OP Absorption
Chapter 40: A Promise

Chapter 40: A Promise

Instructor Henry stood stiffly before a communications panel, the faces of two stern-looking officials from Valerius City displayed on the screen.

"Report," the first official, a man with sharp eyes and grey temples, commanded.

"Training concluded ahead of schedule, sir," Henry stated, his voice clipped and formal. "Results were definitive after the four primary tests. One trainee significantly outperformed all others across every category."

"Ahead of schedule?" the second official, a woman with a severe haircut, raised an eyebrow. "Because one trainee dominated? Explain."

"Yes, ma’am. Fin Carver, D-rank, Arclight Hunters Guild. He set new records in Endurance and Speed. His Strength and Instinct scores far surpassed the benchmarks for his rank, rivaling B-rank averages. Continuing the training seemed redundant."

The male official leaned closer to the screen. "A D-rank? On the provisional task force for the Rank 6 dungeon? Henry, are you confident in this assessment? We aren’t sending children to their deaths."

Henry met the gaze on the screen steadily. "His performance was unprecedented, sir. Objectively, he earned the spot based on the criteria. Whether he possesses the experience for a Rank 6... that remains to be seen. But his raw ability and potential are undeniable."

The female official considered this. "Unprecedented potential from a low rank... often burns out quickly or proves unstable. Keep a close eye on the situation. Report any concerns immediately."

"Understood, ma’am," he confirmed. The screen went blank. He let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

’Carver,’ he thought. ’What in the blazes are you?’

---

Fin walked into Mara’s office later that day. She looked up from a pile of paperwork, a rare, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips.

"Heard you decided to break the training program today."

He leaned against the doorframe, trying to look casual despite the lingering adrenaline. "Just went for a jog, really."

"A jog that shattered records and left half the trainees questioning their life choices," she retorted dryly. "Congratulations. You got the spot on the task force."

"Yeah, about that," he said, pushing off the frame and walking closer. "Rank 6 dungeon. Sounds serious."

Mara’s faint smile vanished, replaced by her usual sharp scrutiny. "It is. Deadly serious. Winning some training drills is one thing. Facing what’s inside a Rank 6..." She trailed off, her doubt evident. "Are you sure you’re ready for this?"

He met her gaze, a flicker of the confidence he’d felt on the field returning. "Oh come on," he said, a slight smirk touching his lips. "You think a Rank 6 is a bigger threat than that dungeon mission a few weeks back?"

Her expression tightened. "Don’t compare them. That mission was chaos, an anomaly. This mission is against known, high-level threats in their own territory. It requires skill, teamwork, and experience you don’t have. Don’t underestimate it, Fin. Overconfidence gets Hunters killed faster than any monster."

"I won’t underestimate it," he said, his tone becoming serious again. "But I’m not backing down either. I need this."

She studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. Just try not to make me regret letting you go in the first place. Briefing is tomorrow, 0600 sharp. Be there."

---

He went back home, pushing open the front door, the smell of something actually edible (Meg must have ordered takeout) hitting him. He dropped his training bag by the entryway, fatigue settling deep in his bones despite the lingering buzz from the competition.

Meg was sprawled on the couch, flicking through channels on the TV. She glanced up as he came in.

"Hey soldier," she said, offering a lazy salute. "Survive the drills?"

"Something like that," he replied, collapsing into the armchair opposite her. "Dominated, actually. Got the top spot."

Her eyes widened slightly. "Whoa, seriously? Top spot against all those higher ranks? Nice!" Then her expression shifted, a familiar wariness creeping in. "Wait... top spot must have meant something."

"Yeah," he confirmed, meeting her gaze steadily. "Provisional entry. Rank 6 dungeon mission."

She sat bolt upright, the remote dropping onto the cushions. "Dammit, Fin! Another dangerous dungeon? Already? You just got back from nearly dying in the last one!"

"I know," he said quietly. "But this is different. It’s a planned mission, a task force. And it’s a chance, Meg. A chance to get strong, fast."

"Strong enough to get yourself killed faster?" she retorted, anger flashing in her eyes. "Rank 6! Do you even know what that means? People way stronger than you die in those!"

"Yes, I know what it means!" His voice rose slightly, matching her intensity. "It means risk, but it also means reward! It means getting the power I need so we don’t have to worry anymore! So I can protect you, keep that promise I made!"

"Protect me?" She stood up, pacing in front of the couch. "How are you protecting me if you’re dead in some hole miles away? I’d rather be back in the slums with you alive than alone in this fancy house!"

He stood too, facing her. "Meg, I’m a Hunter. This is my life now. Fighting monsters, clearing dungeons, taking risks—it’s the job. This is how I make sure we stay out of the slums."

She stopped pacing, looking at him, her anger warring with fear. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them back fiercely. "So that’s it? You’re just going to keep running off to face things that could kill you?"

He stepped closer, his voice softening but firm. "I have to. For us." He saw the understanding, and the hurt, in her eyes.

she looked away, crossing her arms tightly. She was silent for a long moment. Finally, she sighed, a heavy, resigned sound. "Fine," she muttered, not looking at him. "Go. Be a Hunter." She turned back, her expression tight. "Just... don’t be stupid about it. Don’t you dare leave me alone. You promise me that."

"I promise," he said seriously. "I’ll come back."

She nodded stiffly, then retreated back to the couch, picking up the remote but not turning the TV back on. The conversation hung heavy in the air.

Fin lingered for a moment, then turned and headed down the hallway toward the basement stairs. He needed a moment, needed to check.

He descended into the basement. He’d set up a simple, clean area for Juliana, laying her body carefully on a makeshift bier covered with clean cloths. He approached slowly.

Nothing had changed.

She lay peacefully, her expression serene, untouched by time or decay since the dungeon collapsed. The faint, ethereal connection he sometimes felt between his cores and her resting form was quiet now, almost dormant.

He reached out, his fingers hovering just above her hand, feeling no aura, no reaction. Just stillness.

He knelt beside her for a long time, the silence broken only by his own breathing. The weight of her sacrifice, the mystery of her existence, the responsibility he felt—it all pressed down on him.

"I’ll get strong enough," he whispered into the quiet. "Strong enough to understand this. Strong enough to make sure what happened to you... doesn’t happen to anyone else."

He stood, gave her one last look, and headed back upstairs, the determination hardening in his chest once more.

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