The Author's Draft-Chapter 43: The Shop II
A small silver ring materialized in the air in front of Aiden and dropped into his palm. It was simple, unadorned, but when he slipped it onto his finger, he felt a connection formโthe ring binding to his spiritual signature. ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ท๐๐ฟ๐๐ก.๐๐ธ๐
Instinctively, he understood how to use it. Just a thought, and items would be stored or retrieved.
"This is actually useful," Aiden muttered, examining the ring. "I can store the mask, extra clothes, suppliesโ"
His phone buzzed violently on the desk.
Aiden grabbed it, thinking it might be his parents checking in.
Instead, the screen showed a news alert.
**HUNTER ASSOCIATION ISSUES CLASS S ROGUE DESIGNATION ON MASKED INDIVIDUAL FROM WESTFIELD.**
**"Masked Individual from Recent Dungeon Breaks Deemed Extremely Dangerous - Public Warned Not to Approach."**
Aidenโs stomach dropped as he opened the article.
*The Hunter Association has officially classified the unidentified masked individual seen at multiple dungeon break sites as a Class S Rogue*
*"This individual has demonstrated abilities far beyond normal awakeners," stated Enforcer Kane in a press conference earlier this evening. "He summoned what appears to be a dragon-class entity, killed an A-rank dungeon boss single-handedly, and used unknown attacks against association personnel."*
*The masked individual is wanted for questioning regarding illegal hunter activity, operating without registration, and assault on Hunter Association Enforcers.*
*Citizens are warned not to approach this individual if spotted. Contact the Hunter Association immediately."
"Perfect," Aiden said flatly, dropping the phone. "Just fucking perfect."
An intense headache formed behind his eyes. This was spiraling out of control. Heโd tried to help people, and now he was a wanted criminal with a bounty on his head.
*Whatโs got you so moody, partner?* Azazelโs voice intruded on his thoughts.
"One of the top organisations in this world just declared me a criminal... well, not me exactly. Iโm wanted, hunted."
*Oh.* A pause. *Is that all?*
"Is thatโwhat do you mean โis that all?โ This is serious!"
*Simple solution. Go to their headquarters and wreck the place, kill everyone important. Problem solved.*
"Thatโs not a solution, thatโs suicidal."
*Semantics.* Azazel sounded genuinely confused. *Youโre worried about being hunted, so eliminate the hunters. Itโs basic survival.*
"Iโm not killing dozens of people just because theyโre doing their jobs! And they have people stronger than me."
*Why not? You enjoyed killing those beasts. I felt it. The satisfaction, the thrill, the way your bloodlust sang when you tore them apart.*
Aiden opened his mouth to argue, then stopped.
Because Azazel was right. He had enjoyed it. The violence, the combat, the act of killing.
And that terrified him more than the Class S designation.
"Iโm not becoming a murderer," Aiden said firmly. "There has to be another way."
[Actually...] The systemโs voice cut in. [Azazel is right. Sort of.]
"Donโt tell me youโre agreeing with the homicidal demon."
[Not about the suicidal murderous frenzy heโs proposing. But the core ideaโgoing to the Hunter Associationโis correct.]
"Explain"
[I wasnโt planning on proposing this idea but desperate times, drastic measures.]
"What do you mean?"
[Your identity as an author. stupid. I wanted you to keep it so your masked self would be a different persona.]
[But now you have to register as a Reawakened.]
Aidenโs eyes narrowed. "Reawakened?"
[Some awakeners experience a second awakening later in lifeโa dramatic increase in power or the manifestation of entirely new abilities. Itโs rare but documented.]
[You can register as a reawakened hunter. While we can water down your abilities make you seem like a weaker hunter. Just to provide an identification. Go through the standard registration process.]
[You canโt always wait for a dungeon break to absorb mana. you need to enter dungeons too.]
"But they saw me at the dungeon break. Kane knows what I look like."
[Youโre not going there as the masked man, youโre heading there as Aiden, just the failed awakened who by-a-stroke of luck reawakened.]
[The burden of proof is on them to prove youโre the same person. And without your mask or the dragon manifestation, that proof will be difficult to obtain.]
Aiden sat back, processing that.
It was risky. If anyone recognized him, things could go bad fast. But it was also the cleanest way out of this situation.
Hide in plain sight, register legally and become part of the system they were hunting him through.
"Thatโs... actually clever," Aiden admitted.
*Judging from whateverโs going on, youโre going to ignore my suggestions,* Azazel interjected. *But I suppose if you insist on not murdering everyone, subterfuge works.*
"System, what do I need to register?"
[Identification documents. A story about when and how you awakened. And a demonstration of abilities during the assessment test.]
[You can simply claim to have awakened enhanced strength, nothing too serious.]
"So play weak, act normal and blend in."
[Correct.]
Aiden stood up and walked to his window, looking out at the darkening London skyline. Somewhere out there, Kane and his team were hunting for him. The Hunter Association had his face on wanted posters. Half a million pounds waited for whoever turned him in.
But they were looking for a masked vigilante, a rogue with a dragon.
Not Aiden Jus, broke writer and recent reawakened hunter.
"Alright," Aiden said quietly. "Tomorrow, I go register. Clean clothes, normal story. Just another awakener joining the system."
[Recommended course of action confirmed.]
After explaining to Azazel just to see if he had any good advice he could add.
*This is going to be hilarious,* Azazel added. *The demon sin of Pride helping a human commit fraud. My reputation is ruined.*
"Your reputation was already ruined when you got sealed in a sword."
*Fair point.*
Aiden pulled the curtains closed and turned back to his flat. He had a lot to prepare, documents to gather, a story to craft and a performance to practice.
Tomorrow, heโd walk into the Hunter Association headquartersโthe very organization hunting himโand register as one of them.
It was insane.
It was risky.
It was the best plan he had.
"Letโs hope this works," Aiden muttered.
*If it doesnโt,* Azazel said cheerfully, *we can always fall back on my original plan. Mass murder solves everything.*
"Shut up, Azazel."
*Make me.*
Aiden ignored him and started planning for tomorrow.
This was going to be interesting.
