Chapter 3

Finally, there it is.

Immediately after JSano dismissed him, Etho began to walk/jog towards the village of Romero. Now, after walking for one long day and half a night, it was at last in sight.

He studied the village. There were only a few houses, which were strangely identical, as well as a small stone well in the center. Around the houses were a few plots of crops, which Etho couldn't distinguish through the darkness, but he could hear the water streams flowing in between them. There was one building that did stick out however - it's roof was aligned with shiny gray slabs. Etho squinted his eyes and shivered. It appeared the village didn't have any night lights. He wasn't used to being away from a town with guards, bright lights, and overall protection and comfort. Now would be the ideal time for a monster invasion... He hurried into a house, threw his quiver and bow down, and collapsed of exhaustion on the floor.

Even though the sun had already set and the moon was high up in the sky, the camp was brimming with activity and noise. Groups of young boys circled around campfires, eating their evening meals while discussing each of their day's activities and the progress they made. Still, even though they appeared to be busy enjoying themselves, the boys' keen eyes and sharp awareness noticed an unrecognizable figure approaching the entrance.

"You there! Stop!" one of the larger, maturer looking boys called out. In just a fraction of a second, his bow was already drawn. "Kneel down and put your hands up. Now!"

The figure obeyed. In what seemed like no time at all, the boy who had ordered the unknown figure's surrender stood in front of him.

"Who are y-"

"My name's Pause. I was sent here by Sir Baj to continue my training in the path of the bowmen." the figure answered.

"The King's advisor sent you here? You're just a kid! How old are you, 13, 14 tops? This camp is supposed to exclusive to Hunters and Rangers only..."

"Hmph. I'm 14 and a Hunter. I'd appreciate it if you showed me some respect."

Pissed off, the older boy instantly reached for an arrow from his quiver. He was about to shoot the kid right then and there, when a voice suddenly interrupted:

"Leave the boy alone Beef."

Thump. The arrow had already been shot, but Beef had reacted quickly enough to change the trajectory of the shot. It landed inches in front of the boy's left knee.

"It's true. I just received a letter from Baj that explains in detail about the boy's arrival. Apparently, he is already a Hunter..."

"But that's impossible master! You were the fastest to complete the training of the 1st job, and it took you a whole three years! There's no way this little scum could be a Hunter already!"

"That's enough Beef. Yes, although I didn't expect it to happen, it appears someone did beat my record." The man let out a chuckle and faced the newcomer, still kneeling. "I hope you'll forgive Beef's actions. He really isn't like that, aggressive and what not. He tries to be authoritative but he's more of a calm, laid-back type of guy. Believe it or not, he's the best student I have currently." Beef let out a humph, obviously annoyed by his masters' comments. "Anyways, I hope you two can get a long. It would be a shame if I would have to dispense of one of you..." The man laughed at his own joke and slapped Beef on the bosom.

He redirected himself towards the newcomer. "Introductions should always come first. I'm Avidya, head of the King's archer force. Your name would be? I can't read good o' Baj's handwriting sometimes, my apologies."

"I'm Pause. Grateful to be in your presence Master."

As soon as he said the words, the man's smile changed into a deep frown, but only for a millisecond. A normal person wouldn't have noticed the slight change in expression, but both of the aspiring Rangers keenly observed the discreet change.

"Ah… I see." The old man replied back, his tone and countenance back to normal. "Beef will show you around and where you'll be staying." The man nodded to his students, turned around, and appeared to be set to return to his quarters. Suddenly, with his back facing the two boys, he spoke again in a cold voice Beef had never heard before.

"Pause. Do you have any siblings?"

Pause raised his eyebrows in surprise, taken back by the random question. Painfully, he answered: "My older brother died 10 years ago."

"I see." Avidya replied. Avidya turned back around and flashed his famous sly smile. "Well, go along. It was nice to meet you."

But Avidya was troubled.

"Hey! Wake up!" M.C hollered at the boy lying in front of him. "It's already noon guy! You've been in that same position for 12 hours!"

Etho groaned. Who was that yelling at him? Ugh. His back ached, the floor was definitely not the best place to sleep in. He turned around, and opened his eyes. There, right in front of him, was another boy with the biggest smile he had ever seen in his life.

"Ah!" Etho grabbed his bow in defense and held it in front of him as if it were a shield. "W- Who are you!?"

"I'm McGamer, but you can call me M.C for short." M.C proceeded to dance in a little circle.

*Oh boy, this kid's probably high,* Etho thought.

"So who are you?" M.C asked. He couldn't stop grinning.

"I'm Etho," Etho murmered. "Why are you here? Did JSano send you here too?"

"J- who? No no no, I'm an aspiring magician silly boy!" He slapped Etho's cheek. "Based on your personality, I believe you're training to become a Hunter, am I right?"

"Uh, you mean based on that I have a bow in my hand you can tell I'm an aspiring Hunter…" Etho replied.

"Sure, that too. Anyways, what's up with your face? Er, I mean, why do you have a ribbon covering your left eye?"

"It's not a ribbon, it's a bandana." Etho scowled. "But I don't really know. My mother always told me to keep my left eye covered at all times. He said it's for "health and safety precautions", whatever that means,"

"Huh. That's weird. Hey, we should take it off! You know, see what's under that ribbon of yours." M.C's suggested, as his eyes glittered with curiosity.

"I'd rather not. Ever since my mother died... I've kept this on. I guess I see life through only my right eye."

"Oh... I'm sorry." M.C's smile turned into an uncomfortable frown. It only took about half a second for him to smile again. "Uh, so, do you want to explore a bit? Maybe help each other train? I want to get to 2nd job as soon as possible!"

Etho wiped his eyes and stared at the boy. Even though he was taller and bigger than him, the boy looked like he was still a very young child. His personality certainly reflected that as well. *He definitely is the enthusiastic type.* Etho thought.

"Hell why not? Might as well get started today."

"Great!" M.C's affable grin returned to him. "I saw a really cool waterfall on the way here, we can check it out." M.C said as he ran out the door. "Come on slow-ass!"

One would expect a King's chamber to be filled with luxurious items. King Guude's however, was an obvious exception.

The room was no bigger than an average citizen's living room. There were no red, silk carpets, no gold tiling, no diamond-coated window panes. In fact, the room was primarily made out of the average stone and wood found outside the Kingdom. There were three large windows, one on each wall besides the one with the entrance, which was simply a wooden double door. To ensure the King was well protected, these doors were always guarded with two professional warriors. And even if an intruder managed to dispose of these guards without making too much noise, the King's seat and desk was positioned at just the perfect angle to view any disturbance at the entrance. Laying on his desk lay a bow, a sword, and a wand, all of which the King were proficient at using.

In front of the desk was a roundtable, large enough for five people. Currently it was occupied by two large, bearded men.

"Guude, I'm telling you. The boy is something. No one's advanced quicker up the steps as a bowman in the history of Mindcrack!" Baj said to the King. The two were so close as acquaintances and friends that it would have been awkward and foolish for Baj to address the King as your highness.

The King continued to smile. "Well, I don't see how that's a bad thing." He was always in a good mood, and with good reason. The Kingdom was doing better than it ever had in history. Crime was near nonexistent, and there were no Kingdom's nearby that even stood a chance to take over his own.

"Guude. The boy's name is... Pause." Baj replied while looking through one of the windows.

The King smile disappeared. "Pause ? You don't mean... the brother of -?

"Yes it's him. But it appears he hasn't discovered the truth regarding his brother's death." Baj sighed. "For the sake of the kingdom, and him, I hope he never finds out."

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