Lezian went crazy trying to attack Gun-wo, but fortunately, I was able to intervene "Guys, it's okay. Calm down." I said pushing them back.
Gun-wo kept on smiling at me knowing that my back was turned, his taunts were stern. "Why not let that beast go wild and see what will happen to the both of you?" he said, his confidence unwavering.
Years of training had taught me that you must understand when to fight and when to walk away. My body was telling me that he was dangerous, so it would make sense not to engage with him.
I tightened my grip on Lezian and met their gaze. "It's okay, this isn't the first time I had faced unfair treatment. But it's an opportunity for me to rise through the ranks like everyone else. So please, just 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 begun 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, slowly I moved closer to him with these perfect blue eyes fixed onto him.
In response, he drew 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 was growing quickly, but it ceased the moment Ren and Gabrielle stepped between us.
Upon noticing their worried looks, I responded, "No, I think your decision was fair. As a newcomer, it's not right for me to just skip over the established hierarchy. I'm content to progress at a gradual pace." For now, it was necessary for me to maintain a friendly atmosphere with my teamates.
Including him.
My response appeared to calm the two, but Gun-wo remained unsatisfied. He teleported in front of me and said, "You're missing something. No who?"
I playful giggle in front of him, "You right, no cutie." To which he backhands my face and walked away.
"Calm down Lezian." I felt my family trying to come out but decided to calm down for the time being.
Ren and Gabrielle approach me, to which 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 overlook it. "Um, next we search the area for any monster eggs or offspring. Once we have destroyed them, we can head home." Gabrielle said.
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"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.
Together we exited the house still in silence. Due to Gun-wo, everything become awkward between us. There were moment were Gabrielle wanted to say something but ultimately stop herself.
As we ventured into the mineshaft, Ren wrote 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 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. The Mothman wasn't the only presence here. Something else was concealed within the tunnel.
"Guys, the fog is back." said Gabrielle, noticing that our entrance was blocked.
Gun-wo probably knew about this and didn't say anything.
Walking slowly towards us was boy in 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 her face, Gabrielle dashed towards the fog, desperately trying to break through. "GUN-WO! DOLLBOY IS HERE! PLEASE BREAK THE SPELL!" she cried out, continuing to fight her way through the fog.
I was confused by their response but remained vigilant. Meanwhile, Ren with tears descending his face, kept muttering "We are finished." repeatedly.
The boy discard his book and removed his trench coat revealing a machine-like wired body, "I want to be a real boy." The DOLLBOY said.
"Guy I need-" I turned around once more but they were still freaking out.
When I return my focus on it. A wire was wrapped around my legs and immediately he pulled me closer to him.
It attempted to drag me toward the back of the tunnel, but Lezian interfere by cutting the wires. It received multiple blasts in retaliation by Lezian as I watched.
I presume it was destroyed, but I experienced a full force knee to the chest, which caused me to cough up a lot of blood. That was too fast even for Lezian to intervene.
But that didn't stop it. Immediately after, it grabbed me by the shoulder and hurled me deeper into the cave.
Thankful, Lezian break my fall, "Thank you." I said to them.
The attack inflicted severe damage on to my chest, to the point where I struggled to breathe a bit.
Lezian noticed that and started to silently whimper as they rubbed their head against my chest.
I stroked their head and murmured, "It's merely a scratch. Don't worry." The sound of machinery rattled came closer to us.
It was then that I noticed the dollboy, who had Ren and Gabrielle tucked under his arms, "Hey, let them go or you are going to turn into a toaster." I warned as I rose to my feet.
He dropped them and removed his human face and revealed a machinic face, saying, "You are beautiful, with a strong body, nice skin, and a pleasant voice. I must wear you to become a real boy."
I reached for my knife in my back belt and kept my gaze upon my opponent, "If you want my body. Then come and take it." I had Lezian behind me releasing a loud animalistic growl.
In response, the dollboy transformed its right arm into a chainsaw, while its golden eyes shifted into a deep, burning crimson.