The next morning, Jay woke early, nerves already buzzing through his veins. He barely had time to choke down a quick breakfast before Nathan was at his gate, waving impatiently.
"Come on, man," Nathan called. "Taxi's waiting."
Jay gave him a crooked grin and jogged out, slamming the gate shut behind him. They climbed into the battered cab—a squat, humming electric model that looked one pothole away from retirement. As it pulled away from the curb, Jay couldn't help glancing at his reflection in the window. His eyes seemed sharper somehow, his shoulders set with a new purpose.
Nathan gave him a playful nudge. "Don't look so serious. We're not heading to an execution."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? This is the Hunter Association. I'd bet anything at least half of these guys end up dead on the job."
"Yeah," Nathan admitted with a small grin, "but at least they die with better pay."
The cab dropped them off in front of a colossal stone-and-glass building at the edge of the business district. Carved above the main entrance in towering block letters was ORIAN HUNTER ASSOCIATION. The doors themselves were reinforced steel, manned by two guards in dark combat gear—rifles slung casually but eyes sharp.
Jay let out a low whistle. "They're not kidding around."
"Monster invasions tend to keep people serious," Nathan replied.
Inside was pure chaos.
The lobby was vast, with towering ceilings and massive support columns. Screens flashed mission bulletins, news about outbreaks in nearby zones, and clips of Hunters showing off their powers. Desks were everywhere, each with long lines of people clutching stacks of paperwork.
A massive digital board on one wall displayed hundreds of numbers, constantly shuffling. Somewhere above them, a calm voice announced:
"Now serving ticket 297 at window eight."
Jay and Nathan exchanged a look. "This is gonna be a while," Jay muttered.
They joined a snaking line that wound around several times. When they finally reached the counter, a tired-looking clerk barely glanced at them before handing over two small devices that spat out paper tickets.
Jay checked his: 763. Nathan held up his own: 764.
"Well, at least we're together," Nathan said. "Sort of."
They found a couple of seats near a pillar, squeezing in beside a dozing old man and a teenager nervously bouncing his leg. The hours dragged. People came and went—some beaming with excitement, others leaving with slumped shoulders or haunted eyes.
Jay tapped his foot against the floor, opening and closing his system window just to kill time. He checked his single skill, poked at the empty inventory slot, and watched his tiny level 1 marker with frustration.
Nathan leaned back with a sigh. "You know, when I imagined signing up as an Awakened Hunter, I pictured badass sword trials. Not sitting on my ass for half the day."
Jay laughed. "Right? Where's the dramatic test where we almost die in front of a crowd?"
"I'll pass on that, actually," Nathan grinned.
It was nearly four hours later when the overhead voice finally droned:
"Now serving ticket 763 at window twenty-two."
Jay shot upright so fast he nearly tripped. Nathan clapped him on the back. "That's us, let's go."
They hurried across the lobby, weaving between lines until they reached a sleek glass booth where a bored-looking clerk gestured them inside.
Jay's heart thudded in his chest. This was it—the first official step into the world of Hunters. Whatever happened next, there was no turning back.
Jay followed the clerk down a short hallway lined with cubicles until they reached a small booth. Inside sat a woman in a sleek uniform, her dark hair pinned back neatly.
She didn't smile. Instead, she held out her hand expectantly. "Identification card, please."
Jay fished his ID from his pocket and handed it over. His fingers felt oddly sweaty, though he couldn't tell if it was nerves or leftover adrenaline from the past few days.
The woman slid his card across a scanner built into her desk. Lines of data scrolled by. "Jay Orlen. Age nineteen. Resident of District Sixteen." Her eyes flicked up at him, impassive. "Newly Awakened?"
"Yes, ma'am."
She gave the faintest nod, then gestured to a pedestal beside the desk. Embedded in it was a smooth crystal sphere, pulsing faintly with inner light. "Place your hand on the Awakened Orb. It will determine your current rank."
Jay stepped forward, trying to keep his breathing steady. He rested his palm against the cool surface. For a heartbeat, nothing happened. Then the crystal flared with a gentle blue glow. Letters formed in bright white across a small monitor at the base.
RANK: F
Jay let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Not exactly surprising. His system had told him he was only level one. But somehow seeing it confirmed made everything feel more real.
"Rank F," the woman murmured, her fingers dancing over a slim keyboard.
She pressed a few more commands. "Place your thumb here."
A small panel lit up. Jay set his thumb on it, feeling a brief prick of heat as it scanned his print. A minute later, she slid two cards across the desk toward him—his old ID and a brand-new metallic card with a stylized emblem of crossed swords.
"This is your Hunter's License. Carry it at all times. It tracks your activity, records your contracts, and serves as proof of your status if stopped by security forces. Lose it, and you'll be paying hefty fees to replace it. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jay said quickly, taking the cards. His heart jumped a little as he turned the Hunter's License over in his hand. It felt oddly heavy for something so thin.
"You're done here. Next!"
Jay stepped out of the booth into the noisy lobby, feeling almost dazed. The card in his hand practically glowed in his mind—proof that he wasn't just a terrified civilian anymore. He was a Hunter, even if only a beginner.
A minute later, Nathan came bounding up. He grinned and held up his own brand-new license. "Rank F. Just like you."
"Not disappointed?" Jay asked, half teasing.
Nathan shrugged, shadows curling faintly around his shoulders in that eerie way. "Honestly? I think there's more to it. My power feels… unfinished. Like it wants to grow. Probably yours too."
Jay couldn't help but smile. "Yeah. Maybe we'll surprise everyone."
"Damn right we will."
They left together, laughing about how official and cold the whole process had felt. Jay dropped Nathan off at his building on the edge of District Sixteen. They slapped hands before parting.
"Tomorrow morning, training?" Nathan called.
"You bet," Jay said.
By the time Jay made it home, the sun was already starting its slow descent, painting the narrow streets gold. He felt a quiet pride swelling in his chest. It wasn't just a dream anymore. He was an official Hunter, license and all.
He pushed open the front door, ready to collapse with relief.
But a cold spike ran down his spine at the voice that greeted him.
"Where were you?"
Jay froze. His older sister stood in the narrow hallway, arms crossed, eyes sharp and glittering with accusation.
So much for a quiet evening.