Masks Chapter 3.1 : Taught and Learnt

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"We're running low on Manpower! Hey! Sixty! Hurry up and do something!"

"I-I... I..."

"God damn newbies. Everybody regroup! We'll strike again when everybody's here!"

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"Why is everyone quiet? What's going on!?"

"Sir..."

"Wha-"

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"Tha-... That Gargantuan Beast? In one Strike?"

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"...Who did it!? Show yourself!"

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"What the. A Kid? Hey! How did you get he- Where are you going!? Hey! Heeey!!"

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'...Where am I?'

Max awoke under a ceiling he didn't recognize.

'What... was that? A memory?'

"Max. You're awake."

Narine sat in a chair at the foot of the bed.

"Chief... Where is this?"

"My House. More specifically, the Guest Room. You suddenly collapsed while making your way out of the Arena."

"Collapsed? Why did I..."

"Our Doctor did a checkup, and said you'll be fine. You were severely sleep deprived."

"Fatigued? I don't understand..."

"Have you never been tired? No Muscle Ache? Dizziness?"

"What?"

"I guess not. Putting that aside, there's something I want to ask. It's about.. your Mask."

"...What about my Mask?"

"...Why does it not come off?"

"Come off?"

He reached for his face, finding the Mask still there.

'Good. It's still on.'

"What are you?" She gave him a stern look.

"...I don't know."

"What does... You know what? It doesn't really matter. However, I do want to ask this... Are you dangerous?"

"...If I am not met with hostility, then I am not harmful in any way."

She stares at him with sharp eyes.

'Did I do something wrong?'

An awkward silence fell between them.

Suddenly, her face softens and she extends her hand.

"Welcome to Pake Village, Hunter Max."

Dumbfounded, he takes her hand.

'...What now?'

"Uh... I guess you don't know what a Hand Shake is?"

"Hand Shake?"

"It's a form of Agreement, and sometime, like now, it is used to congratulate others. Congrats on becoming a Hunter!"

"Thank you, but... I still don't know what a Hunter does."

". . ."

"...Hm?"

"...Are you fully recovered?"

"I believe so?"

"Good. We're heading to the Library."

"Now?"

"NOW."

"...Yes."

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'My Head Hurts.'

"Here's the next batch."

Stacks upon Stacks of Books were placed in front of him.

"...Mercy."

"You took a long rest, right? Then stop complaining and learn!"

"Yes Ma'am."

"I'm gonna go find a Teacher to teach you some common sense. These better be read by the time I'm back."

'All of these!?'

She left.

The only person currently in the Library was Max.

"All of these... Right after I took a long rest... Might as well get this over with."

[Hybrid - Branding Memory, Sight of the Wind]

His Mask Blanked.

Like before, a '+' appeared. Along with the Sign, small Swirls formed on the corners of his eyes.

'The I'll get to it.'

Taking a Book, he swiftly flipped through the pages, reading and memorizing every word.

'Animals. There are very many Creatures that I didn't know of.'

Taking another, he does the same.

'More Animals. This one goes into more Detail.From Breeding to Hunting, as well as their Threat Levels and Life Spans.'

Swiftly, he goes from Book to Book.

'Plants, Geography, Wildlife, History. Even Construction and a bit of Computer Science. I should take a small break. Any more and I'll stress myself.'

Standing up, he begins to roam the Library, reading the names of Books, and taking those he found interest in.

'I'll read these later. For now, I should find something to eat.'

His stomach rumbles loudly.

'...Where do I get food? Should I hunt for some? Or maybe look for that Apple Tree from yesterday... Let's do that. I'll be quick.'

Quietly, Max leaves the Library, and checks his surroundings.

'It's a little dark. Is everybody in their homes?'

He makes his way behind the Library.

Behind the Building was the Wall that protects the Village.

Reaching the Wall, he jumps over.

'I don't think I was spotted. Now, which way to the Apple Tree?'

[Observant World]

"...This way?"

Finding some Presence deeper in the Forest, he roams towards it.

"I remember something about Wolves being in the Area with the Fruit Trees. They shouldn't be too much of a problem."

Reaching his destination, he comes to a halt.

'...3 from behind, 2 ahead. And... One above?'

Looking up, he saw a Vine attached to a Tree.

'...That's quite suspicious. I'll worry about it later... Hm?'

Hanging the Tree were also some Bright Red Fruits.

'Apples. Found them.'

Taking his Hand-Cannon, he points it to the ground.

[Hate : Shadow Snare]

A Silent Blast was shot at the ground.

From the Blast, multiple Shadowy Figures moved along the ground.

Immediately, Growling and Whimpering was hear from the 5 Locations.

'That should do it. Now I just go up.'

With one small leap, he's now on the Tree Branch.

'I'll just take a few-

*ssss~~*

To his left, a Snake sat to his right, getting ready to strike.

The moment it leaped forwards, it immediately stopped.

Falling off the Tree, the Snake split inti 3 different pieces.

'That startled me. I guess I'm still a bit jumpy. I accidentally attacked it on impulse. I moved quite quickly too... Well, I guess I'll take some Apples and leave.'

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'...Seems like nobody is here. I made it back on ti-'

A Hand is placed on his shoulder.

"Hello~"

Slowly turning, he already knew who it was...

"...Who?"

...or so he thought.

A Woman with Blond Hair and a Bright Expression stood before him.

"Nare had some small tasks to complete, so she sent me ahead!"

"Nare... Narine?"

"Yup! My name is Mami, and I'll be your Teacher AND Supervisor!"

"Supervisor?"

"Yeah. Nare will be probably take a while to get back. One the pains of being a Village Chief I guess."

"What exactly is she doing?"

"Due to the recent appearance of the Wolves and [Veils], she's discussing it with the other 3 Leaders who manage the Village."

"There are 3 Leaders other than the Chief?"

"They're more like Sub-Leaders, but yeah! Anyways, let's discuss more inside. It's cold out here~"

"Alright."

As they walked in, he had one thought.

'Is she not going to ask why I was outside?'

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"I don't trust the kid."

"I told you, he's in no way dangerous. He won't do something as long as he's not met with Hostility. He himself told me."

Chief Narine sat at a Large Table with the other Leaders.

"And you believe him!? As the Leader of the Hunting Squads, I don't approve of some rando from god knows where!"

"Settle down Ralt. You're gonna break another table, and as the one who mamages Finance and Storage, I don't approve of any more expenses."

"Shut it Kim! We're talking about someone who dealt with a [Shadow] before we even got to see it! And he said it was a Dragon!?"

"It's too sketchy to be true, but too bold to be a lie. He's in the Library, correct? And he's being taught, sorry, "Common Sense" by my Daughter? Was he raised secluded from the outside world?"

"I don't know. What I do know, is that I can't fathom how strong he is."

"What? Didn't you fight him in a Duel for his right to be a Hunter?"

"...It lasted for less than a minute. One moment I'm swinging my weapon, and the next... I woke up almost 5 Hours later, and found that he had also collapsed from lack of sleep."

"In a single moment? What weapon did he use?"

"An extremely thin Katana. Although, no matter how many times I struck, it never seemed to even chip or crack."

"Ha! If that's true, then let me see this Blade of his! I bet you just couldn't swing hard enough!"

"Ralt, even a Meathead like you should know that even a Blade made from Pure Steel wouldn't be able to withstand a strike from Narine."

"And someone like you who has their Brain on their Tongue knows this how? We all know I'm the strongest of us three!"

"Oh? Did your Muscles fill you Head as well? Who would have thought that the almighty 'Tanker Brave' would think he's all powerful."

"I threw that name away ages ago! I lost half of my Hand and retired from being a [Holder]! And what was yours? 'Brain Serpent'? Hah! Now that's something to laugh abou-"

Chief Narine slams her hand loudly on the table, grabbing their attention.

Both have nervous looks.

"Ralt... Lab... Shut the hell up, RIGHT. NOW."

"...Yes." They said simultaneously.

"...Kim, if Max asks for anything, I want you to supply him. Ralt, you'll be taking him to hunt tomorrow. Lab, Mami will be teaching him, so all you need to do is make sure your Daughter has what she needs. That is all for tonight. If anybody has any complaints, then speak up... none? Good. I'm gonna check up on him. Get to work."

She leaves the building, leaving the 3 in silence.

"...Damn it. Fine. Kim, bring an extra set of everything by tomorrow. That Kid is gonna be catching some prey with us, whether he knows how or not."

"I'm already adding it to the list. Oh, Labdon, do you mind helping me recalculate our Storage? After we came back from the City, I bought a lot of new materials and some preserved foods."

"I'll get to it. I'll check up on my daughter some other time. Ralt, do you mind making me another Wooden Sword?"

"Again? This is, what, the 70th Time already? Your Son is truly a monstrous kid, I'll give you that. I'll get a few ready tomorrow after the Hunt. But you owe me a round of drinks!"

"Luckily, I got your favorite Whiskey while we were out."

"What!? That's your favorite! You sly bastard!"

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'Is he still in the Library? He better be. If he's not, I'm going to-'

As she thought that, Max opened the door, with Mami on his back.

"Oh, Chief. I was just about to leave. Mami fell asleep, so is it alright if you can point me to her Home?"

"Uh... sure... It's 2 Building from the Library. Just head to my right, and you should find it."

"Thank you. Ah, that also reminds me. Chief?"

"Yes?"

"...Where do I stay?"

"...Oh..."

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