Hunt In Reverse

Colonels' quarters, H.A.R.M. Cascadia.

Several golden eagle agents carefully laid the uniforms on the bed, then bustled about tidying the room and preparing coffee.

Once everything was in order, they bowed respectfully. "Colonel Kane," they asked, "do you have any further instructions?"

With the Admiral away from Cascadia and H.A.R.M. generals dispersed across the twelve cities, I held a prominent position at headquarters as a personal attendant colonel. My every request would be met with immediate compliance. Even outside H.A.R.M., I would command the same respect as an elder from a prestigious family.

"I'm fine," I said, waving them away. I sat on the edge of the bed, watching them leave.

I picked up the black uniform, my fingers tracing the embroidered full moon at the collar. After a long moment, I laid it gently aside.

This is all happening too fast, I thought.

I lay back on the bed, my arms cushioning my head, savoring the unfamiliar comfort.

If I had truly earned this promotion on my own merit, I would have no misgivings. But I knew, better than anyone, how much the achievement of slaying the Crystal Realm Leviasaur had been inflated.

Could it be that I, who had wandered Pinewood County for so long, was actually the illegitimate son of a H.A.R.M. general—a secret hidden from the world?

I wasn't necessarily a man of integrity, but now... a nagging sense of unease settled over me.

"Ridiculous," I scoffed. "Did I need to be pushed down to feel grounded?"

On the way back, Chandra had filled me in on the inner workings of H.A.R.M., and the intricacies of martial arts training.

Each H.A.R.M. general had no more than four personal attendants, some even had none. Many of these attendants were lieutenant generals, having served for a century or two, rising through the ranks through sheer grit and countless victories.

Wave Realm Perfection was merely the starting point.

Of the twelve generals, Old Man Grant was closest to his end. Fortunately, his Redeemed Spirit, nurtured by his inner essence, had grown stronger, granting him a couple of decades more precious years.

But if I truly possessed such monstrous talent, rising from a mere mortal to Wave Realm Perfection in two months, with the power of the Leviasaur Lord bolstering my strength... When the day came that General Grant could no longer wield his halberd, the position of H.A.R.M. general would undoubtedly fall to me.

To rule over a big city, millions of lives under my protection... it was a responsibility I could scarcely have imagined back in Pinewood County. But that talent, that rapid ascent, came at a steep price, fueled by a vast reservoir of vampire lifespan.

"..."

The thought of the vampire lifespan made my eyes gleam. I had reached the peak of Wave Realm. To progress further, I needed a true Crystallization method.

I understood H.A.R.M.'s emphasis on stability, but their rigid, time-consuming rules frustrated me. Everything measured in years... decades... centuries. I could wait, but I wasn't one for idle patience.

H.A.R.M. wasn't the only source of Crystallization methods. With my new status, new opportunities presented themselves.

I recalled Chandra's words about obliterating a sect. If I could acquire a technique sooner, so much the better.

But caution was essential. I needed a solid foundation of strength before taking action. Making my move only to find myself outmatched would be more than just awkward—it could be fatal.

I grimaced at the thought. There was still much room for improvement.

My old body tempering method had clearly been inadequate ever since my encounter with the young Leviasaur in Temple Village. Fortunately, the Enlightened Indestructible Body of Awakening would soon rectify that.

And then there was the External Crystal. I turned my attention inwards, focusing on the Vampire Devouring External Crystal held in check by the Melting Sun Furnace.

It was barely half-full. If I could fill it completely... I would possess twice the power of Karim Shaheen. I could dominate anyone below Spiritualization, as long as they didn't employ Redeemed Spirit or Ward of Nature techniques. I would be unstoppable.

Unfortunately, the Melting Sun Furnace had reached its limit. To contain even greater demonic power, I would need to open more orifices.

I recalled the two hundred years I'd spent deducing the Melting Sun technique only managed to open four new orifices, bringing my total to two hundred and seventy-five. I still had a long way to go.

"No rush," I thought. "One step at a time."

I rose from the bed and stretched languidly, then walked to the faucet by the window and poured myself a cup of tap water.

Such a vast gulf in lifespan wouldn't be bridged overnight. But at least I had a direction now, a goal. Better than stumbling around like a headless chicken in Pinewood County.

"Is tap water your usual beverage of choice, Colonel Kane?" a playful voice drifted in from the courtyard.

I looked out of the window to see a handsome young man in white scrubs approaching with two bottles of wine. A smile played on his lips. "Alex Bai," he announced, "from the medical clinic."

I'd heard that name from Chandra, mentioned alongside Max Vierkant and Rose Hightower.

I glanced at Max, who stood silently behind Alex Bai. Taking a sip of water, I said flatly, "Coffee is too bitter. I haven't acquired a taste for anything else."

I'd suffered enough in my life. I had no desire to savor bitterness in the hopes of some eventual sweetness.

"I have a special tea," Alex Bai offered. "It nourishes yin and yang, strengthens liver and kidneys. The flavor is quite delightful and sweet. I'll bring you a couple of packages next time."

Alex Bai strode into the room with easy familiarity, setting the bottles on the table. He took the lunchbox from Max's limp hand and gave me a quick once-over. "My junior brother has a bit of a temper," he began. "He caused you offense earlier. I've brought him here to apologize."

I turned to the hulking warrior. "Not quite," Max interjected. "He doesn't believe anyone from the younger generation could be stronger than him. He's here to find your weaknesses so he can exploit them in the next spar."

I chuckled.

Alex Bai's eyes twitched, his smile faltering. "Don't listen to him," he said, a strain creeping into his voice. "Colonel Kane's training is far beyond mine. I'm just a humble doctor. Sparring is hardly my forte."

I turned back to Max Vierkant. The brute shrugged. "Nah, he's just being modest. Senior Sister Patani was at the peak of Homonization when he managed to hit her with one of his new poison needles—from behind, no less. She slapped him to the ground with a single sword stroke, and he ended up bedridden for two months."

"Have fun, you two," Alex Bai said dully, placing the food box on the table. He turned to leave. "I have some... business to attend to."

When Master returns, he seethed inwardly, I'll report this treacherous ingrate and have him expelled.

"Senior Brother Bai?" Max called after him. "Could you pour me some wine? My arms..." He gestured helplessly with his limp limbs.

"I've suddenly lost my appetite," Alex Bai grumbled. Yet despite his complaint, he retrieved three small wine glasses from the food box and filled them with the exquisite wine.

He set the glasses before Max and me, then picked up his own.

"One more thing, Senior Brother," Max said, taking a deep breath. "Could you close the door?"

Alex Bai's hand, clutching the wine glass, trembled with barely suppressed fury. "Max," he hissed, "I don't make a habit of bullying the disabled. But when you're healed...you'll regret this." With that, he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

"..."

I watched the pair, amusement flickering in my eyes. After a moment of silence, I finally spoke. "What's this all about?"

Max Vierkant gritted his teeth as his numb fingers fumbled for the wine glass. With a trembling hand, he managed to lift it and drain it in a single gulp.

He hesitated, wrestling with his thoughts, then finally blurted out, "I'm asking you... not to go to Vancouver. At least, not for the next few months."

His words, though softly spoken, reached the two figures outside the courtyard gate, halting them in their tracks.

The broad-shouldered middle-aged man peered into the room, his expression unreadable. The little girl perched on his shoulder stiffened, her playful kicking ceasing abruptly.

Alex Bai stood frozen outside the door. He'd just registered Max's words when he noticed the figures in the distance. His forehead instantly broke out in a sweat.

This foolish junior brother... he'd dragged me into this scheme without telling me anything!