X-Rank Hunter

The day passed by reluctantly as the nighttime finally arrived. The long-awaited, no, the time that someone like Charley Jabat wished to never come, finally arrived. The sorrowful moon shone so dimly in the lonely night while the usually cold breeze of the wind became so much colder when it reached Charley's figure.

Standing alone on the roof of their house, Charley felt so desolate. Even if she told herself many times already that it was fine, she still couldn't help but feel restless seeing the approaching fate.

"Jim has disappeared..." Charley was still lamenting their fate when she suddenly heard a voice of an old man from behind her.

Charley was too tired to even turn around just to see who was the person behind her. Even so, even after knowing already that fact as well, she still replied, "Is that so?"

Who else could it be other than Laude Jabat?

A while ago, when they went back home, they enjoyed themselves to the fullest as if it was the last time they would meet each other. Even Laude who usually wore a serious and tyrannical face laughed so loudly and smiled so widely making both Jim and Jasper doubt if this old man was still their grandfather.

But knowing about the curse, the two brothers thought that their grandfather was probably doing this to enjoy his remaining time with Jim. Both Jim and Jasper were happy though. Not only them, even the other parts of the family, Charley, Jade, and even Chad were all joyously enjoying themselves together not realizing that the time was slowly passing by.

That said, even when the night arrived, they didn't stop talking to each other telling every story they had experienced. They ate, they sang, they danced, whatever they could do to enjoy themselves, they did it to the fullest. As if afraid that that moment would never happen again.

That was the first time, yes, in the many years of their life, that was the first time they saw each other being happy to that extent. If it was possible, it would be better if that moment would last forever.

Another happy moment passed by and the kids including Jim finally felt tired. They then slept. But Jade refused to not sleep together with her big brothers so as helpless as the two brothers were, they could only agree and sleep together.

So then, with Jade in the middle, the siblings slept so soundly with noticeable sweet dreams being revealed on their happy faces. The mother watched them with a smile for a good while before finally leaving the room and went on the roof to contemplate many things.

Laude also went in the room to see his grandsons and granddaughter for a good while before he left the room and went to the sofa to guard them in their sleep.

Chad also did the same, he took a look at his nephews before going to his respective room. But knowing that he didn't need to guard his nephews, especially Jasper, with Laude around, Chad felt at ease as he decided to sleep and rest as well. And also, he felt rather sleepy to the point that he couldn't hold on anymore. That said, Chad went to sleep.

In fact, even Laude himself felt sleepy as well. He was just trying his hardest to resist the calling of the bed. Even Charley felt the same. If not for her perseverance, and the overwhelming sadness and restlessness she felt right now, she might have fallen into deep sleep already a moment ago.

It should be strange for them to feel that way since they were a High Ranker and could stand several days without sleep. But they didn't feel anything strange since they knew what was about to happen.

The curse was now taking effect! And they all knew that once they had fallen into a deep sleep, the existence of Jim in their mind would be erased once they woke up in the morning.

So then, this happened, as Laude was still struggling to keep his senses on and watch Jim in his sleep, Jim suddenly disappeared leaving without a trace.

Laude knew that Jim had finally left. And he knew as well that it would be a long time to see him again. Nonetheless, it was still better since he could still see his grandson someday. When that time happened, Laude really wondered how strong the other party would be.

After Jim disappeared, Laude went to the roof to inform Charley. Although he knew that it was possible for the other party to know it already, he still informed Charley about Jim's departure. And right now, while the both of them were gazing at the dim moon and while ruminating about many things, the last drop of tears had fallen from Charley's eyes. 

Charley then smiled. She muttered in the silent surroundings, "Take care, my son..."

****

An almost similar thing happened to Ben's case.

A while ago, Zach who was having trouble finding a solution on how to carry the unconscious ladies, heaved a sigh of relief when he found all of them waking up at almost the same time. It appeared that he didn't need to tie them up like logs for him to carry all of them. That was really a relief.

After that, they then decided to start their journey to go back home, or rather, Jessa's home.

Soon, after walking for a couple of hours, they finally arrived at their destination. It was already sunset at that time.

But when they arrived, Jessa was astonished by the sight. The house that she thought was already burned into ashes was still in there standing so peacefully. The rays of the sunset made the sight even more beautiful as the orange hue engulfed the small hill where their house was built on top.

Outside the little house was her beloved little brother sitting on a chair. He was even taking a sip from a cup of tea as if he was already there for a long time and was waiting for their come back.

"Welcome home..." Ben greeted seeing the approaching figures while he stared at his most beloved big sister.

"Yes," Jessa smiled. Jessa thought that her younger brother had escaped from homework but it appeared that the other party went back home early to build a new house for them. That was really fast! This little brother of her was surely reliable sometimes!

But as Jessa walked towards the door and as she reached her hand towards its handle, she had just pulled the door slightly when the ground before her started to shake. Not long after, as what everyone around had expected, the house fell making Jessa stand back and fell on her ass on the ground.

"This..." Ben smiled bitterly. He worked so hard for a couple of hours but it appeared that he was not good at building a house. He scratched the back of his head as he said, "It seems like I'm not good at building a house."

"You!" Jessa found her veins popping out on her head. But it didn't last for long before her frustration was replaced by a wide smile. "Let just build a new house together."

This time, they weren't only the two of them. Other people were now accompanying them so she thought that it was much fun if they worked together to build a new house that they could call their new home.

"Yes!" Ben replied with an awkward smile.

Everyone around couldn't help but laugh. This kid was good at destroying things but when they were talking about building a house, he was way below any of them.

Jessa then stood up from the ground as she said, "Alright, we will build a temporary tent right now for our shelter this night. Others will be responsible for cooking." She shifted her gaze to Ben as she ordered, "And you Ben, hurry up and go hunt for some delicious meal!"

"Yes!" Ben replied as he disappeared without a trace. Being ordered around by his elder sister really felt much better than doing things on his own.

****

"Hmmmm... I felt sleepy?" Elaine stared at the dim moon as she stood on top of the highest tree around the forest. Right now, she was holding a book in her arms as she put it into her embrace. Elaine's seemingly fake smile didn't leave her as she asked, "Tell me, is the curse taking effect now?"

"..."

Naturally, Elaine was asking the book itself. But instead of a reply, what she received was silence.

"Not talking now huh." Elaine chuckled softly and it appeared that she didn't give a damn on the response of the book.

After which, Elaine waved her hand and a small floating hut with a single bed inside appeared in the midair. A lump illuminated the entire room with its orange hue revealing a comfortable shelter for the night.

Elaine then floated leisurely towards the small hut as she went on the bed. She then put the book on the table beside the bed as she muttered, "Guard me okay? I will take a nap for now."

"..."

But Elaine still didn't receive any reply. Even so, she didn't wait for its response as she slept peacefully at night.

****

As Janine finished strolling the entire town for an errand, it was already nighttime. But of course, the town was still ever before full of lights seemingly destroying the presence of night. Many fast-food restaurants and bars were still opened with lots of people going in and out. All kinds of shops were around as Janine was too tired to choose where to go.

And as the night was going deeper and as Janine was nowhere to go anymore, she sought for an inn for her to rest. She didn't understand but she felt sleepy at that time. That said, after some inquiries, she finally found a suitable inn for her. Without further ado, she got a room for her while leaving the receptionist the money Janine had received a while ago from Pedro.

She excitedly dived on the bed as she enjoyed its softness that embraced her. With that said, it didn't take long for Janine to fall asleep unaware of whatever might happen to her sooner or later.