The Skills Perfector

The meeting lasted longer than anyone had expected.

After the introductions and Nathan's declaration of intent, the group had launched into a lively discussion about the Hunter Academy—what they knew, what they had heard, and what they needed to prepare for. Each member had their own expectations, fears, and goals, and even if some didn't say them out loud, the air was heavy with ambition.

They talked about training routines, potential dorms, rumored instructors, and even the deadly entrance exam everyone would have to pass. It was more than just a school—it was a battlefield in disguise, and they all knew it.

As the conversation dwindled, the sun had long dipped below the horizon. The city lights outside flickered on, bathing the café in a warm, golden glow that contrasted the serious tone of their meeting.

One by one, the members of Infinity left, disappearing into the night with new resolve in their hearts.

Soon, only Nathan and Jay remained.

Jay leaned back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head. "That went better than I expected."

Nathan nodded, though his eyes were focused. "We've got a solid team… but potential alone won't be enough."

Jay raised an eyebrow. "You're thinking of something."

Nathan turned to him. "You're level what…?"

Jay hesitated. "Still level 1."

Nathan let out a short sigh. "Thought so."

He stood up, stretching his arms. "Then we better fix that. If you want to survive the Academy, you'll need to level up before the entrance exam. We've got three weeks, and I'm not letting you walk in there unprepared."

Jay smiled faintly. "Sounds like you're starting to act like a leader."

Nathan smirked. "I'm just looking out for my co-founder. Infinity doesn't need weak links."

Jay pushed himself to his feet. "Fine. We'll start tomorrow."

The two bumped fists before heading out. The streets were quieter now, with only the occasional passing car or flickering streetlamp to break the silence. They parted ways a few blocks later.

Jay walked slowly, deep in thought. His mind was filled with possibilities—training methods, monsters he could hunt, skills he could perfect. He had so much to do, and so little time.

Eventually, he reached his apartment. The hallway was dark, but familiar. He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and closed it behind him with a quiet click.

Everything was still.

Jay slipped off his shoes, moved through the living room without turning on the lights, and headed straight to his bedroom. He collapsed onto the bed, letting exhaustion claim him almost instantly. Within moments, his eyes closed and he drifted into sleep.

But the night had not yet ended.

Far from Jay's quiet apartment, in an alley soaked in darkness and the stench of fear, a man stumbled through the trash-littered path. He ran desperately, his breath ragged, clothes torn, face drenched in sweat and blood.

He tripped over a loose pipe and fell hard onto the concrete, rolling to his back with a terrified scream.

"No! Please! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!"

His voice echoed off the walls, but no one came to help.

Behind him, a silhouette stepped into view—a woman, or at least something that wore the shape of one.

She didn't speak.

She didn't move.

Only her glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, locked onto the man crawling backward like a broken animal.

He tried to stand, then gave up and began to crawl again. "Please—don't kill me—I didn't know—!"

Suddenly, in one clean instant, his body was split in two from head to toe.

Blood sprayed across the alley walls. His final gasp of air left his lips before he even understood what happened.

The woman hadn't moved.

She stood there, unmoving and calm, her outline flickering slightly as if she wasn't entirely real. Like a shadow wearing skin.

She turned her head upward, toward the sky, toward the place where Jay slept.

Her voice, soft but chilling, floated into the air.

"Hmm… He's already asleep… What a pity."

Then she vanished into the night like she had never been there at all.

The next morning, Jay woke up to the soft hum of his alarm vibrating on the nightstand.

He didn't open his eyes right away. For a moment, he simply lay there, letting his thoughts gather. The events of the previous night replayed slowly—Infinity's meeting, the resolve in everyone's eyes, Nathan's agreement to train. It felt like something had begun.

After a few minutes, he got up, took a shower, and got dressed in comfortable dark clothes. A black hoodie, joggers, and his favorite running shoes—perfect for both blending in and moving freely.

His morning started like usual. He made himself a basic breakfast—two eggs, toast, and a black coffee—and ate in silence. His apartment was small but well-organized. Books and notes filled the shelves, mostly about combat theory, awakened history, and dungeon maps. On the wall hung a corkboard filled with sticky notes and sketches—a sort of mission control for his awakening journey.

He spent the rest of the morning doing what he always did—research.

Jay didn't believe in relying only on his skill or talent. Knowledge was power too.

He scrolled through online forums, watched a few combat breakdowns from higher-ranked hunters, and reread a section of Surviving Your First Year as an Awakened. The author had died six months after publishing the book, but the advice was still gold.

Around noon, Jay left the apartment and went for a run. It was his usual route—three loops around the park and two sets of stairs up and down the East Wall. He didn't have access to a proper gym for awakened, so he made do. Every movement counted. Every drop of sweat was progress.

He took breaks to practice hand-to-hand drills under the trees, shadowboxing and running attack sequences he'd memorized. Occasionally, he drew curious glances from passersby, but no one bothered him. His focus made people keep their distance.

By the time he returned home in the afternoon, his shirt clung to his skin and his muscles ached.

After a quick shower, he sat on the floor and meditated. It wasn't for peace—it was to listen. To feel his body, his core, his connection to the skill stone he had swallowed. He had begun to understand the nature of Weapon Mastery, but he knew there was more beneath the surface. Something hidden. Something waiting.

Evening rolled around.

Jay cooked a simple dinner and settled on the couch, flipping through one of his training journals. Every now and then, his thoughts drifted to the Infinity members. Flora, Bergil, Alvin, Dera… and especially Nathan.

He wondered if they were training too. He hoped they were.

His phone buzzed.

Jay glanced at the screen.

[Nathan | 7:42 PM]

"Found a hunting spot. Secluded and unregistered. We go tomorrow. You in?"

Jay stared at the message for a second.

Then his lips curled into a slight grin.

Something inside him stirred.

The quiet days were over.