The Decision

In the rooftop of the Chong Hue Hospital, lies Noah who was feeling the high wind. He was still thinking about the job of a Hunter to take and the construction site he is currently working pays really low.

He still has debt at Mel's school, so maybe being a hunter is the best option to choose right now?

"Brother..."

The door opened behind him and Mel appeared. Noah didn't look back as the wind breezed through Mel's beautiful black hair.

"I'll take the Hunter's Exam."

Noah said as his black hair also flowed like a bush on a windy day. Although the voice was monotone and it was a bit depressing, even Mel noticed it.

"You don't have to do it for me!"

Mel protested against Noah's decision.

"You don't have to risk your life for me!"

"It's not that I want it but because I have to!"

Noah turned back in anger as he interrupted Mel and she was shocked. This was one of the times his brother seldom gets angry at her. Her eyebrows frowned and her eyes started to glisten from the tears that were about to come out. Her mouth was about to burst out crying but she gripped her hands tight to avoid doing so.

Yet the sadness stopped as Noah's warm hands patted Mel's head. He smiled at him.

"I'm sorry I got mad... but you're the only one I have left."

"I still don't want you to risk your life for me..."

"..."

Noah realized his decision once again. About how he also doesn't want to risk his life and leave her alone in this god-forsaken world. His eyes widened as he smiled a little.

"I'm sorry. I was pressured, I'll find another way, okay?"

Mel just nodded as she wiped down the tears that managed to escape her eyes.

"Should we go?"

Noah asked as Mel still nodded. Noah knew that Mel doesn't talk when she starts crying, so she just answers with a nod or a shake.

Noah grabbed her sister's hands as he slightly pulled her towards the entrance towards the hospital. Although she was still silent, she was hiding her smile.

"So you're not going to be a hunter?!"

Kevin frowned by Noah's surprising decision.

"Com'on, give it a chance?"

Noah just ignored Kevin as he annoyed him by repeating the phrase "Com'on", every time he changes position. Kevin was rather short for his age as he could easily climb a 6'1 behemoth like Noah.

"So yeah, doctor, what would you recommend?"

"Well..."

Doctor Wilson rubbed his chin as there are a lot of career options for an Activated Human.

"There are those that use their magic to help with construction... oh, how about being a blacksmith?"

"A blacksmith?"

"Yes! As the word suggests, they are people who make weapons for hunters. They don't fight but if you make a weapon used by a well-known hunter, you could as well be making millions."

Noah noticed the construction first but when he heard blacksmiths, he suddenly shifted his attention to it.

"Although there is a lot of competition, it's better than construction working since the cheapest weapons a blacksmith could make is at least 50,000 PHP (1000 Dollars)"

"Huh?!"

Noah was still thinking about his decision when the poll in his mind completely shifted to the blacksmith. His eyes widened and dilated, his eyebrows rose up.

He was completely surprised.

"Brother, how many weeks can we survive on that?"

"Since the government still pays for our lodging and food plus your education. When I reach 18 next year, we could survive for a few months with just that. "

Mel was surprised as well, that a single weapon can make that much money and not risk his brother's life.

She smiled and she was so delighted, she started to shine like an angel just appeared before them. It's not like the "It's so blinding, my eyes hurt" kind of shining like Kevin but it was really comforting that even Kevin blushed with just Mel's holy presence.

"Don't push it..."

"Eeekkk..."

Noah realized Kevin's intent as Noah unconsciously leaked a lion-shaped aura that it made Kevin back off and sit in the corner for what he's done.

"I guess that's that."

Noah said as he made his final decision.

"So you've chosen that?"

Noah smiled with his eyes that were naturally fierce, he nodded. Doctor Wilson was happy that Noah made the decision and Kevin... well, he was still being Kevin. ("Stop bothering me!")

Mel and Noah got out of the hospital, Mel was as happy as could be because her brother was not in any serious situation.

"Should we go home?"

Mel nodded with a smile on her face. They just walked since they don't have the money to waste it on public transportation and it was close enough that it won't take an hour to reach their home.

They arrived safely home after 30 minutes of walking. Although there were people that catcalled Mel, Noah's serious face gave the thirsty a-holes a reason not to get close to Mel.

Their home was an apartment that is owned by the government and most of the residents here are refugees from the Catastrophe 5 years ago, so the lodging and food are given out from the government for free until one of the family members come of age (18.).

"Can you clean up the apartment, I have something to buy."

"Uhh... sure."

Mel was unsure but Noah was never the guy to buy needless things since most of the money is for Mel's education.

Mel was alone in the apartment.

"Okay, let's clean up some things."

Mel said as her confidence boosted. She wanted to clean up the place before Noah arrives back home. So she grabbed the broom and feather duster and started cleaning right away.

Then she saw two picture frames in the living room. One was closed to the desk and the other was Noah and her, smiling as Noah hugged her tight.

"This was four years ago."

Mel smiled at the memory they made as she still remembered the day where she saw his brother as a hero.