One leads us outside to the "training grounds," which is really just a wide clearing in the backyard. It's littered with battered targets, a training dummy, and the bleached skull of a monster. That skull has been there as long as I can remember, though I've never been told where it came from.
"Since neither of you has faced a monster before, I'm starting with a skill check," One says. "You two will fight each other."
Up until now, Hunter and I have been equals. He's beaten me exactly as many times as I've beaten him. Today, we settle the score. I turn to Hunter, who has a massive grin on his face. He looks incredibly confident, so I match him with a smirk of my own.
"Since we're in the middle of nowhere, are we allowed to go all out?" I ask.
One nods and steps between us. "Hunter, you're allowed to use any gadgets you've built, since Zero clearly has a natural advantage of his own."
My heart hammers against my ribs. Adrenaline spikes. If Hunter is allowed his tech, my physical strength alone won't be enough. One raises his hand, then snaps it into a fist to signal the start.
Hunter lunges. I aim a punch at his chest, hoping to wind him early, but his smile vanishes. He enters a trance-like state. Suddenly, an explosion from beneath my feet sends me flying into a haystack.
"Woah! Hey!" I scramble up, spitting straw. "How is that fair?!"
One's hand doesn't move. The fight is still on.
A small, spider-like robot—no bigger than my palm—scuttles toward me. It detonates with the same force as before. I notice more of them crawling down Hunter's trouser leg like an army.
I grit my teeth and smile. "I see how it is..."
I launch myself at Hunter, focusing every ounce of my strength into my right fist. That burning sensation returns, sharper than before, but I don't let go. I follow through. My fist connects with his arm just as another spider-bot explodes between us. The dual impact sends us both reeling.
My vision blurs. My arm hurts more than the explosion itself—it feels like the bone is actually glowing. I look over to see One opening his hand and raising the arm furthest from me. Hunter's victory. A wry smile tugs at One's mouth.
Hunter gets up, coughing and dusting himself off. He's limping, and his right eye is already bruising, but he extends a hand to me. I notice a scorched, black burn mark on his arm exactly where my punch landed.
"The spider-bots helped," Hunter admits, his voice raspy. "If it weren't for them, you would've had me."
Hunter has never been the bitter type. He's always the first to congratulate me, which makes it impossible not to respect him. I take his hand, my body screaming in protest. My breath is heavy; the exhaustion is unlike anything I've felt. It's like my very soul has been drained.
"Next time, I'm smashing every machine you make," I wheeze.
"Game on!" Hunter laughs.
"You two!" a sharp, feminine voice cuts through our laughter. Laina stands by the back door, clutching healing bandages. She points a finger at One. "You better have a good excuse, or no one is getting dinner tonight!"
One actually breaks a sweat. "I... I tried to stop them!"
Hunter and I stare at him in total shock. The stoic warrior, defeated by a dinner threat.
Laina rushes over, fussing as she wraps our wounds. "You're training for monster hunting, aren't you?" Her voice isn't angry anymore. It's soft. "I saw the badges. You better not die out there, or I'll kill you myself!"
She pulls us both into a sudden, tight hug. I feel something warm and wet hit my shoulder. She's crying.
"We won't die. I promise," Hunter says, patting her back.
One walks toward us, his expression returning to its serious mask. "That's enough. Laina, thank you for the bandages. I'll explain everything later, but for now... I need to speak with Zero. Alone."