Chapter 5: The Hunter Association’s Judgment

The towering building of the Philippine Hunter Association loomed over the city, its glass windows gleaming under the afternoon sun. It was a fortress of power and authority, a place where decisions that shaped the fate of nations were made. Mark's heart pounded as he was led through the grand halls, flanked by Al Reign and Erwin Tomparang. Andrei Huertas walked ahead, his shoulders tense, his eyes focused forward.

Hunters passing by whispered among themselves, their eyes wide with curiosity and suspicion. Mark could feel their gazes boring into him, their words like daggers.

"Is that him? The E-rank who defeated an S-rank Rift Beast?"

"That's impossible. He must be hiding his true rank."

"No way. I heard he absorbed the monster's energy… like a demon."

Mark's fists tightened, his chest aching. He wanted to scream, to tell them they were wrong, but he couldn't find the words. He had no explanation for what happened. No proof that he wasn't a monster.

Al stopped in front of a massive door, its surface engraved with intricate symbols that shimmered with protective magic. "We're here."

The door creaked open, revealing a circular chamber lined with high-ranking Hunters. At the center stood a raised platform, illuminated by a cold, blue light. Mark's throat tightened as he recognized the faces of Manila's most powerful Hunters, the Elite Council.

At the head of the room sat Gen Nueva, the Director of the Philippine Hunter Association. His silver hair glistened under the light, his sharp eyes piercing through Mark. Despite his age, his presence was commanding, his aura heavy with authority.

"Mark Fernandez," Gen's voice boomed, echoing through the chamber. "Step forward."

Mark's legs felt like lead, but he forced himself to move, climbing the steps to the platform. His hands trembled as he faced the council, his heart pounding in his chest.

Gen's eyes narrowed. "You stand before us today as an anomaly—a Hunter whose rank does not match his power. You defeated an S-rank Abyssal Dragon with a single strike and absorbed its energy. Do you deny this?"

Mark's mouth went dry. "No… I don't deny it." His voice was small, barely audible.

The council members murmured among themselves, their eyes filled with suspicion. One of them, Alicia Do's, leaned forward, her face cold and calculating. "An E-rank Hunter accomplishing such a feat… It defies logic. Are you hiding your true rank?"

Mark shook his head, panic rising in his chest. "No! I swear, I really am an E-rank! I've never been able to pass the C-rank exam… I've always been weak."

Alicia's eyes narrowed. "And yet, you defeated a creature that even our strongest Hunters struggled against." Her gaze flicked to Andrei, who remained silent, his face unreadable. "Are you suggesting that you simply 'got lucky'?"

Mark swallowed hard. "I… I don't know how to explain it. But it wasn't luck. It was… something else."

Gen's eyes sharpened. "Explain."

Mark took a deep breath, his mind racing. There was no point in hiding it. They would find out eventually. "I fell underground during the fight… and I found a pedestal. It was glowing, and when I touched it… a voice spoke to me. It said… 'System Activation: Auto Max Skill Holder.' After that… everything changed. I could see the dragon's movements, its weak points… like it was all laid out in front of me."

The chamber fell silent. The council members exchanged glances, their faces pale. Gen's jaw tightened, his fingers curling around the armrest of his chair. "A System… that grants unlimited power?"

Andrei stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "I've heard of relics hidden beneath the Philippines. Artifacts left behind by ancient beings who once ruled this land. If the legends are true, Mark may have activated one of them."

Alicia's face darkened. "You're suggesting that this boy has inherited power from an ancient god?"

Andrei's eyes flicked to Mark, his expression serious. "If that's true, then his power is beyond anything we've ever seen… and beyond his control."

Gen's aura flared, cold and suffocating. "Do you understand what this means, Mark Fernandez? You possess power that defies the laws of this world. If it falls into the wrong hands… or if you lose control… it could bring disaster upon us all."

Mark's blood ran cold. He hadn't thought about that. The power he felt when he absorbed the Abyssal Dragon's energy… it was intoxicating, overwhelming. If it went out of control… would he become a monster?

Alicia's eyes gleamed with suspicion. "He's too dangerous. We should seal his power and place him under surveillance. It's the only way to ensure he doesn't become a threat."

Mark's heart raced. "No! Please! I didn't ask for this power! I don't want to hurt anyone!"

Gen's gaze softened, his eyes filled with sorrow. "That may be true… but your intentions mean nothing if you can't control this power." He leaned back, his expression hardening. "We cannot allow a potential disaster to walk free. Until we understand the extent of your abilities… you will be confined within the Association's headquarters."

Mark's legs went weak. "No… you can't do this! I'm not a monster!"

Alicia's aura flared, cold and unyielding. "This isn't about you, boy. It's about the safety of this city—of this country. Until we can trust you, you will remain under our watch."

Mark looked around, his vision blurring. Al and Erwin stood at a distance, their faces filled with guilt. Andrei's eyes were unreadable, his expression stone-cold. Mae was nowhere to be seen. He was alone.

Gen's voice echoed through the chamber, final and absolute. "Mark Fernandez, by the authority of the Philippine Hunter Association, you are hereby confined to the Forbidden Wing until further notice. There, you will be monitored and tested to determine the true nature of your power. This is for your safety… and ours."

Mark's shoulders slumped, his hope shattering into pieces. He was being treated like a monster—like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode.

He looked up, his eyes burning with determination. "Fine… Lock me up if you want. But I won't give up. I'll learn to control this power… and I'll prove that I'm not a danger to anyone."

Gen's eyes softened for a moment before his face hardened once more. "We shall see. Guards, escort him to the Forbidden Wing."

Two Hunters stepped forward, their eyes cold and unyielding. Mark clenched his fists, his body trembling with anger and fear as they led him away.

As the doors closed behind him, the council members fell into hushed whispers. Alicia's eyes glowed with suspicion. "A power that can slay an S-rank beast with a single strike… We must be cautious. This could be the beginning of something catastrophic."

Gen's face was grim. "Or… the awakening of a legend."

End of Chapter 5