The Murklin System: Rise of the Dark Hero

Chapter 10

Finn stared at the tunnel leading to the Night Hunters' headquarters or hideout, whatever they called it. He had decided to become a Night Hunter after hearing about them at the restaurant.

He didn't have a choice but this one. The higher ups don't just randomly pick people from the road to become a katona. Of course, they had a training program or some sort to test candidates.

If he wanted to climb the ladder, he had to take that one important step. He knew it wouldn't be easy, and he had already prepared himself for the worse. He would overcome anything that he would have to face here, no questions asked.

At the end of the tunnel, everything was dark, the way he liked it. He was expecting to see a lot of people who aspire to become a katona like him, but he only saw a single house resting in the middle of the woods. He thought they were just resting since it was already eight in the evening.

When he discovered that the Night Hunters were getting paid, he knew he didn't have to go back to that restaurant. The gold he received the other night was also enough to feed him for at least three days. The expenses here in Flexure were surprisingly high.

"Hello?" he called. "Is anyone here?" He tried to speak louder, but no one was coming down to greet him. So he knocked on the door loudly instead. "Is anyone home?"

Finn almost jumped when the door opened, and a man around his fifties came out to greet him. The first thing he noticed was his missing left foot, and the crane he was holding for support. Finn looked up to see his face, not wanting to look rude.

"Is this the Night Hunter's residence?" asked Finn.

"It is. Come in."

Finn didn't think twice and followed the man inside. It was clean and neat inside, no sign of dirt, like it was cleaned regularly. Everything was organized.

"Please, take a seat," the man motioned to a chair. "The others are having their dinner at the dining hall, so no one's here to greet you."

"It's okay. I'm sorry for coming here so late." He accepted a glass of juice, watching the man sit in front of him.

The man looked at him with his dead eyes, and Finn noticed that he had a scar across his left eye. "You can call me Ronim, by the way. I'm the Night Hunter's instructor."

Finn stood abruptly and bowed in front of him. "Finn, sir. Please call me Finn."

He nodded. "Please. You don't have to bow in front of me. Take a seat." Finn did what he was told. "Finn, you said you wanted to become a Night Hunter. It's been a while since we had someone who wanted to join us."

"Yes, sir. It's been my dream to become a katona ever since I was a kid."

Ronim raised an eyebrow. "You joined the Night Hunters because you wanted to become a katona?" He nodded. "You know that joining the Night Hunters to become a katona is like getting struck by lightning, right?"

"I am aware, sir. But this is my only chance in achieving my dreams. I'd rather do this than not do anything at all."

Ronim stared at him for a long time, and that made Finn awkward. He didn't know why the man was staring at him so intently, like he was trying to read his mind. Finn thought that he might have said something wrong, but he only mentioned his dream, nothing more.

Ronim stood from his seat, and said, "I'll guide you to your room."

It took Finn a while to process what he said, and he abruptly stood and thanked the man before following him upstairs. The man was telling him about the house rules, where the bathroom was, and other parts of the house. He also mentioned about the training tomorrow that usually starts at four.