Writer's Note: I did say I started writing this story before writing The Snake Immortal. Well, I wrote a total of fourteen chapters. I can finally start a new side project. I will still release the other three chapters. Just letting you know.

Chapter 11: Night Hunter District

"Rex!" his mother cried as she hugged him as he opened the door. "Are you alright? What class did you pick and why do you seem ti improve so quickly?"

"I'm a black mage and level 18," he answered, stunning her.

"B, black mage? You entered a black hole and made a pact?" she gasped. "Which one is he?"

"He's your son, not the fake," Sean answered, Mary sighing with relief.

"With what did you make a pact?" she asked.

"The Three-legged Golden Crow says that your life is a lie. That Mary Valentine is a lie. You are Gretel Gorgon Valentine. The crow also told me to give you this, the Staff of Flame, as my own morphed into the sword on my back. I have all the benefits, save for the staff itself," Rex answered, giving her the ring from his tattoo.

"Impossible! Your staff was the Staff of Flame? It changed...why did it change and why is there another to be given to Gretel? This can't be a coincidence," Sean said as Mary took the ring with widened eyes. "No one has been able to unbind an ultimate weapon of power before. Perhaps it plans Rex to own a different one, making him a Lord of the Elements two times over with all the benefits of the title."

"Looks like I can't avoid being Gretel Gorgon. Fine. Father, I need you to train Rex. The stats and skills, he has. He needs the experience and to unlock his special bloodline power. I'm not talking about skills," Mary said, Sean nodding.

"Of course. That's why you asked me to come. Moreover, he uses a sword now. Even though he is a mage, basic martial arts with the sword is my expertise. I'll train him in the basic sword stances and strokes of our clan," Sean grinned.

"I'm going to go out to hunt tonight then?" Rex asked.

"No. You are already level 18, more than high enough. Most of those who passed will be level 10, those of powerful clans at level 19 at most. I am your grandfather, so them sensing such powerful spirit energy akin to level 18 is not out of the question, even if a Cheat Hunter inspects the stats," Sean shook his head. "We need to train you so that you can fight someone who can counter your skills or can't be harmed by them. Tomorrow night, you and I will go werewolf hunting. You will only use your sword, no skills at all. Sleep tonight and tomorrow, I'll teach you stances and strokes."

"Werewolves? Sweet!" Rex said and paused. "Uh, what about my horns and eyes?"

"Don't worry about that. Only a Night Hunter can see those. To everyone else, you still have an ordinary light brown-haired head and blue eyes. There is also a setting to make Mundanes subconsciously avoid you without noticing," Sean said.

"So that's how Gaoli, Suna, and Soji did that," Rex realized from the time at guitar class. He opened the options page and, sure enough, the option to make Mundanes avoid him was there.

"It can also be customized to exclude certain Mundanes from the rule, like your Grandpa Raymond, father, and Sarah. Be sure to exclude that from the Mundane avoidance option. Usually, Night Hunters ask a Cheat Hunter to do it but you are one," his mother added. "You will hunt in the downtown area of the city. Many homeless live there and are easy prey to kidnap and eat without anyone caring to report their absence."

"One time, I discovered a farm house full of humans. Most were homeless to be used for blood farming, strapped to chains against the wall and fed oatmeal thrice a day. Once they can no longer satisfy the blood demand, they get drained dry. Most are half-dead and lost the will to live by then. It's a pathetic way to die," Sean said.

"No one noticed?" Rex asked.

"Of course not. Millions of homeless die or go missing America. Don't get me started on the vampire coven in India or Afghanistan," Sean scoffed. "Whether it's war or over-production, the creatures of the Night thrive in those areas and it is very difficult for Night Hunters to defend the Mundane without breaking their cover and exposing themselves. That mask of yours is really too convenient. You don't need to learn a passive skill or active skill to stay out of sight. Don't even get me started on how expensive items that have those effects are."

"Now that you are a Night Hunter, you must get some uniform for it. Before tomorrow night, you and I will go shopping in the Night Hunter District. As you use a sword, we'll have to buy you a battle mage uniform," Mary said.

"Oh, we need to decide what kind of cultivation path to set Rex on," Sean said.

"Like in wuxia and xianxia novels?" he asked. "Don't I have levels for that?"

"Yes and no. Levels get you to level 30 just by killing. Afterwards, you need to cultivate to empower your body enough to handle the abundant life force, mana, and Ki in your body. If you don't, you blow up. Kaboom. Flesh and blood everywhere, and every single bone so damaged that it would be impossible to distinguish what it used to be or where it was supposed to go either," Sean sighed. "Oh, and we need him to undergo the Rune Bone Ritual or he cannot reach level 100 in the future."

"Rune Bone Ritual?" Rex frowned.

"Think of it as you meditating in a cauldron full of blood with a bone cared with runes on your lap. It will allow your body sense spirit energy in objects and the air. You already regenerate health, mana, and Ki; right? Well, this is absorbing spirit energy from the very environment. It always begins with blood. Once the spirit-filled blood is drained into your body, the rune bone will shine and enter it," Sean explained. "You get some special ability unique to the bone and you can begin cultivation. However, these bones are too difficult to find within the depths of the Night. The more ancient and powerful the bone and rune is, the better. Buying them is expensive, but I have all the blood and the perfect bone for you. As for cultivation, you'll have to get one in the Night Hunter District. Even the most powerful method is free, but requires an equally monstrous talent to even use it."

"What is the blood and bone from?" he asked.

"....it's best not to know everything. Too soon for you," Mary said as she looked at Sean. "The Rune Bone Ritual is not even that fanciful or difficult. You practically fall asleep as your consciousness fades while the body drains the spirit energy of the blood. We'll just put you in the cauldron before you sleep."

"Kind of creepy, but okay," Rex shrugged, disappointed in its simplicity. As he went into his room, Sean summoned a giant gold cauldron already filled with blood. He gave Rex a strange, white silver bone and Rex went inside the cauldron. He fell asleep as soon as his head submerged in the pool When he awoke, he reeked of blood and he had a strange feeling in his chest.

"Took a nice, hot shower?" Mary asked as Rex appeared downstairs some time later.

"Don't I get some sort of ability?" he asked.

"You haven't cultivated yet. Oh, and don't use your rune bone's special ability as Rex. Use it as your alias. People don't need to know you got a rune bone so early. Besides the ability, it's not too shocking. The less the enemy knows, the safer you are," Sean shrugged. "You should have a bunch of knowledge in your head, right? I transferred my memories of my sword stances and strokes into you."

"Oh, so that's what those images are," Rex said as flashes of knowledge appeared in his head.

"Easier than reading, but you got to practice. After breakfast, we go. You really woke up late. Your sister, father, and that Raymond character already left to go to some theme park or something," Sean shrugged.

"Her best friend's birthday and they need chaperons. Your grandfather will be dropped off on the way. He wanted to play chess in the park with his friends," Mary explained as Rex ate and continued after Rex finished. "Now, let's head to the Night Hunter District."

"How are we going there?" Rex asked and Mary led him into the basement. There, she unveiled a large glass mirror. Rex frowned as he could not see his reflection in the mirror.

"This is not a real mirror. This is the entrance to the Night Hunter District, a personal magic item that is very expensive to buy. Only Night Hunters cannot see their reflections. These mirrors are sold to anyone with enough money. In fact, some mirrors are even displayed in broad daylight in some corporate buildings and shopping malls. Let's go," Mary said and she entered the mirror first just by touching it.

"Into the glass mirror we go," Sean said comically and through Rex into it.

"Ouch," Rex said as he crashed onto the ground, rubbing his arm as he saw Sean appear with a laugh.

"Welcome to the Night Hunter District, the only pocket dimension that literally connects to any country on Earth. This is a three hundred mile district where Night Hunters all over the world gather.

"Oh, this place is the witch block," Sean said as he saw men and women with staffs everywhere, eyeing him with wariness. "Ah, right. I killed one of the three only ever witch Code Keepers. Well, killing witches is fun."

"The War God is here," several witches and male witches whispered. Male witches were also called warlocks. Witches and warlocks were one of the more powerful breed of mages, a unique spirit energy within their bodies that allows them to practice their craft. Mary had the Staff of Flame and Rex's ink black spirit energy fused with the foreign witch energy, but still had the magic of witches.

"We only allow witches and warlocks in this area," a powerful, elderly witch said as she appeared. "By the law of the Witch Kings of old, leave or perish.

"You really think you can kill me?" Sean grinned. "Do you even know how many witches and warlocks said the same thing before they begged for their lives as I cut off their heads? You old crone, you ain't even level 100. You look powerful, but every Night Hunter knows that you gain eternal youth upon reaching level 100."

"You still need to leave," the witch said, many others coming. "We don't appreciate witch hunters. Your companions may remain, the boy in particular."

"He is my father and this is my son," Mary said, stunning the witch.

"Daughter?.....Gretel Gorgon? You've returned to the Night Hunter society and you even became a witch?" the old crone gasped, many others gasping in shock. Everyone knew the War God, even the distinct, unique spirit energy inside him. Thus, they knew of Hansel and Gretel who were also very famous in their own right.

"My mother was a witch," Mary said. "I just never thought I would be. Father, you should head to the Night Hunter Council. You haven't submitted a report in years."

"Fine. Fine. Rex, you better pick some interesting stuff. I'll buy some skills you will need," Sean said and vanished before anyone could register him move.

"We welcome you at last, Rex Cerberus Valentine," the witches and warlocks bowed.

"Huh? Eh? W, what are you all doing?" he gasped.

"You have become targeted by the Witch King. Although there is a new Lord of Fire established, you still have the title and you actually fused the witch spirit energy into your own," the crone said.

"I, uh, didn't do it but I suppose so. How do you even know this?" Rex frowned.

"The system told us. Only a male can become the Witch King and that male must have witch spirit energy of the most ancient. Your mother has the same kind, meaning she is the new Lady of Fire. However, we will not tell anyone she owns the Staff of Flame. We witches and warlocks look out only for our own. We have several covens with many goals, but the preservation of our kind is the universal goal," another witch said. "Most witches and warlocks are born, but the most powerful are made through relics containing ancient witch spirit energy. Only a one hundredth of all mages is a witch or warlock."

"Wow. So few?" Rex muttered.

"There are two ultimate factions of witches and warlocks. One is lead by the Witch Queen and the other by the Witch King. Most witches and warlocks follow the Witch Queen and don't practice the black magics, publicly. Those under the Witch King are the most cruel, evil, and ruthless. They are hunted by Code Keepers as they use their black magic on the Mundane. It took many centuries before Night Hunters allowed us into their ranks, no longer hunting us," a warlock said with a bow. "Only a Witch Lord can slay a Witch King and take his title and place. Only he can end the war and the blind prejudices against us. Each and every Witch Lord had been slain by the current Witch King. He was supposed to end the war, but he betrayed us all, killing the former Witch Queen and nearly conquered both factions. You are the only other Witch Lord still alive."

"I really have to kill him? I thought the system message was a joke," Rex said, stunned. "If black magic is the most powerful, and Code Keepers hunt those who publicly use them; how am I supposed to beat a guy who has been mastering his craft for years?"

"The chances are next to impossible," many witches and warlocks agreed.

"You still need to do it! Either he dies, or the two of you Witch Lord dies," the crone warned. "Come. You came here to by a battle mage uniform, judging by the sword on your back. We don't want outsiders to see us."

"Can we trust them mom?" Rex asked as they went into an old, black building.

"Yes. I know their history and their desperation. My mother told me many stories," Mary answered. "Our lives just became all the more dangerous. Since the Witch King will target you upon discovering your identity, you must train in the event he sends witches and warlocks to kill you."

"You will meet with one of the witches of the Witch Queen's own coven soon. Do you know what level you are now?" the crone asked.

"So soon?! Well, I am level 18," Rex answered.

"Good. You haven't had your second promotion test yet. Come, come," the crone said as they appeared before a large hole in the building, dark roots and moss covering the ground and floor around it. "Worry not, child. Enter the hole in the ground. It will lead you to the secret council chamber where she awaits. Gretel Gorgon, you may also enter as you wield the Staff of Flame and she will wish to meet you as well."

"Will we be alright?" Rex whispered as the crone left.

"According to my knowledge, the witches and warlocks of the Witch Queen's coven are above level 200. Since I left the Night Hunter world, I have not even reached level 200 either. They do need the Witch Lord to slay the Witch King and you are the grandson of the War God. We will be cautious there. You must be respectful there," Mary said and they went down the witch hole.