Loki’s Successor System

Chapter 225: The Inn Debate

[Strength: 85]

[Health: 110] 

[Speed: 72] 

[Skill: 81] 

[UP: 12]

[Exp: 76/100| Level 14]

Quiet, Jin sat down opposite the unmasked man, called Errick. Whereas a masked child, West, sat opposite Stevan. Their intertwined intentions were already conspicuous to Jin: he knew exactly what they wanted even before they sat down at the table in the Inn and explained themselves.  Not to mention, they had already tried killing him before.

The Innkeeper had started shining the glasses while spectating the scene before him. He dared not intervene, but he was of course purposely overhearing everything and even seeing a trifle with a few glimpses and peeks.

Errick was one of the new Hunters, which meant Jin didn't know a good deal about him. However, Errick stupidly revealed what he and his subordinate's abilities were. Jin didn't one hundred percent take his word for it as he was in heavy disbelief after having acknowledged the fact that this Errick really revealed such table-turning information. Perhaps he was just a fool. 

"Since you've exposed us, my dear Jin, " Errick said, "I have no choice but to have you eliminated, or ... we can possibly make an alliance. You work for us in secret and say not a word. That'll secure you and your apprentice second place in the tournament. Two options. So, what is it going to be?"

Jin smirked. "The third option."

"But here isn't a third option," West said.

Errick furrowed his brows.

"The third option is," Jin said, "I kill both of you and continue on with my life."

Errick smiled. "Let them say what you wantI find you a solid guy, Jin."

Jin was shocked this Errick guy retained so much confidence when there was literally no eeriness to his presence or no ominous aura surrounding him. In other words, his incompetence was clear as day. But how could he be this confidenteven when he revealed to Jin what his ability and its status were?

Errick was just as confused as Jin in that he had no idea where all of Jin's staggering confidence was coming from. With not an iota of doubt on that arrogant face of his, he had implied that he would be able to kill both Errick and West. Errick had heard about Jin. He was well acquainted with the certitude that Jin was quite special and forbye much distinct from ordinary Hunters. He just didn't know what prompted him such exceptionalism and ... he was intent on finding the answer.

Errick slowly turned to West with a subtle smile on his face. He was deliberate. As he turned, everyone glued their eyes to him because how of long he took. Then, he opened his mouth to speak. "Children," he looked at West, then gave his gaze to Stevan, "would you please go play outside and give us adults some privacy? Thank you."

West nodded solemnly and then stood.

Feeling the eeriness to the air, the spectating Innkeeper frowned while wiping the tables.

West did not nod off. He stood, not making a move further. His eyes were fixed on Stevan who was still seated opposite him. He was perhaps awaiting Stevan's involvement. Stevan took the cue and stood. Adding nothing to the quiescence of the Inn, West looked at Stevan as moved off. Everyone saw glassy eyes but truth be told, this young lad was grinning mischievously under that mask fastened around his face. 

After Stevan, West had seen himself out of the Inn.

Jin's eyes were fixed upon the door. Then, he averted them and looked ahead only to see Errick smirking maliciously before with maniacal eyes. The smirk was seemingly contagious. So much so that it appeared on Jin's face. 

The Innkeeper stood there, tilting his head quizzically. Sitting at one of his tables, the two men smirking weirdly at each other was all greek to him: beyond his comprehension. Some uncanny form of secretive language perhaps?

***

Although it was six in the morning, it was a trifle dark outside. The sun had only just started to manifest itself to the world below it. And since the walls of the colony were so tall, sunlight exposure was seldom prevalent in spite of this rather orthodox time for sunlight being omnipresent in this timezone. West stood in front of the few rays of light, appearing faintly as a silhouette before Stevan. 

Other than being intimidated by the predicament amidst which he found himself, Stevan was baffled that it was still so dark outside. He was barely able to make out anything properly. It was a cost of his ability. It burnt fat and deteriorated pivotal body functions altogether with his health; especially when he wasn't given ample food. 

His ability gave him things like superstrength, invulnerability, and slight resistance to some otherwise lethal dangers. But the costs outweighed the benefits greatly. He was almost night-blind. His crush Rylawhose powers gave her enhances to the senses like sighthad even made fun of his blindness. 

Luckily, West knew nothing about Stevan's condition.

West stood there quietly for a bit. Then, he slowly pulled his mask from his face. He had a scar that became a part of his top lip over time and a rather straight nose. He was at least two years older than West and a year or two under Jin. 

"So," he said, "what game are we playing?"

Stevan balled his fist. "How about we play West-shits-his-pants-and-runs-away-before-he-gets-himself-killed?"

West smirked. "Sounds like a fun game," West placed a hand upon his chin, "but I'd prefer to play," he suddenly outstretched the fingers of his left hand and it tinged green, "tag." Malice burnt in his eyes. 

Stevan furrowed his brows. 

***

"What makes you so different, Jin?" Errick asked.

Jin retained apathetic eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, you know well what I'm talking about," Errick said. "You and that 'Kaylie' girl. You two are basically on a rank higher than us normal Hunters, yes? Rank SSS Hunters in all but name. But after spying on you for a bit ..."

"Awwww, you did that?" Jin said pretentiously.

Errick continued, "I saw that all you did was sit down all day when there is literally a tournament upcoming. So tell me," he leaned in, "what exactly makes you that special? 

"I don't know," Jin said, "you tell me."

"No!" Errick snapped. It was the first time he'd lost it. "That's the point: I don't know. YOU have to tell ME. Come on, tell me. I implore you," he smirked, "it's not like word would get out to othersyou're dead before full sunrise."

"Mhm," Jin uttered. 

"Could you please enlighten me?" Errick asked with begging eyes.

"Fine," Jin said, picking up a french fry from his full bowl. 

"Well?" Errick perked up. "Go on then. Aren't you gonna explain?"

"I'm a successor God," Jin placed the fry in his mouth and started chewing. "That means I'll soon gain the duty of a God, specifically the God of Mischief. I'm basically only a candidate so if I relinquish something called a systemwhich is like a game-like asset that helps you unlock unfathomable powerI'd no longer be next in line to become God."

Errick's eyes were opened with enthusiasm. "You daren't be bullshitting me, Jin. This is some amazing stuff. I had no idea Gods exist. Imagine what one could do with the power of a God."

"Many things," Jin said, "more than I can count. Miracles if you put your mind to it. And right now, the main miracle I'm trying to seed is immortality." He started eating his steak. It was more like a dinner, this breakfast he ate.

"Please," Errick said, "tell me more. This 'system' opens up a lot of doors than even the tournament. And this tournament is rich in benefits, mind you. Very rich. So please ... please tell me more!"

"No," Jin said, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief.

"What?" Errick grimaced. Then, rage took his face. "What do you mean 'no'? I need this information so that I could get a grasp of the system when I literally obtain it from you. You can't say no to me. So you may now continue with the explanation."

"No," Jin said, "what are you, deaf?"

Errick cocked his head. "Why not?"

Jin placed the handkerchief on the table. "What's the point?" 

"I've already explained the point," Errick snapped, "I need this information. Don't you get it?"

Jin folded his arms and reclined in the chair. "What's the point in explaining something as monumental as this to a prospective dead man?"

***

Stevan dodged West's touch for the seventh time by leaping backward, into the air, and landing on his feet again. This time, he jumped backward thrice after evasion.

West lunged toward him, laughing maniacally. Stevan balled his fists and clenched his teeth.

West thrust both his arms out.

Stevan placed a foot forward and charged a punch. West rushed in.

Stevan's fist sunk into West's face.

West staggered. He quickly scratched Stevan with his fingernails. Then, he sprang backward with a long leap. 

Stevan groaned. He retreated a bit, looking down at his forearm. There was a green substance sinking into his flesh to join the other volume that was already present there. His arm went numb, already swelling. He clenched his teeth and looked up at West.

West grinned widely, raising the hand he used to attack Stevan. His hand was radiating green. His fingernails grew long and grotesque. There were tiny spikes sticking out of his palms and forearms.