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The original was posted on /r/nosleep by /u/02321 on 2025-01-30 00:40:07+00:00.

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Lately I’ve accepted a few smaller jobs just to keep busy. I found if I was alone with my thoughts for too long, I didn’t like the outcome. Mostly I was worried about what would happen now that August was free. Breaking a collar was no easy feat. We made a basic report but expected something drastic to come of our actions. My cellphone rang and I debated on not answering when I saw Lupa’s name. He always brought some sort of stress. Instead of putting it off, I listened to what he wanted.  

It was just a basic job of missing hikers in a forest. Since I wasn’t busy Lupa asked if I could investigate the cause. I didn’t need to solve the problem, just reported back if it was a supernatural issue or not. He mentioned an Agent would be joining me. That either meant this job would be much harder than he let on, or there was something else he wasn’t telling me. His tone made it very clear I couldn’t refuse.  

I borrowed a pair of sturdy boots and put on a jacket that hadn’t been shredded to pieces yet. Before I left, I flexed my new hand a few times testing it out. I wasn’t sure how useful it would be. Focusing on gathering enough magic from my surroundings to make it transform into a claw while being alert to the threats around me was like juggling six apples on a unicycle. It would take a heck of a lot of practice.  

I met the Agent outside of a large forest. I was hit by a breeze so warm I needed to take off my jacket. The trees were covered with deep green leaves that gently swayed. I’ve rarely come across a place so dense with plant life before. I didn’t need special eyesight to understand the reason why. A stream of magic ran through the ground so close to the surface that it caused the forest to bloom all year round. 

 Lupa lied. There was no way normal humans would be allowed here. It was teeming with supernatural life. It would be impossible to figure out what had caused the disappearances of whoever entered these woods.  

“I’m Agent Finch. You’re Richmond, correct? I seem to have forgotten your last name.” The Agent said and slightly raised his head almost in a mocking way.  

“Don’t worry about it.” I brushed off the comment.   

He was tall and thin with a perfect suit. Everything about him was sharp and crisp. Golden eyes intently studied my every move. I guessed Finch was almost as strong as Klaus. A type of Agent that had earned the right to pick their assignments. So, why was he here? He noticed the gears working away in my head and waited to see if I would ask questions about the current task.  

“This place is too dense with magic. Normally The Corporation seals forests like this away from the general public. And you seem to be too big of a deal to be here. What’s going on?” I asked refusing to continue unless I got answers.   

He gave a small impressed whistle crossing his arms behind his back. His tough guy mask dropped ever so slightly. I still had some reservations about Finch but was ready to listen.  

“You’re not as stupid as I heard you were.” He commented and I ignored it. “Lupa would like to formally request for you to become an Agent however he's not entirely certain if he should. He owed me a favor so I offered to watch you on this job. I’ll be a bystander. I am not going to offer any assistance. Aside from having a conversation to pass the time, you shouldn’t even consider I'm here.”  

All of this being some sort of test explained a few things. I still wasn’t certain if I wanted to follow through with this. If it was any other office supervisor, I would be more comfortable. Lupa simply didn’t have the best reputation and I didn’t want to be on his radar.  

“So, you’ll answer questions but won’t help fight any creatures, right?”  

Finch nodded and I could have sworn I heard a chirp from him.  

“Alright, let’s get back to this job. Were the missing hikers a lie to get me here?” I said and gestured towards the dense forest.  

“No. A small town of Witches live nearby and have been responsible for this forest for generations. They are aware of the dangers but will still use the woods for resources and yes, hiking. The fact they disappeared in a place they knew like the back of their hand is alarming.” Finch explained.  

I crossed my arms and thought over the information for a few minutes. Witches are similar to Hunter families. They are humans with supernatural powers they marry into other families with the same strengths. Unlike Hunters, Witches refuse to harm supernatural creatures unless their lives are threatened. Their traditions and lifestyles differ from family to family. For the most part, they are nature-loving free spirits who refuse to use their powers for violence. Because of that Hunters see them on the same side as monsters and will sometimes wipe our entire families. Normally it’s not worth the effort so massacres rarely happen.  

“Do you want to walk and talk?” Finch offered holding his hand toward the start of the trail. 

“You seem like a chatty person.” I admitted to him.  

An oddly genuine smile showed on his face when he agreed with that statement.   

We wouldn’t solve what was happening in this forest if we stood around. I started down the trail with the Agent following behind. Since the magic that flowed through this place was so bright my eyesight was useless. I still looked around trying to see any signs of a threat as we went deeper into the lush woods.  

“What if I don’t accept the offer of being an Agent?” I asked out loud not really expecting an answer.  

“You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself. Lupa is considering it based on your skill set. Personally, I don’t think you’re suited for the job.” Finch admitted and shrugged when I gave him a narrowed-eye glance. He kept speaking. “I think it would be best for you to accept the job. You're going to die young anyway. Might as well take what you can get. Right now, your name is being dragged through the mud simply because of rumors of you being from a Hunter family.” 

I paused at his words. Recently I’d only picked up easy jobs I could do on my own because nothing else had showed up in my inbox. It was possible I wasn’t being sent jobs that required me to work with a second person because no one wanted to be around me. I’d lost the trust of people I needed to rely on to stay alive and get paid. If I became an Agent all those issues would go away.  

“Has anyone been bad-talking Ito?” I asked feeling a heavy pit in my stomach.  

“No. They see him as a victim.”  

I frowned but accepted that. This didn’t help us ever get back together. It hurt to admit that it was better for him if I stayed away for a while.  

“Aside from observing you on this job, I was sent to ask a question or two about August since his collar was removed.” Finch explained causing my stomach to feel heavier.  

“We already made our reports, what else do you want to know?” I asked refusing to look over my shoulder in case my expression gave my emotions away.  

“Have you heard the rumor of how his village handled their dead?” The Agent asked sounding closer than before.  

“No. What do they do with them? Eat them?” I asked finally making eye contact with him playing dumb.  

I was already a little stupid so acting like it was easy. He studied my face for a moment and dropped the question.  

“Never mind that. I also need to know your opinion on how dangerous August is now that his collar is gone. Will he cause any issues in the future?” Finch pressed on.  

I shook my head after a minute. The Corporation knew August was strong even if they hadn’t confirmed the existence of the tomb in the mountain. If he wanted his revenge, he would have acted already. Unless he was waiting for something they didn’t know about. I remembered that April still had her collar. They might be worried that was the only thing keeping him in line. Sweat started at the back of my neck as stress set into my muscles. They didn’t know what he had done to the aunt and uncle. Would they kill him for that? Or try and put him under their thumb again? If I didn’t answer carefully August would be in danger.  

“I dread what would happen to the first person who dumps Lucas but overall, he’ll behave. August just wants to live a peaceful life with his family.” I hoped the truth would be enough. 

A long silence came between us. I could feel Finch’s golden eyes staring a hole into the back of my head. I didn’t like how tense this guy made me. It felt like I was walking on eggshells any time he spoke.  

“That’s what I feel as well. They were worried he might do something reckless after he buys April’s contract and the higher-ups are considering if it’ll be safe to remove her collar in the future.” He said with a sigh.  

We covered some ground and started to walk along a less maintained part of the trail. So far, I saw no signs of danger. Just the normal wildlife living in the trees. I wanted to ask another question but didn’t know how to without coming off as stupid.  

“Speaking of removing collars, the story we’re spreading is that you were approved to buy August's contract. We’re unsure of how you broke the collar, but it’s not impossible since you come from a family of Hunters. If it gets out that you’re able to remove them, you’ll get flooded with re...

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