Infinite Ladder

Chapter 2 - Fear of Losing

"Jay, is that your name?" The clerk that was looking over the application asked.

"Yes." The young boy with scarlet eyes and short spiky black hair replied. He wore a tight black t-shirt that reflected his lean muscles and broad shoulders and army cargo pants under it with a green belt.

"Any Surname?"

"War Orphan never met any."

"Are there any tattoos?"

"Nah, not yet."

"The pendant with Pheonix is that the only accessory you wear?"

"Yes? Is that important?"

"Yeah, if you die, we need to know what was on you. Before you leave on a mission, you will have to write down everything in your pocket. It's troublesome, but it works. Give me your ability card."

Jay took out a white card from his pocket, giving it to the clerk.

The clerk soon frowned, "you have no abilities, but your numbers are above 10. That's...unique..."

The clerk wasn't sure what was the word to chose. How could someone surpass humans limits without any ability? Everyone who exceeded the human limits had an ability, even if it was a crappy one, "this is rare, so I am not sure what the right procedure is. I might need to talk to my seniors."

Jay put his hand in his cargo pocket, taking out an official envelope, "I have it here. I was asked to come here."

The clerk eyed him suspiciously, taking the envelope, taking out a written order. Before long, he asked in surprise, "Oh, Dr. Avery gave you her recommendation? How did you meet her?"

"She came to our school for one of those lectures."

"Oh, maybe she saw something in you. It's rare to see a recommendation from B-Class Hunter," The clerk spoke enviously before signing his application sheet, "well, here you go. Since you are in school, you will join evening training from 5 to 9. Since your attributes are above 10, you should be able to handle the stress. But there will be a large amount of mental stress, so good luck."

Jay took the application, "where do I have to go for training?"

"Location will be messaged to you on the phone number you wrote."

"Thank you," Jay spoke, putting the signed application in his back pocket, leaving the tall building that was the Monster Hunter Branch.

The square outside was busy, which was usual for this part of the city. He got on his bicycle, riding it towards home.

This area was maintained, and the people that lived here came from well-off families, like most of the students in his class.

But the place where he and Amara lived was the reaches of the city abandoned because of high monster counts or at the substantial risk of debris falling from the space.

Well, they didn't have much money, what they had gone in the school fees. The rent of this area was too high. Even if they got someplace, it would be a single room with a shared bathroom.

Amara being so beautiful, knew the risks of living in such a place. So she convinced him that she would rather die from being torn by a monster or crushed by fallen debris than in a way that would strip her of her dignity.

Because there was no rent or tax for living in the danger zone, the saved money went into his hobby. Which allowed him to make much more cash through the pictures that he took.

Even so, whenever he was out alone, there was this pit of nervousness in his stomach. The fear that when he went home, he would find a monster had invaded his home or that Amara was hurt.

It was a fear that made his vision narrow that made him cycle as hard as he could. Just to reach home, a minute sooner, a second earlier.

That was why he hated when the chair came off when he couldn't pedal anymore.

He had to get down to make the bicycle workable. He wanted to get those new ones that didn't need the chains, but they used electricity to charge. Now that he didn't need extra electricity for his equipment, maybe it was a good idea to get one.

The whole journey back home was a serious of him getting nervous and him putting the chain back.

But no matter what, he was glad when he saw the door of his home when he went inside to Amara pacing around in front of the television monitor on the wall.

Seeing Amara walking away from the door, he got the perfect chance to sneak closer to her and tightly hug her.

Amara was caught off guard, but soon she let out a sigh of relief before curling her lips with mischief written all over her face, "you can't be here! Big brother is about to come home. If he saw you, he will kill you!"

"If someone like that came, then I will definitely kill him," Jay whispered, hugging her tighter, "I can't do this..."

Amara's eyes softened as she turned around, putting her hands around his neck, looking into his enchanting scarlet eyes, "what happened?"

Jay inched her closer, leaning closer to put his forehead on hers. He closed his eyes, "just the thought of you being in danger and me not being here to protect you. It kills me the thought of you being in danger and me not being here. I don't mind if the danger is severe enough that it kills us both. But I can't live a life where you are not there."

Amara closed her eyes, "and I can't live a life in which you have died. Whenever you are gone, I can't stop worrying, not even for one moment. I tried, holding back, diversions, sleeping, everything that others suggested, but nothing works."

"I don't think I can be elsewhere for five hours. The four hours are for training and one hour commute. I can't be away from you for that long," Jay whispered.

Amara took a deep breath, peeling herself away from her big brother, "then I will come with you."

She looked at him with determined eyes, "Yes, that's it. I will be joining you in your training. There must be a waiting area or visitors area? If not, sign in an application tomorrow."

Before he could say anything, she continued, "I read about it, researched. If I give the application in the same branch as you and within the same week. There is a high chance that we will be on the same training ground. That way, you don't have to worry about my safety, and I don't have to worry if you will make it home!"

"Amara," Jay put his hands on her shoulder, kissing her forehead, "thank you. But you know we can't do that."

"But!"

"Stop, we both know what your ability is. Those abilities and monster hunting don't go hand in hand. Stay in school, focus on your studies. And then, by using the money that I earn, we can get you into a good college. After that, you get a good safe job, and we can live in the Safe Areas."

Amara bit her red lower lip, looking down, "big brother."

"Just promise me, focus on your studies?"

Amara leaned closer, putting her head on his chest, closing her eyes, "I promise."

With her eyes closed, she smiled, "you stink, now go get a bath, I'll warm the food."

Jay ruffled her hair, "now I stink!!"

Amara held her hair in place, "big brother! Not the hair!!"

Jay watched her pout, fixing her hair as he walked away to get clothes and take a bath.

Monster Hunter Organization was a massive Organization. Its branches were in every territory that was ruled by a God or a Goddess. Even the dominions that weren't ruled had their branch. As long as there was a human settlement nearby, the Monster Hunters were there to protect them.

If there wasn't an ongoing war, and the forces of Gods and Goddesses weren't busy with it, then Monster Hunter Organization wouldn't be able to grow.

Jay stood in front of the mirror, splashing water over his face, taking off his clothes before stepping under a shower.

A private shower was one saving grace of this house in the dangerous areas.

He loved the feeling of the water drops falling on his face, his body. Although he loved the shower, being under the rain, the smell, the taste, it was a different feeling.

As a kid, he joked to Amara if he awakened a rare ability that allowed him to call rain. Then he would make sure to make it rain all year long. Amara always laughed at him over that. Especially since, whenever it rained, he would sit by the window, drink tea and read a novel.

It was one of those things where you wanted to enjoy something so badly. But every time you got the chance, you would do something else. Only to regret not doing it later and repeat that infernal cycle.

Maybe that was the reason why he had a feeling things were going to repeat themselves.