The Rules

Compared to demon hunting, working in a bookstore is, at least physically, the equivalent of a vacation. I came to like this place very much. Although I'm not that eager to shed my sweat here, I find it comforting. 

The scent of old paper and freshly brewed coffee feels like a warm embrace. I like how the lighting casts a gentle glow over the room and creates subtle pockets of shadow. And the shelves, overflowing with books of all shapes and sizes, always have me intrigued. 

This place is the center of my world. It's the only home I know. It's a sanctuary where the stress melts away. It's a safe place and shelter from prying eyes.

Although the calling to protect the world might seem attractive, it comes with sacrifices.

You can't be born a hunter like me. But you can become one. How? You only need to die once. Easy peasy. Then the post-mortem office or Bardo selects suitable candidates. I have no idea about the criteria for applicants, but I know what happens when you pass this job interview.

You get two choices: leave in peace or get a second chance to live by becoming a demon hunter. Sometimes I think it's awfully strange. Why would you even think of exchanging a well-deserved rest for this insanity? But I chose this myself. And only heaven knows why since it's one of the two rules of this contract.

Once you become a hunter, you cannot remember your previous life.

I only know two things about myself. My name and my age. Pretty ironic since I'm technically already dead. I'm twenty-four. Of them, I remember only the last three years. My time as a hunter.

I still look like on the first day. Perhaps more worn, but at the same time stronger. The passing years have changed Arthur and Eleonora more, but that's not a surprise. We're also getting old. A little shade of sadness pervades when I think about Kaya. She joined us at fifteen. So, whatever the circumstances, she lost her life at that age. And she will never get to grow up as an ordinary girl.

Of course, such a drastic change is quite strange for all of us. I can't even describe this feeling. The feeling when you wake up in your cold dead body and immediately realise that your life has changed irreversibly.

Suddenly you know things you couldn't even imagine before. You feel that you carry a strange power within you. But it's not yours. It's different. That power belongs to a mystical presence who rents a corner in your body from now on.

Once you start working, you gradually learn the ins and outs of hunting. And before you know it, you lose the count of demon bastards you've caught. You rediscover your reborn body and new unique gift. We all have it.

Eleonora can heal any wound or injury. Kaya can sense demonic energy and see visions. Arthur has enormous strength and endurance. What about me? I should be able to summon blue fire. A mystical power capable of banishing even the strongest demons. Yet, no matter how hard I try, I can't master it.

In addition to all this, a little brainwashing or memory manipulation comes in handy. Apart from these eerily unusual activities, we continue to live human lives. We each have our roles in the bookstore and work diligently from opening to closing.

Sighing, I lazily wipe the countertop next to the coffee machine with a cloth. I look up. It's indescribably quiet here. The number of customers can be counted on one hand. It's the first day of summer so people are out enjoying nature. They can grab a cup of coffee anywhere, anytime.

It doesn't bring us any profit but I'm secretly glad that it's not a stressful day. After another hunt in the morning, I'm in no mood to work like a dog here too.

"The bookstore yesterday was crowded and now there are only four people." Eleonora sighs after placing a tray with empty cups on the table.

"Maybe because it rained yesterday." I shrug.

The colleague nods. Her gaze drifts off into the distance.

"And so be it. I think we'll close an hour early. But after work, you'll fix that damn wobbly table." She winks and steps away from the bar. "I'm going to help Kaja in the storage."

Without arguing, I smile at Eleonora and continue to display cupcakes at my own pace.

I quite like this little life. Sure, there are moments when the forbidden thought about life before becoming a hunter sneaks into my mind. But I'm certainly not alone in harboring such curiosity. It's a topic nobody dares to discuss openly.

Catching myself drowning in these thoughts again, I shake them off and refocus on reality. There's a mountain of work waiting for me and this pointless overthinking only serves to hinder my progress.

It's utterly futile. Yesterday has passed. All that matters is today and tomorrow. And today, I still have to arrange twenty glazed cupcakes on the shelf.

"Nate!"

And this additional task.