(Third Person POV)
[Two Years Later]
Somewhere on the border of the Abaddon Kingdom, in a small mining town, John was standing at the entrance of the mining tunnels. He was holding a long silver blade that he usually kept concealed under his coat.
"The bats are dead, huh." John said as he looked around, "I figured I heard the sound of gunfire."
He walked over to his son, Samuel, who was standing in front of several animal corpses. Or at least, they seemed like animals from afar. Upon closer inspection, they resembled massive grotesque bats with large fangs and multiple eyes. They were black in color, with various bony growths on their bodies that resembled bumps
They were Ravager Bats, a species of beasts that typically dwelled in caves, secluded from civilization. On occasion, they wander off from their lairs and invade man-made tunnels such as mines and such. On this specific occasion, Ravager Bats made a nest inside the mine, attacking and killing three men.
Due to this, John Greyclaw was called to dispatch them.
Such is the Family Business of Monster Hunting. He hails from the Greyclaw Family, a once-prestigious family of Monster Hunters who once fought and defeated the Ancient Vampire Lords. They were called Greyclaws due to their connection to the Great Ashen Wolf, a powerful Magic Beast that was considered a deity in the Blood Star Realm.
The Greyclaws eventually died out over the centuries, leaving very few descendants. John is one of the last ones left and, by extension, his children.
John stood next to Samuel, who was holding a revolver, "You got them?" He asked his son, who was 7 years of age, "Nicely done."
Samuel nodded, opening the chamber of his revolver, "Yea." He said with a smile, "It was quite easy."
John looked at his son, who had an unusual smile on his face. He then glanced at the bats, who each head a hole in their head. He immediately deduced that it took one shot each to take them down.
It had been two years since Samuel had undergone training with Kiyomi, a member of the Midnight Legion. It didn't take her long to teach Samuel the basics of Gun Magic and due to Samuel's genius aptitude, Kiyomi didn't need to do much. Around a year later, she was called back to the capital, leaving Samuel to resume his training by himself.
It was quite disappointing for John and Sonya, who hoped that Samuel would be tutored for much longer. But Kiyomi made it clear that Samuel was already a genius when it came to the basics of Gun magic and when she returned, she'd ensure that he learned much more.
But lately, John has been noticing there was something unusual about Samuel's awfully bright attitude. For the longest time, he and his wife believed that he was a good-spirited kid, always mischievous and eager for the thrill.
He's been doubting that recently.
Samuel was chuckling as he spun the chamber of his revolver, "This is fun...." He said, "Shooting monsters is..."
John looked at his son, "Samuel."
Samuel looked up at him, "Yea?"
"You're pretending, aren't you?" John asked him
"Pretending what?" Samuel asked, "What are you talking about?"
"This bright attitude of yours, it's a mask right?" John asked seriously, "It's always been one. You're just scared, aren't you? Since you were a baby, having those nightmares...you're disguising it with a smile."
Samuel's smile slowly faded, "...eh?"
John looked at him, "I'm your Father, Samuel." He said, "You don't need to pretend with me. You don't have to act like you're not scared, not with me. I'll protect you no matter what, from anything this world throws at you."
Samuel blinked, his face hardening as he looked back at the bat corpses, "I see...." He said, "I....."
"Monster Hunting is in our blood; it's what we do." John said, "It's the Family Business, son. But there are horrors I would rather you wait to go against. Bats? They're low-tier monsters, so I don't mind if you help me out with them."
"Yea...." Samuel said
"Do you still have those nightmares?" John asked
"Sometimes." Samuel told him
"You'll push through, kid." He said, "I know you will; you're my son."
Samuel nodded, "Right...." He said, "I will get stronger, I promise!"
John chuckled, "I hope so." He said as he turned around, "Let's go home."
"Our job here is done."
******************
[Some Weeks Later]
Back in their hometown, Samuel had gone to the local Tanner, giving him several papers that contained drawings of what he wanted. This tannery not only turned animal hides into leather, but also worked in leather-crafting.
The tanner was looking at the drawings, "Boy, you want me to make this?" He asked, "I mean, what is it? Some sort of belt?"
He looked down over his counter, seeing that Samuel was standing there, looking up at him. He noticed that he had his revolver in his hand, which made him a bit uneasy.
"It's a gunbelt." Samuel said, pointing at the paper, "It gets tiring, holding this thing constantly, so make me something that can hold it."
The Tanner looked at the drawings, seeing sketches of what looked like a leather belt that had small hoops on the side. There was also what resembled a small quiver on the side of the belt, which was obviously a holster.
"Hm...." He said, "I don't know."
"I have the coin." Samuel pulled out a small coin purse, "Can you do it or not?"
"I have never done something like this." He said, "But I can try. It will take me a while, I suppose."
"Take as long as you need to, just send word to my Mother when it is done." Samuel said with a nod, "I appreciate it."
"Huh, you're Sonya's boy, eh?" the Tanner asked, "I heard you guys had another kid some time ago."
"Oh, Deena." Samuel said, "What of it?"
"I didn't know Sonya got pregnant." he said, "She swings by almost every week, but had stopped. I guess it made sense."
"Deena is Meadow's daughter." Samuel turned around, "Anyways, I must leave now."
"Where ya going?" the Tanner asked
Samuel looked back at him, "I got a job." He said, "Monster Hunting."
"Ah, Monster Hunting." The Tanner chuckled, "Guess it makes sense; you're John Greyclaw's kid. You're hunting Monsters now, are you?"
"Yea." Samuel said, "I'm a fully-fledged Monster Hunter now."
"Ho?" The Tanner raised an eyebrow, "Is that so? Hehe....don't get cocky now!"
"I don't get cocky." Samuel said, "Who do you think I am?"
"I'm Samuel Grey!"
***********
John and Samuel were walking by Ellerift's Martial Arts Academy, a school for hand-to-hand combat that was opened a few years prior. As they walked past the open gate, John saw a tall and muscular man with pink hair and pink eyes. He was wearing a white gi with a noticeable black cloth belt.
Despite the pink hair and eyes, the man was quite handsome, with a chiseled jaw as well as a small, prominent scar on the edge of his mouth. He stood by the gate, seeing how students, varying in age and height, walk through the gates.
"Oh, Brennan." John said as they stopped, "How's it going? It's been a while."
Brennan looked at him, "Oh, if it isn't John Greyclaw." He said with a smile, "How's it been?"
"Doing good, just about to head out for a job." John said, gesturing at the building past the gate, "Your school is doing well, isn't it?"
Brennan nodded, "Yep. I'm so fortunate." He said, "Say, your kids wanna join?"
"Ah, that route isn't something they want to take." John said, "Especially this one."
Brennan looked at Samuel, "Ah, Clara's friend." He said, "He's the little troublemaker, eh?"
"I'm Samuel and Clara is not my friend." Samuel said with a frown
"Hehe...." Brennan said, "Say, you wanna join my Dojo?"
"No thank you." Samuel said, "I prefer shooting people."
Brennan laughed joyfully, "Ahahaha!" he let out, "That's a good one, kid! Ah, John, he's something else, isn't he? Say, you're taking him to a Hunt?"
"Yea, something low-level, nothing too crazy." John said, "I go alone on the bigger hunts. This one is right near the next town over, so it's not a big deal. A Bloated Stone Toad. Shouldn't be an issue."
"Ah yes. I used to beat those up as a kid." Brennan said, "Sometimes, some of them become too bloated, and they get dangerous."
"You telling me? Those things are annoying if they get big enough." John said
"Dad, can we go?" Samuel asked, "We're late."
"Yea, we can take off." John said, "Sorry, Brennan, we gotta go."
"Alright, no problem." Brennan nodded, "Take care and be careful."
"Thank you, sir." Samuel said, "I wish you good fort-"
"There you are, Samuel Grey!!" a voice said
Samuel turned around to see a young pink-haired girl swinging her left fist at him. He was sent flying after being hit by the most vicious left hook an 8-year-old girl can throw.
"Ughh!" He grunted
"Oh shit." John said, taken aback by this, "Wow."
"C-Clara!" Brennan said, his face going pale, "Why would you do that??"
Clara Hawthorne, whose hair had grown a bit and tied in a ponytail, chuckled with a smirk.
"Hehe...." She said, "I've beaten you once again, Samuel Grey."
"It's Greyclaw." John muttered
Samuel sat up, rubbing his cheek, "What is the matter with you, you stupid girl?!" He shouted, "Why would you punch me?!?!?"
"To show you that I am undefeated against you!!" Clara pointed at him, "You are weak!"
Samuel stood up, "You are stupid!!" He scowled, "I shoot you once, and you are dead!!"
"Ha! As if!" Clara said with a smirk, "Bring it on!!!"
Samuel reached for his gun, which was slid between his pants, "You asked for it, I'll-"
"Whoa!" John said as he pointed his palm at Samuel, "Take it easy, boy."
Samuel was suspended in midair, encased in a blue spherical barrier that had been erected in a split second.
"Shit, not the Sphere." Samuel said
"Language." John scolded
"Wow." Brennan said, "A barrier spell?"
"Yea, it's not news that this one is fighting girls. He literally throws himself at Maria, my oldest." John said, "To discipline both of them, I made this sphere to put them in time-out."
"Hahaha!" Brennan laughed, "You ought to teach me that spell, Clara needs it!"
"No, I don't!" Clara pouted
"Dad, we're late!!" Samuel scowled, "Let's go!"
"Yep." John said as he walked past Brennan, "See you later, Brennan. Give my regards to your Wife."
"Likewise, John." Brennan said
As John walked, the Sphere floated behind him as Samuel glared at Clara.
"I won't forget this, Clara Hawthorne!!" Samuel shouted, "Vengeance! I will have my vengeance!!"
Clara stuck her tongue out, "I dare you!!"
Brennan sighed, "Clara....."
Clara crossed her arms and pouted, "Hmph!"
Over to John, he looked to the side, seeing Samuel struggling in the sphere. "That girl likes you, huh?"
"Likes me?!" Samuel exclaimed, "No! She hits me all the time."
John chuckled, "That's a way to know that a girl likes you." He said, "When I met your mom, she almost killed me, you know."
"Oh, really?" Samuel asked
"Yea. A looong time ago." John said, "Listen, son. When a woman's first instinct is to try and kill you....."
"That's when you know she is interested in you."