Chapter 3

Well it seems 'Explore the world' is what you all wish and it is what you will get. I don't have much else to say so now let's get into it. As well, someone suggested to set this partly BEFORE canon which was honestly something I hadn't thought of and quite like the idea. So while it isn't confirmed I'm heavily considering that. So on with the story.

After a bit we finally reached some sort of office. There were a couple of photos on the wall, all containing the man I was with and a couple others all dressed in the same uniform.

'Must be in the same squad.' I thought to myself as he took a seat at a desk to one side of the room. He skimmed through the paper laying there before turning around and handing me a form.

"Now, let's get you signed up." I looked at him as my mouth dropped. Back in Yharnam becoming a hunter was a similar process (bar the blood transfusion) but Yharnam was after whoever they could get. This place doesn't seem to be too short on manpower, so why is this man so trusting? He saw the confusion on my face.

"Wondered why I let you in without hesitation?" He asked as I wordlessly nodded.

"It's actually the reason I was put on Guard duty in the first place, my Semblance allows me to read a person's intentions by looking at them. I assure you if you had any ill intentions for me and my comrades we'd be in quite a different situation." I nodded my head and added 'Semblance' to the already large number of things I would have to research. Perhaps there's a library somewhere?

"Seems handy." I responded as he smiled.

"Yep, originally I wanted to be a Huntsman but it never really worked out." There was a tinge of sadness in his tone but I left it alone. Everyone has their own secrets and if he will respect me I will return the favor.

I finally looked at the paper that sat in my hands. It was obviously a contract, not unlike the one that got me into all of this mess. I almost impulsively tore the paper, however that would not have helped me given the situation. I took everything in, not letting a single letter slip me by as my eyes scanned the contract. I sighed, placing the paper down on the table in front of me.

"I would like to sign." I simply said as he handed me a small metal tube. I stared at it, puzzled, before assuming that it must be this societies writing instrument. I should've figured a society like this would be more advanced than the streets of Yharnam. However, when was the last time I had to write much of anything? Had it been days? Weeks? Months? Years? The hunt has taken a toll on my mind, what was once only a single night stretched into a hell of infinite darkness. It doesn't help that my life before Yharnam is a haze. Where did I come from? Who was I?

"You good?" The man's question released me from my thoughts.

"I'm fine sir, just thinking." I replied before moving the instrument to the paper. I began to gently write, wording my signature as beautifully as possible. However when I went to admire my work, there was nothing there.

"Uhhhh, hey friend. You gotta click the pen first." The man told me as I stared blankly. He mimed a motion with his hand as if he was pressing a button, and as I repeated the move I heard a small *click*. I resumed my prior action, and this time was met with a beautiful sight.

Jeremiah Paleblood

Confusion filled my brain as I stared at the contact.

'Why did I write that? Well, it fits.'

The man looked me up and down, focusing on every single part of my appearance.

"Well I wouldn't take you as the type of person to have anything to do with White, but I guess we don't get to chose our own names!" He said with a chuckle as he took back the contact.

"But considering the stains on that jacket, the blood part is a much better fit." He joked, smiling and giving the contract another look. The man put the piece of paper on the desk behind him, turning to offer me a handshake, which I respectfully obliged.

"So, with all that said and done. Welcome to the Hunter's Gaurd." Well that's a fitting name isn't it?

"Alfred Rosemeyer, at your service!" He said cheerily as my mind began to darken. Flashes of lingering yet distant memories ran through my brain, as I once again saw the look of a corpse, pulverized into nothing but a slop of viscera. The laughing of a once seemingly sane man revealed a darker beast within. I guess we all have them don't we? A bloody fate ended him, but by his own hand. I pray that this world is not so brutal, but I will do what I must.

The man, now revealed to be named Alfred, released me from my thoughts of the dream. Still just as ready to help as before. 'If I do not control my mind it will be the death of me.' I told myself silently.

"So, I assume you're going to need a place to stay?" Alfred asked, however it was clear he already knew the answer. Before I could open my mouth he spun around and began to walk away,

"Follow me, I'll lead you to where you can sleep." he said. Sleep… when was the last time I actually slept? Can I? Well, it's no matter for now, before I can get some true rest I'm going to need some answers about where I am.

We walked the halls of the strange futuristic looking compound, seeing strange lamps embedded in the ceiling, alongside possible arcane tiles that some of the men stared at. They seemed to be telling some story on them, showing a man in thick metal armor traversing a desolate land, a massive broadsword in his hand. I shook my head, once again returning to the task at hand as we finally reached our destination.

"Well this is the room where you'll be staying." He gestured to the small room with nothing but a table and a bed.

"It's pretty barren, a consequence of letting authorities control your sleeping arrangements, but at least it won't be hard to decorate!" He continued. This man is quite the jolly fellow, must have something to do with the ability to read when someone has ill intentions, must be pretty easy to trust others.

"I'd love to let you rest, but we have work to do and I'd like to be able to see you in action, to know what missions you should be assigned to." The man made a fair point, to which I silently nodded in response. He led me to a new room, a large building not unlike the lecture halls of Byrgenwerth. He gestured me to follow him onto the stage and there sat some strange metal device.

"Not to be rude sir, but what exactly is that contraption?" I asked quietly as men who I assumed to be my future compatriots filed in. He laughed before responding,

"Your village must've been real damn secluded. It's a microphone, there's speakers up there and they play the sound louder." Hmmm, odd invention but very practical.

"Now everybody, for the first time in a while we've got a new addition to our team here. Everyone, this is Jeremiah Paleblood." A couple people clapped as he one by one listed the members of the team. Eventually finished up and turned to the microphone once again.

"So everybody, now that we all have had our introductions to our newest member, we have a couple assignments. Quicksilver, Noir, you too are on guard duty." Two groans, presumably from the men in question, could be heard from the back of the room. I assume guarding this wall isn't the most exciting job one could have." Alfred continued delegating tasks to those around until almost everyone had filed out of the room, off to begin their missions I suppose.

"Now lastly, Jeremiah. A pack of Grimm was spotted only a mile or two from here, you'll be taking a partner out to hunt them down and deal with them." He said as I pulled my hat down.

"I can do it alone." I simply responded as he chuckled.

"Now I'm sure you could, but until I can see what you can do with my own eyes, I can't guarantee your safety. Don't want my newest recruit getting killed!" He said jubilantly. I let out a sigh accepting his logic and started walking towards the transportation dock he had pointed out. He mentioned something about a "ship" however I'm not familiar with the concept. Maybe it's some sort of carriage this world has?

"Wait, don't you want to meet your partner?" Alfred asked, puzzled.

"Who I work with doesn't matter, as long as they're not a hindrance." He looked at me with hesitation, he must assume I'm some noobie trying to prove my worth or something of that matter.

"Are you sure you're ready for this? I know I was the one assigning duties but you could always change to something else if you'd like." I let out a quiet laugh as I remembered the words of an old friend.

"Of coure I'm ready. After all, a Hunter must hunt." With that said, I exited the building and headed for my destination.

So there's that. I've been sitting on a large majority of this chapter for quite a while now, and I'm glad to have been able to finally finish it. Yes, I know the name 'Paleblood' is predictable, but it loosely fits in with the color based name scheme, and I simply wished to include it.

I hope you enjoyed.