-𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐜 | 𝐡𝐱𝐡

序章 | PROLOGUE

*Unedited

CW
CHILD ABUSE

It was another dreary day in Ilias' dull, little hometown. The residents were all cozied up, inside, spending time with their family. Unfortunately for the Farron household, they just had to be the exception.
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Bethesda and Levi glared at their only son. He had just turned eighteen two months ago, yet he had nothing to show for it. Not once has he tried to act his age. Beth shuttered in disgust while thinking of all the times he licked her just to get a reaction.

"So, are you gonna say something~? Or is this just a staring contest?" Ilias' finger rested on his cheek as he questioned them. Each of his words was drawn out in a mocking manner. This only caused their icy stares to harden. He met their expressions with a mischievous smile, it was about time for his glorious mother to snap.

"Ilias, dear," His mother started in her sickly sweet voice, "You're an adult now. When do you plan to start acting like it?" Oh, how he loved how condescending she was being. He couldn't wait to change her attitude. The thought of pissing her off and getting under that porcelain skin of hers was exciting . "And start dressing like an adult, too." She sneered.

His ears twitched at the remark about his clothing. Oh, the ideas. "But mama, you don't make any sense. If I am an adult, aren't I always dressing and acting like one? Your logic doesn't make any sense." Ilias' twirled the longer strands of his bubblegum-colored hair around his fingers. He knew he did it, he knew he made her hit her breaking point just by the change in her posture.

"You!" Beth gave a guttural growl, making her husband grip her shoulder, "You disrespectful brat! I knew you were a mistake from the moment you were born!" Her breathing turned heavy and rapid. Levi was the only thing holding her back from tearing their son to bits. "Should I have beat you more as a kid? Is that what you needed to be more obedient? To be a better son!" Her hand cupped her face as she broke down into maniacal laughter. "Just-" She could barely get her words out, "Just you wait!"

"Wait for what, mommy~?" Ilias tilted his head, pouting. "Can't you see? I don't care what you do next. You just gave me what I've always wanted from you." He watched as both of them froze, their confused faces being his greatest achievement.

Bethesda's mind was racing. Yet every thought led to a dead end. She couldn't figure out what he meant. "No! That isn't right! You little-"

He rose his eyebrow, watching her composure crumble. Sweet victory. "Remember that time when I was eight, mama? When I finally got to leave these walls for the first time? That day I finally got to see how real parents treat their children. Not like feral animals, but something to be cared for and treasured.

"You and papa put me through so many breakdowns, stress, I could barely handle it. The lack of care I received helped solidify my hatred towards you two that day. Since then, it became my vow that one day I'd make you break. If you tried just a bit harder, stopped treating me like a dog, then maybe it would've never came to this. Remember, mommy, what's happening right now is all your fault."

That's all it took. His famous last words to Bethesda before she went into hysterics.

"Get out! Leave my house! Leave my property! Never, and I mean never, show your face here again because I promise you'll regret it."

Ilias waved her off. "For a so-called hunter, I can't believe how oblivious you are. I'm already gone. Maybe you should've been paying more attention to how Papa's barely moved. Maybe the fact there's a lollipop coated in my saliva next to your foot. But whether this experience has been real or not, I'm holding you to that promise." He gave her the first genuine smile she's ever seen from him, before the world around her began to collapse.

She was back in reality and all alone.

No husband by her side, no infuriating son in sight. None of that had been real other than the words spoken and her deeply-rooted fury. Beth cussed herself out for her letting herself be played.

----

Meanwhile, Ilias picked up his pace after dropping his illusion. Now, he just had to execute the next step in his plan.

Train to compete in the Hunter Exam.

But first, he needed to get to Heaven's Arena.