“Become an Altered Hunter?” Innu repeated and was now standing up from the bench they were sitting on. He was walking back away from Blake at that moment as well. It was such a crazy thing to suggest. he never thought he would be put in this type of situation, and it would be awkward for him to just suddenly leave.
Altered Hunters were seen as something akin to terrorists. Being an Altered was not illegal according to the law. The fact that Altered Hunters killed Altereds for next to no reason just because they were one, was never something that Innu wanted to align himself with.
“Is it that big of a deal?” Blake asked, as if he could read Innu’s mind, and had stopped him from backing up any further. “If you truly believe that Altered Hunters are so scary, then why did you approach me in the first place?” Blake asked. “And, you have to think about your own situation as well. Aren’t you in a gang, haven't you already killed for your own survival?”
When Blake put it like so, Innu was starting to have second thoughts about the whole thing. The reason why Innu approached Blake was because he believed not only was he skilled, but the fact that he was a nice person.
At the same time, just like Innu never believing he would become an Altered Hunter, he never saw himself working in a large gang like the one he currently was in ethier. It was just a way to make money for a short while until he found something else.
“But… I didn’t want to join the Altered Hunters.” Innu replied. “I just wanted you to teach me a few things… a way to beat the others.”
Blake sighed at that point as he went on to explain.
“As I said before, I can’t just go ahead and teach you what I know. If they found out about it, I would be in serious trouble. Also, if you want to grow you will need more guidance than just from me.
“For one, a lot of the Altered Hunters' strength comes from their equipment. The armour they use, the weapons they are allowed to hold. Then you have the high star rankers. Those are the ones that you will need guidance from for real strength, not just me, and to do that you would have to join the Altered Hunters.”
Everything Blake was saying was convincing, and the fact that Innu didn’t have any intention of becoming an Altered, it wasn’t a bad path to take. However, what about the gang?
“How can I become an Altered Hunter? The whole reason why I want to become stronger is so I can help them. As the gang grows, there will be more Altered in the gang, and won’t I get swept away with Altered Hunter stuff.” Innu argued.
Blake finally stood up from his seat, and looked Innu in the eye.
“You don’t have to leave the gang.” Blake stated. “The low star Altered Hunters blend within society. It's part of their job and role. Being a gang member is no problem and we have more freedom than you think.
“Take me for example, I have acted and helped out the Howlers because I consider Gary… a partner.” Blake had stopped himself for a moment from saying another word. “I know that there are Altered in the Howlers, but I don’t act on it. I do have to admit from time to time, you might have to be called, but based on your position, you could inform the others.”
The more Blake talked, the more Innu was getting convinced, but he needed time to think about it.
‘I can see he’s on the edge, but if I’m honest, if he does join the Altered Hunters this will be good for me as well.’ Blake thought.
There was an ongoing problem that Blake had yet to resolve and that was the fact that the Altered Hunters association wanted to send a partner to his city. Originally he worked side by side with his father, but his father had been relocated to another location.
Blake had achieved his first star, and with recent events he was close to getting his second one. Since he was an official hunter he needed to have a partner but there was something else that could be done as well.
Just like how Blake worked under his father, he could take on an apprentice. With Innu under his wing, they wouldn’t send a partner. If Innu decided against the idea, then it would mean Slough would have another Altered Hunter to deal with, and they most likely wouldn’t be as kind to the Howlers as Blake had been so far.
“You want strength right.” Blake asked. “I understand, believe me, you will get the strength you are looking for, and if we need to continue to help out Gary, we can do so together.”
Saying those last words, Blake held out his hand, trying to seal the deal. Innu looked him up and down, and there was something about Blake that was drawing him.
‘Is it his handsome face? I mean, I don’t even swing that way but I think it's making me attracted towards him. No, maybe he just has a way with words.’
Innu shook his head, as he had finally made a decision.
“I’ll do it. I’ll become an Altered Hunter.” Innu said, shaking Blake’s hand. “But it will be in name only. I want to make that clear, especially if Gary ever found out.”
“Gary?” Blake smiled. “You don’t have to worry about him. He’s not even an Altered.”
The two of them chuckled for a little bit, and Innu was ready to get into action straight away.
“Alright, so what are you going to teach me first, or where are you going to take me? Is there like a secret shop where you store all your armour, or a cool car or something!” Innu excitedly said.
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's nothing like that, and technically you're still not an Altered Hunter yet.” Blake answered.
Innu was almost deflated to the ground at that point, all of the excitement was sweeping out of his body. He already had made the resolution to join the Altered Hunters and he thought he would have gotten something out of it.
“Do you really think someone like me has the authority to do something like that?” Blake asked. “There are a few things that need to be done for you to become an apprentice Altered Hunter.
“First, I will need to contact the base and inform them that someone is interested. After that, two star ranked Altered Hunters will need to evaluate your skills. If the two Altered Hunters agree that you have potential, then it will be reported back. After that you are an official Altered Hunter!”
It seemed like quite the long process but now Innu understood why the Altered Hunters were all quite skilled. It wasn’t something that just anyone could join.
“I’m guessing you can count as one of the Altered Hunters, who’s the other one, will it be your father?” Innu asked.
Blake shook his head.
“He is busy at the moment, they will most likely just send someone who is close by. When they do come, it would be best to make sure no incidents happen when they arrive. Otherwise, it might cause more problems than we realise.”
That was the last thing that Innu wanted to do. The true strength and the numbers of the Altered Hunters’ association were unknown, but it certainly wasn’t something that the Howlers wanted to deal with.
“What about the test, is there anything I need to do to prepare for it?” Innu asked.
“I don’t think so. Usually the Altered Hunters decide between themselves on how to test you. Most likely me and you can just spar in my father's dojo, with your skills, I’m pretty sure they would accept you in a heartbeat.”
After the talking was done, Blake had pulled out a strange phone-like device that looked more like a radio. He started to type away on the device. Meanwhile Innu was a bit nervous.
He had no idea what this meant, or what the outcome would be, but it did bring him a little excitement for what he would learn.
‘I can’t wait. If I get strong enough, then I can start fighting that damn minotaur again. The look on his face, will be worth all of this in the end.’ Innu thought, as his rivalry with Austin was strong.
“Well that was fast.” Blake said. “It looks like there is a hunter nearby, they will be here in the evening.”
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