Chapter 7: The Interrogation

The heavy iron door slammed shut, the echo reverberating through the stone chamber. Mark's body tensed as Quintin Mendrez approached, his presence cold and unyielding. His long coat billowed behind him, its edges lined with faintly glowing runes. His eyes were sharp, gleaming with a predatory light.

Mark's heart pounded, his hands trembling against the chains of light that held him in place. There was no escape. Not from this man. Quintin was known as the "Spectral Executioner" for a reason—his power was as terrifying as his reputation.

Quintin circled Mark slowly, his footsteps echoing in the silent hall. "You caused quite the commotion back there… Defeating an S-rank Abyssal Dragon with a single strike." His voice was calm, almost amused. "Tell me… How did an E-rank nobody like you pull off such a feat?"

Mark's jaw tightened. "I already told them… I don't know."

Quintin's eyes narrowed, his aura flaring with icy intent. "Don't play dumb with me." He leaned in, his face mere inches from Mark's. "You expect me to believe that an E-rank like you suddenly became powerful enough to slaughter a creature that even our strongest Hunters struggled against?"

Mark's breath hitched, fear creeping into his chest. He could feel Quintin's aura pressing down on him, suffocating and cold. But he couldn't back down. Not now. "I… I don't understand it either. I just… I found something underground. A pedestal… it gave me this power."

Quintin's eyes gleamed with interest. "A pedestal?" He straightened, his fingers tapping against his chin. "Describe it."

Mark took a shaky breath, recalling the memory. "It was ancient… covered in symbols. When I touched it, a voice spoke to me. It called itself a 'System' and said… 'Auto Max Skill Holder.' After that… I could see the dragon's movements, its weak points… everything."

Quintin's expression darkened, his eyes flicking to the glowing chains. "A System… Of course. One of the ancient relics." His voice was low, almost a whisper. "I thought they were just legends."

Mark's heart skipped a beat. "You… You know about them?"

Quintin's eyes snapped back to Mark, his aura flaring. "It doesn't matter what I know." He raised his hand, his fingers glowing with a cold, blue light. "What matters is what you're hiding."

Before Mark could respond, the light shot toward him, piercing through his chest. Pain exploded through his body, his vision blurring. He screamed, his back arching as the chains tightened around him.

The light spread, forming a glowing circle around his body. Mark's heart raced as he felt his energy being drained, pulled into the circle like water swirling down a drain. He could feel Quintin's presence invading his mind, his aura pressing down on his consciousness.

Quintin's voice was cold, merciless. "Soul Dive. It's a technique that lets me see into the minds of others… to extract their secrets." His eyes gleamed with cruelty. "You won't be able to hide anything from me, Mark Fernandez."

Mark's body convulsed, his thoughts swirling into chaos. He could feel Quintin's presence digging into his memories, pulling them apart, piece by piece.

The memories flashed before his eyes—his childhood in Manila, his struggles as an E-rank Hunter, the day he found the pedestal… The voice that spoke to him.

[System Activation: Auto Max Skill Holder.]

[Skill Acquired: Abyssal Strike – Max Level.]

[Skill Acquired: Speed Mirage – Max Level.]

[Skill Acquired: Dragon's Heart – Max Level.]

Quintin's eyes widened, his aura flaring with shock. "These skills… They're all at max level? Impossible. No one can achieve that in a single lifetime!" His gaze snapped back to Mark, his face twisting with suspicion. "Who are you? What are you?"

Mark's vision blurred, pain rippling through his body. He could barely breathe, his mind swirling with darkness. "I… I'm just… me…"

Quintin's expression hardened. "Liar." His aura grew colder, darker. "You're not human… Not anymore. You're a monster in human form, carrying the power of the ancients."

Mark's heart sank, fear tightening around his chest. "No… No, that's not true! I'm human! I swear!"

Quintin's eyes were merciless, his voice filled with contempt. "Human? You absorbed the Abyssal Dragon's energy without being consumed. You wield power that defies logic, that bends reality itself. You are an abomination."

Mark's blood ran cold. An abomination… Was that really what he was? Was he no longer human?

Quintin's aura flared, the chains tightening around Mark's body. "I should end you right here. If you're left unchecked… you'll bring nothing but destruction."

Mark's heart raced, panic surging through him. "No! Please… I don't want to hurt anyone! I just… want to protect my family!"

Quintin hesitated, his eyes narrowing. "Family…?"

Mark's vision blurred as memories flooded his mind—his mother's gentle smile, his sister's laughter, their small home filled with warmth and love. They were the reason he became a Hunter. To protect them… to keep them safe.

Quintin's aura faltered, his expression softening for a brief moment. But then his eyes hardened once more. "You may believe that now… But power like yours is corruptive. It consumes everything… even your humanity."

He stepped back, his aura retreating. The glowing circle faded, and Mark collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. Pain rippled through his body, his limbs heavy and numb.

Quintin's voice was cold and distant. "You say you want to protect them… Then prove it." He turned, his coat billowing behind him as he walked toward the door. "Prove that you can control this power… or lose yourself to it."

Mark's eyes widened, his heart pounding. "Wait! You can't just leave me here!"

Quintin didn't look back. "The Forbidden Wing will keep you contained… for now. But if you lose control again… I'll end you myself." The door creaked open, the cold light spilling into the chamber. "Consider this… your only warning."

The door slammed shut, and Mark was alone once more, the chains of light glowing softly around him. His body trembled, his mind swirling with fear and uncertainty.

Was Quintin right? Was he really a monster? Would this power consume him… turn him into an abomination?

He looked down at his hands, his fingers shaking. The voice echoed in his mind once more, cold and mechanical.

[Warning: Abyssal Influence Detected. Origin Core Required to stabilize power.]

The Origin Core… If he could find it, maybe he could control this power. Maybe… he could prove that he was still human.

His eyes burned with determination, his fists tightening. He wouldn't let this power consume him. He would find the Origin Core… and he would return to his family.

No matter what it took.

End of Chapter 7