Miracles in a Lifetime

II • TRAINING ☓ EAVESDROPPING

     After running away, I traveled to random places. In some areas, I'd buy something when I'm in a good mood, or when I actually have the money for it, but mostly... I steal. That's how I've lived, and I don't know any other way. I am a criminal, after all. No thanks to Ryouko-san.

     My cloak helps me get away and hide myself, since it does cover my face, but it's not really necessary. The people I'm around — as expected — try to avoid my gaze and being around me, the waves of their fear radiating off of them. That reaction just annoys me, and sometimes, I want to let out my murderous self and gouge their eyes out. But I guess I can't do that. I haven't been given the job, nor can I even blame them. Like stated before, I am a criminal.

     Besides, I can be nice if I wanted to.

     Throughout the whole time I traveled here, I've overheard several conversations about this famous "Hunter Exam." It's not like I was eavesdropping; I just happened to pass by while people talked quite blatantly.

     From what I've heard, it's a difficult test, but once you get this Hunter's License, you get several privileges. One of the privileges I find more rewarding than most is being able to discover places that have never been seen. Another one is tracking down those you wish to kill, and being able to find them easily through resources accessible by existing as a so-called Hunter.

     That sounded really nice, so I decided that I'd train to be ready for it.

     Apparently, it's going to take place exactly twelve months from now, so I have a whole year to train. Now, I'm just trying to find an area so I can do so, but it's eminently difficult.

     But of course, something just has to interrupt my focus.

     "Come on, pretty lady. Come play with us," a man laughs. "I promise it'll be fun."

     I turn around to see four men cornering a lady with a child. I swear on my life, men are complete and utter garbage. But this isn't my business. I should just leave it be.

     "Please stop! Go away, I do not wish to 'play' with you!" the girl exclaims, tightening her hold on the wailing child. The situation's quite displeasing, so I end up stopping their little argument.

     "Hey, you ignorant bastards. She seems to have asked you to stop plenty of times, so would you kindly leave her alone?" I ask exaggeratedly loud enough for them to hear me.

     "Huh?!" the men grumble with annoyance in unison, turning to me as they do so. Howevever, once they see me, a frightened look comes across their faces.

     "I-it's th-th-the Black Angel!" they exclaim in fear. "Let's go before we get killed!" The man who seems to be the leader of the group is the first to run away, and the others follow him.

     It was surprising to hear that he knew my assassin name. I had no idea that so many people knew who I was.

     Huh. Maybe that's why everyone was trying to avoid me since I got here.

     The woman looks at me with a terrified look on her face, some hints of regret reflected through her eyes.

     "I-I'm terribly sorry to t-trouble you. Please, please don't kill me!" she begs. I walk over to her and help her steady herself on her feet.