The Legendary Ghost Hunter

"W-What…?" Qi Ling and Tian Long's eyes widened at this response.

"I objected, of course," Lei quickly added. "The guild refused to tell me where the claim was from, so I had to suspect you two as well… forgive me."

"It makes no sense!" Tian Long cried. "Why would a Ghost kill other Ghosts, and risk their own lives doing so?! I saw Ace nearly die inside the Dungeon-"

"… It's the House of Crimson Moons," Qi Ling muttered, brooding hatred in her cold voice. "No doubt about it. There is no one else."

"Those bastards…" Tian Long clenched his fists in anger. "How could they make baseless accusations like that!"

"… That's the problem," Lei interrupted quietly. "I'm afraid… it's not baseless."

Qi Ling narrowed her eyes, then fell into thought. "Even if the accusation is coming from an A-Class Squadron, photographic evidence is required for the guild to actually believe anything. Which means…"

"Yes… one way or another, they managed to get their hands on a picture of Ace. From what I've heard… he had six tentacles protruding from his back, much like a powerful Phantom."

"What?! How could we have not noticed that?!" Tian Long yelled. "There's no way—they definitely photoshopped it or something!"

"… That is what I'd like to believe as well, but the guild said the photo was taken with the Shadow Vision ability of the Shadowtrance Angelica. Something like that cannot be altered."

"Shadow Vision…?" Qi Ling tilted her head. "Is that the Ability that lets someone see through all objects and only perceive black and white?"

Lei nodded. "Apparently, Ace's tentacles were glowing bright white, hence why he could see them."

"…" At this, both Qi Ling and Tian Long fell quiet. Was it really true? Was Finn… really a Ghost? They didn't want to believe it, but it was difficult to argue with evidence. But after several seconds, Qi Ling spoke.

"… Even if he really is a Ghost, so be it. My evaluation of him will not change. He is still the same Finn Thresher I know, regardless of whether or not he is human. As long as he is fighting for humanity's side, that is all that matters."

Tian Long nodded. "I agree. I still don't believe it, but even if Ace is really a Ghost… if they still have their humanity and are using those powers for good, who am I to complain?"

Lei took a deep breath. "It makes me relieved to hear the two of you say that. It really does. But I'm afraid… you have to abandon that philosophy."

"What…?" The two frowned in confusion.

"It's too late for us to help him now, but I believe with his strength, he can make it out of the guild's chase," Lei explained. "Just keep in mind… in the future, there may come a day when we, the Thousand Dragons Sect, are sent to capture him, a rogue Ghost Hunter. When that time comes… I don't want you to hold back. If you do, you will be targeted next by the guild, seen as an enemy."

At this, both Tian Long and Qi Ling were at a loss for what to do. They refused to abandon Ace, but at the same time, they understood what Lei was trying to tell them. It was a horrible dilemma. Protect your friend, or protect yourself?

"Go ahead and return to your dorms. I'm sure you are both tired, and I apologize for weighing down your hearts even more with this conversation. Don't worry about the squadron—the guild will not take any action against it for harboring Ace, as they believe we were fooled as well. Still, though… I'd like the two of you to make up your mind about him."

The two nodded and left the room.

Well, one of them did. The other stayed behind, with one final question.

"… Strictly hypothetically speaking, Master…" Qi Ling began once Tian Long was long out of earshot.

"… Yes?"

"… Would you turn a blind eye if I were to… go rogue as well?"

After several seconds, Lei laughed. "Despite the warning, you still want to chase after him? Fine. I've never seen you so passionate about something… it would be a shame to ruin it, now wouldn't it? Go, girl. Follow him. I'll cover up your tracks."

Hearing this, Qi Ling smiled for the first time in what seemed like all her life.

"… Thank you, Master."

Lei shook his head. "Think nothing of it. That boy… I pity him. He is so driven by hate, deeper than any other Ghost Hunter I've met. That girl around him—Iris—is trying to prevent him from drowning himself in that same hatred, but I'm afraid… she'll need help."

Qi Ling nodded firmly, accepting her mission.

"Don't worry. I promise… I won't let him go down that path."

*****

- Meanwhile, Squadron 154's Base -

"… They're dead," Fanatic said after a while. He moved away from the two familiar corpses laying beside one another, not even knowing what hit them. "It was poison. Judging from the look on their faces… it was an extremely agonizing one too."

"How could he…" Octane gritted his teeth in anger, tears forming in his eyes. "Why, Storm… why…"

"… Leave them be," Finn said after a while, turning around. "There's nothing to be done about them now. Focus on the future."

"R-Right… the future…" Octane echoed, slowly getting up from kneeling on the floor. "W-What do we do now, Finn? Do we go to the Thousand Dragons Sect to seek a new home…? Or the guild, maybe?"

"That's up to you," Finn said coldly, walking away. "I'm becoming a freelance Hunter."

"W-Wha…?' Octane's eyes widened in surprise. "Y-You're leaving us, Finn?!"

"The squadron has been disbanded," Finn replied coldly. "There is no point in me staying here any longer."

"What about me…?" Iris asked softly, hesitantly.

After several seconds, Finn spoke again.

"I won't force you to come along, but… I could use your eyesight still."

Hearing this, Iris's entire face lit up, and she smiled happily before wrapping her arms tightly around Finn's neck and pulling him into a deep hug.

"Finn…"

[Hmph…] Zelestria pouted unhappily inside Finn's head, but she didn't make a move to appear in her physical form, thankfully. That would've been troublesome.

"B-B-But-" Octane began, but Fanatic stopped him.

"We understand," he said calmly. "We will respect your decision, Finn. Our paths may diverge from here on out, but I won't forget you. Ever."

Finn nodded. "Neither will I."

Fanatic smiled. "Take care, Ace."

"… Farewell."

With that, Finn left the house, Iris still on top of his shoulders. Once he was gone, Octane slumped onto the ground.

"W-Why, Fanatic…?"

"Can't you tell, Octane? We're holding him back."

"I know… I know, but… ugh, dammit!"

"If fate truly exists, we will meet each other again one day," Fanatic said. "But in the meantime… we should work to get stronger ourselves, so that when our paths do cross once more, we won't be holding him back anymore."

Octane fell silent, comprehending those words. And out from Reaper's damaged, mechanical body, came a single sentence.

[Subject-AC3. Farewell.]