What excited me most was the social hierarchy. Even an E-rank Gifted was treated like a noble.
Makes sense—when survival depends on strength, privilege follows naturally.
And now, with my Esper power, I was officially one of them. I flexed my trembling body, feeling that familiar rush of superiority.
Bella shot me a weird look before returning to wash the dishes.
I laughed to myself and kept reading. To be an official hunter, you had to register and be recognized as one.
Sure, you could refuse—but then you'd be labeled a criminal. The government didn't exactly leave much room for choice.
The perks, though… oh, the perks. A monthly allowance, recognition, and for C-rank Hunters and above?
A harem, permission for multiple wives.They really bent over backward to kiss Hunters' asses.
No wonder each nation fought tooth and nail to get as many hunters.
Finishing breakfast, I sighed and stood. Today was the weekend—no school—so time to tour the city.
I tossed on my coat, laced up my lucky sneakers, and shouted, "I'll be back before 8 PM, Bella! Eating out today!"
She replied casually, "Okay."
Outside, the streets buzzed with pedestrians.
I flexed my power, letting my telekinesis wander… I gave a few curvy women a smack on their asses. Their reactions? Priceless.
Bored after a few minutes, I headed toward the market. Clothes, food—everything screamed Hunter propaganda.
Some Hunters had even debuted as idols. In the corner, I spotted a hooker strutting past with a purse. Life here was weird.
The gap between Hunters and normals was brutal. Some awakened and got paid massive salaries for existing.
The rest struggled to survive. Men enlisted to die fighting monsters, and women took whatever gigs they could just to make ends meet.
I shook my head, shoved my fists in my pockets, and kept walking.
Then I saw her—Aria, the girl who rejected me—heading into a jewelry shop?
I followed her closely. There were men in suits by her side; she walked like some VIP or something.
Entering the shop, I stopped and put a barrier of psychic power around me, nullifying the sound.
Tiptoeing, I somehow managed to slip in undetected—and there I saw John, this body's brother, talking with Aria at a table. Four men stood in each corner, watching them.
She looked resigned and furious, then spat in John's face—but he kept smiling, pushing a paper toward her.
She signed reluctantly, her hands trembling. When she finished, she gave him a disgusted look, as if he were the ultimate scum in the world.
Opening the door, she stopped for a moment. "You really are an asshole. Earning my father's trust, then betraying us like that."
Then she slammed the door and ran outside, tears streaking down her face. People stared for a second, then went back to their day.
I strolled behind her at a moderate pace.
She stopped at a bench, panting, then broke down crying, hiding her face in her hands.
I bought a chilled can from a vending machine and pressed it to her cheek. "Here, cool your face—you're all red."
"Wait, Mark? What are you doing here?" she blurted, hurriedly wiping her face.
"Stop it, Aria. Just tell me what's happening with you."
She sighed and began:
"You may not know this, but my father ran a small business—nothing big, just loaning people money. He never took a share, just asked them to repay what they borrowed.
He said his motto was simple: people appreciate help the most when they're down, and connections built that way last longer than profit.
But…" She clenched her fist, her face reddening. "It all started when he took an assistant—your brother, John.
He earned my father's trust but kept fabricating papers behind his back until he took over the business.
Then my father died of illness. I fought to take it back but failed—and now John's turned it into a shark loan company, exploiting the same people we once helped.
I felt ashamed to show my face to them—or to you. Honestly, the reason I rejected you was because I couldn't date the brother of the man I've sworn to kill."
"It was the first time anyone I liked had ever confessed to me, but I couldn't imagine going on dates while the people my father helped were still suffering".
"Makes sense. But why tell me this? Aren't I supposed to be a villain now?"
"I already know you aren't. You always protected me from bullies in elementary, middle, and even high school.
Honestly, I really like you, but…"
She looked me straight in the eyes.
"I don't care what you think of me. I'm killing John for everything he's done."
I smiled. "Oh well. How about I help you?"
She froze for a moment, then burst out laughing. "You really make it hard not to fall for you. If I told another guy about this, he'd have chickened out."
"I'm one of a kind. How about we drop this gloomy mood and go buy some clothes? I heard women get happier when they're shopping." I stood up, offering her my hand.
She took it and smiled. "I really want to see your reaction when I take four hours shopping."
For a moment, my heart hammered with fear. 'Did I just shoot myself in the foot?'
Then we both made our way to the shop.