The Director's eyes seemed to bore into Kensu's very soul, searching for any hint of weakness. As the Director's gaze lingered on him, Kensu felt a shiver run down his spine. Finally, the Director spoke in a firm but controlled tone.
"Kensu Hashimaru, I've been reviewing your performance as a hunter, and I must say, I'm impressed." Kensu's eyes widened in surprise; impressed was the last thing he had expected to hear.
The Director's expression turned serious. "For a mortal, concerns have been raised about your capabilities as a hunter, which I've been considering for quite some time. It's no secret that I despise you and every other hunter in this institution." Kensu's heart sank, knowing this all too well.
Joseph continued, "That stunt you pulled off today made me both upset and happy at the same time. Do you know why?" Kensu swallowed hard, choosing his words carefully.
"I think it's because I comprehended a fragment of the scroll's content despite being a mortal," Kensu said, his voice barely above a whisper. The Director's expression turned even more serious, his eyes glinting with anger and curiosity.
"I'm afraid you're incorrect," the Director said, his voice dripping with malice. "That stunt you pulled off today is a capital offense. I have the power to remove your position and get rid of a pest I've been trying to eliminate. However, I need Navaida's approval since he gave you your position."
At the Orion Corporation branch, directors had the opportunity to recruit hunters, whom they nurtured. Kensu didn't know why the old man had chosen him, which fueled the enmity between him and his peers. Only the director who recruited them could fire them, making people groan as they dealt with those chosen. However, breaking a company protocol severely enough could lead to termination without the recruiter's consent.
Kensu had resigned himself to losing his job but wasn't worried about his life, knowing the old man would protect him. However, the Director's next words shocked him: "But due to certain reasons cause of someone you're getting a promotion."
Kensu's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to process the Director's words. A promotion? After what he had just done? It didn't make sense. And who could have caused this to happen maybe Mr. Navaida?
The Director's expression turned cold and calculating. "Yes, Kensu Hashimaru, you're being promoted. You already have a hunt lined up with expert hunters and one elite hunter." Kensu felt a sense of terror, thinking the promotion was a death trap.
In the Orion Corporation, hunters were ranked: recruit, ordinate, veteran, expert, elite, master, and legendary hunter. The difference between each rank grew further the higher one climbed. This small branch had less than 200 experts and a few dozen elites and no higher rank than those. A single expert could handle a light yellow-level threat, while several could take on a mid-yellow-level threat. A single elite could take down a prime yellow-level threat alone but would suffer grave injuries.
Kensu wondered how a mortal like him could handle a light green-level threat. While he struggled with light red-level missions, and now he was being bumped up to green. Even Joseph should have thought this was unreasonable.
Kensu tried to speak, but his voice caught in his throat. The Director's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "Don't bother refusing, Kensu. You're in this now, whether you like it or not." Kensu would receive more details on the task later and was escorted out of the office.his mind reeling about questions and fears about this mission.
Grabbing his hair as he walked out of the office, Kensu couldn't shake off the feeling that his life was about to take a drastic turn or even worse end since if he quit he'll be reported to the Knights and imprisoned for his misdemeanor. The Director's words kept echoing in his mind: "You're in this now, whether you like it or not." Kensu felt like he was trapped in a situation he couldn't control.
He made his way to the exit has he was done for the day, his mind racing with thoughts of the upcoming mission. What kind of threat would they be facing? And why had the Director chosen him for this mission? Kensu knew he wasn't qualified for a light green-level threat, and the thought of working with expert and elite hunters intimidated him.
As he reached the exit, Kensu was greeted by the familiar sight of an annoying pest, Kaido, who was the rising star of Lotus City branch. One of the hunters who despised him the most but he was also one of Navaida's Chosen just like him
Kaido's eyes lit up with a mixture of amusement and contempt as he spotted Kensu. "Well, well, well, look what we have here," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "If it isn't woolsmask, fresh from his meeting with the Director."
Kensu's eyes narrowed, his grip on his hair tightening. He knew that Kaido was just trying to provoke him, but he couldn't help feeling a surge of anger. That was the nickname that Kaido made for him.
"What do you want, Kaido?" Kensu asked, his voice low and even.
Kaido chuckled. "Oh, I just wanted to congratulate you on your promotion," he said, his eyes glinting with malice. "I hear you're going to be working with some of the best hunters in the business. You must be thrilled."
Kensu's eyes flashed with anger, but he bit back his retort. He knew that Kaido was just trying to get a rise out of him, and he wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
"I'm just doing my job, Kaido," Kensu said, his voice neutral. "I don't need your congratulations."
Kaido's smile faltered for a moment, but then he laughed again. "Oh, Kensu, you're so predictable," he said, shaking his head. "I'll be watching you, Hashimaru. And I'll be waiting for you to screw up."
With that, Kaido turned and walked away, leaving Kensu feeling frustrated and annoyed. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He knew that he couldn't let Kaido get to him.
As Kensu walked to his home, he couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The encounter with Kaido had left him on edge, and the weight of the upcoming mission was still pressing down on him.
As he walked, he noticed patrolling knights, their armor gleaming in the fading light. He also caught snippets of conversation from passersby, talking about the recent sightings of Disciples of Sin activity in the capital and the were getting more frequent lately.
Kensu's grip on his uniform tightened as he quickened his pace. He just wanted to get home, take off his uniform, and try to clear his head.
Finally, he reached his small, single-bedroom apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, locking it behind him.
With a sigh, Kensu began to remove his hunter's uniform his most prized possession as he used so many snells to get the best protection he could get since his body was fragile compared to an enlightened. The familiar ritual of stripping off his gear was a small comfort, but it was something.
As he hung up his uniform, Kensu caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. His eyes looked sunken, his face pale. He looked like he hadn't slept in weeks.
Kensu rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the fatigue. He knew he had to stay focused, no matter what lay ahead.
But as he turned away from the mirror, Kensu couldn't shake off the feeling that he was walking into a nightmare.
At the onset of midnight in Lotus City Orion Corporation Branch
Joseph Alphonse sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the file in front of him. Kensu Hashimaru's name was printed on the cover, and Joseph's expression was a mixture of curiosity and pity. as he remembered the talk he had with the client today when they were alone.
Flashback....
Joseph Alphonse sat in his office, his eyes fixed on the file in front of him. Kensu Hashimaru's name was printed on the cover, and Joseph's expression was a mixture of curiosity and pity.
As he remembered the talk he had with the client today when they were alone, a flashback occurred.
"Ah, Noir," Joseph said, his voice low and apologetic. "I'm sorry I had to cut our meeting short earlier. We had some... unexpected company, but I promise I'll deal with it in a way that satisfies you."
Noir didn't respond, didn't even flinch. Joseph's apology hung in the air, unanswered.
"Mr. Noir?" Joseph said, his voice a little louder. "Did you hear me?"
Noir's eyes slowly focused on Joseph, his expression distant. "Who is Kensu?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Joseph's eyes narrowed, surprised by the question. "Kensu Hashimaru," he replied. "A young mortal hunter. Why do you ask? If I'm honest, he's not worth your time."
Noir's gaze drifted off again, his eyes clouding over. "I don't know," he said, his voice fading away. "Make sure you put him on the mission."
Joseph's eyes widened as he heard this request. He couldn't help but ask, "Why? You know where the search will be for the artifacts, and even I wouldn't dare venture there."
Noir shrugged his shoulders. "For some reason, I don't want to kill him myself. It's strange, really, but I know I can't let him live. He knows too much valuable information that we discussed. I feel it's better he dies a dog's death by the maws of beasts. But if he refuses, you know what to do."
Joseph then replied "There one problem, Percival for his own personal reason he cares for the boy and as long as his around he won't let me send the boy to his death willingly," he said this with an impassive voice but deep down he was nervous as he was not quite sure how he'd react this, all he could do was wait for a response.
"You deal with him too." Joseph face went pale as he knew how powerful the old man was and he was not confident in being able to handle him without much pain and sacrifice but as if reading his mind he said something that made him sigh in relief "Don't worry I have I'll offer my assistance to efficiently deal with him discreetly,"
Knowing this man was a Bigshot he knew those weren't empty words and he thought to himself "Finally I can get rid of that thorn in my side after so many years and I'd love to see how the boy will manage in the Korvus Sand Dunes: Home of the Roaming Devils!!!"