The Unmaker: Level 1 to Godhood

Jay gritted his teeth, refusing to let go.

Not this time. Not again.

Memories surged—his parents' screams, the sight of their blood soaking the ground, the monstrous roars that haunted his nights. The helplessness that had consumed him back then threatened to rise again, but he crushed it beneath his fury.

The fire burned hotter, searing through his veins, but instead of recoiling, he embraced it. The pain, the heat—it became fuel. His anger ignited like kindling, merging with the flames.

Marcus watched, wide-eyed. "What the hell—"

The Phoenix Sword's glow intensified, but the fire no longer lashed out wildly. Instead, it flowed into Jay's arm, burrowing into his skin like molten ink. The pain was unbearable—but something deeper, something primal, was awakening within him.

The flames carved an intricate orange tattoo across his forearm, pulsing with life. His breaths came heavy, ragged. The burning agony slowly shifted into something else—power.

A voice, no longer condemning, echoed in his mind.

"...You persist. You burn, yet do not break. Let your emotions fuel the fire within me."

The sword's ember-like veins dimmed, its fire settling into a steady glow. The weapon, once wild and untamed, now rested in Jay's grasp—accepting him.

Marcus exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Holy shit… You actually tamed it?"

Jay smirked, flexing his fingers around the hilt. The warmth of the sword no longer burned—it felt natural, like it had always been his.

"Guess I'm worthy after all."

Jay gasped for air, dropping to one knee, his sleeve reduced to ash.

At that moment, Rob stepped out of the fitting room, adjusting his robe. "Hey, how do I look?" He struck a pose, then paused, eyes widening at the mess—papers scattered, Marcus's booth in complete disarray, and Jay kneeling on the ground with a glowing arm.

"Uh… what the hell happened?" Rob blinked. "Also, when did you get a tattoo?"

Jay and Marcus exchanged glances before Jay let out a tired chuckle. "Nothing much. Just a little… equipment malfunction."

Marcus smirked, arms crossed. "Yeah. Definitely nothing life-threatening."

Rob raised an eyebrow but shrugged. "Alright, if you say so." He spun in his new attire. "Man, this set feels awesome. Like a Gandalf cosplay—just missing the hat and beard."

Jay and Marcus burst into laughter.

Marcus wiped a tear from his eye. "Gandalf's robe was white. But hey, if you ever upgrade, check out Crown White Type 3. That one's a real banger. Not spoiling, though."

Jay and Marcus clasped hands firmly.

Jay glanced down at the Phoenix Sword, its ember-like veins now calm in his grip. "Man, this feels wrong. You're really just giving me this?"

Marcus leaned against the counter, smirking. "Nah, don't sweat it. Think of it as me getting rid of a liability."

Jay raised an eyebrow.

Marcus chuckled. "If you didn't take it, some idiot would've grabbed it, gotten their hand burned off, and then what? I'd have to deal with lawsuits or, worse, shut down. This way, you get a badass sword, and I get peace of mind." He tapped his temple. "Win-win."

Jay exhaled, shaking his head with a grin. "Still, feels like I should be paying you or something."

Marcus shrugged. "Take it as an investment—from me, to a future top-rank hunter."

Jay smirked. "Damn right." He lifted the sword, feeling the weight of both steel and newfound responsibility. "I'll make it worth it."

Jay adjusted the strap of his new sword as they stepped out of the shop, the weight settling against his back. The mall buzzed with life around them—hunters, merchants, and civilians moving in their own rhythms. Rob walked beside him, rolling his shoulders under the weight of his new robe, testing its fit.

"I still can't wrap my head around it," Rob muttered, eyes flicking to Jay's arm. "You just took a weapon that tried to burn you alive, and now it's like you two had some kind of bro handshake and called it a day?"

Jay smirked, flexing his fingers as the ember-like tattoos pulsed along his forearm. "Some weapons need convincing. This one just needed to know I wasn't some weak-willed coward."

Rob snorted. "Right, because setting your arm on fire was the perfect way to prove that."

Jay shrugged. "You wouldn't understand. It's a warrior thing."

Rob rolled his eyes. "Oh, my bad. I forgot you're part of some ancient swordsman brotherhood."

They walked in silence for a moment before Jay shot Rob a glance. "What about you? First time stepping into the Bureau. You ready for this?"

Rob exhaled through his nose, his jaw tightening. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

Jay nodded. "That's the right mindset."

Rob ran a hand through his hair. "It's not the tests I'm worried about. It's the ranking. What if I get stuck at F or E? There's no real future for weak hunters."

Jay stopped walking, forcing Rob to halt beside him. He turned, his expression serious. "Then you get stronger. Simple as that."

Rob met his gaze, but Jay didn't let up.

"Listen, ranking isn't everything. Plenty of high-ranked hunters die because they get cocky. Plenty of low-ranked hunters survive because they're smart, disciplined, and know how to fight." Jay tapped Rob's chest. "You're not weak. And even if you are now, it doesn't mean you have to stay that way."

Rob held his brother's gaze for a moment before exhaling. "Tch. You always have to give a damn speech."

Jay smirked. "What can I say? I'm a man of wisdom."

Rob shook his head, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes now.

As they resumed walking, Jay chuckled. "Just don't screw up the agility test. Last time, some guy pushed himself so hard he blacked out mid-sprint and took the sensor with him. Place was a damn mess."

Rob smirked. "If I trip, I'm taking you down with me."

Jay let out a short laugh. "Like hell you are."

Rob sighed, stretching his arms. "What happens if I rank too low? Do I get a participation trophy or a 'Thanks for Trying' sticker?"

Jay grinned. "Nah, they just give you a pat on the back and a coupon for a burger. 'Congrats, kid, you'll be monster food in no time, but here, have a discount meal before you die.'"

Rob snorted. "Well, at least I get a free lunch out of it."

Jay chuckled. "Enjoy it while you can. After this, we're hitting an F-rank gate. Gotta see what you're made of."

Rob groaned. "Great. First, public humiliation, then potential death. Truly, the full hunter experience."

Jay slapped his back. "That's the spirit."

The Hunter Bureau loomed ahead—massive, sleek, and filled with the energy of those who sought power. Whatever happened inside, one thing was certain.

There was no turning back.

As they stepped out of the mall, Jay and Rob waved down a jeepney. Seeing it was already packed with passengers, they didn't bother waiting for another—they grabbed onto the metal bars at the back and clung to the rear like seasoned commuters. The wind rushed past them as the jeepney rattled down the congested streets of Metro Manila.

Rob adjusted his grip and glanced at Jay. "Why not just buy a car?"

Jay scoffed. "And get stuck in traffic for hours? No thanks." He gestured at the barely moving cars in the opposite lane. "Look at that mess. You think I wanna waste my life staring at taillights?"

Rob smirked. "Fair point. But still, wouldn't it be nice to have our own ride? No more waiting for jeepneys or squeezing into packed trains?"

Jay shrugged. "We're moving soon anyway, so it won't matter."

Rob's brows furrowed. "Oh yeah, when exactly are we leaving?"

"This Friday," Jay answered. "That way, we dodge the worst of the traffic. Weekends are when families flood the roads, and Monday's a nightmare. Friday's our best bet."

Rob nodded, processing the information. "Santa Rosa, huh? Place is quieter than here, but with all those unraided gates, it sounds like prime hunting grounds."

Jay grinned. "Exactly. Fewer hunters means more opportunities for us. More gates to raid, more loot, and more cash."

Rob exhaled, gripping the railing tighter as the jeepney swerved around a pothole. "A fresh start, huh?"

Jay glanced at him. "Yeah. A fresh start… and a damn good opportunity."

Rob smirked. "Well, as long as we're not stuck hanging off the back of jeepneys forever, I'm in."

Jay chuckled. "Enjoy it while it lasts. Once we start making real money, you can buy your own damn car."

The jeepney rolled on, weaving through the chaotic city streets, carrying them toward the next step in their journey.

As the brothers clung to the jeepney, watching the city blur past, their eyes were drawn to the towering billboards above. Flashing neon lights and massive screens displayed hunter-sponsored products, dramatic reenactments of top-ranked hunter battles, and even the occasional scandal.

Jay scoffed. "Man, before the gates and monsters showed up, these billboards used to be all about actors and models. Showbiz ruled everything. Now? Hunters run the show."

Rob raised an eyebrow. "Actors still exist, though."

Jay shrugged. "Yeah, but they don't shine like they used to. A few of them awakened, sure, but unless they've got insane abilities, they're nowhere near as famous as real hunters. Hell, some of them don't even raid gates—just flex their awakened status for clout. Their fans hate that."

He pointed at a massive billboard featuring a stunning woman holding a beauty soap, vines curling around her fingers. "You see that? You've definitely heard of her. That's Sheila Margo—National Rank 8 Hunter."

Rob whistled. "Didn't expect a model to rank that high."

Jay grinned. "She's not just a model—she awakened as a Dryad-class hunter. And she's a damn beast. Remember the A-Rank gate break in Sulu? She held back the horde almost single-handedly, using plants and massive branches to keep them at bay. They call her 'Maria Makiling' 'cause of how she manipulates nature."

Rob's eyes widened. "Wait, she's the one who grew that giant tree on Mount Makiling?"

Jay nodded. "Yup. Like some real-life Yggdrasil from Norse mythology. She even lives there most of the time, says she can 'talk to the plants and animals' around her."

Rob smirked. "And you expect me to believe that's not the reason you chose Laguna?"

Jay chuckled, shaking his head. "Hey, I'm just saying—it's a peaceful place with fewer hunters and more gates to raid. If a drop-dead gorgeous national hunter just so happens to live there, well… call it a bonus."

Rob snorted. "Yeah, right. Just don't go planting trees in the hopes she notices you."

Jay laughed, nudging his brother's shoulder as the jeepney rumbled toward their destination.