Yu Jin seating on his bed preparing for sleep. His weekend was quite long today with interview and studies of books he borrowed this week.
But he start to enjoying it because of current guidance lectures and studies with Michael making ease that anxious feeling in his heart about being ingnorant towards this reality.
"From tomorrow it will be start of new job and one step closer to being hunter." He spoke to himself.
In general one doesn't have to prepare this much for being hunter. All he needs to apply for awakening test at nearby guild or government centre. By taking awakening test one open channels for Mana Photons in their body and become novice hunter.
Of course their are chances of failure but by taking awakening serum made of monsters bone marrow which are rich in Mana Photons helps significantly in awakening. They provide forceful awakening but are generally consider as weak and artificial compared it natural one.
But its doesn't really matter whether your awakening is natural or artificial one. The real problem is all those guild currently active are under city's control. Awakening through them make you slave or cannon fodder for their use. And worst of it they put you enormous amount of debt under them in name of early investment and basically suck all your earnings. Lastly you can't leave city because of their contractual obligations.
Yu Jin current life is steady but he is not going to spend it completely in Atlantis. While other cities are no different but atleast try hide it false image. Truth can be eye opening but no one wants to experience it daily. Current state of Atlantis nothing more than mess between power struggle and greed.
More over hunters public reputation let's say not so good. Yes, they're are extremely strong and live long life similar to superhuman from old myths and folklore.
But societies perspective over them more of dangerous special mercenaries rather than their heroes or saviours. What Yu Jin learn through history books was this world's governments over ages hide existence of Arcane anomalies and use them to create early superhumans. Their always air of wild controversy theories over them but they are vastly laugh by masses and suppress by governments.
All things have natural break point, while all world governments hiding gates existence and studies on them. But they'll not able clear or close at frequency they're kept appearing. So they publicly admitted existence of gates and awakened hunters as situation slipped out of their hands. It shake of very foundation of society.
People suppressed hatred and rage explode over early awakener hunters rather than own governments and regimes who caused this mess in first place. No matter how dire situation can be but people can't hide their hypocrite, cowardly nature.
They push Arcane gates as more of responsibility of hunters and government also actively support that narrative to clean their hands.
At end this friction reached its tipping point and powerhouse hunter takeover nations, government. It leads to start of their empires and give rise to current ruling powers.
This is all historical records of two millenium ago. Of course, their are some missing parts and changes but Yu Jin not bother by it.
"History always same no matter which world it was. Victor be bearer of justice and hope and loser being villains." Yu Jin now leave his book aside and switch off the lights.
Night pass with silent and some usual peeking of old man Stuart.
It's morning 6 am, Yu Jin wake up early then usual time. He already complete exercise now he taking bath and start preparing for work.
He looks himself in mirror. By now his signs of early malnutrition are gone. He was seriously working on balance lifestyle because he is quite familiar with overwork and unhealthy lifestyle lead to.
"Still if I had only little bit more handsome face it would be great. With this physique and height I can easily consider as idol or actor back on earth." He gasp and continue with deciding which suit to wear.
Yu Jin himself not over obsessive or narcissist about his body and appearance. But its was quite perfect and symmetric to leave unnoticed.
While he admired his current body but he was still tempted to test for regeneration talent. It was because even old fighting marks he finds out through memories now gone.
This curiousness is valid given how invaluable regeneration and healing talents are but fear of uncertainty not something current Yu Jin can overcome.
" There is no reason to risk when I will find it after being hunter." He console himself with logic and leave for work.
At Ottoman bookstore Michael enjoying his morning tea with newspapers and books. It's already 7 am and he was waiting for Yu Jin.
It was usual habit coming and sink in himself books with energetic freshness. While he was enjoying his time a 5'3 figure cleaning behind him.
He was Andrew Michael's family's head butler. He is awakener and former hunter. Michael doesn't his age but he keeps seeing Andrew from childhood working for his late grandfather and father.
.
Apperance wise he looks like your old man in late 60-70 but his posture straight, his movements were agile and most important his aura of cold, intimidating akin wild predator.
" It 7:08 already sir, your assistant late on first day." Andrew speak to Michael to polite tone with hint of annoyance his voice.
For Andrew it's another arrogant brat he had deal with. While Michael's job's criterias are high but he take those rich idiots time to time so he doesn't have deal with customers and loathe around in his books.
None of them stick more than week or two because what they called difficult and boring work.
Andrew who familiar to it and suffered most of it. Because all their work eventually falls on his shoulder and Michael's stand over not hiring professional add salt on it.
"Sir what do you think Hans agency? Their professional are best in this field and candidates I choose according your likes."
Andrew try his usual convincing with Michael. It became part of daily things. While Andrew propose different one each time and Michael rejectes them in name this or that flaw.
"You already know my answer Andrew. If I hired professionals then business will increase and all sorts of idiots flock. People who don't have basic respect for history and knowledge are of worst all kind." Michael complain in grumpy voice and Andrew sign in defeat.
He was hearing same answer for ages now but don't let his hope and come up with new ideas regularly.
"What about closing the store?Its finance are worser than street shop. " Andrew question him and Michael give him death stares.
"Ok, Please stop sir. If you continue look at me like I can't control my laughter." Andrew speak in light tone because when Michael became angry his expressions resembles more of honey badger rather than angry person.
Creek!
Door open with sound and Yu Jin entered with adjusting his top hat. Today he wears a gray suit and carrying his usual briefcase, wooden cane.
"You're late on your first day young man." Andrew speak to Yu Jin in strict, stern tone.
"I give him 7:30 reporting time so he was not late but come early." Michael cut Andrew in mid sentence and speak. Andrew shock a little and look at Michael then Yu Jin.
Andrew is well aware how strict and punctual Michael is and for him go lenient on someone is quite unusual.
He shove the matter aside, and start explaining his task to Yu Jin. Yu Jin start making notes and focus on Andrew's instructions.
Andrew doubts are still not settled but seeing Yu Jin focus and serious over instructions giving relief to his heart.
Now Yu Jin start checking different sections and familarizing with them. Andrew and Michael observing over Yu Jin from sideline.
"How was he? Is he left good impression on you?" Michael question with curious gazes.
"He is to better than those brats. " Andrew short compliment Yu Jin in grumpy voice.
"He wanted to become hunter and training for it." Michael try to give shock to Andrew but his expressions doesn't change much.
"At least show your excitement. Suppressing your emotions is bad your mental health." He spoke with little mockery.
" Talking of mental health with former hunter." Andrew stared at Michael with blank face.
" His physique and body quite neat. For 17 years old his body already well developed and his breathing pattern, movements are good. He can easily pass awakening test became one. Why he still preparing?" Andrew question Michael with hint curious and confusion.
"He doesn't want to be cannon fodder and want became genuine one." Michael replied.
"Then long traning sessions waiting for him." Andrew comment with face full nostalgic memories.
Yu Jin not bother by their conversation and continue with tasks. Time passes and store finally open. He take duty by reception desk. Andrew also left after done with his cleaning and other chores.
He visit shop three times a day with Michael's meals and tea. He usually stay with him and doesn't leave his side. But his regular reminder store finances and other things annoyed Michael, so he send him to estate for other so called important assignments.
It 10 am Yu Jin attend some foreign tourists couple with some recommendations. Those were his fourth coustomers since morning.
He also enjoy less customers which give him time for completing his book from last night. Also he can stroll around to different sections to try some different genres.
Yu Jin goes second floor and check sections their. He noticed Michael reading book on tribal folklores and rituals.
"Does we books on this topics also?" He question. "Yes, but not for customers it more like personal collection so didn't mention in Andrew's instructions. If you want read it, you can just return to immediately after completing. It is quite intriguing book by author." He replied while passing the book in hand.
Yu Jin politely refuse his offer and Michael continue." After completing your lunch put close sign on door and came to study room on fourth floor."
"Is there any task for me?" Yu Jin question him.
"Actually not the task but I am traning with you in hand to hand basic combat." He replied with wanting see Yu Jin's expressions with smug face.
He takes back by Michael's replied but he maintained his composure given Michael already providing him guidance. So it was not out of possibility.
"Okay boss I will be time." he replied neutral expression while enjoying Michael's disappointed look.
Yu Jin go back to ground floor to reception desk.
He finds lady looking around for books. Yu Jin go close to her and talk to her." Is there any help do you need ma'am?" He spoke in polite tone with smile on his face.
Lady look at him for seconds and replied. "No need I am just strolling around. You can do you work." Yu Jin nodded to her and back to reception desk.
He was not looking her but still in awe because of her mesmerizing apperance. He was first time seeing woman over six feets. And combine with her etheral, perfect beauty she look statue come to life.
Her voluptuous curves practically asking for attention. Her bosoms well round with size matching her height and combine with perky butt. She is personification of charming seductress. While her figure kill a man with single gaze but her delicate, innocent face soothe one's soul.
Her creamy yellow dress with her white hat and crimson red hair fully captivate her charm.
While Yu Jin distracted by her beauty but he didn't forget his professionism and work ethics. He stop thinking about her and continue his work.
Around hour or two pass, lady return to reception desk with few books. She gazes meets Yu Jin eyes. Her golden eyes almost trapped him in them but he shake off those thoughts.
"Would you borrow them or buy?" He question neutral face. "Hmm, I like to buy this two. And borrow this one." Lady replied.
" You needed list basic contact information for borrowing book." Yu Jin pass her register and start packing books for her. Lady fill the information and start taking out her PTD but he stop her.
"Sorry ma'am, we only accept cash." She nodded pay her bill and leave the shop.
While he captivate by her beauty but her books choice cought his interest. All three books were one he returned last week. Characteristics and traits, World before gate and Life of hunter.
They are not most popular or published by big authors but as Michael called hidden gems.
He flipped through register and see her name with curiosity." Elizabeth Margrave, she must really important person for having full name.
Day pass and afternoon hit, he puts the close sign on door. Wash his hands and had simple lunch of two sandwiches filled vegetables and meat with salad.Yu Jin don't eat them for lunch but today's morning time goes in preparation and exercise so don't cook anything.
He ate his lunch, take short ten minutes break and head towards study room.
He knock the door and enter the room. Michael stand up seeing Yu Jin and gesture to him. Duo entered in empty room beside collection room. Michael check time and speak to him.
" Change into those clothes and call me. I am outside the room." Yu change his suit to basic shirt and pants hanging aside the wall.
Michael comeback and stood centre of room.
"Andrew is little late today while we wait for him. Show me what you got." He gesture towards him with cold and analytical expressions.
He threw punch on Michael's face right side. But Michael didn't move or dodge the punch. He catch Yu Jin fist and throw him few feets away.
He continued with punches and kicks but he can't even touch his suit. He didn't give up and try to tricks him false movements.
" You think you can fool me. Try hard Lawrence, with your current fight style you won't even survive on streets." Michael try to agitate, anger him.
Michael continue his beating or training for almost hour now. Yu Jin panting breath covered in bruises and with swollen face, limbs.He doesn't focus on surrounding but feeling extreme tired.
" He is truly not suited for combat. I am expecting he will do little better given he work as scapler but it was really pathetic. You need to work too much him sir." Andrew spoke Michael with disappointed look.
"What does mean by me. You also going teach him." He drop the bomb on Andrew with visible grinn on face.
Andrew almost bite his tongue hearing it. But he regain his composure instantly while cursing Michael in his heart.
" Lawrence break is over, now you going to fight with me." Andrew spoke Yu Jin with pity in his eyes.
Yu Jin training take place another two hours and at end of training he barely able to stand.
Both of them show no mercy on him and go pretty hard on him.
Andrew pass small glass bottle him to drink. It was half filled with light red liquid." Drink it one breath. It tastes extremely bitter but heal your body in twenty minutes. " Andrew speak to him.
Yu Jin identity it from one glance, it was diluted low quality healing potion. He practically stack them in inventory during his gameplays because astronomical prices of medium and high quality, concentration one.
He stared bottle for few seconds and drink it. In fifteen minutes his body recovered fully. All bruises and injuries are gone. He feeling full of energy, vigor.
"Lawrence change your clothes and go back reception desk." Michael instruct him. "Okay, boss." He replied instantly.
Yu Jin left the room only Michael and Andrew present now. "His strong point neither strength, speed or flexibility but endurance. I will be honest before you came I beat pulp of him." Michael with sad face.
" You don't need sad over it sir. This is fastest and efficient way to find person's strength and weakness. Beside you did great work with my teachings. " Andrew try to console Michael and continue with conversation.
" What I find special was his body's recovery rate abnormally high. Even before taking potion his body already start healing itself." Andrew point it out to Michael.
"This means he may have" "No, we cannot sure about it. First we need run multiple sessions and different tests only then we say he have recovery talent." Andrew cut excited Michael and speak in unusual serious, cold tone.
"Please don't tell about it him yet sir. First we confirm ourselves then you can talk to him." Andrew request him which not something he gets to see everyday. Even when his decision and orders Andrew doesn't like them personally but he follows them without any question or doubt.
They discussed few other things related Yu Jin future training and how to divide his schedule for it.
Sun down and street light start to light up one by one. Yu Jin close the shop and goodbye the duo.