Working as an information broker over the past two years, I’d slowly built up my reputation under the codename The Author—a bit presumptuous, I’ll admit, but in the hunter world, theatrics meant everything. A dramatic name carried weight, and it helped me stand out. Finally, I landed a big client.

Diamond_Black: Do you have information on how to hunt Devils?

I paused. Diamond Black—one of the key characters from my novel. An occult hunter obsessed with hunting down anything supernatural, especially Devils. I’d always considered him more of a villain, though in a world like this, the lines between good and evil were blurry at best.

Author_Thirteen: Who recommended you?

I signed the message with my current alias, Thirteen, because, well, it was my thirteenth account. In this business, you had to stay fluid, always ready to burn an identity and start fresh.

I had a strict policy—I'd only take on clients if they came through a trusted recommendation or if they agreed to pay me double, whether in favors or information. Some people were desperate enough to meet those terms, even if they came out on the losing end. But I had no patience for time-wasters or shady deals. This was my safety net, after all.

Diamond_Black: No one recommended me.

I frowned. That was already a red flag. Still, I wasn’t about to turn away a big client just because they came in cold.

Author_Thirteen: We’ll talk if you agree to pay twice the amount. Just so you know, I only deal in information and favors. You cannot buy from me with money.

I watched the screen, waiting. A few seconds passed before the response came through.

Diamond_Black: I am willing to pay back in favors. However, I would renege on that deal if I find your information lackluster.

Typical. Everyone thought they could out-negotiate me. How did I ensure clients always paid up? Easy—I never gave them the full picture upfront. Keep them hungry, desperate for the other half. It worked every time.

Author_Thirteen: This is what’s going to happen. I’ll give you half of the information now. Once you succeed and complete your part of the favor, I’ll give you the other half. Do you understand?

I hit send and leaned back against the rough bark of the tree. There was always risk in this game, but that was the nature of the business. And if anyone tried to double-cross me? Well, I still had more cards to play.

Diamond_Black: Deal. What’s the favor?

I cracked my knuckles, thinking of the best way to handle this. Time to bring my wife back into the fold, even if indirectly.

Author_Thirteen: With the kind of information you want, the price will be three favors.

Diamond_Black: Fine.

I almost felt his ‘Fine’ being reluctant and begrudging. That made me smile.

Author_Thirteen: Leora the Bright. Courier duty. Send her my contact number. Tell her it’s from her favorite author. Then, tell her: "I’m the most handsome guy in the world." She’ll get it. If she chooses to keep you around, you’ll proceed with my second favor—bodyguard duty for whatever she needs, for the next month.

I waited for his reply, already imagining Leora’s reaction to the message. She’d recognize it instantly—it was our old inside joke, back when things were simpler.

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Diamond_Black: Deal. Now, what’s the first half of the information?

I smirked, knowing I had him hooked now.

Author_Thirteen: To make a Devil’s Trap, you’ll need the Lesser Key of Solomon. It’s a grimoire—ancient and powerful. And don’t believe whatever the internet or hunter communities say about it. Most of the information out there is either lost, fabricated, or distorted. You’ll need to track down the original. Without it, you’re as good as dead if you try to trap a Devil.

That should be enough to get him started—just enough bait to keep him interested and reliant on me. Now, I just needed him to fulfill that first favor. The sooner I could get Leora back in my life, the better.

I waited a few more minutes, staring at the screen, but Diamond_Black didn’t reply. Either he was already on his way to fulfill the favor, or he’d ghosted me. I wouldn’t know until I heard back from Leora. The uncertainty made me tap my fingers against the tree bark.

Then, my other phone buzzed.

KZ_1_2: I found information on what you’re looking for… Quick methods to awaken aura. It’s rather brutal, but you asked for it.

I exhaled slowly, my pulse quickening. Aura… It was something I had written about in my novel, but seeing it in action these past few years made me realize how vast the gap was between fiction and reality. I’d always known aura could be awakened under certain conditions, but I never knew the exact methods that would work on someone like me—mundane, powerless in a world that constantly reminded me of it.

I skimmed through the message. There weren’t any complex diagrams, just detailed steps on how to forcefully awaken aura within a person. The instructions were... brutal, to say the least. Pain, trauma, and near-death experiences were key ingredients. My stomach churned at the thought, but if this world had taught me anything, it was that survival didn’t come without sacrifice.

I leaned back against the tree, staring at the sky. Could I really do it? Put myself through hell just for a shot at becoming something more than prey in this hunter’s world?

"Well," I muttered to myself, "It’s either that or wait to get killed when the favors run out."

KZ_1_2. The naming system was all too familiar—this account had to be a guild-issued one or something similar. The "1_2" part meant this guy was a low-level grunt in some organization. Probably just another cog in the machine, trying to make a quick deal.

But I needed this information to be accurate. If I was going to risk my life to awaken aura, I couldn’t afford false steps or half-baked intel.

I quickly typed a response.

Author_Five: I’ve received your intel. On the basis that your information proves false, an assassin will then be sent your way.

It was a bluff, of course. I didn’t have assassins at my beck and call—far from it. But in this world, perception was everything. Fear had a way of making people more truthful than they intended to be. And if KZ_1_2 knew what was good for him, he’d make sure his intel was as solid as he could get it.

I waited for a response, but none came. Hopefully, that meant the message had the intended effect.

Now, I had some serious thinking to do. The steps to awakening aura weren’t for the faint of heart. Brutal methods, near-death experiences… It was like asking for an early grave. But if I wanted to protect myself and Leon, I needed every edge I could get.

I looked down at the message one more time, a knot forming in my stomach. This was it. Do or die.

I sighed, pocketing the phone. "Well, I asked for it."

I received a sudden ping from KZ_1_2.

I retrieved my phone.

Attached to the email were corresponding testimonials about the aura awakening process using the short-cut method. The organization KZ_1_2 belonged to used a nightmare-inducing aura ability, and the steps they outlined seemed legit. It was familiar—one of those underground groups I’d written about, known for messing with people’s minds. The process was supposed to push you to the brink, forcing your aura to awaken under extreme mental stress.

The problem was, I had no access to such a convenient ability or anyone I trusted enough to run nightmare scenarios on me. Not to mention, I wasn’t exactly keen on experiencing horrific visions, especially with Leon around. Last thing I needed was to go insane from some botched aura awakening while my kid set the rest of the cave on fire.

KZ_1_2: I hope we are quits, man… No need to send assassins on me…

I grinned. The guy was sweating bullets. My bluff worked.

Author_Five: I will inform you after we’ve determined the accuracy of the information you've provided.

Using "we" was part of the act, of course. I had no organization, no team, and no backup. But making people believe I did created a nice veil of mystique around me. After all, the less people knew, the more powerful they thought you were. It wasn’t the first time I’d pulled this stunt, and I had to admit, it worked like a charm.

I leaned back on the tree branch. So now, what were my options? Wait for someone to hand me a nightmare-inducing ability on a silver platter? Or risk it and try something more... primitive?

Either way, I knew one thing for sure. I was running out of time.