The restaurant was full of activity, the clinking of glasses and the sizzling of meat lingering in the air. Plates and plates of food piled on their table, evidence of their well-deserved meal, and Bruce went on devouring his meal like a starving man.
Julius, who was sitting in shocked horror as Bruce entered his fourth round, cleared his throat. "So," he said, putting his chin on his hand in a casual gesture. "Why did you all want to become hunters?"
Remi, who was sipping her juice peacefully, nearly choked. "Oh. We're getting deep now, huh?"
Julius smiled. "What, you were hoping I'd let you enjoy your dinner by yourself?"
"I was hoping," she muttered.
Bruce, still chewing, stabbed his fork in Julius's direction. "You first."
Julius blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. You wanna know our reasons? We wanna know yours first."
The group all nodded together, perceiving an opportunity.
Julius let out a theatrical sigh. "Ah, I see how it is. Ganging up on your mentor. Betrayal."
"No, no. We're just reversing the question," Remi said with a laugh.
Julius reclined in his chair, folding his arms. "Alright. It is no big deal, really. I chose to be a hunter because I wished to do some good. There are innocent people out there who cannot help themselves, and if I can do something, I will."
A beat of silence.
Bruce squinted. ".That's it?"
Julius's eyebrow raised. "What do you mean, that's it?"
Bruce shrugged. "I dunno. Expected something more dramatic. Like, 'I was raised by a lone wolf and trained in the wilderness after my village was burned down by a demon ' or something."
Julius gazed at him. "What type of novels do you read?"
Bruce took a large bite of meat. "Good ones."
Julius groaned and shook his head, then turned to Yulli. "Alright, your turn."
Yulli, who was prodding his food, halted. ".I wanted to follow my dreams"
That caught their attention.
He breathed out, his hand clenching on his fork. "I came from a place where nobody got to dream. Each day was a matter of surviving just to make it to the next. And when I watched the hunters work, I figured, if I were as strong as they were, then I'd never have to be afraid." His voice softened. "I'd never have to lose anyone else."
A pause.
Then Bruce, as Bruce as can be, leaned in. "Wait. Are we having a tragic backstory moment?"
Yulli sighed, rubbing his temples. "You ruin everything."
"I'm telling you! That was such 'main character monologue' of yours."
Remi kicked Bruce beneath the table. "Be serious for once."
Bruce winced but continued smiling. "Okay, okay. I get it. Terrible past, very moving. Now my turn!"
Julius, despite himself, was curious. "Continue."
Bruce leaned forward, his eyes shining with pure determination. "I wanna be the strongest."
Silence.
".That's it?" Yulli said, unimpressed.
Bruce hit his fist on the table. "YES."
Remi turned to Julius. "And you thought his response too candid?"
Julius pinched the bridge of his nose. "I take back everything I've said."
Bruce gestured wildly. "You don't get it. Strength is the only thing that matters. Do you think anyone cares about the weak? No! They walk all over them! But when you're strong, you're in control of your own destiny! I'm going to be so strong that nobody's going to be able to touch me! Ultimate power!"
Julius gazed at him. "You do know you sound like every villain throughout history, don't you?"
Bruce blinked. "Huh." He sat for a moment. "Yeah. That makes sense."
Yulli exhaled. "Remi, go ahead of him before he begins ranting about world domination."
Remi smiled gently, swirling her drink. "Mine is probably the most boring reason. I just wanted to help people. I've liked the notion of helping people, never leaving anyone behind, since I was a child."
Julius nodded agreeably. "That's a good reason."
Bruce, jaws still moving, gave a thumbs-up. "That's solid."
Yulli regarded her consideringly. "You do have a talent for it. It's thanks to you that we made it as far as we did."
Remi blushed a little. "I—I did the best I could."
Bruce smiled. "Aww, is our little Remi blushing?"
Remi slapped him immediately. "Shut up."
Julius laughed, looking at all of them surrounding him. "Well, whatever your reasons, you all survived the first week of hell. And you survived, which means you are not hopeless."
Bruce smiled. "That means we're strong, then."
Julius smiled smugly. "It means you have potential."
Bruce groaned. "Ugh, potential? That's being nice and saying 'not strong enough yet.'"
Julius laughed. "Because you're not."
Bruce pouted.
Yulli, watching the exchange, couldn't help but smile.
Once the commotion had died down, Julius looked at the final member who had not spoken.
"Alright, Lawlet. You're the last one left. Why did you become a hunter?"
Lawlet pushed his glasses up, his face expressionless. "It's my father."
Bruce's eyes fluttered open. "Oh? A hunter as well?"
Lawlet nodded. "Yeah. He was one of the best—until he disappeared on a mission." His fingers drummed gently against the table. "No body was ever recovered. No explanation. Just… gone."
Yulli and Remi exchanged a glance, sensing the gravity in his words.
"So," Lawlet went on, his voice steady, "I signed up to find out what became of him. If he's living, I'll find him. And if not." He didn't finish, but the suggestion remained suspended.
Bruce, for a change, did not say something stupid. "Damn… that's tough."
Julius approved with a nod. "Good reason. You've got unfinished business, have you?"
Lawlet resettled his glasses again. "Something like that." Julius wryly smiled.
"Good. You'll need that determination for what's to come."
Bruce groaned. "Oh no. Don't tell me—"
"Tomorrow, real training begins," Julius announced. Bruce pounded the table with his fists.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'REAL' TRAINING?! WASN'T THIS WEEK BAD ENOUGH?!
Julius grinned. "That? That was warm-up."
Bruce looked like he was about to pass out.
Remi sighed in defeat.
Yulli, despite the encroaching fear, smiled.
For the first time in a long time, he felt something warm—something light. For once, he can unwind and have fun.