"David... really is different..."
"Not just physically, but mentally... as well..."
"That aura too..."
"That whole time, I could feel that he was ready to take off Manuel's head..."
"We, hunters, are faced with many adversities just by stepping on the field... in order to survive as one of the weakest hunters... he's probably had to make many sacrifices... maybe even to become the monster he hunts..."
"...I guess that quote is true."
"To defeat a monster, you must be willing to throw aside your humanity..."
"And in David's case... that may have been literally."
*
The hunters then exited the realm gate, as ARC soldiers awaiting to escort the prisoners were seen.
"Sir, where are the prisoners?" The squad leader approached Manuel.
"...You will be informed about the situation by this site's Command Staff shortly..."
"Understood?... Are you alright, sir?"
"...I am fine."
Manuel then went to another agent, seemingly from Adverse Realm Intelligence, to brief the female agent on the situation that went down in the realm.
David watched from a distance, listening in to the conversation, as he leaned against a wall. The rest of the group were apparently taken by other investigators from the security site's staff to be questioned.
Jessica briefly looked back to look at David, and made eye contact, as she was then rushed into one of the buildings on site.
Shortly after, a government Sedan and SUVs were seen entering the ARC Security Site.
"...That was quick. At least they don't sit on their ass."
David then stopped leaning on the wall, as he walked toward Manuel and the other agent.
Fully armed agents and soldiers began leaving the SUVs, as the lead agent and his escorts left the Sedan.
"How long has the realm gate been cleared?" The white-skinned lead agent with blue eyes and slick blond hair spoke up.
"...Wesley."
"...20 minutes, sir." Manuel responded.
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"...If you saw what I saw, sir... you would too." Manuel said as he pointed toward the figure approaching from behind him.
"Did you complete your side objective?"
"...Yes, sir. The prisoners were executed."
"No need to grab their bodies. Bury the evidence."
"Understood." Manuel walked away with the other agent.
David reached the group that was with Wesley, as he then stopped briefly.
"You must be David Reece. We meet again."
"...Lead Special Agent Jonathan Wesley..."
"...I see you know who I am... Manuel, I assume."
David did not respond.
"...I didn't realize this before, but this man... He's an A-Rank Hunter..."
"I also assume that you know I conducted a private... investigation on you."
"You risked the lives of the other hunters in my group for this... investigation... you call an investigation."
"Had you come clean from the beginning, this would have never happened, Mr. Reece. You know as well as I do how this process works. I do not have the authority to apprehend you without clear evidence. But still it seems you've had something to hide."
"...Is this group here to take me in?" David looked around, as he saw the fully armed agents and soldiers, seemingly ready to take him in through force.
"...B-Rank Hunters and regular soldiers..."
"Let me be straightforward."
"You will come with us to be retested for your ability, as it has been made clear you had a Resurgence."
"...Even though I doubt this group, including me, will be able to apprehend you if you decide to go against us... as you've strucken absolute fear into Manuel. Something I've never seen."
"...I best not want to find out, Mr. Reece."
"I have no reason to say no, or you would've never seen me here to begin with."
Wesley then walked and opened one of the rear doors of the Sedan.
"Mr. Reece."
David briefly nodded, as he then entered the Sedan. The other agents and soldiers began piling back into their SUVs, as well as the other agents that were in the Sedan. Wesley sat in the rear with David, as the convoy drove off.
"...No more pretending."
***
U.S. Hunter Program Research Site
David was eventually escorted to a black site for Hunter Resurgences for the scientists running the Hunter Program to study and potentially replicate the effect to produce stronger hunters.
He was escorted by Wesley and two other agents that were part of Adverse Realm Intelligence.
"Joseph." Wesley spoke up.
Joseph perked up. They were at the research site's reception area.
"Is this him? David Reece?"
Wesley nodded.
"Mr. Reece, follow me." Joseph got up and led the four to a testing room.
David heard whispers from the other scientists that populated the site.
"...I get he had a Resurgence, but why was he sent here?"
"Maybe he's a resurgent Rank C or B Hunter?"
"...Yeah, usually everyone who comes here is offered a position in ARC's Field Operations Group after retesting..."
"He's even being escorted by three agents..."
"...Something I'll have to get used to."
"Recognition?"
"...Yes."
*
"Come this way, Mr. Reece."
"You two, guard the door. Let no one else in here." Wesley ordered, as the two agents held guard in front of the door.
David, Joseph and Wesley all entered the evaluation room.
"...Many hunters have their lives turned around after going through a Resurgence. Even attending a simple rank up can change their lives, depending on the rank."
"...A hunter's rank ultimately determines how strong and powerful they can become, no matter the training and dedication, a higher ranked hunter will defeat a lower ranked hunter nine times out of ten..."
"...Before meeting Desim, I've been going on hunting missions as a F-Rank Hunter for months, taking one whenever I could, gaining valuable experience... maybe that's why I was able to adapt so quickly to getting stronger, but before... it didn't matter.
"...Things are different now."
Sophisticated machinery were seen all over the room, wires connecting all over the room. It seemed to be a chamber room of sorts, where a large pod filled with water was seen in the middle.
"Change your clothes into this, and get into the pod. It's a relatively simple process on your part."
"...This is different from the first time I got evaluated after I got the serum..."
David quickly went into the restroom inside of the evaluation area, and changed into a hospital gown. He then stepped into the pod that was emptied of water while he was getting changed.
"Are you sure about this, Wesley? This hunter is already relatively known for being one of the weakest hunters in New York."
"...Are you really questioning me right now?"
"Nevermind." Joseph sighed.
"Start the process."
The pod then anchored, as the pod closed. He was now on a upward slope position, as water started to fill the pod.
"Administering anesthesia." A scientist called out.
As the water filled the entire pod, the anesthesics seemed to not work, as David was fully aware and blinked. He looked around, as the scientists seemed to be confused.
"What the hell?" Joseph was confused as well, as he also looked toward Wesley, who relatively wasn't surprised.
"Enhance the anesthesia."
"...Sir, we already administered the maximum dose we have."
"What?"
"By accident... of course... but it doesn't seem to be working either..."
"Is he human?!"
The water fully submerged David's pod, as he simply floated inside the pod. Small machinery began piling out of the pod's inner structure, penetrating his skin. David had no reaction.
"...Does he even seem to be holding his breath at all?"
"...Only monsters don't need to hold their breath underwater..."
"Wesley, who the hell is he?"
"Humanity's own Demon." He answered with a serious look on his face.
"The footage I saw from Special Agent Manuel's feed showed feats that A-Rank Hunters cannot even accomplish. He was able to completely outmatch a D-Rank Beast's raw strength with minimal effort. Not even A-Rank Hunters can cause the physical devastation D-Rank Beasts can cause."
"He was also to strike fear into a B-Rank Hunter with just a stare. He has an aura."
"Are you fucking serious right now?" Joseph was shocked.
"Are you saying he's a monster?"
"Humanity's first human-monster hybrid. X-Ranked Hunters are able to accomplish the strength I've just described and emit their own energy... but he's different somehow. Test his blood."
"...Give me something." Joseph asked his team, as he saw their frightened and shocked expressions.
"Sir, on the serum biological scale, there's an error..."
Joseph ran over, and looked at the screen. The scientist pointed.
"!!"
Joseph's mouth opened, as he then snapped back to reality, and then began typing.
He switched to the program's monster biological scale.
"A-Rank." Joseph said with a stern look on his face.
"He's an A-Rank Hunter?" Wesley looked over.
"No. I'm saying he's an A-Rank Monster, Wesley."
"Our program's serum biological scale is unable to evaluate him, because the supersoldier serum running through his veins has been quite literally overpowered by a different element."
"...I'm unable to pinpoint what, but he's definitely a hybrid."
"...So you're saying if he wanted to..."
"He can destroy entire states if he wanted to."
"...This information does not leave this room. Joseph?"
Joseph slowly nodded as he looked over to the scientists in the room, they also nodded.
*
"There's someone who wants to meet you, Mr. Reece." Wesley said, as he directed him to a different room within the large black site.
"I haven't been completely honest with you... I am part of Adverse Realm Intelligence, but I am the Lead Agent within its specialized surveillance branch."
"...That means you directly observe and monitor hunters."
"That's correct. Our existence alone is why hunters are actually kept in check, as the existence of the Adverse Realm Control agency is just to secure, investigate and contain realm gates."
"...Sorry, but I don't want anything to do with the surveilliance or Intelligence in general."
"And I can't force you... since we can't even fathom or deal with X-Ranked Hunters."
"Who is this person you want to meet?"
"The Director of Adverse Realm Intelligence."
"...One of the Directors that sit on the Board that controls the Adverse Realm Control agency... they are said to be one of the most influential and powerful individuals within the Department of Defense... ever since realm gates opened, reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense."
David felt a massive wave of energy he didn't recognize. Wesley didn't feel the same presence he did. He then stepped into the room. He saw a physically scarred, dark-skinned muscular older man, with streaks of white within his curly black hair.
He then looked to Desim, as he saw the skull shake a bit.
"...I never thought I'd meet one of the Apostles of the Seraphims here..."
"...Apostles?... Seraphim?"
"Mr. Reece?" The man snapped David out of his mental state, as he held his hand out.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Gavin Gunner." David shook his hand, he felt the energy and strength similar to his own. He instinctively saw the brief golden aura that surrounded him.
"An honor to meet you, Director Gunner."
"...I cannot defeat this man... my instincts are screaming at me. He's got to be one of the X-Ranked Hunters I've been hearing about."
"He is unable to hold back all of his energy within his body, due to being innately human... That is why you are able to feel his aura. You will eventually reach that level."
"...Is he similar to me?"
"He is the opposite of you. You are the Heir of a Majin. He is the Apostle of a Seraphim. In your language, you are the Heir of a Demon and he is the Apprentice of an Angel."
"...You've got to explain to me later."
"When I deem you ready to hear the truth, Heir."
"Let's sit down and have a chat."
"...This man has the facial features of a 70-year-old man... but his frame... he's still similar to me in terms of physique... and much stronger then me."
David and Gavin sat down on chairs in the opposite direction of each other within the office that were in.
"Congratulations on becoming an X-Rank Hunter."
"X-Rank?"
"It's a term not used lightly and kept secret in the highest echelons of every nation, to prevent widespread panic about the emergence of humanoid monsters living upon the populace."
"It is a subclass of A-Rank Hunters who can rival a entire country's military and hunter infrastructure and personnel. It is also kept secret as only one part of the world has access to X-Ranked Hunters more then the others."
"From what I'm hearing, you have the strength and blood of an A-Rank Monster. Those facts alone makes you qualified to become a X-Ranked Hunter."
"...Officially on the Hunter Program's database, you are an A-Rank Hunter. Unofficially, you are Earth's 6th X-Ranked Hunter."
"...X-Rank Hunters came to exist after the A-Rank Realm Gate opened in Cuba, but the information that the public does not know of, is that a beast with similar mythological features abilities as a Dragon, came out of the gate and seemed to be the Priority Beast."
"That Dragon single-handedly turned Cuba and the surrounding islands into golden flames. The Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, all of those islands... and the people... turned to ash."
"The entire Caribbean was effectively wiped out."
"Hundreds upon hundreds of hunters, from many different countries of the world, died just trying to halt the Dragon in its tracks."
"...That sounds like an Avatar, not these Priority Beasts you speak of."
"...Avatar?"
"...An Avatar is a creature selected by God as one of its eternal servants."
"And from my knowledge, it seems to be a purposefully weakened Avatar, as an Avatar sent to any world or realm has the power to completely destroy it..."
"...Something else you won't explain?"
"..."
"Figured."
"The Dragon was defeated, but its energy seemed to flow into five individuals and gave them abilities and strength similar to the Dragon. Two in America, one in Canada, Brazil and the United Kingdom."
"If I'm understanding this story... it seems that Avatar's energy somehow made him into an Apostle... but it doesn't seem like he realizes that he is one... and the other four may also be Apostles of the Seraphims, but what is the purpose of making them Apostles..."
"And you are one of those six."
"That is correct."
"...Only one X-Rank Hunter is in Europe, while the other four are in the Americas. With me awakening as a X-Rank Hunter, that's five. That already gives a heavy justification for a power shift if that information was shared, maybe even war over the acquisition of hunters."
"And because of that..."
"Yes. Due to your circumstances, that would be hard to share that you are a X-Rank Hunter... since you were not there on that day and you seem to possess the blood of an actual beast, which is information that the world is currently not ready to hear."
"...That's why you are officially listing me as an A-Rank Hunter."
"That is correct."
"However, I wanted to take this time to meet with you, as Intelligence does with every A-Rank Hunter that the agency documents."
"There are not many exceptional hunters within the Adverse Realm Control agency, despite the organization's size and role in handling realm gates. Who would want to join ARC when it's seen as 'paramount to giving up your freedom to the government' similar to becoming a soldier."
"There is much more to this, but let me cut to the chase of why we are having this conversation."
"We are not a corporation, so we are unable to guarantee extreme wealth just based on your salary. However, the agency will be able to help you in other ways."
"I want you to join the Adverse Realm Control agency, Mr. Reece."
"...This conversation sounds like a formality... not only am I a rare specimen to the agency, but I have heard that corporations are beginning to contract with the Department of Defense to promote hunters outside of the government's direct control..."
"If I did decide to go that route, it would cause a huge shift of power that the government is trying to hold on to, since I believe they successfully managed to recruit some of the more skilled A-Rank Hunters that operate in America."
"...But it sounds like he's offering me power, rather then fame and fortunes. Hunters cannot be controlled by governmental authority as if hunters wanted to rebel, they would destroy a country just by themselves... beasts from the realm gates are not the only monsters, hunters can also be seen as monsters themselves..."
"...What is your decision, Mr. Reece?"
"It's not a bad offer... and with the support of a Director of ARC's Advisory Board... it would be a track to success... he has influence not only with ARC, but the entirety of the Department of Defense, the National Intelligence Community... and even the President..."
"...Not to mention, Director Gunner is a strong individual... despite my power, I am still barely on par with him."
"I want to hunt."
Gavin perked up.
"If I join ARC, it will be to fight the monsters that plague this world."
"That is my pledge to you."
"I belong in those realm gates."
Gavin stared at him, directly in his eyes. "You're serious."
Gavin sighed, as he smiled.
"That can definitely be arranged. You will be assigned to ARC's Field Operations Group, but you will be my personal emissary from Intelligence."
"Wesley?"
Wesley walked forward, giving David his identification card.
"Department of Defense Adverse Realm Control. Special Field Agent. David Reece."
"That identification gives you clearance and rank right below Lead Special Agent to conduct your activities. However, I will need to put you in a grace period before you are able to operate."
"I assume you need me to do hunting mission with ARC before I am officially instated."
"That is correct."
"I believe there is a hunting operation under Special Field Agent Jackson's purview about to commence in a few days."
"Contact Field Operations and put Reece on the combat roster for that operation."
"Understood, sir."
Gavin then opened a drawer within his desk, as he took out a memento, staring at the words it held.
"...Hunters are not just born to hunt; they are physically and mentally forged, from prey to predator. No matter the strength, no matter the number. Whether they fight for family, belief, self-worth or even to defy their own calling, it is their primal instinct..."
"He may be the true embodiment of that quote." Gavin smiled, feeling his heart beat faster then it once did.
***
U.S. Hunter Branch: Brooklyn Metropolitan
"Looks like you're with ARC now." A feminine voice called out, as the dorm opened.
"Yeah. Must be surprising, huh?" David responded, looking toward Jessica. She had a worried expression on her face. Jessica eyed the black suit he was wearing.
"...Do you remember how I asked you on a date?"
David perked up.
"You've changed so much... I used to cling onto you for strength... I watched you as an F-Rank Hunter, continuing on to fight against the monsters..."
"I was stronger then you physically, but you were stronger then me mentally."
"I haven't changed at all... It almost seems you've forgotten all about me too."
"That's not tr-." David tried to get a word out, but Jessica put a finger over her mouth.
"Seeing you like that in the realm gate... filled with bloodlust... made me realize we are on two vastly different paths..."
"...I still remember how you said you didn't do this for the love of the game."
"Look at you. It seems like you do now."
Her words made David realize something.
"...You're not just talking about me changing physically."
"Emotionally too." She let out a weary smile.
"I'm going back upstate... I've seen too much to bare and I don't want to see anymore..."
"I don't even know why I became a hunter... maybe to be a hero?... but there's a thin line between being a hero and a hunter..."
"...Hero and Hunter... sounds familiar."
David looked up at Desim, who let out a smirk of sorts.
"...Let me know if you come back to the city. I'll treat you then." David smiled.
"Yeah, I will." Her smile faded as she left.
David then looked up at her side of the large dorm, realizing it was emptied out.
"..."
***
Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York
"...Back in New York, huh?"
"Welcome, Special Field Agent Evers."
She turned to face the individual who called her out.
"Oh, what a surprise. Wesley."
"What brings you to Stewart? Surely not to meet me..." She questioned him.
"...You are from ARC's Field Operations Group and an A-Rank Hunter, so of course an ARI surveillance agent operating in New York was dispatched to greet you."
"But the Lead Special Agent in charge? That's surprising." She approached him.
"What are you hiding?"
"...How long are you planning to stay? You are out of your jursidiction."
"Not for long, of course. Field Agents in Operations have our hands full. I'll be leaving after I handle my business." She walked past him with her large suitcase.
"...The fact that there has not been a scheduled operation for your section of Field Operations here... and it's interesting that you're here in New York of all places..."
"David Reece, am I correct?"
"Surveillance was always your specialty... and that's what I found annoying about you." She turned her head to face him.
"I am warning you. Do not approach him."
"...We may be both A-Rank Hunters and both from ARC, but we are from completely different chains of command. Do not think you can order me around, Wesley."
"...See you around." She then walked off to the Sedan that was awaiting her arrival, an agent waiting outside of the vehicle.
"...Let's hope she does nothing rash."
*
Queens, New York
"Special Field Agent Reece?" A voice called out.
David got through the security blockade with relative ease and entered the area. He looked toward the individual that called out to him.
"Senior Field Agent Kingston from Field Operations Task Force White. I work under Special Field Agent Jackson from the same group."
Kingston was white-skinned, large, hazel eyes with black hair styled in a buzz cut. He had similar gear that an hunter is assigned, with an ARC combat uniform, body armor and equipment. However, he had the experimental XM250 light machine gun slung on his waist, along with a holstered Glock 19.
"...A B-Rank Hunter..."
"We... were surprised that we were getting a Special Field Agent to personally observe the operation, sir."
David continued to listen as he glanced around.
"This area has been designated off limits for the populace as this gate has been registered as a C-Rank Realm Gate, it took us by surprise but it works as this operation was then designated a training mission for our new recruits in Task Force White."
"The houses and buildings in possible range of a immediate onslaught of monsters have been completely abandoned and evacuated."
"Jackson was... a bit offended that an agent of similar rank was assigned to this operation."
"It would seem like they don't trust him..." David responded.
"That is correct."
"...Continuing on, including you, we have one A-Rank, two B-Ranks and eight C-Ranks. Our strike force now has a total of 11 members."
"...So it's true. Field Operations don't recruit any hunter D-Rank or below."
"For a C-Rank Realm Gate, the roster isn't bad. I don't need to be here practically." David noticed, as he eyed the group ahead of him.
Kingston nodded.
"...One of the C-Rank Hunters seem to be ridiculously young...my age?"
The young girl seemed to be Asian, brown hair styled with a bob cut. Black eyes and a small birth mark right under her right eye.
"It's advised, but not required, that you sit in the sidelines unless you need to directly intervene. It is a training operation for the C-Rank and the other B-Rank Hunters after all."
David nodded, as he went into one of the abandoned buildings to change into his uniform, armor and slot on his equipment, carrying two large backpacks.
David was now wearing more newer body armor, along with the experimental XM7 assault rifle and the Glock 19, instead of his usual loadout. He noticed that he had a badge on his vest, signifying his rank and his affiliation.
The hunters then began entering the realm gate, with David entering last.
"...What's this feeling? This... doesn't feel like a regular realm gate... it almost feels like I'm entering Desim's void..."
*
From the outside, the realm gate was surging with energy, as dark lightning bolts were sent spiraling around, near the ground.
The soldiers around were moving back from the realm gate.
"What the hell?!"
"Call it in! It's a double gate!"
"We need Special Field Agent Jackson on the field now!"
*
"...The gate itself is resonating with your immense energy... not all gates do this, but newer gates tend to have a 'mind' of its own..."
"Are you saying that this gate is sentient?"
"In a way, yes. It's sending you to a different realm."
"Shit."
*
The new realm landed the group of hunters in a deep tropical jungle, covered by massive trees. It appeared to be drizzling, as water droplets fell upon the group.
"Where are we?!"
"The realm gate's gone! Is that supposed to happen?!"
"...This doesn't look like your typical realm... that's for sure." Kingston murmured to himself.
"...We really did teleport to a different realm. This is different from being in Desim's voids..."
"!!"
David sensed hostility, as he immediately rushed to cover the young girl that he noticed earlier, as he grabbed a wooden arrow imbued with majin energy from midair.
Two other hunters dropped dead immediately, as the arrows precisely struck their heads.
"Ambush! Everyone, down!" Kingston yelled out, as the group of hunters began opening fire with their XM7 assault rifles toward the positions where the arrows came from. Kingston began spraying with his XM250 light machine gun as well.
"They're in the fucking trees!" A hunter yelled out, as the figures began dodging the incoming rounds.
"...Elves? Sentient majins?"
"...Yes. This would be your first encounter with majins that are able to communicate."
"...Poison. It isn't affecting me, but I should put it down..."
David quickly crushed the arrow into pieces and threw the remains into a nearby bush.
"...Those look like elves! Are you guys seeing this?!"
"Are they monsters?!"
"Just focus on suppressing fire and moving!" Kingston yelled, as he directed the group to fall back.
"...Those Elves are B-Rank... which means they could've wiped out this entire group if they wanted to..."
"...This isn't good, at all. This realm may be A-Rank, from the raw energy I'm feeling."
*
"...The entrance's shut tight, sir." A soldier was directing his attention toward Special Field Agent Blake Jackson, who appeared on the scene.
He seemed to be a middle aged African-American man, custard-dyed curly hair with brown eyes. He was relatively built as well and 6'2 in height. He was wearing an ARC black suit.
"...A double gate, huh? And this was supposed to be a C-Rank Realm?"
"Did you contact Gate?"
"Yes, sir. They just informed me they were sure this was a C-Rank Realm and were unaware there was any possible chance of a double gate happening."
"Son of a bitch."
"Only double gates appear in high-ranking realms... this can be an A-Rank Realm for all we know!" Jackson had an angered expression.
"...How many hunters went inside? And what are their ranks?"
"From the original roster, we have two B-Ranks and eight C-Ranks, sir."
"Original?"
"Ah, right... the A-Rank Hunter, Special Field Agent David Reece..."
"...I hate having to rely on someone else this time... but I hope he's able to pull my people out."
"If this is a B-Rank Realm... some may survive and if it's an A-Rank Realm... they're almost as good as dead..."
"SHIT!"