Chapter 4: Secrets of the Hunter Association

Mark awoke to the sterile scent of antiseptics and the low hum of medical equipment. His body felt heavy, his muscles sore as if he had been through a brutal training session. He blinked, his vision slowly clearing to reveal the white ceiling of a hospital room.

He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest, forcing him back down. "Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.

"You're awake!" Mae's voice was filled with relief as she rushed to his side, her eyes red from worry. "You've been out for two days. We were so worried!"

"Two… days?" Mark's eyes widened as memories flooded back—the Abyssal Dragon, the Rift, the surge of power, and… the darkness. He remembered the feeling of energy burning through him, consuming him. He shuddered, his hands trembling.

Mae placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe now."

Mark looked at her, confusion and fear swirling in his gaze. "What happened? I remember… fighting the dragon, and then… everything went black."

Mae hesitated, biting her lip. "You… defeated the Abyssal Dragon, Mark. In one hit. Everyone saw it."

Mark's heart skipped a beat. "I did… what?"

Before Mae could respond, the door swung open, and Al Reign strode in, his expression grim. Erwin and Andrei followed close behind, their faces tense with caution.

"Fernandez," Al said, his voice cold and authoritative. "We need to talk."

Mae stepped back, her eyes filled with worry. "Al… He just woke up. Can't this wait?"

"No," Al replied, his gaze never leaving Mark. "This can't wait."

Mark swallowed hard, his mouth dry. He could feel the suspicion radiating from them, their eyes watching his every move. "I… I don't understand. What's going on?"

Al crossed his arms, his aura flaring with intensity. "You defeated an S-rank Abyssal Dragon with a single punch. An E-rank Hunter did the impossible. And then… you absorbed its energy." His eyes narrowed. "Explain."

Mark's heart raced, his chest tightening. "I don't know how… I just… moved. It was like my body was acting on its own." He hesitated, his mind replaying the moment he touched the pedestal. The voice, the system window, the overwhelming power… Should he tell them?

Erwin stepped forward, his face filled with concern. "Mark, we're not here to hurt you. But we need to understand what happened. This isn't normal. Even Andrei struggled against that dragon, but you… you defeated it effortlessly."

Mark's gaze shifted to Andrei, who was watching him with a mixture of curiosity and caution. He was the strongest Hunter in Manila, an S-rank who commanded respect wherever he went. For Mark to surpass him… it was unthinkable.

Mark took a deep breath, his fingers clenching the hospital sheets. "I… found something. Beneath the city, after the ground collapsed. There was this… pedestal. It was glowing, and when I touched it… I heard a voice."

"A voice?" Al's eyes narrowed. "What did it say?"

Mark hesitated. "It said… 'System Activation: Auto Max Skill Holder.' Then, I felt power rushing into me. It was overwhelming, like I was being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time. And then… everything became clear. I could see the dragon's weak point, its movements… everything."

The room fell silent, the air heavy with tension. Al exchanged a glance with Andrei, his jaw tightening. "A system… that grants instant power?"

Andrei crossed his arms, his expression serious. "I've heard legends… about ancient relics buried beneath the Philippines. Artifacts left behind by powerful beings that once ruled this land. They were said to grant unimaginable power to those deemed worthy. But I always thought they were just myths."

Mark's eyes widened. "You mean… that pedestal was one of those relics?"

Andrei nodded. "If the legends are true, then you've awakened something ancient… and dangerous."

Al's face darkened. "And that makes you a threat."

Mark's heart sank. "A… threat?"

Al's aura flared, the room growing cold. "You possess a power that defies logic. If that power goes out of control, it could destroy the city—or worse. Until we understand what you are, we can't trust you."

Mark's fists tightened, anger bubbling inside him. "I didn't ask for this power! I just wanted to protect my family… to survive!"

Al's eyes softened for a moment before hardening once more. "And that's exactly why you're dangerous. Power like yours… it corrupts. I've seen it happen before." He turned to Andrei. "We're taking him to the Hunter Association's headquarters. They'll know how to deal with this."

Mark's heart pounded in his chest. "No! You can't lock me up! I didn't do anything wrong!"

Erwin stepped forward, placing a hand on Mark's shoulder. "It's just until we figure this out. We don't want to hurt you, Mark. But you need to understand… This power isn't normal. We have to be cautious."

Mark looked at Mae, who was standing in the corner, her eyes brimming with tears. "Mae… Please…"

Mae's voice trembled. "Mark… I'm sorry. But they're right. You need to learn to control this power… before it controls you."

Mark felt his world crumbling around him. He wanted to scream, to fight, but his body was still weak, his mind swirling with confusion and fear. "I… I don't understand. Why is this happening to me?"

Andrei's eyes softened, his voice low. "Sometimes… power chooses its wielder. Whether they want it or not." He turned away, his shoulders tense. "Let's go. The Association's waiting."

Al and Erwin moved to either side of Mark, their auras pressing down on him, heavy with authority. Mark's body trembled as he realized there was no escaping this. He was a prisoner, trapped by his own power.

As they led him out of the hospital room, Mark glanced back at Mae, his heart aching. She mouthed the words, "Stay strong," but her tears betrayed her fear.

Mark swallowed the lump in his throat, his fists clenched. He didn't understand this power, and he didn't want it. But if he was going to survive… if he was going to protect his family… he would have to learn to control it.

Even if it meant facing the darkness within himself.

End of Chapter 4