Chapter 16: Plans for the Future

Auren enters Elder Nibana’s mansion along with Buno and is caught off guard by the sight in front of him. Several small children are running around, clearly playing around, having fun, with a few caretakers even joining in.As Auren takes a seat on a large couch, the ‘young’ elder quickly gathers the nearby children, gently urging them to give the adults some privacy.

What a hypocrite. She tries to rescue these kids, yet she allowed Lidor’s experiments to continue. Trying to make up for a massive failure by playing caretaker to a few orphans… pathetic. She’s the worst kind of politician—weak, useless and worst of all ineffective.

“Sorry about that. The kids are too young to understand what’s going on,” she says with a calm tone.

“No problem, Elder,” Auren replies, holding back the urge to voice his true thoughts.

“Auren, what you went through… it must’ve been traumatizing. I can’t begin to imagine how you feel. I want to talk to you about two things. First, I’d like to invite you to stay here, in my mansion. I can offer you a room, personal lessons, and more importantly, a sanctuary where you won’t be harmed,” she says, eyes full of pity and regret.

“That’s extremely kind, Elder, but I’ll be joining my Instructors. There’s still much I need to learn, and I trust them with my life. I hope that’s acceptable to you,” Auren replies, throwing a smirk toward Buno, seated beside him.

“I… I don’t think that’s a wise decisio—”

Buno activates Ren, staring coldly at the elder, his expression turning nearly hostile.

“I… I accept your decision, Auren. But even if they’re your Instructors, they’re assassins. That’s hardly the right environment for someone your age, even in Meteor City. Still… after all you’ve been through, I can’t bring myself to lecture you or them. What Elder Lidor did was unforgivable. And I couldn’t stop it. I suppose we—I owe you at least that much,” she says.

“What’s the second topic?” Auren asks.

I don’t want to waste my time with this hypocrite.

“Your… affiliation with Meteor City,” she says in a calm voice.

“Don’t worry about that. I actually like this place and plan to stay loyal to it. Still, I want to be free. I intend to leave fairly soon, but this is my home… and I hope it stays that way. This will be a place I can return to, I hope,” Auren replies with a smile.

I can’t renounce this place or make enemies out of them. I just need to leave—quietly, with no grudges involved. They’ll quickly forget I even exist.

Elder Nibana’s face visibly lights up, “Really? That’s wonderful. Trust me, this community might seem harsh, but we do care about each other. I’m trying to change things, slowly… but it’s not easy.”

This woman…

Auren locks eyes with her. “Since you admit I was mistreated, may I ask for a small favor? Could you officially designate either Buno or Bunu as my Guardian? I need a Guardian and papers—I plan to take the next Hunter Exam. I know people from Meteor City officially don’t exist, but I still need some form of ID to enter.”

“Auren! Becoming a Hunter is incredibly dangerous. You’re far too young—”

“No, he’s not,” Buno interrupts, clearly losing patience. “He survived a battle with Lidor. He’s twelve. There’s no reason to stop him—he’s qualified and more than strong enough to become a Hunter. You owe it to him to make me his Guardian.”

The elder shakes her head in clear defiance, “I can’t! You’re not suitable—you’re a known international criminal! Your list of crimes is endless. You’re wanted in several countries. How can I—”

Buno sighs, “Then name my brother. He’s done worse things, but he got away with most of them. He’ll do just fine.”

“I suppose… I could… fine. I hope this shows you we’re on your side, Auren. I’ll arrange for the documents—they’ll even be real. With enough money, that’s never an issue. We’ve got more than a few secret connections to several countries. In fact, we’re hoping that one day, you’ll help us gain recognition from more of them,” she says, giving him a pleading look.

“I won’t forget my home. I’ll make sure to send some money back once I start earning money,” Auren promises.

Just a little … a symbolic gesture. These greedy leeches aren’t getting anything more than that.

“Perfect. There’s just one issue left… that sword. The Elders want you to hand it over immediately. They are claiming it is their possession as Lidor’s experiments were funded by them.”

“Too late. Lidor’s Nen Ritual backfired. It’s permanently fused with me now, nobody can claim it,” Auren states, his voice getting a little louder.

I’ll kill every single person who wants to steal Eternity from me!

“…I’ll accept that answer. But can you prove it? The others poured a lot into Lidor’s research. They’ll be furious, and my word won’t be enough to convince them.”

Auren looks at Buno, who nods reluctantly, all the confirmation Auren needs.

“Can you swear to keep this information to yourself?” Auren asks, his voice low and steady as he stares into Elder Nibana’s eyes.

“Yes,” she replies firmly.

Auren lifts his shirt, revealing the mark on his chest. “It bloomed on me. Only the twenty-fifth person who completely dyes the flower back can ever use the sword. If I die, the sword will simply disappear forever, as nobody else who has participated in Lidor’s sick exam is alive. Eternity is my inheritance, and I can’t and won’t give it away. If you want to forcefully lay claim to it, I’ll defend it with my life!”

Auren then stares into Nibana’s eyes, her gaze quickly meeting his own before looking away in shame.

Elder Nibana lowers her gaze, still staring at Auren’s chest. Her eyes glow faintly for a moment before she sighs. “I understand. That will suffice. I won’t pry into what happened inside that mansion. It’s in the past now anyway. Most of the Elders have learned their lesson. Lidor’s experiments never even came close to the results they hoped for. I think they’d rather pretend they never supported him in the first place.”

She sighs again, but then forces a smile. “So, just stay inside this mansion for a while. I’ll inform the other Elders. You’re free now, Auren. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

“Thank you for the invitation, but my Instructors will house me until I’m ready to leave,” Auren responds, not even considering her invitation for a second.

Nibana, visibly disappointed, responds softly, “Okay… If you ever need anything, my door’s always open. I’ll deliver your papers soon, along with some basic ways to contact us. Even if you leave, I expect at least one letter every year!”

“Thank you, Elder. I’ll remember to write you,” Auren says, standing up with Buno as they head toward the exit.

The moment Auren steps outside the mansion, his expression shifts into one of anger.

“What a disgusting hypocrite,” he mutters, spitting onto the ground in front of the building.

“Hehe, you’re sharp. It’s good that you can see through people like her,” Buno replies. “They talk big, but when it counts, they do nothing for the vast majority of people. She’s the kind of shallow and pathetic person who feels fulfilled by just taking care of a few Orphans while thousands of others die every day.”

Auren laughs. “She thinks you aren’t fit to be a guardian, Instructor. Elders who sacrifice children are fine, but your crimes are too much? What a joke.”

“It’s almost frightening how they think,” Buno says. “She actually believes the nonsense she says.”

They arrive at a slightly run-down basement apartment, but Auren’s first impression shifts the moment they step inside. The place is clean, organized, and easily large enough to house five people comfortably.

Bunu is already inside, reading a book. A large stack of books, scrolls, and even paintings sits in front of him.

“How is it, Brother?” Buno asks.

“Incredible. These texts are as rare and expensive as our little Auren claimed. I’d estimate a few billion to the right buyer. I want copies for myself—these are incredibly useful. I don’t even understand five percent of it, and I can already tell that the sheer amount of knowledge they contain will be priceless for the right buyer.”

“Brother, if you don’t understand them, how do you know they’re so amazing?” Buno asks, raising an eyebrow.

“I just know. This is the biggest rainfall in a long time. Auren, you promised us half, right? We’re not refusing it—we need the money. That’s the only reason we ever worked for Elder Lidor,” Bunu explains.

“Did he pay that well?” Auren wonders aloud. “To be honest, I have a sharp memory. I remember bits of my childhood—Hunters and fighters in Heaven's Arena earning a fortune.”

“Heh, no wonder you act so mature,” Buno says. “Most kids don’t even start learning until they’re four or five. They don’t remember much before that. Looks like you got a few years’ head start.”

Bunu chimes in, “We can’t become Hunters… it’s complicated. Heaven’s Arena isn’t an option either—we need to stay hidden.”

“What do you need that much money for anyway?” Auren asks, genuinely curious.

“We founded our own country, together with some comrades. It began as a sect for assassins, but now we have a few thousand people building a community. It’s not officially recognized, but we have the strength and independence of a de facto city. If you’re interested, consider yourself invited—either as a visitor or even a future citizen. It’s completely up to you,” Bunu explains calmly.

“I am not sure, but I don’t see why I wouldn’t be interested. You have high positions, right? I am always interested in learning, so consider me a citizen, and half of the value of Lidor’s possessions my first donation,” Auren replies.

If there are similarly skilled people, I am more than interested. I want to learn more combat techniques, and if I can find people whom I can trust, then this couldn’t be better.

“What are your plans, anyway, Auren? You told the Elder you want to leave,” Buno inquires curiously.

“I want to become a Hunter, build a reputation, and make as much money as I can. I’m interested in weapons… are there more like this out there?” he asks, conjuring Eternity, which appears in his hand.

“I’ve never seen a weapon even close to that one,” Bunu replies. “It’s like a full Nen ability, allowing you to Conjure it whenever you want without much cost and with just a thought—the Aura surrounding it is also incredibly powerful.”

Buno thinks for a moment. “I have seen other special weapons, though. So it’s not like there’s nothing out there. If you look carefully, you’ll find precious things out there. For example, every skilled assassin knows about Ben’s knives. Why don’t you build your own collection? By the way, our little sanctuary is on the Yorbian continent, south of Yorbia. It’s not that far away from Yorknew city, it’s at a great location. A student of a deceased friend is a master with knives. If you are interested, why don’t you visit and learn for a while?”

“That’s a great idea,” Auren says. “Once I get my license, earn some money, and find a few knives, I’ll visit.”

Those knives were on my list in the first place. Read full story at NovєlFіre.net

“I want to grow stronger—not just in swordsmanship. I want to learn from different schools, collect more weapons, and experience the world,” Auren says, his voice firm with resolve.

“I can understand your mindset, but I don’t understand one thing yet, your motivation,” Bunu states. “Why do you seek strength in the first place?”

“There’s a place I want to visit,” Auren answers, wearing a mysterious smile. “It’ll take a lifetime of training and preparation, but I want to go there.”