Ascending Endlessly: I Copy Skills

Hye-Rin stood before me, effortlessly graceful as always. It was clear that she truly was god's chosen champion; everything about her exuded divinity. 

"Mason. I'm glad you decided to come. Let's go talk in my office."

She smiled warmly at me and then turned on her heels, leading myself and the Major after her. Ugh. She truly sickened me. How could she always have that sweet look when she was overseeing atrocities?

Still, I followed behind her. I had to get this over with. If this conversation went well, I would be able to escape her purview for a while. I would just have to make sure she didn't shake me. It would be hard but doable. Again, I was probably the person who understood her the most in this world.

As we walked through a series of long hallways, employees scattered and bowed as she walked past them, holding themselves against the walls to allow her as much space as they possibly could. Everyone here probably quite literally worshipped her. 

After a couple of minutes of this display of authority, we arrived at Hye-Rin's office. It stood alone at the end of a corridor. Of course, I'd been here a number of times before. Standing at the top floor of The Order's headquarters, it was truly an extravagant office, with a crystal chandelier hanging from its tall ceiling, pristine white silk carpeting the floor, and a desk made of a rare hardwood.

I ignored it all and sat in the chair across from her desk, while she opted to lean on the front of her desk only a few feet in front of me. The tension was quite palpable for a moment; she had told the Major to wait outside, so it was just the two of us in here, the imposing atmosphere which followed her washing over the room. We locked eyes and stood in silence for a moment before she broke it.

"You've changed, Mason,"

She said.

"And I don't mean your character. How on earth did you manage to defeat a B-Rank hunter? Even if he was pretty weak, it should've still been far beyond your capabilities, especially while you were inebriated. Besides that, there was the incident in the D-Rank dungeon in Oasis. Something strange is happening with you. I need to know what it is."

Well, it was about what I'd expected. She was inevitably going to catch onto my growth eventually; I'd just hoped it wouldn't be this soon. However, it was still within my expectations. If I wanted to get stronger quickly, it would be difficult to remain particularly discreet. I had made the choice to value speed over secrecy.

However, there was no use in hiding it now. I'd known I was a timer, and now that it had run out, it would be pointless to try and twist it back. Instead, I would have to play different cards to get her off my back and allow me to return to my goals.

"Yes, Hye-Rin. I got stronger. However, the details are not something I intend on divulging to you. And don't worry. It isn't a replicable phenomenon. You have nothing to gain from interrogating me,"

I rebutted. This was the only ammunition I had: the truth. If she decided to believe what I said about my method of growth being useless for other hunters, then she had nothing to gain from me. And, quite frankly, I was pretty sure she would take my word at face value. 

Despite her dictatorial prowess, she did always exhibit a certain behavior towards me which I found strange- an implicit trust in what I said. Even after the events which transpired during Project David, and my treason that followed, this habit of hers persisted. Maybe she had judged me as an honest person, I don't know. Either way, so long as I didn't stretch the truth to such extremes that a lie would become entirely obvious, I had faith that she would believe me.

"That isn't what I asked you here for, Mason. You really think I'd just exploit you the moment you found something nice? No, I'm happy for you. If you've discovered a method to grow, then there's nobody in this world who deserves it more than you. Actually, I'm relieved."

She shifted her pose, crossing her arms. Excuse me? Relieved? What the hell did that mean?

"Mason. I called you here to ask you a question."

I sat still, waiting for what she might ask me. I had just told her it was irreplicable. would she ask about my method anyway? Surely not. She wasn't so stupid as to ask a question which I so obviously would refuse to answer. What, then? Of course, the question came moments later.

"How strong can you get?"

She asked with a dead serious look. What? That's the question? I paused for a moment as I considered my answer.

"...I think I can probably get stronger than even you, Shin Hye-Rin,"

I replied. Once again, the honest answer was the most likely to offer me a greater advantage in this conversation. She wouldn't perceive me as a threat for simply suggesting I could potentially rival her strength. She knew that even if I could accomplish something so incredible, that she would still possess a literal deus ex machina in the form of the Human God's patronage. In addition, considering the question, she certainly had some purpose in discovering the limit of my power. I was curious as to what her insight would be. She sighed, leaning her head back and staring towards the cieling.

"Thank god. That's good, Mason. That's really good."

What the hell? Since when did she talk like this? Was this some kind of manipulation tactic to get me to drop my guard? She leaned forward again and faced me seriously.

"Things are getting really bad. I don't know if even I can handle the problems that humanity is going to face soon. If you really can grow as strong as me, or even more powerful, then that's exactly what we need right now,"

She said as she traced a line across her desk with her finger, walking around it and sitting in the chair behind it. 

"Mason. I know you hold a deep grudge against me. But please listen to what I have to say. After that, you can decide what you want to do. I, of course, won't force you into anything."

As much as I wanted to turn her down and walk away, the prospect of something happening that even The Oracle herself couldn't stop was information that was too tempting to pass up. Gears were turning in my brain. What the hell could stand against her?

"Fine. I'll hear you out, but then I'm leaving. Get on with it."

She sat still for a moment after I accepted, clearly gathering her thoughts. Eventually, she spoke.

"The seals on the nucleus of the gloam in the center of the earth are fading, and I can't fix them. The human god hasn't spoken to me in three years. I can't maintain them anymore. Do you know what this means?"

Fuck. I did know what it meant. That was very, very bad.

"It means that the gloam is going to break out and wreak havoc on the world once again. The inferior seals holding the dungeons and sanctuaries together won't hold against a frontal attack from the larger mass of the gloam. Mason, in less than six months, humanity will be extinguished."

She put her head into her hands and started rubbing her temples.

"Not only that, but The Order is slowly falling apart. I'm losing my influence. Too many bad actors have gained authority for me to properly weed them out. I can't even properly organize a task force to try and withstand the gloam's attacks."

Six months. That was all we had? Six months? My vision tunneled as I imagined the consequences of what she was saying. Within the center of the earth, the largest and most dense chunk of gloam was imprisoned in a barrier unlike the ones here on the surface. If it escaped, humanity probably wouldn't be able to fight back, especially if the Human God had abandoned Hye-Rin. 

What did that mean? It meant I had half a year to obtain enough power to wipe out the gloam. Could I do it? Could I succeed in such a monumental task? Fuck. I don't know. I should have been faster. I've been taking my time. I should have worked even harder. If I'd known...

"If you can really keep growing stronger, maybe you can do something. And clearly you can. I know you hate me and everything I've built, but please think about our planet. Our species. You have to do something, Mason. Im..."

She paused.

"I'm scared."

She barely managed to squeak that last sentence out. Scared? You? The dictator? The executioner? The one who could coldly doll out orders while facing impossible odds? Bullshit. It was another manipulation tactic.

"So, if you would just let me help you, I'll give you anything you need. All the support you could ask for. Whatever can help you grow, I'll do it. Anything, Mason, just... please. Please help. I need you."

I stood from my chair and looked her in the eyes. I didn't have to think about a response.

"Hye-Rin."

I said. She looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"Yes...?"

I narrowed mine.

"I'll take care of it. And I don't need your help. Don't call on me again."

I turned and started walking out. It was dangerous, yes. If I worked with her, I could quickly obtain S-Rank skills and jump several levels instantly. However, if I sold my soul to her in exchange for faster growth, the consequences could ultimately be even greater than the calamity which was soon arriving. I had the potential to become a monster even more horrifying than the gloam. Instead, I had to work quickly. I just had to get there myself.

I would have to get to work immediately. Could I skip the B-Rank dungeons and skip straight to A-Rank? Could I risk it just to try and obtain some A-Rank skills? It may be necessary. Alternatively, I can try to get some A-Rank hunters to use their skills so I can copy them. It's a possibility. Whatever was the fastest, I'd have to do it.

As I was about to leave, Hye-Rin called out to me.

"Mason, Wait,"

She stood up and hit her hands on the desk. I turned and glared at her. She hurriedly continued.

"Look, the truth... the truth is that I miss you. You and the others were everything I had. I'm so alone now. And I know I never really properly said this. I mean, how can I apologize for something so horrible? How can I ever atone? But really, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I hate myself for all of the pain I caused you and everyone else. I hate myself so much, so please. Please just let me help you do this, Mason. I'm begging you."

She sounded desperate. For a moment, my eyes widened and my mouth hung slightly ajar. I had never once heard her speak this way. It was incredible. The iron-willed Oracle sounding like a desperate child? It was unthinkable.

I close my mouth and softened my expression.

"Hye-Rin."

I spoke softly.

"You made me into a traitor."

She was silent for a second.

"I know. I'm sorry."

She responded, her voice trembling lightly.

"You really are sorry? You really hate yourself?"

I fully turned towards her as I asked.

"Yes. Yes, Mason. Please believe me. I know I don't deserve it, but please. I miss you. You're the only person left alive I can trust!"

She leaned far over her desk and shouted as she trailed off.

I walked closer and placed my hand on her cheek.

"Hye-Rin..."

Her face softened as I stroked it gently. She looked so innocent.

However, my eyes sharpened into a thick scowl.

"Where do you get off thinking that I'd believe that bullshit?"

My hand stopped touching her face carefully, turning into a firm grip, my nails digging into her perfect skin. I leaned in close, touching my forehead to hers and staring her directly in the eyes.

"You're the traitor. Not me. I will never allow you to pollute me again. I'm going to destroy the gloam myself, and when I'm done, I'm coming after you. Never fucking talk to me again."

After that, I left the office, throwing the door open and striding quickly into the hallway filled with both rage and determination to fulfill my task. As I walked with my back turned to her open office, I could have sworn I heard a light, repressed sob.

However, I dismissed it. There's no way a monster like that could be capable of crying. Instead, I had more important things to think about. It's time to get fucking strong.