Chapter 8: *Secret Letter*
On the last day of school, while most students were just there to complete their papers, collect their belongings, or hang out with friends, Nix had a different purpose. He had received a notification on his hunter watch about a letter being delivered for him. Curiosity got the better of him as he wondered who it might be from and what it could contain.
As Nix walked through the school grounds, he spotted Jace, someone he had once sparred with during training. Jace noticed him too and approached with a slight grin. “Hey, Nix,” Jace said, pulling a letter from his pocket. “This is for you.”
Nix raised an eyebrow. “Oh, were you the one who sent me the message on my hunter watch?”
Jace scratched his head, clearly puzzled. “Uh, no. I was just asked to give this to you. I don’t even know who it’s from. Maybe you should ask the guard or something?”
Nix’s surprise deepened as he accepted the letter. Who would send him something like this? He nodded at Jace, thanked him, and found a quiet spot under the shade of a large tree. Sitting down, he carefully opened the envelope, unfolding the letter inside.
The handwriting was delicate, and as his eyes scanned the words, his heart skipped a beat.
*Hello Nix,*
*I’m sorry I wasn’t able to thank you properly for helping me during the “Awakening Trial.” I’m doing much better now, and my illness has been cured. Afterward, my grandfather forced my mother and me to return with him. He’s not a bad man, just strict, having been in the military for so long. But don’t worry about me.*
*I know this is strange, writing to you like this. I actually have your number, but I can’t call right now. My aunts have started training me to awaken early and become a powerful Evolver. I might get in trouble for telling you this, but I trust you. Things on the battlefield aren’t looking good. We need stronger recruits, but we still haven’t made any breakthroughs with Crystal Core fusion. Everyone wants a 100% success rate for Evolution, but we’re still stuck at 70%.*
*There’s something else, something I’ve been meaning to tell you. It’s a little personal, and you don’t need to do anything about it. I just wanted to say it.*
*“I like you.”*
*-Alexi*
--
Nix stared at the letter in disbelief, his emotions swirling. He was relieved to know Alexi was okay, more than okay, in fact, since she was training to awaken earlier than most. But her mention of the battlefield and the grim situation they were facing sent a shiver down his spine. HOPE was already struggling to turn the tide with the mutated beasts, and now even the most elite soldiers were faltering.
And then there was the last part. *"I like you."*
Nix couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face. Alexi had always been strong, brave, and a good friend, but her confession took him by surprise. He hadn’t expected it, not amidst the chaos they all lived in. He folded the letter carefully, tucking it into his jacket. His mind raced with thoughts of the battlefield, Alexi’s training, and the uncertain future they all faced.
For now, though, he had one thing clear in his mind: he needed to get stronger. Not just for himself, but for his friends, his team, and people like Alexi who were risking their lives.
Standing up, Nix looked out over the school grounds, watching the other kids laugh and say their goodbyes. He tightened his grip on the letter. There was no time to waste. He had a lot to prepare for, and the world wasn't going to wait.
The war outside the walls was escalating, and now Nix knew, he had to be ready to face it.
After reading Alexi's letter, Nix couldn’t shake the weight of the message. The mention of the battlefield, the ongoing struggle with Crystal Core fusion, and the need for stronger recruits pressed on his mind. He knew what he had to do. He had to hunt, train, and push his limits if he ever wanted to stand a chance to live in this world. But he wasn’t going to do it alone this time.
He made his way through the school, heading straight for Roni’s locker. She had just finished packing up her stuff when Nix appeared in front of her, his face determined.
"Hey, Roni," he started, not giving her a chance to speak. "Grab your gear. We’re going on a hunt."
Roni blinked in surprise, a brow rising. "A hunt? Nix, it's the last day of school. Can’t this wait?"
Nix shook his head. "No. You’ve been talking about needing to earn some extra money, right? Well, hunting's a good way to do it. Plus, you need to get better. You’ve got potential, Roni, and I’m going to train you."
Roni sighed, pulling her bag higher onto her shoulder. "Fine, but you better not get me killed."
With a smirk, Nix turned and motioned for her to follow. "Don’t worry. I’ve got your back."
---
Hours later, they were deep within the outskirts of South Novice Mountain, where the dense underbrush hummed with the sound of insects, birds, and the occasional rustling of mutated creatures hiding in the shadows. Nix had brought Roni to a relatively safer hunting zone, but he had one specific target in mind: a level 1 mutated giant mosquito bat. It was a creature known for its extraordinary sensory ability and its oversized, leathery wings. According to the hunter's records, their antennae could detect vibrations from uts surrounding, and they consume blood to fuel their own rapid mutation and growth.
Nix had read that the mosquito bat's blood-sensing ability could potentially augment his evolving hair-based powers, making him more attuned to sensing movements and objects. If he could defeat one, it might be a game-changer for him.
As they trekked through the forest, Nix occasionally glanced at Roni, who was nervously gripping a small, modified crossbow she’d brought along. He could tell she was apprehensive, but that was why they were out here. She needed to learn how to handle herself in the field.
“You’re too stiff,” Nix commented, nodding toward her weapon. “Relax your arms a bit. If something jumps out at you, you don’t want to fumble the shot.”
Roni grimaced. “I don’t exactly do this for fun, Nix. You know I’m more of a tech person.”
“Well, consider this a crash course,” Nix replied, smirking.
Suddenly, his watch beeped. His tracker had picked up something, *large*. His eyes narrowed, focusing on a thicket ahead. He raised a hand, signaling Roni to stop.
"Something's close," Nix whispered, lowering himself into a crouch. "Stay low, and stay quiet."
Roni mirrored his movements, gripping her crossbow tighter. They moved silently through the thick undergrowth, the sound of wings flapping in the distance catching their attention. Nix's heart raced as they crept closer, eventually catching sight of the monster he was hunting.
Perched on a large rock, its wings slowly fanning, was the mutated giant mosquito bat. It was a grotesque creature, its body covered in a shimmering, translucent skin that pulsed with veins of blood. Its antennae twitched, moving in slow circles as if scanning the area for prey.
Nix’s eyes locked onto it. *This is it. This could be the boost I need.*
He motioned for Roni to take position behind a nearby tree. "When I say go, fire a shot at its wings. We can’t let it take off."
Roni’s breathing was shallow, her grip tightening on her crossbow as she nodded.
Nix took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. His hand reached behind his back, and with a flick, his invisible hair tendrils began to extend, slithering silently through the underbrush. This was his secret weapon, and no one knew about it yet, not even Roni. He would use it to snare the mosquito bat before it could react.
“Ready?” Nix whispered. Roni nodded again, her face set with determination.
“Go.”
Roni’s crossbow bolt shot through the air with a sharp twang, striking the creature’s wing. The [Mosquito Bat] screeched in fury, its wings flapping wildly as it tried to take off. But Nix was faster. His hair tendrils lashed out, wrapping around its legs and wings, pulling the creature to the ground with a violent thud.
It writhed and screeched, its antennae flicking in every direction, trying to pinpoint where its attacker was. But Nix kept his hair invisible, making it seem like the creature was being attacked by some unseen force.
"Now!" Nix shouted, rushing forward with a modified slingshot in hand. He loaded a sharp projectile and aimed it straight for the creature's head. With a snap, the projectile hit its mark, piercing the mosquito bat’s skull.
The creature let out one final screech before falling limp, its wings twitching as it succumbed to the blow.
Nix stood over the beast, panting from the exertion. His hair slowly retracted, becoming invisible once again. He looked over at Roni, who was still gripping her crossbow tightly, her eyes wide with both shock and excitement.
“That… that was insane!” she breathed, her voice shaky but filled with awe. “How did you do that?”
Nix grinned, wiping some sweat from his brow. “Teamwork, Roni. You did good.”
She scoffed. “Yeah, but you did most of the work. You always make this look easy.”
Nix knelt beside the mosquito bat, retrieving a small vial from his pack. He carefully extracted some of the creature’s blood and stored it. “This thing’s -sensing ability is going to be useful for me. And hey, now you’ve got some pocket money.”
Roni looked down at the defeated beast, a spark of confidence igniting in her eyes. “You really think I can get better at this?”
Nix stood up, tossing the vial in the air and catching it with a smile. “Definitely. You’ve got potential, Roni. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll be leading your own hunts.”
She rolled her eyes, but Nix could tell she was starting to believe it. Together, they began their trek back to the city, the thrill of the hunt still buzzing in their veins. Nix knew that every hunt, every challenge, was just another step toward becoming stronger, for their future.
As the sun dipped behind Mount Trashmore and darkness settled over the landscape, Nix quietly prepared the wings of the mutated giant mosquito bat. He was eager to see what new powers he could inherit from this creature. The fire crackled softly as the leathery wings roasted over the grill, filling their small home with the smoky scent of cooked meat. He glanced at Granny Laurie, who was fast asleep under a pile of blankets. Quietly, he flipped the wings, his mind racing with anticipation.
These wings, from a creature known for its [Antenna Space Sensory] ability and innate [Blood-Devouring] ability, could enhance his own evolving abilities in ways he hadn’t imagined before. Nix wasn’t entirely sure what would happen, but if all went well, his hair’s powers would reach a whole new level. The [Antenna Space Sensory] ability intrigued him the most, being able to sense its surroundings or threats without being noticed. But it was the [Blood-Devouring] ability that held the real potential. His hair could become a powerful, silent weapon, able to feed off of enemies and unlock new powers effortlessly, without a trace.
Once the wings were charred to perfection, Nix didn’t waste any time. He picked up the first one and bit into it, the taste richer and more metallic than any other mutant beast he’d consumed. The thought of gaining something so powerful motivated him to finish the second wing quickly, despite the strange flavor.
Immediately, the changes began.
His body shuddered as the transformation took hold, the familiar sensation of new abilities fusing with his own coursing through him. But this time, the feeling was different. There was an acute sharpness in his mind, a heightened awareness that made his surroundings feel more alive. He closed his eyes, focusing on the changes.
First, he felt the antenna sensory ability manifesting. His hair, usually a tangle of invisible tendrils under his control, now began to hum with life. He could sense every subtle vibration in the air space, every faint movement around him, even down to the soft breathing of Granny Laurie in the next room. It was as if the world had expanded, and he could reach out with invisible feelers, sensing things that were miles away. He could “see” without seeing, detecting not just movement, but intent, a sixth sense that let him feel the presence of living creatures nearby without giving away his position.
This ability would be invaluable for hunting. Nix grinned, testing it further. His hair, still almost invisible, now extended outward like fine, delicate antennae. He could feel the presence of small animals outside, their tiny heartbeats quickening as they scurried about. Nothing escaped his notice. The sensory power wasn’t just a passive radar, it actively picked up on heart beats, giving him an almost predatory edge.
But that wasn’t all.
A darker ability began to surface, the innate [Blood-Devouring] ability of the mutated giant mosquito bat. This ability, he realized, was more than just a weapon; it was a way to grow stronger faster. His hair now had the power to silently latch onto a target and drain its blood without detection. Not only would this make him a more efficient hunter, but it would also allow him to absorb the innate abilities of any creature he chose to obtain. He wouldn’t have to rely on eating them the old-fashioned way. Instead, his hair could act like hundreds of thin, almost unseen straws, feeding on the lifeblood of his prey and making them a source of his own power.
Excitement surged through him. He extended a strand of hair and watched as it snaked through the air, invisible to the naked eye. He imagined it latching onto an unsuspecting target, draining it of blood and essence, all while he remained hidden. He could sense the potential of this ability, it was subtle, deadly, and would make him nearly unstoppable. With this, he could hunt more efficiently, gaining the powers of other mutated creatures without needing to engage in dangerous, full-blown fights.
Nix's hair shifted, growing in length and adapting to the new ability. He flexed his control and focused on the small creatures outside, field rats, probably. The hair moved silently through the air, as if searching for prey. He concentrated, and moments later, he felt a faint tug, one of his strands had latched onto a rat. Instinctively, the [Blood-Devouring] ability activated, and though the rat was several yards away, Nix felt its blood being drained. Within seconds, the rat collapsed, lifeless. Nix pulled back his hair, sensing the faint traces of its energy mixing with his own and replenishing his stamina.
He sat back, his heart pounding with the realization of what he had just done. This was more than just a weapon, it was also a way to evolve rapidly. With each creature he drained, he could absorb their strength, their innate abilities, and make them his own.
Nix smiled, a surge of confidence swelling within him. He had already mastered control over his hair, making it almost invisible and nearly untraceable. Now, with the addition of this space sensing ability, he could hunt far more effectively. His hair had become a perfect tool for both combat and survival, and no one would ever suspect the true nature of his power. He would let others believe it was an telepathic ability, a mind trick, all the while secretly growing stronger by feeding off the life source of his prey.
This would give him an edge not just in hunts, but also in battles to come, especially with the growing threats that Alexi had mentioned in her letter.
He cleaned up the remnants of the giant mosquito bat’s wings and quietly made his way to bed. As he lay down, Nix couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Tomorrow, he would train again, test the limits of these new powers. There were countless creatures out there, each with their own unique abilities. Now, with his hair’s new skills, he could track them down, drain their essence, and grow even more powerful.
The battlefield might look grim for others, but Nix was ready to face it head-on.
And he wasn’t just doing it for himself, he was doing it for everything and everyone he wants to protect.
Early in the morning, Nix was jolted awake by an urgent alert on his hunter communications watch:
"Warning! Warning! A small monster tide is about to invade the city. Please stay indoors or go to the nearest police station."
Panic surged through Nix as he quickly glanced outside and saw the commotion in the distance. Without wasting a second, he dashed to Granny Laurie.
"Granny Laurie, there’s a monster tide heading our way!" Nix said breathlessly. "We need to get to the hidden cave. It’s the safest place."
Granny Laurie, her face filled with concern, nodded firmly. "I’ll go right away. You should get Roni and her grandparents too."
Nix raced to Roni’s house, finding her and her grandparents already awake due to the alert message on their cellphone.
"We need to go to the hidden cave," Nix urged. "I’ve set up a fortified area behind my house. It’s the safest place right now."
Roni and her grandparents agreed without hesitation. They followed Nix, their faces showing a mix of fear and resolve. As they approached Nix’s home, another alert flashed on their communications watches:
"Alerting all hunters! A tide of monster beast has breached our borders. The breach area has been secured, and reinforcements are now in place. However, approximately 1,000 Level 1 monsters, 500 Level 2 mutated beasts, and 50 level 3 evolved beasts are now headed toward the city. Their primary target is the power plant. We are still trying to identify their main leader, potentially a level 5 monster beast. Please assist if possible. A live update on the number of monsters and each one slain will be recorded, and posted on your watch. Keep your family safe and defend our city."
The weight of the situation hit Nix hard. He was now responsible for not only his own safety but also that of Roni and her grandparents. With the urgency of the situation clear, they reached the hidden cave, a modest yet secure refuge.
As Nix prepared for the impending threat, he knew that every second counted. The city was in peril, and the battle was about to begin.
image [https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/54034129338_5d42e40ee9_m.jpg]