Artemis

In the higher grounds, where the forest took over… That's the location where Artemis decided to teach Mark how to hunt. How to hunt people, instead of how to hunt wildlife.

Of course, it was all just practice, which means that there were no practical tests subjects for Mark to practice on. Mark had to get the basics first, such as certain exercises that will help him with his mobility and strength, and hand to hand combat. Only after such basics can Mark move on to the next stage. A stage that doesn't involve killing yet, as well…

"See why I said it's going to take forever? It'll take a while before you can reach the stage to kill without the chance of getting killed as well. Of course, you can always start with killing first, but that's not really helpful for your situation. It will only worsen you. Now continue! A hundred push-ups, quickly!" Were the next words that Artemis uttered, after she had given Mark a gist of how she was planning to proceed with his training.

Mark had spent almost his entire day doing simple exercises such as push-ups, pull-ups, crunches, and split squats. The exercises were indeed the basics. They weren't too difficult for Mark to complete, and the reason for that might be because he had already become accustomed to working out a while ago. This doesn't mean that Artemis increased the repetition and intensity of his training, of course. She didn't do anything extra in fact, and smiled instead, while even complimenting him for his great work and will.

In the end, when the day was close to coming to an end, Artemis told Mark that the exercises that he has been doing for an entire day, are the foundation to his skills that will be necessary for his future. After saying such, she then started discussing about the creation of a routine for him.

In order to create the perfect routine, she wanted to know what time Mark is usually available, his diet, and his general health. Mark had enough time to answer her questions on their way back, and as a result, a perfect schedule was made before the two had even arrived back at the Artemis's place.

"Pack your necessary belongings, and bring them here. You're staying with me from now on. Wouldn't want to barge to your house to wake you up every day." Artemis said loud and clear before she took out her keys to unlock the door to her home.

"Oh, right. Your house is bought, right? Or are you paying rent? If you're paying rent, it'll be quite troublesome for your pockets, since you'll be staying here anyways…" Artemis spoke again, after she remembered to take Mark's living state into consideration.

"Don't worry about that. I'll be right back then. Should I bring my bed too? Haha…" Was Mark's reply to Artemis's consideration.

"Mark, listen. You don't have to fake a smile in front of me. I know, and can relate to the darkness that you find yourself in. But no, you don't need to bring your bed. You'll be sleeping with me, on my bed. This is so you can control your emotions and urges better. I am a gorgeous and stunning woman that can kill you easily once you make an inappropriate and irrational move, and unfortunately, I am not the only one. There are plenty like me, and that have great seduction skills too. No matter how skilled you are in combat, if you fall for their tricks and become irrational, those rich fellas that want to kill you, will only celebrate with triumph."

For sure, Artemis had a lot to say and teach to Mark. She had quite the knowledge and wisdom, and seemed to care about Mark's future wellbeing a lot, that she didn't hesitate to teach him the little crucial things. She didn't even bother about her dignity, obvious from the way she was willing to share her bed with a person that she barely knows. In fact, dignity isn't even a thing that correlates to her, since she had been raised to have none. So, of course, it was no problem for her to allow Mark on her bed, when there is clearly a purpose for it as well…

A purpose that doesn't even benefit her. Or maybe it does… Because, what's she's doing, is not too different from what a master does to pass on their legacy to their disciple. Perhaps, that's her entire reason for going so far in teaching him. The reason, which is not because of the way she was raised, or because of the way she cares about Mark's wellbeing. Instead, it's because of her wanting to pass down her legacy. Her name…

Artemis Black, which is her full name... A name that isn't even real name, but a code name that has grown with her, and that is used for her identifications.

Artemis… A codename that signifies that she's a great huntress.

Black… A codename that tells the opposite of the goddess Artemis's character. Black, as in the darkness that is left after the light vanquished. Unlike the goddess, instead of a torch-bringer, she is the one who extinguishes the torch.

Her entire codename, it is a metaphor for her being the one who vanquishes the light that is the soul of a person, and for her being the one who hunts not only one, but many…