Chapter 2: Welcome to the International Hunters Index!
Ji-hu: WHAT!?
Ji-hu: What do you mean I have a strong Aura? What is rift essence? And why the hell do you think I'm a great warrior?
Geni: One, you have a strong aura for a youngling. Two, rift essence is what rift bearers use to access the tears in space. Three, because you are befitting of the prophecy and like I said earlier, your aura is like no other I have seen. Do not fear, you will not be alone in this endeavor. There will be others just like you who have yet to unlock their full potential.
Ji-hu: Uhhh. Paxis Sir can you confirm like ... any of this?
Paxis: I cannot. I do know about the prophecy she is speaking of, but only because she just informed me. As for what rift essence is? I cannot say. I have studied many Sacred Arts, but Dimensional Control users never had any "aura" that we could detect with our machinery. Although, I have personally never seen a Dimensional control user before. I've only read about them.
Ji-hu: Man this is too much to handle. Do you mind if I sit down ... uhh Ms.?
Geni: My name is Geni young warrior. And yes you may do as you please. I am currently not in control of anything. I have agreed with this Hunter to follow his lead. So we will not be going anywhere unless he says so.
Ji-hu looks over to Paxis
Paxis: Well if she deems you worthy to be one of the chosen warriors then I will have to bring you back with me to HQ. I cannot accept no as an answer and I hope you understand. However, you may rest before departing.
Ji-hu: Um Alright I won't take long, but may I message my friend? We're extremely close and I need to let her know where I am.
Paxis: You may inform her of where you are going but keep the reasoning confidential. I do not want anyone knowing of Geni until Commander Cho knows about the situation.
Ji-hu: Yes Sir!
Ji-hu sits down and starts to text Meihua
Ji-hu: Meihua if you are reading this and have realized I'm not home it's because I'm currently with the Rank #20. I know it's pretty crazy right? A lot has happened and I am heading to Korea's Hunter HQ for confidential reasons, but I want you to know I am safe. I will let you know of any updates :)
Ji-hu: Alright I'm ready to head off now Paxis Sir.
Paxis: Understood. Geni I must ask if you are okay with my Shadow manipulation? It will be more safer if I can bring us to the HQ without anyone seeing you.
Geni: Nods. Of course. It has been a while since I've spoken to another intelligent being. Thank you for your kind manners.
Paxis: While you may be biologically different you are deserving of the very least. Hold on to me everyone.
Both Ji-hu and Geni grab onto Paxis' shoulders
Paxis: Shudders. Her touch is cold even through my cloak. Interesting.
Paxis teleports to the shadow of Korea's Hunter HQ
The trio arrive at the front of an extremely tall and large building
Paxis: We have arrived at the gates. Geni, this is where this sector's leaders reside.
Ji-hu: That teleportation was so fast. We probably traveled hundreds of miles.
Geni: Thank you for your information. You have treated me very well despite my appearances and unknown origin. Are all of you like this?
Paxis and Ji-hu: No.
Paxis: I recommend you stick with me and those who I entrust you to. Please do not wander around without someone to guide or watch over you. There are many nefarious Sacred Art users in this world. Although you seem capable I'd rather not take any risks.
The trio starts to walk into the building receiving multiple stares from bystanders
Paxis clears the front of the entrance and starts talking to the receptionist
Ji-hu: Um. Stepping off of that topic can you please let me know more of this prophecy? And why I apparently have such a great "aura"?
Geni: Very well. You must be curious since I thrust a great deal of information onto you. I must apologize, you are young and yet must bear such a great destiny. I will attempt to keep things short.
Geni: Around 2000 years ago there existed a great prophet among my people. He spoke of many tales and one included the coming of the Abyss. Many laughed and moved on. However, he was correct and we suffered greatly. Yet he predicted that our pain and suffering while great would not come without closure. A great race of noble and determined beings far out in the universe would rise to the challenge of facing off the Abyss. When the Abyss first struck my home I had faith that we would win. I had trust in our warriors' great strength. Yet we were pushed back to the far corners of our planet almost instantly. Overrun with Abyssal Creatures both made up of old family and new foes. I was sent as a messenger to your planet as the great prophet had somehow narrowed down which Planet this great race of warriors would arise from. I didn't believe it until now. You are the first hope I've had in many centuries. The Aura you possess is the first confirmation of that old prophet's sayings, as for why you have such an Aura? That is unknown even to me. We had many great warriors that exemplified strength yet your potential stands out above the rest.
Ji-hu: I'm sorry, but I don't think you have the right person. I'm only ranked #14,997 globally. Which mind you isn't very indicative of my so-called great aura. Not to mention the countless other indexes that don't include global rankings. No matter how much I practice I can't even control my Dimensional abilities without the help of technology. And I didn't even see you move when ... uh when you teleported to me?
Geni: My you are quite the worrier. Young warrior I said you have a great aura. That does not mean you have this amazingly great strength. It just means you have the potential. As for why you are suffering setbacks despite your training. It is most likely because you do not have an adequate trainer. I would most definitely be willing to assist you in learning things not even you humans know about the rifts. Who knows, with my help you may discover abilities not even my race has had access to.
Ji-hu: You ... will help me? I mean don't get me wrong that sounds great and all. But wouldn't your time be better spent finding other more capable warriors? What if I fail? What if I can't live up to your expectations? What if ...
Geni: Hush child. Stop clouding your mind with such thought. As for whether or not what my time is better spent on doing, that is up for me to decide and me alone. I can help you train and discover other great warriors at the same time. I must also admit that I wish to stay with another rift bearer such as yourself and see what you can accomplish. While I cannot myself wield the Rifts anymore I can most assuredly assist you in the ancient Rift combat techniques.
Ju-hi stands there contemplating everything Geni has told him as Paxis starts walking back to the duo
Ji-hu: Sigh. She's right. I mean is it so selfish of me to think I'm capable of great things? I've been training for so long. This is the first chance I'll get to improve. I have to do this. No second chances.
Paxis: Commander Cho is in his office right now. He wishes to see you both. I will escort you to the top floor then I will have to depart. I have a separate meeting prepared with the council.
Ji-hu: Man this is kinda nerve wracking. I know Meihua has met with Commander Cho before, but aren't there rumors that he's really scary? I really hope I'm wrong. I wonder what I should say? Do I even say anything? I guess I could just not speak until spoken too. That'll be the safest option really.
The trio head to the elevator and after reaching the top floor head to Commander Cho's Office
Paxis: Knock Knock. Hello Commander Cho, this is Paxis. I have arrived with the two in question.
Commander Cho: Enter
Paxis: Alright you two. I'll see you later. And Geni? Please beware of your appearances. Try not to frighten anyone.
Geni: Of course warrior.
Paxis: Please just call me Paxis. It feels odd for you to call me a warrior.
Geni: Very well then. Have a good day Sir Paxis.
Paxis nods to both of them then leaves
Geni and Ji-hu enter through the door
Commander Cho: Welcome. Please sit.
Ji-hu: Keke. He looks like a giant buff teddy bear.
Commander Cho: It has come to my attention that you are a being from the stars. Is that correct Geni?
Geni: That is correct Commander. I come from multiple galaxies away and I bear a message which I'm sure you have been informed of.
Commander Cho: Yes. I cannot lie and say that the information given to me isn't frightening. You see, we've already noticed that the dungeons in Japan and Korea have gone silent. I must ask if this is one of the signs that the Abyss is already making its next move.
Geni: I believe that we are still a few years away from the Abyss' next large scale attack, however, the abyss' activity is indicative of when breakouts will occur. A breakout occurs very similarly to the first appearances of the abyss on planets. I'm sure your race was caught by surprise as they dug out from underground and terrorized your cities, yes? This means that the Abyss will most likely launch an all out scale attack as multiple enemies will burst from the dormant dungeons. I'm sure you are well equipped to handle these kinds of situations, however, I must warn you to not take these breakouts lightly. Occasionally they will include Generals among their ranks which have increased capabilities in all aspects.
Commander Cho: That is ... good to know thank you Ms. Geni. And you Mr. Ji-hu. It seems that according to the files you are one of the great warriors Geni has prophesied?
Ji-hu: Uh. Yes sir. Apparently I have great potential. Even though I find it hard to believe I will do my best to fight back against the Abyss.
Commander Cho: You are a Dimensional Sacred Art user, yes? What is your mastery level?
Ji-hu: UHHH. That's the thing, I'm only a High Tier Beginner in Mastery and I need these gadgets that I made to use any of my abilities. The only thing I can do without the tech is open my own personal space inventory.
Commander Cho: Hm. That is a little ... I don't mean to be rude to either of you, but Geni are you sure this young Hunter is one of the prophesized?
Geni: I am absolutely sure Commander Cho. According to Sir Paxis the rift bearers on your planet don't have an observable Aura. And yet Ji-hu's is even greater than the warriors on my planet. His potential knows no bounds and room for strength will always be available. He will be one of the greatest assets in this war.
Commander Cho: Very well. I will take your word for it. I have decided that if we come to agree on this arrangement, to provide housing for you Ms. Geni. Do you need any sustenance? Like food or water?
Geni: That will be unnecessary. Although a sleeping quarters would be nice.
Commander Cho: Alright then. I think we can come to an agreement with this pact. You will give us the information needed to defeat the Abyss and I assume teach Ji-hu here?
Geni: That is correct commander. Although I myself cannot bear the rifts anymore I can still teach Ji-hu more than any human knows about the rifts.
Commander Cho: Very good. Ji-hu. If you must inform anyone of this please keep the list of people you do very small. And make sure its people you are sure you can trust. Give me the list of people and they will be brought to HQ. You are now a top priority target and will have access to the training facilities here. Anyone you choose will also have access to this building's facilities.
Ji-hu: That's... crazy. I'm gonna get trained by a real teacher and I get to use the best training equipment in Korea? This is like a dream come true ...
Both Geni and Commander Cho chuckle
Commander Cho: I have assigned you to a very dependable Hunter. Her name is Eui Raenem and she will be your escort from now on. After you give me the list of names for people who will need to be brought here you may leave.
Ji-hu: Is it alright if I take a moment. I need to think.
Commander Cho: Very well.
Ji-hu walks off to a corner of the room
Commander Cho: I must ask, I was told you were compromised by the Abyss and still retained your intelligence, how is this so?
Geni: That ... is one of the few questions I still have to this day. The moment I was struck by the Abyss and corrupted I lost all of my rift bearing capabilities. Yet my sentience still remained. I used to think it was a curse, but now I know it was my blessing.
Commander Cho: One last thing, how is it that you are able to speak our language so fluently? We are able to understand other languages due to our technology yet it appears you do not have any device capable of such a thing.
Geni: My mind is capable of analyzing anything. We rift bearers are incredibly ... efficient. Learning a new language no matter the species would be extremely simple for us.
Commander Cho: Alright then. We can speak on other topics later. I'm sure you are ... tired? If that is something you are capable of. Consider yourself one of the hunters. The people here will treat you well, but please refrain from leaving the facility. Even among our ranks there are evil and greedy individuals.
Geni: Thank you for the warning Commander Cho. I will remain with the escort you have provided.
Commander Cho gives a respectful nod as Ji-hu comes back
Ji-hu: Commander Cho sir. These are the people I wish to inform.
Ji-hu hands a list with the names Meihua Yu, Atlas Smith, and Romy Smith with all their phone numbers attached
Commander Cho: Good. You will see your friends within the hour. Have a good rest of your day you two. And Ji-hu? No pressure. Hearty Laugh
Ji-hu bows
Ji-hu: YES SIR. THANK YOU COMMANDER SIR.
Geni: Have a good day Commander.
Ji-hu and Geni walk out the doors and come face to face with Eui
Eui: Hi hi. I'll be your escort today Ms. Geni and Mr. Ji-hu. My name is Eui and I am Top ranked #19. I am a cryokinetic user with absolute mastery. Pleasure to meet you!
Ji-hu: Rank #19!? I'm meeting so many high ranked hunters today. I'm feeling woozy. It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Eui. I apologize for you having to take escort duty!
Geni: Pleasure to meet you Ms. Eui.
Eui: Don't worry kiddo. I was getting bored anyway. A chance to meet a being from outer space is way better than what I was doing before haha. Alright let's go to the residential area. You guys will love it there.
Chapter 2: Welcome to the National Hunters Index!
Ji-hu: Thank you Ms. Eui!
Geni: My thanks Ms. Eui.
Eui: Guys please just call me Eui. You're making me feel old. Deadpan
The trio walk off towards the residential area