Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 50: An Unexpected Reunion

"You ran into me," Aren said flatly.

The senior tilted his head slightly, as if considering that possibility very seriously. "Did I?" he replied mildly. "Hm. I suppose we’ll never know."

Aren dusted off his shirt. "I was leaving."

"And yet," the senior smiled faintly, "you were also standing directly in my path."

What the hell is this guy talking about?!

Aren felt a vein pop in his head but decided to keep his cool. He exhaled through his nose slowly.

"I was interested," he said instead, "Was gonna come back tomorrow when it’s less...crowded."

The senior’s eyebrows narrowed at the statement before he replied.

"Urban Hunting?"

"Yes."

"Most people just come for my signatures," he said lightly, glancing toward the line of girls who were pretending not to listen.

"Oh, would you like one too?" he said lightly while taking out a pen from seemingly nowhere.

Aren put up his hands in defense. "I’m not really—"

"Just messing with you," the senior extended a hand casually. "Daniel Lancier."

Aren looked at it for a second before shaking it. His grip was surprisingly firm.

"Aren Cross."

Daniel nodded once, committing the name to memory. "So uhh...are all newbies this arrogant? Or are you some kind of secret genius?"

Aren flinched before inching back a bit.

The senior pointed at Aren’s hand, "A dampener."

"How do you—?" Aren started.

Daniel didn’t look surprised at the reaction. He didn’t even look particularly interested.

"Well," he said. "Not that it matters anyway."

Professor Voss’ voice echoed faintly in his mind from earlier that week.

’Most people wouldn’t even recognize one, Aren. It’s not exactly common knowledge. So it’s fine, people will just think it’s a cool-looking bracelet."

Aren looked back at the senior again. He was standing there casually, waving toward the girls with a friendly smile.

Who the hell is this guy?!

"Ahh," the senior cleared his throat after a while. "Got any questions for me?"

"Yeah," Aren said finally. "I do."

Daniel’s brows lifted slightly, inviting.

"The school actually lets this club leave campus?" Aren asked. "For expeditions."

Daniel shifted his weight lazily, one hand slipping into his pocket.

"We’re registered under a field operations program. There’s a supervising professor assigned specifically to this club."

Nice, so at least I can leave.

"Alright," Aren nodded. "How many members are in the club?"

"Five."

Aren blinked. "Five?"

"Including me."

"That’s it?"

"That’s it."

Aren frowned. "And the school keeps funding that? A five-person club?"

Daniel’s smile deepened slightly, like he’d been waiting for that question.

"We don’t rely on school funding."

"Commissions," he corrected mildly. "We work closely with the Bounty Hunting Committee and get paid from there."

Aren stared at him.

"You’re telling me this club basically runs contracted operations."

Daniel didn’t deny it.

"We operate within policy," he said smoothly. "The school provides oversight. The Association provides the jobs. We provide the results."

"It’s a win-win for everyone, really."

Aren exhaled softly before finally standing up straight.

"Alright Senior," he continued. "I’ll think about it and let you know—"

"Congrats on joining the Urban Hunting Club, Junior!"

Daniel’s voice rang out loud enough for half the nearby booths to turn. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Look here!" he continued brightly, holding up a clipboard as if he’d just signed the biggest deal of his life.

"Already got your name on the members list!"

Several girls gasped, some of them even clapped.

Aren froze.

"What?"

Daniel angled the clipboard slightly so only Aren could see.

There, in neat handwriting, was his name labeled all over:

Aren Cross.

"What did I get myself into..."

***

The noise faded behind him as Aren crossed the street and slipped into a small café tucked between two older buildings. It wasn’t busy at this hour, just a few students hunched over their laptops and one elderly man reading a newspaper by the window.

He ordered an iced coffee on the menu and took a seat near the glass, checking the time on his phone.

There was still around half an hour before he was supposed to meet with his landlord. Aren sighed as he leaned back in his chair. As an introvert, that whole interaction completely drained his social battery.

He stared at his phone at the new contact: Daniel Lancier.

Aren hadn’t exactly agreed to exchange numbers. Daniel had simply held out his phone and said, "Type it in," and it would’ve been awkward to refuse him in front of that crowd.

Daniel Lancier...The guy wasn’t suspicious or anything. But he definitely knows more than he lets on.

He set his phone face-down on the table and took a sip of his drink.

The Urban Hunting Club...

It definitely wasn’t a joke club or social circle. They were licensed bounty hunters with school approval.

His gaze drifted toward the street outside, watching cars roll past.

That means he could finally have a way to sustain his Core, and gain some experience along the way...not that he’d need it, but it was good nonetheless.

What he did need though, was the money. Aren tapped his finger lightly against the side of the cup. Even if it was split five ways and likely taxed by the Committee, it was still income.

Even if Captain Eric had given him a lump sum for his efforts and sponsorship, it’s not like that money would last forever. He’d also have to buy materials for cultivation, which cost a pretty penny.

One battle at a time.

Aren picked up his coffee and began walking toward the building he was supposed to be at.

The landlord’s office was only a few blocks away from the café. It was definitely nothing luxury, but it looked established.

Aren stepped inside.

The man behind the desk looked up over a pair of reading glasses, scanning him briefly before nodding.

"You must be Aren Cross."

"Yes, sir."

They exchanged a few formalities before the landlord stood, grabbing a ring of keys from the wall.

"Let’s take a look at the unit."

The building itself was just a tad newer than the academy dorms. They took an elevator up to his room on the fifth floor before stepping out.

The landlord unlocked the door and pushed it open.

"Go on."

Aren walked in slowly.

The living space opened up immediately. The room was furnished with a soft beige carpet along with a modest couch facing a low wooden table. The walls were a neutral color, catching the light softly.

The kitchen was compact but clean, with stainless appliances and four gas burners. Everything about the unit screamed modern and efficient.

Aren stepped further inside, hands in his pockets as he took it in. There were two bedrooms as well as a shared bathroom.

Compared to where his dad and sister were staying now, this was definitely a downgrade, but he preferred smaller and simpler anyway.

"This one’s shared," the landlord said casually behind him. "Split rent makes it manageable. Utilities included."

Aren nodded slowly.

"I don’t mind that."

The landlord seemed satisfied with that answer. He pulled his phone from his pocket just as it buzzed in his hand.

He squinted at the screen for a moment before chuckling softly.

"Well, would you look at the timing," he said. "Your roommate just arrived with their things."

Aren blinked.

"Already?"

"Seems so. They’re downstairs."

The landlord slid the phone back into his pocket and adjusted the keys in his hand.

"I’ll go downstairs and help them with their things."

Aren nodded slowly as the man left.

"Guess I’ll get to meet them today," he muttered. "Well, as long as they’re clean, it’s fine."

Footsteps echoed faintly in the hallway outside as the landlord put a hand on the door handle

"Perfect timing," he said as he pulled the door open.

White hair spilled out like a sheet of snow as pale blue eyes met his. Aren’s jaw dropped to the ground as he looked at the figure that just walked in.

"...Luna?"

"Aren...?