Recovery and Reflection
Dzeth was utterly exhausted after using Awakening: Heavenly Eyes. His entire body felt like it had been torn apart, yet strangely, there were no visible wounds. His friends quickly carried him back to the Hunter Academy Hospital for treatment.
When he finally opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was the bright hospital ceiling. The familiar scent of medicine and antiseptic filled the air.
"You're finally awake," a voice broke the silence.
Dzeth turned his head and saw Syafi sitting beside him, looking relieved but exhausted.
"How long have I been out?" Dzeth asked in a hoarse voice.
"A day and a half," Syafi replied. "We thought you were dead when Pyro ripped out your heart… But when we found your body, you were completely fine. No wounds, no scars, nothing."
Dzeth furrowed his brows. "That can't be…"
His hand instinctively touched his chest. His heartbeat was normal. It was as if nothing had happened.
Not far from them, Akanza was still unconscious, his body covered in bandages. Dzeth clenched his fists.
"This is my fault," he muttered. "Akanza got hurt because of me…"
Syafi patted his shoulder. "No. If it weren't for you, we would've all died."
Meanwhile, outside the hospital, the city lay in ruins. The battle with Pyro had left deep scars buildings were destroyed, streets were in chaos, and many Hunters and civilians were either injured or had lost their homes.
Tension filled the atmosphere as rescue teams moved frantically to help the survivors.
-
Discussion with Syafi & Silakh
Later that night, Dzeth, Syafi, and Silakh gathered in a secluded area of the hospital to discuss what had happened. The flickering hospital lights cast eerie shadows on their faces.
"I still don't understand," Dzeth began. "How did I survive? I should be dead."
"Could it be because of the Dimensional Hunter Technique?" Syafi suggested.
Dzeth shook his head. "I tried to learn it, but I never managed to use it properly. Besides, this doesn't feel like something that technique could do."
"Then what about Bloodbane Drain Arts?" Silakh asked.
A heavy silence filled the room.
Dzeth clenched his jaw. "That's… possible."
Silakh crossed his arms. "If it really was the Bloodbane Drain Arts that revived you, then the question is how?"
Dzeth had no answers. Something about his power was still a mystery to him.
"Forget it for now," Syafi sighed. "What matters is that you're alive. But… we need to find out why Pyro came here in the first place."
-
Training to Master Dimensional Hunter Technique
The next few days were filled with relentless training.
Dzeth pushed himself beyond his limits, trying desperately to awaken the Dimensional Hunter Technique, but no matter what he did, it refused to manifest. His mind raced with questions, frustration growing heavier with each failure.
He spent hours poring over ancient texts, searching for any clue, any hidden knowledge that could help him unlock this power. But every book, every scroll, every document yielded nothing. Dimensional Hunter Technique was too secret, too elusive.
He moved to practical training.
In the Hunter Academy's Simulation Room, he fought against countless high-level cursed beings. He used his Limitless Hunter Technique, his reflexes sharper than ever, his movements precise. But still… nothing. The Dimensional Hunter Technique never activated.
Why?
Even when he tried to recreate the exact scenario from his battle with Pyro Cursed, his body refused to respond the same way.
Exhausted but determined, he took on dangerous solo missions assigned by the Hunter Academy. He faced real cursed beings, putting his life on the line. He tested himself in battle after battle, hoping that the adrenaline, the desperation of a real fight, would awaken the power within him.
But the result was always the same.
One afternoon, after barely surviving a mission against a Grade A cursed being, Dzeth sat alone on the steps outside a ruined temple. His breathing was ragged, his body aching, his Heavenly Dagger dripping with cursed blood.
He lifted his trembling hands in front of him.
Nothing. No power. No awakening. Just his own strength.
"What am I missing…?" he muttered, frustration leaking into his voice.
The wind howled through the broken temple pillars. The sky above was vast, endless. Just like the answer he sought but couldn't reach.
-
Interactions with Other Characters
Meanwhile, Hwang had finally recovered from his injuries and visited Dzeth.
"Hey, man," Hwang greeted, leaning against the wall. "So… You actually fought Pyro and lived?"
Dzeth smirked. "Barely."
Hwang whistled. "Well, damn. You must be stronger than we thought."
Elsewhere, Syiro was still shaken from his encounter with Pyro. He clenched his fists tightly as he spoke to Dzeth.
"I don't want to be weak anymore," Syiro admitted. "Tell me what to do."
Dzeth studied him for a moment before responding, "Train. Train until your body can't move. Power isn't something you're given. It's something you take."
Finally, Akanza woke up. The moment he regained consciousness, his first words were.
"Dzeth… what the hell are you?"
Dzeth looked at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
Akanza narrowed his eyes. "I saw it. You were dead. Your heart was gone. And yet, you came back as if nothing happened. That's not normal."
Silence filled the air.
"I've seen you use Bloodbane Drain Arts before," Akanza continued. "But this is different. This… isn't something a human should be able to do."
Dzeth had no answer. Even he didn't fully understand what he had become.
-
The Omen of Doom
Somewhere in the Nether Realm, a pair of glowing red eyes watched from the darkness.
A deep voice chuckled.
"So… he's still alive?"
A figure sat on the Imperial Throne, a sinister smile forming on its lips.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
This being was from the Paladin Organization, the second strongest Cursed faction in existence.
He leaned forward and whispered, "Wait for me, Dzeth Takahashi."
Meanwhile, across the world, the Hunter Academy of International, located in America, received an urgent report.
"Another Grade Ex or possibly Grade ExS Cursed has started moving."
Panic spread among the higher-ups. Emergency broadcasts were sent out, warning civilians to take shelter immediately.
And at that exact moment…
Dzeth, who had just bought an ice cream, suddenly felt the air around him shift.
BOOM!
A blazing red portal opened right in front of him.
A dark presence seeped from within.
To Be Continued…