Chapter 93: Taking Responsibility

Auren slowly walks out of Pariston’s office, wondering if he has made the right decision.Is this how people feel after selling their soul to the devil? Still... despite all my training, I’m still feeling somewhat powerless. As I am now, I can only rely on others. I could probably take Pariston down, but it would mean dragging others into it, and the aftermath would probably be worse than the current mess. There’s also no reason to play hero. Despite his crimes I can’t even say Pariston is such a negative influence, there are far worse people around. Pariston is just a frightening enemy, so the simplest and most beneficial solution is to turn him into an ally. I’ll just do that and I’ll also profit from his influence. I’ll do whatever benefits me the most. I’ll take care of the ones I want to take care of, the ones I owe, and the ones I’m genuinely grateful for. That’s all!

Besides... my soul is already pretty messed up, so who cares? It’ll probably be returned once someone notices it’s broken and stops working.

Leaving the office behind, he heads to the elevator and rides it down to the underground floor—the same level as last time, when he requested the Nen exorcism.

The hallways are dark, quiet, and abandoned-looking, the atmosphere carrying a faintly eerie, almost haunted air. As he walks through the long corridors, Auren notices a few female employees. They’re all wearing robes and clothing similar to Zamra, the exorcist he spoke with before.

“I’m looking for Zamra. She’s working on my request,” Auren says calmly. “Not even a week has passed yet, but I wanted to at least check on the girls.” He adds with a light smile, “Nice style, by the way.”

“It’s in the contract... I have to wear these silly occult rags,” one of the girls complains, tugging at her sleeves.

Another steps forward. “The client? So you’re rich! Are you single? If you marry me and let me quit this job, I’ll be so grateful. You won’t regret it!”

“Jullae, he looks way too young. Are you out of your mind?” another woman scoffs, shaking her head.

“The stress is killing me! These ceremonies and rituals are freaking me out! I want out!” Jullae whines.

The first woman lets out a nasty little laugh. “If you wanted to quit, you shouldn’t have gone into massive debt, girl.”

Slightly annoyed, Auren interrupts them. “You didn’t have to work when I came last time. Zamra wasn’t even busy then. If less than a week of work is enough to break you to this extent, I doubt you’ll be able to handle something as simple as taking care of kids. So that’s a hard pass for me.”

“Of course not, duh?! I’d hire a nanny! And besides, have you seen how Zamra works? Her technique is absolutely atroci—” Jullae starts rambling on.

“Shut up!”

The sudden shout echoes through the corridor, sharp enough that even Auren blinks in surprise.

“Remember the contract! Do you want to die?! Stupid girl!” Another woman storms toward them, slightly older than the others. She raises her hand and smacks Jullae, causing her to shriek.

She then turns to Auren, her expression shifting quickly into forced politeness, though her anger is still obvious. “I apologize for this pathetic display of laziness and arrogance. Hunter Auren, please follow me. I’ll take you to the patients.”

She deserved that

A few minutes later, he’s led to two large, surprisingly luxurious rooms. The decor is tasteful and elegant, but Auren notices a few strange details right away.

There’s barely anything inside. A few couches, some paintings screwed tightly to the wall, a large white bed, and fake natural scenery set against the walls. This is almost like a White Room. Nothing sharp. Nothing dangerous. It feels kinda humiliating and cruel to live in this supervised environment. Better safe than sorry, I guess. This is exactly what I’d hoped for.

The worst detail, however, is that one side of the wall is made of glass, which is why Auren can simply look inside.

He moves closer, inspecting both rooms closely.

One of the rooms is empty, but in the other, Ella sits on her bed. She’s bound in a straitjacket, her arms pinned tightly. A strange device forces her mouth open, preventing her from biting her tongue. Two strong, broad-shouldered bodyguards stand inside the room, watching her intently.

Ella, of course, recognizes him and approaches the glass wall. Or more accurately, the Entity inhabiting her body does.

She presses her face against it, glaring at Auren with hatred.

“Hehe, what a sore loser you are,” Auren says with a grin. “You should be grateful you’ll even get another chance to return... in about a hundred years.”

Unable to speak, she tries to slam her head against the glass, but the guards restrain her before she can hurt herself.

“Now, now,” Auren says. “Back to sleep... You disgusting, perverted lowlife. Enjoy your last days inside a girl’s body. I’m sure you’ll be forced to abstain for a century. At least that jacket will keep you company. I almost feel sorry for it.”

“Do you want to speak with... it?” the elderly assistant finally asks. “We can remove the device.”

“No need. I don’t waste words on disgusting imbeciles,” Auren replies, walking away.

As they leave, she asks carefully, “Was this really necessary?”

“The only thing I can hurt in that monster is its ego. If it spends the next hundred years in pain and anger, that’s enough for me,” Auren explains. “Especially after all the sins it has committed... and more importantly, its crimes against me!”

“What are you saying?” she presses him, obviously confused. “The goal is to exorcise her! Why are you talking about a specific timeline?”

“Of course, we will exorcise him, but that does not solve the root problem,” Auren says, still confused.

“You might want to speak with Master Zamra. Your assumptions may not be accurate. I am her disciple, and speaking from my understanding... that entity will completely vanish,” she replies.

Really?!

A few minutes later, in Zamra’s office.

“Hunter Auren, welcome back,” Zamra greets him warmly.

“You look... satisfied,” Auren observes. “I assume things are going well?”

“Yes. Killi is almost fully recovered. The residual Nen is nearly gone,” Zamra explains, looking content.

“Master,” her disciple adds, “Hunter Auren seems to believe that once the exorcism of the other patient is complete... the entity inside her will eventually return.”

“Why do you think that?” Zamra asks, frowning.

Auren pauses, thinking for a moment.

I didn’t want to tell Zamra the full story when I hired her... but should I? Yes. Even if there’s only the smallest chance, maybe we can do something about that perverted freak.

He recounts the Entity’s history—its former life as Dreika, its twisted cycle of possessing women, and the residual Nen it left behind, allowing it to move from victim to victim.

“Powerful... post-mortem Nen is involved,” Zamra says thoughtfully. “The residual influence left in his victims must be the strengthened part of his ability. I’m strongly guessing the initial Hatsu only allowed him to possess people. The post-mortem Nen is adding that additional effect, making his Hatsu that more elusive and cruel. That would also explain why the effect feels so unnaturally strong. You also mentioned the victims die soon after becoming a controlled Nen Remnant? That suggests the Entity consumes large amounts of life force, forcing it to switch hosts quickly. However, I don’t think it’s intentional, probably just a natural effect of the Entity possessing a body, rapidly consuming the target's life force. The two girls you brought are still in decent condition, probably because the transfer happened recently. I’d estimate it takes at least a few years before a victim weakens beyond recovery.”

“When I discussed this with my... acquaintances, we weren’t sure what would happen to the Entity,” Auren admits. “Especially since... let’s just say its Hatsu was ‘robbed.’ Even if it returned to a spiritual form, it wouldn’t be able to use its Hatsu. At least not for a while.”

“This is where I firmly disagree,” Zamra says confidently. “The Sonata of Darkness destroyed his physical body but left his soul intact, even allowed him to remain in this world. I don’t claim to fully understand how, but I know exactly what my Hatsu expels: anything left behind by Nen.

“If the exorcism is completed, the Entity will vanish. Permanently. I can guarantee it. That’s why my ability takes so long and requires confinement. The process is slow, but if it succeeds, every trace of Nen is purged. That includes this Entity. After listening to something as demonic as the Sonata of Darkness, it stopped being human altogether.”

“Sounds great...” Auren says, his expression unreadable. “I’m just a little skeptical. Let’s talk about this when the time comes. Keep me informed, please.”

“I’ll give you updates via mail,” Zamra’s student assures him with a nod.

“Thank you,” Auren replies, standing up before leaving the office.

That would be great... but I shouldn’t get too optimistic just yet. Cockroaches are hard to get rid of.

Stepping out of the Association building, now completely alone, Auren heads toward a nearby hotel. It’s a small but high-class place, conveniently close to both the airport and the Association headquarters. The hotel is compact in area, but it climbs upward, with sixteen floors, resembling more of a slim office tower than a typical hotel.

I could stay inside the Association, but I’d rather keep some distance.

Inside, he confidently approaches the reception desk.

The receptionist, startled for the briefest moment by his presence, quickly recovers. She straightens her posture, wears her best professional smile, and greets him warmly. “Good day, sir. How can I help you?”

“How is your current availability?” Auren asks, a faint plan taking shape in his mind.

“We still have many rooms available for booking, sir,” she answers politely.

“Can I book an entire floor?” he finally asks.

“An entire floor?” Her composure falters for a second. “I mean... of course. But it is rather unusual.”

Auren flashes his Hunter license in a casual yet deliberate motion. “Hunter business.”

“I... see.” Her tone shifts immediately. “In that case, we do have the top floor available, if you’d like. It includes four rooms.”

Perfect.

“I’ll take it,” Auren says, decisive.

“Gladly. Breakfast is served every day at...” She begins explaining the hotel’s services.

A few minutes later, Auren walks away from the front desk with keycards for the elevator and four room keys resting in his hand.

Once checked in, he pulls out his phone and dials Konrad.

“Hello, Auren!” Konrad answers with enthusiasm.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything?” Auren asks, catching muffled voices in the background.

“I’m in a meeting, but it’s not important. These people can wait,” Konrad replies with his typical arrogance.

...So I am interrupting.

“Look... I’m currently in Swardani City. I had some business here. I wanted to ask if you, your sister, and Eren have some time. On paper, I’m still your master, and I feel a little guilty—especially toward Vanessa and Eren, since I’ve barely taught them anything. I also wanted to tell you about... what I’ve been doing all this time. Now that you three are hunters, I feel I should teach you a little more seriously. I also have some things to tell you.”

“I’m coming over right away! I don’t need to waste time in meetings!” Konrad bursts out, practically buzzing with enthusiasm.

“Really, Konrad, take it easy. I’ve already taught you most of what you need. And there’s no need to rush. I’ll send you the address later,” Auren says, trying to calm him down.

“Great,” Konrad replies, still sounding eager.

Auren then calls Vanessa and Eren himself, deciding not to rely on Konrad for once.

“Of course I’m coming!” Vanessa exclaims, her voice brimming with even more excitement than Konrad. “I was planning to ask you anyway! Send me the address!”

“I’m in. I’m always with Konrad and Vanessa, so it’s not even a question,” Eren says confidently, though the slight crack in his voice betrays his hidden excitement. “I also have a little gift for you!”

Good... Now I suppose it’s time to wait. More importantly—training! Not only for them... but also for myself.