure that what was written in the fallen duke's diary is not all coincidental and that there is solid proof that everything written in the diary contained undeniable facts. I wanted to compare the diary's information to the one already existing after the catastrophe occurred. And one page, in particular, caught my undivided attention. It talked about an enormous nest, where a spider queen lives. The moment I read it, my mind immediately went to a specific gate in Sorsogon, with the exact same description.

Although the gate has not been completely subjugated, many attempts have already been made. With the combined reports of the hunters that somehow survived the gate, comparing the details written on the diary, I've confirmed that everything is 100% completely the same. This discovery alone is giving me so much anxiety, that my heart started racing.

As I've said before, The Philippines is among the countries, really behind on the power charts of the world, after the catastrophe. Which would almost always lead to scorn and belittlement from other countries. Thinking about what the association's president goes through every single time he would attend the Hunter's Association Summit, I could just pity him. Always being looked down upon and degraded, I could only applaud and commend Benjamin for always keeping his cool and not getting provoked. But I could only imagine how hard it is to enter a room, with people laughing and mocking you behind seemingly harmless and quiet chatter.

And among the reasons why The Philippines is being looked down on is because of the number of uncleared gates, spread across the country. Some countries would try to get on The Philippines' good side so that they can enter said gates. But The Philippines would always decline, making the country subject to severe persecution. Although sorely looked down on, The Philippines stood its ground, because it has to. Since gates contain priceless weapons, equipment, items, and artifacts, that are meant for the country and cannot be handed to others. Although not all countries have vile intentions, not many of those countries exist.

With the country's strength, it is extremely hard to maintain multiple gates at once, and we are getting to a point where external help is needed. But with the information written in the diary, the country can finally rise to its feet once again. This diary in my possession could literally be our country's saving grace.

It was then that a huge fluorescent lightbulb popped into my head, as I suddenly thought of an epiphany. Me, obtaining this diary as a reward from a quest is not at all coincidental. I believe it is meant to be of help to me for the proceeding quests that will be given to me, or in rising as Duke in general. And just as so, it's also a helping hand for me in completing my current quest. Thinking about it more carefully, successfully subjugating the level 50 gold-ranked gate, Arachne's nest, can help me progress with my current quest at a much faster pace. Being able to successfully subjugate the said gate, will also, or at least I think so, could be considered as accomplishing an incredible feat.

Playing with the idea a little more, just further confirms that my thought process made sense and is extremely plausible, but also urged me to proceed with extreme caution. I need to walk the fine line of taking advice from the diary and completely following it to a T, because my fate might not be so different from the previous duke if I did the latter.

As I was continuing my research, I was interrupted when Jonathan entered the room, looking more relaxed. Assuming from his expression, I could more or less guess that he's paid off his family's loans. Getting on the bed, Jonathan positioned himself behind me, spooning me from behind, as he rests his head onto my shoulder.

"How are you feeling?" I asked as I brushed his hair at a steady rhythm.

"I feel like I can finally breathe. Like, I finally broke free from the last shackle that's holding me back from moving on. Now that I've paid off everything my family owed, I can finally move on without any regrets," Jonathan said with a sense of contentment and happiness in his voice.

"I'm very happy for you!" I told Jonathan in a proud manner, to which Jonathan proceeded to nuzzle my neck affectionately.

Seeing as Jonathan didn't have any plans on moving away from our current position, I just continued my research as it is. As I kept brushing his hair in a steady and hypnotic manner, I also kept reading articles on my laptop, while comparing them to what was written in the diary.

"What are you working on?" Jonathan asked curiously when he noticed the number of articles I'm reading on my laptop while switching my gaze back and forth to my laptop and the open diary beside it. When Jonathan got a better view of what I was reading, he became even more curious.

"Isn't that an article about Arachne's nest? Why are you studying it so much?" Jonathan asked, peeking over my shoulders so that he could better read what was on my laptop.

"I'm just preparing," I simply answered

"Preparing for what? Don't tell me you're planning on entering that gate." Jonathan's eyes widen when he realized that my plan is just as what he said, from my silence. It is then that, Jonathan physically turned my entire body, so I would be facing him. "I know you are strong, but you do realize that no one has ever successfully cleared that gate, yet. It would be close to impossible with just the two of us." Jonathan reasoned, and his concerns are definitely not without merit.

I mean, people would think I'm crazy for thinking about such thoughts. But what can I say, defying the expected norm and proving the impossible, possible, is sort of something of a habit of mine.

So gently cupping his handsome face with both hands, I looked him straight in the eyes and asked "Do you trust me?"

"With all my heart!" Jonathan immediately answered without delay.

"If so, then you know that I would never betray the trust that you've placed on me," I told him with a soft and sincere smile. "I would never ever endanger your life because you are very special to me. I only commit to things I'm confident that, we can achieve. That's why I'm studying about the gate because I'm confident that we can achieve the impossible. Do you understand?"

"I'm sorry for doubting you," Jonathan quickly apologized, upon hearing my thoughts, "And yes, I do understand."

"All is fine, as long as you understand," I said, as I pat his cheeks lightly, with a soft smile. Honestly though, get you a man that has marshmallow-like cheeks; trust me, it will change your life.

And with that, I went on and continued with my research, while Jonathan played a game on his hand console, with him still spooning me from behind, which I wouldn't have it any other way. Why break apart, when we're both comfortable as we are, currently. Plus, by being encased in Jonathan's warm body, aside from my body not freezing from the AC, I would get to feel his ripped body. It's heaven I tell you, H.E.A.V.E.N!

With all of that aside, focusing on my research, I felt like this was The Philippines's chance to get back to its feet once again. If we managed to subjugate this gate without external help, it would definitely be the start of change I'm envisioning for my country. I sincerely want my country to rise up once again, just like how the previous duke wants me to rise up in power. It will definitely be a step closer to a prosperous country, that will be seen as equals by its peers. It will definitely be a perilous journey ahead, but with Jonathan by my side, I know we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. I'm not foolish enough to think it would be a cakewalk, as I know many oppositions will also arise along the way. And I have a feeling that one is already planning on getting in my way.

***

[Third person's POV]

<<January 15, 2023>>

<<Unknown, Philippines>>

In a dark and secluded area, there lies the heart of the Buhawi Guild. Netizens would look at them with praise and adoration, but deep inside, not seen by the public is a rotten core, filled with greed and ambition.

A busty and slender woman lightly knocked on the mahogany door, before entering a dimly lit office, decked out in luxury. The office was modern and contemporary in design, successfully mirroring the power and wealth of its owner. Once the woman entered, she walked towards the large desk placed in the center of the room, and carefully placed a tablet on top of it.

"Sir, we just got the news that one of the special hunters on your list, managed to somehow fully pay off all the loans his family owed," The woman informed the man sitting behind the enormous and expensive desk.

"Ho? And kindly remind me of the name of this young hunter," The man said with a silky tone in his voice, as what the woman told him piqued his interest.

"Joseph Medoza, age 23, and only became a transcended three months ago." The woman replied calmly.

"And you are telling me that a hunter that transcended not too long ago, has managed to fully pay both of the loans taken by said hunter's family, in such a short time?" The man asked, his voice laced with danger.

"Yes, sir," The woman calmly replied, despite the man's menacing filled voice.

"And where is this hunter, right now?"

"We currently don't know sir. According to the association's database, this particular hunter has been marked as deceased for two days now."

"So you are telling me that a hunter that's been dead for two days, managed to pay off his family's loans? Do you know how stupid that sounds?" The man kept his voice calm, but it became deadlier by the second.

"We believe that the hunter is still alive, however, we have no way of locating him, since his hunter's license seemed to have been destroyed."

"Ugh! My disappointment is immeasurable, and my day is ruined!" The man lamented.

"That is not all, sir," The woman informed fearlessly.

Grumbling in irritation, the man just waved his, indicating for her to continue talking.

"A gate under our jurisdiction broke."

"Blasted! And what are the old slaves doing to rectify the situation?" The man asked in a cold hard voice.

"Please, refer to the tablet I passed," The woman replied, slowly pushing the tablet that she placed on the table, further to the man.

Upon reading the articles on the tablet, for a moment the man lost all composure and threw the tablet in front of him, making it fly across the room, until it hit the wall, shattering into pieces. But the woman still stood calmly and unfazed, seemingly used to all the man's violent tendencies.

"It seems that my people are getting more and more complacent. I think it's about time for me to step in. I was getting bored staying in the shadows anyway." The man said as he spun his chair about-face.

"By your will," The woman said as he bowed in respect towards the man.