Chapter 5

The Intel Department, Protocore Research Department, VR Training Center, Armory, Archives...

In a towering twenty-story building, various sectors with their own responsibilities exist. It offers a variety of services, all meticulously organized and fully equipped to support every aspect of a hunter's work and life.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: Hunter's Watch, HOS.11.4. Metaflux detection system has been updated to the latest version.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: Guidance for each floor has been uploaded. Use of the Slepen Pod has been approved, and access to the VR Training Center has been granted.

After performing a flurry of dazzling maneuvers on my watch, the spherical robot opens a compartment on its body.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: The system log shows you had less than four hours of sleep last night. The quality was also extremely poor.

A console appears from the compartment, and it presents a small pill box.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: A special delivery. One Draumril.

I touch the bags under my eyes, my mind replaying the scene of that "eye" appearing by the window last night.

I thought Wanderers had appeared, so I rushed out of my home. Despite scanning the nearby area, I didn't find any abnormal traces of energy fluctuations.

ququ: (I'll try and dig up some info from the squad's files. I'll also be on the lookout tonight.)

Suddenly, a holographic screen appears and interrupts my thoughts. The adorable voice resounds in the room once again.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: Alpha Team has special life insurance for its members. Please sign here.

ququ: ...Huh?

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: Alpha Team is on the third floor. The office is next to the Movere Bridge.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: This is so in case of an emergency, you'll be able to arrive anywhere in Linkon City within a few seconds.

OTTO-CSE — ROBOT: I need to go now. Have a great day!

The robot leaves, and I'm all alone. I turn around and see an empty office. Sunlight shines through the glass walls, illuminating a pile of untouched paperwork.

ququ: A new recruit's equipment should be at their desk, and mine is...

Nero: ...A newbie?

I hear a voice in the corner. A table appears from the shadows, and behind three rows of old, widescreen monitors is a man with small eyes scrutinizing me.

ququ: (He must be my teammate.)

ququ: Hello, I'm—

Nero: S-stay... Stay right there!

Hesitant, I don't move. I inadvertently look at the array of dark-colored monitors.

It's rare to see such old-fashioned products in an era of rapid technological advancement... I guess they're mainly used to avoid small talk.

The back of the monitors are plastered with dozens of portraits of Wanderers, big and small. Handwritten notes containing all sorts of information are present. Among them is a familiar face.

ququ: (Isn't that a Luminivore?)

The Wanderers in the records are all rare. It seems this person is quite knowledgeable.

ququ: (Oh right, what I saw outside my window last night...)

I walk up to the monitor and give it a few taps.

ququ: Excuse me, may I ask a question?

ququ: Do you think there are Wanderers that can turn invisible or just disappear in a split second? It's okay if you don't want to answer...

Nero: What did you see?

As if a switch had been flipped, he suddenly springs up from behind the desk and walks over to me.

ququ: Well... it's just...

Nero: Shh, draw it.

His small eyes look surprisingly bigger as they're fixated on me. He shoves a pen into my hand, its tip a flickering red light.

ququ: ...A Braimago?

Nero: You know about them? This has the latest Kenel OS! It's fresh from the oven of our techies! The resolution is three times better than the previous version!

Nero: Oh... I only use it for work. That's it. Look, here's the TSC security authentication code.

I nod and take the pen. I press the switch, then the tip emits three green streaks of light which coil around my arm.

The memory of what was behind the curtain appears in my mind once more. The moment the pen touches the paper, lines begin to dance across it.

In a matter of seconds, that fearsome eye is drawn out.

Nero: It's beautiful...

ququ: ?

Nero: I mean, it looks dangerous.

Recalling what I saw, I manually add a few more details.

ququ: That's all I can remember.

Nero: Just leave it to me.

Jenna: Nero, Andrew is looking for you.

The door swings open. Captain Jenna walks in. It seems she just returned from a mission.

Jenna: Let me remind you that Data Analytics is on the fifth floor. If you prefer to hide here for some peace and quiet, you might as well request a transfer.

Nero doesn't dare to respond. He snatches the pen and paper from my hand and runs away without looking back.

ququ: Ma'am.

Jenna: Call me Captain like everyone else. Jenna works too.

Jenna: How's the paperwork? If there are any issues, you should speak up now.

ququ: Everything's going well, but the squad...

Jenna: It's normal for us not to be here. We don't need to sit in HQ all the time if there's no mission.

ququ: I see.

Perhaps sensing my awkwardness, she smiles.

Jenna: Relax. Yes, our job can be dangerous. But before any mission is assigned, Advanced Tech Labs considers the hunter's Evol, overall capabilities, and efficacy.

Jenna: Of course, while efficacy can be measured, people are another story. Outside of urgent missions, you're allowed to pick and choose.

Jenna: Don't worry, you won't be forced to resign from Alpha Team on your first day.

ququ: Understood. Thank you, Captain Jenna.

I feel a vibration on my wrist. As I lift my arm, the Hunter's Watch shows me the virtual user interface for missions.

Jenna: Perfect, Advanced Tech Labs has a job for you.

Jenna: Hear them out first. Then go take a look.

ququ: Yes, Captain!

Jenna: Getting to that place will be tricky. I have a 270HM already parked by the Movere Bridge for you.

Commission LEVEL B

Task Details

Half a month ago, Mr. Raymond, a renowned collector in this city and the employer of our client, began to exhibit symptoms of mental confusion and other abnormal behavior. He locked himself in one of his collection rooms. After multiple diagnoses, the possibility of mental illness has been ruled out.

Objective

INVESTIGATE IF THERE ARE ANY WANDERERS HIDING IN RAYMOND'S MANSION AND ELIMINATE THEM.

The southeastern suburbs of Linkon City are built near the sea and mountains. Many luxurious villas and holiday resorts can be found here. Its prosperity rivals that of the city center.

Yet the renowned art collector, Mr. Raymond, chose to settle down in...

ququ: This path seems to never end...!

The steep, winding road through the mountains near the western suburbs is lined with trees that could cover the sky.

ququ: (It's like you're in the wilderness. There's nothing to see, and you can't really go anywhere...)

ququ: (If your car breaks down here, you'd be in a bind.)

Making a sharp turn, I notice a familiar car parked on the shoulder of the road. A tall figure stands beside it.

As I drive past him, he turns around, and we lock eyes. I'm startled by who it is.

ququ: Zayne?!

I slam on the brakes and come to a stop. Then, I remove my helmet.

Zayne: You have that look on your face. What is it?

He walks to his car and opens the hood.

White smoke billows out.

ququ: ...I was thinking that maybe I should've been a fortune teller instead of a hunter.

ququ: You should leave it be. Just to be safe.

The car's system has already called for roadside assistance. Unable to do anything else, Zayne closes the hood, dusts off his hands, and then glances at the motorcycle behind me.

Zayne: Are you already tackling a difficult mission when not even two days have passed?

ququ: It's not that bad. I'm just here to see if the client's home has any Wanderers.

Zayne: ...Raymond?

ququ: You know him? We're not going to the same place, are we?

Zayne: Someone invited me.

ququ: So what are you going to do?

Zayne: ...

You don't often see Zayne stuck between a rock and a hard place. Stifling a laugh, I clear my throat and get on my motorcycle. I pat the back seat.

ququ: Come on, let me do my good deed for the day. I'll take you there.

Zayne: ...

Zayne: Will you be... Can your motorcycle do it?

ququ: Are you doubting my driving skills or this vehicle's capabilities?

Zayne: Both.

ququ: Good luck climbing the mountain, Dr. Zayne. Consider it a workout!

I start up the motorcycle, and the AR Navigation system immediately plans out the route.

Navigation: AdvanNavi says you're 13.5 kilometers away.

At that moment, Zayne sits behind me.

Zayne: I need to return to the hospital later. Let's not waste any more time.

ququ: ...You're pretty good at going with the flow.

Zayne: Adaptability is a virtue.

ququ: All right, buckle up and remain seated. Keep your arms and legs at your side.

Zayne: I'm aware.

As I step on the gas pedal, the speedometer needle jumps. Caught off guard, Zayne jerks back.

Zayne: ...!

I quickly hit the brakes, but he ends up slamming into my back.

Zayne: ...Could the driver think of her passenger's safety for a moment? Please?

We arrive at Raymond's mansion, and the ornate iron gate slowly opens. We're greeted by a desolate courtyard shrouded in eerie silence.

The architectural style is of modern design and simplicity. A large pool surrounds it, the water's surface a blanket of blue-green algae.

Raymond House

ququ: Zayne, are you a close friend of the owner?

Zayne: He's a former patient of mine who has a serious congenital heart disease.

ququ: What kind of person is he? Is he friendly?

Zayne: ...Nervous?

ququ: Is it obvious?

Zayne silently glances at me.

ququ: ...A little. This is my first solo mission after all.

ququ: Weren't you nervous when you did your first surgery?

Zayne: If I said yes, would that make you feel better?

ququ: Yeah.

A hint of mirth flashes in Zayne's eyes.

Zayne: I wasn't.

ququ: I wasn't.

I want to stomp on his foot, but I hold myself back and stomp on his shadow instead.

Inside Raymond House

There's no water in it. An odd skeleton sits in the center of the tank, and under the light, it appears dull and pale.

Fin-like bones protrude from its pelvis. The skeleton lacks legs, its spine extending like a long string. Its pose is ominously beautiful, resembling a girl sitting cross-legged.

ququ: This—

Herman: It's just art. Don't overthink it, Miss Hunter.

The butler suddenly appears. He bows before me and Zayne. He doesn't question our arrival. He doesn't seem particularly interested in why we're here either.

Hugging the fish tank is a spiral staircase that winds all the way to the ceiling.

Zayne: Is he still in his collection room?

Everyone knows who he's referring to: Raymond.

Herman: Yes, on the third floor. Dr. Zayne, you've been here before, so please make yourself at home.

Zayne nods, then the butler turns to me.

Herman: Regarding the Wanderer inspection, Miss Hunter, do you need me to accompany you?

ququ: No, it's okay. I'd like to look around first.

To Be Continued

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