After the meeting and subsequent signing, Ash was told to continue his recovery until cleared. As such, the man spent a week in a hospital bed, not even allowed to move much. This left him much time to ponder and reflect on his situation. Slowly, he came to terms with his new reality, at least on paper.

  I wonder what will happen next. The Director mentioned that they would provide more information about the next steps in my new job once I am cleared by medical. They have been running tests on me daily, but I am getting restless... Ash pondered as he ate the food on his tray.

  The schedule had been morning tests followed by breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with evening tests after that. All the gaps in between were full of Ash secretly working out to pass the time. The one time the Nurse, Miss Ellington, caught him doing so, she chewed him out - something about him possibly ruining his stitches or injuring himself further. Since then, he had been careful not to get spotted.

  The automatic door slid open with a squeak as Ash was daydreaming. Director Russell, Miss Ellington, and an unfamiliar woman entered the room.

  "Good morning, Mr. Frye. I just got confirmation from our nurse here that they have officially cleared you. Congratulations, it is good to know you are in good health." the Director spoke in his hoarse voice.

  "Hello, sir. Honestly, I am relieved. I thought I would go crazy soon!" Ash responded, standing up, suddenly full of energy.

  "Right, we apologize for the strict conditions. It was for your safety," the Director responded with a smirk. "Anyways, I came for a few reasons. First, as you requested, I declassified the documentation on the A.E. you encountered that night."

  Russell pulled the document out of his clipboard and handed it to Ash. The young man smiled and gave the Director an appreciative nod.

  "More importantly, however, I have come to relay information regarding further steps you will take. We will start the Physical and Psychological test to determine your capabilities tomorrow. After which, you will join the rest of the Recruits." Dane explained.

  "Wait. The rest of the recruits? You mean there's more like me?" Ash asked with a puzzled look.

  "Your recruitment case is quite unique. Usually, the recruitment process is different - but yes. There is a group of 6 Recruits, including you. We will further explain everything once you join the group." the Director offered an answer.

  Whenever I feel like I get an answer to a question, another one pops up. That can really make a man go mad, you know. Ash nodded as he contemplated.

  "Ah, one last thing before I depart. Miss Judson, here is my assistant," the Director gestured at the unfamiliar woman standing beside him. "From today, she will be the person you communicate with regarding any questions or information needed. As you understand, I am a busy man."

  "It's a pleasure, Miss Judson." Ash offered a hand to the woman.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Miss Judson, who looked about to be 30 years old, wore a plain black pantsuit to match her serious expression. After a second of silence, she shook Ash's hand, giving a terse nod.

  "I shall leave you, Mr. Frye. Next time we meet, I expect to see a full-fledged Hunter. We have a lot of hope in you." the Director smiled as he explained.

  Ash nodded affirmatively, and the men shook hands briefly before Russell turned and walked out, followed by his assistant. Leaving Ash and the nurse alone.

  "Sir, as you were informed already, we have cleared you as physically capable of continuing with your integration," Ellington articulated. "As such, tomorrow, you will go through the physical and psychological tests and will be moved to your living quarters. However, I am afraid you will still have to sleep here today."

  "Figured as much. Can't escape this prison just yet." Ash said in a joking manner.

  "I am afraid not," the nurse replied with a smile, "Here, let me remove your bandages. There is no need for them anymore."

  She moved to Ash and meticulously unwrapped the bandages in silence. Ash impatiently tapped his foot, wanting to be free of his restraints.

  "It is nothing short of a miracle how fast you recovered from such wounds," the woman said as she threw the bandages away. "It is rather remarkable."

  "Thank you? I will take that as a compliment," Ash responded with a half smile. "And thank you for your care, Miss Ellington."

  "No need to thank me," the woman rolled her eyes and continued, "And please, drop the 'Miss.' I am basically your age."

  "Right, I'm sorry to offend." Ash smiled as the woman left the room.

  Left alone, Ash got up and stretched his body out. He desperately wanted to go on a run, but he had to wait for that. So, the man settled for push-ups and sit-ups, mixing in some squats. After 20 minutes of alternating between exercises, Ash breathed a sigh of relief; he had once forgotten the medicine that exercise had. After losing his sister, he dropped all combat sports and exercise, rotting away for 3 years.

  Well, no better excuse to get back in shape than getting stronger to fight nightmarish creatures of the night. Oh, right. The document regarding the creature I encountered! Ash pondered as he wiped the sweat away.

  Remembering the documents he had requested from the Director, Ash picked up the papers. Sitting back down, he read the paper out loud.

  "A.E. 376 - 'The Curse of Na'Jazar,' Classification: Class-D," Ash noted that a lot of the information was blacked out. "Description: The Curse manifests as a mark on the victim's body, designated as A.E. 376-1, appearing as a symbol of unknown origin. Stage 1: A.E. 376-1 will experience vivid nightmares for 3 days, in which a creature will appear. Described as a tall, skeletal humanoid creature with shiny black skin. After the 3rd day, Stage 2 will begin. During Stage 2, the manifestation of A.E. 376 will appear in approximately 3 mile radius of A.E 376-1. After this, A.E. 376 will attempt to hunt down A.E. 376-1 through any means necessary. Attacking anything or anyone standing in the way of its objective. During Stage 2, the manifestation can be damaged but cannot be effectively killed. As A.E. 376 will re-manifest itself after 3 days."

  So, the nightmarish battle was basically pointless. I could never have truly killed it. That sure is comforting. Ash sighed, suddenly feeling powerless.

  "Stage 3 is achieved once the manifestation of A.E. 376 dispatches of A.E. 376-1, after which A.E. returns to a 'liquid-like' state and searches out the nearest human and attempts to infect them." Ash finished reading as the rest of the information was redacted.

  This means the girl was a victim of the curse. A poor child faced with that thing haunting her... I wonder how long she was tormented by that thing. I must ask if they managed to rescue the girl. Ash put the papers down with a sigh.

  Finding out the creature's nature did not put his mind at ease. Instead, it burned with thoughts. He felt powerless; he felt that he had failed.

  "I need to get stronger," Ash muttered as he dropped to the floor, his training not done.