X-Rank Hunter

"So what should we do now?" Now that everything was clear to him, Ben couldn't just sit idly, right? After all, he was beaten to a pulp just recently, shouldn't they just at least avenge himself?

Ben knew where did the brute girl had gone into. He could tell that Jim had brought her to the illusion world with the use of his right eye. Ben was really astonished especially after learning that Jim could do such a skill of which only a high-level illusion master could do. Even in their entire kingdom, there was a handful of people that could do such a feat.

But well, that was to be expected to the one who was chosen by one of the Four Greatest Hunters. It would be more strange if the other party couldn't do anything surprising right?

The only thing that bothered Ben was why was it that only Jim's right eye had the Pulang Mata. Ben never heard such a case before. Unless...

Was that eye not his? Was it being transferred onto him? Ben could only think about it.

But no matter what was the case, it didn't change the fact that he wanted to avenge himself already. His eyes were telling Jim that he wanted to go to the illusion world as well.

And of course, Jim knew well what the other party wanted to. He could even feel the killing intent exuding out from Ben. Jim was helpless. He could only sigh deeply knowing that it was hard to stop the other party.

He was still letting Tokayo teach the brute girl a lesson but since Ben was insisting to avenge himself, then he should at least let the other party do his way, right? Jim was just hoping that Ben wouldn't go so far as to kill the brute girl.

But to kill that brute using strength? Even Jim found it as a joke. If it was not a joke, then they should be dreaming. It must be.

So then, Jim took a deep breath as he said, "Alright. Let's go there."

Ben nodded in response. His hand was clenched very tightly to the point that the pendant he was holding might as if break. Fortunately, it was made by fine and rare materials making it sturdy enough to stand such treatment.

"But first, I must warn you few things," But when Ben thought that they would depart, he suddenly heard Jim saying such words making him turned serious and attentive. He didn't dare to take the words of the other party as nonsense as he was more than willing to listen.

Seeing this, Jim was surprised. This kid was disciplined. Unlike him. If he was in the other party's position, would he be willing to listen to someone as young as him? But upon recalling all of his stubbornness towards his mother, Jim could only shake his head with a bitter smile. Because he knew full well that he would rather choose to be beaten up than to listen to anyone else.

So then, after a moment of pause, he continued, "If we reach there, you must not gaze at the eye in the sky for too long. That thing could put you under illusions if you get careless. It wouldn't cause you any serious harm though. But if you don't want to see your past, then you should be careful. You may not want to wake up anymore if that happens."

Hearing this, Ben nodded seriously. That was really something he needed to be aware of. Seeing the past? That was troublesome. He might really choose to live in an illusion if he found himself together with his mother.

Don't gaze at the eye huh... Although Ben wasn't too sure what was the eye that the party talking about, from the looks of it, it could be easily noticed by him.

After a moment, Jim's voice sounded yet again.

"And also, don't be careless this time if you fight the brute girl. I have watched your battle against her earlier..." Jim stared at Ben even more intently as he continued, "So I'll be frank with you. You're not weak. You're just stupid. How come did you let yourself lose your cool in the battle? Are you really trying to get yourself killed?

"I know that even after you put your everything to the last attack that you made, you still can't injure that brute. But shouldn't you try to escape first before you get shocked? You only need seconds to do that, was it really that bothersome?"

Sigh. Jim could only sigh deeply while shaking his head seeing the stupidity of this Ben. He was strong, but he wasn't that smart.

Ben, on the other hand, couldn't find a word to retort. He really got careless that time and let his emotion overwhelmed him. But he could feel as well that the other party was telling it not to mock him, but with goodwill. 

"And also," Ben was still reflecting on the wrongs he had done when Jim suddenly spoke yet again. Was there even an end to this? Couldn't they enter the illusion world already? Ben suddenly felt lightheaded. 

But then, after a moment of pause, and without caring from the other party's feelings, Jim continued, "Did you know why your sword broke into two when you attack her?"

Ben suddenly frowned. Wasn't it obvious that it was because that brute's skin was way too tough? Was there any other reason for it? At that moment, Ben suddenly felt that there was more to it than meets the eye.

"Why?" Ben asked. 

"You really don't know?" Jim was flabbergasted. 

"Just tell me!" Ben suddenly felt his veins popping out uncontrollably. This kid was really trying to get on his nerves.

"Alright, alright, haha," Jim laughed dryly seeing the impatient reaction of Ben. So after a moment of pause, he continued, "I don't know how did she do it, but your attack was reflected onto your sword."

"You mean to say..." Ben widened his eyes in shock. But upon knowing that that brute was a member of the Kastel Family who had the ability to reflect anything they touch or anything that touched them, it was highly likely to be the case.

Ben gritted his teeth. How dare that brute tricked him?! No wonder his attack didn't do any damage on her at all, it appeared that his attack was being reflected! How hateful!

"Do you believe me?" Jim on the other hand was surprised seeing that the other party believed his words immediately without asking anything in disbelief. Was this guy really trustful? Or was Jim really that trustworthy? Jim didn't know but he felt happy about it.

"Your conjectures are reasonable. So why do I not believe in it?" Ben responded calmly as he added with his calmness turning into frustration, "That Kastel is really annoying."

"Kastel?" Jim repeated those words as he tilted his head slightly. Why did he suddenly bring up this annihilated family?

"Yes. Why?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"Huh?" Ben frowned. What did that even mean?

"I mean who is that Kastel you are talking about?" Jim frowned as well.

"You're kidding right?"

"Just tell me already." Jim beckoned impatiently.

"You really don't know?" Now, it was time for Ben to be flabbergasted. He thought that Jim had already guessed the identity of the brute girl since he could tell her ability to reflect damage. But it appeared that he had no idea about her identity at all. Did he just figure out the matters about his last attack without knowing the identity of the brute girl and just by watching their battle? That was really something. It had to be known that even he himself who knew about the identity of the brute girl failed to notice what had happened. This Jim had really a good eye that could discern

"She is Janine Kastel, do you know her?" Ben responded.

"What? She is Janine Kastel?!" Jim widened his eyes in shock. That was something he really didn't expect.

"Y-yes..." Ben was speechless. He thought that Jim had a good eye that could discern anything. But thinking about it now, the other party couldn't even tell that she was Janine Kastel.

Ben thought that Jim had already known about the identity of Janine since he saw the both of them that had as if an enmity against each other. But this Jim really couldn't recognize who he was facing? That was something Ben didn't expect.

"So she is the sole survivor of the annihilated family huh," Jim smiled. He didn't even know why did he suddenly feel excited. "Interesting. No wonder she has that kind of insanely strong physical strength..."

Janine Kastel. To think that this person would be chosen by one of the Four Greatest Hunters. Perhaps, Bathala didn't really forsake her and was given a chance to rise from her and her family's downfall.