Mercenary Agent
Exiting the gate, Klauss bore the visible marks of his encounter—scars and torn clothing—but stood resilient, nothing fatal in his injuries.
As the gateway closed behind him, he approached Sylvetta's sleek car with a composed demeanor.
Two distinct knocks on the tinted window signaled his presence. The window smoothly descended, revealing Sylvetta's bright smirk.
"Well, well, well, look at what we have here. You actually did it. Haha, everyone is going to freak out. Get in," Sylvetta exclaimed with amusement.
Klauss, with a tired sigh, complied and entered the back of the car, taking a seat next to Sylvetta. The driver remained outside, ensuring the privacy of their conversation.
Taking out the dimensional bag Sylvetta had lent him, Klauss returned it, stating, "Here you go. In it is the mana stone of the rank B Archdread Monarch along with some materials. Everything, accounted for."
Sylvetta inspected the bag, glancing between its contents and Klauss, her disbelief obvious.
"Did you really defeat that monster, all by yourself without any help?" she questioned, her tone betraying a mix of surprise and skepticism.
"Because if you did, this is seriously a big deal and raises a lot of questions as to how you accomplished such a feat. Many people will be on your neck for this."
Klauss, remaining silent for a moment, abruptly addressed Sylvetta, "I did what you asked of me, and we had a deal to keep my profile a secret for now. I expect you to honor that and our current deal."
Sylvetta, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, called out to her driver and directed him to take them to THA headquarters.
The car smoothly glided into motion, leaving the gate behind as they ventured towards the heart of The Hunter Association.
As they leisurely and comfortably glided toward the association, an air of minimal conversation enveloped the car, creating an uneasiness for the driver.
Sylvetta, typically sparing with her words, now shared the vehicle with a young man whose demeanor mirrored that of a silent thug.
The driver, glancing at Klauss through the rearview mirror, found himself on the receiving end of a cold, intimidating glare. The discomfort lingered, prompting Sylvetta to address the situation without looking up from her tablet.
"Don't distract my driver. You have better things to worry about," she asserted, her eyes fixed on the digital screen.
With an air of nonchalance, Klauss retorted, "Like what?"
Sylvetta, still engrossed in her tablet, responded, "How you are gonna address the higher-ups at THA."
Maintaining his calm demeanor, Klauss stated matter-of-factly, "That's your problem. I'm only going with you to look at the contract and sign."
Sylvetta, succumbing to a brief fit of giggles, remarked, "Yes, yes, you will have your way this time, you arrogant boy."
However, the light-hearted atmosphere took a sudden turn when Klauss boldly broached a new topic.
"Have you heard of the name Shade? He approached me after my hunter exams," he inquired.
Sylvetta's laughter ceased abruptly, and her expression shifted to a stern silence. Tension permeated the car, and Klauss, recognizing the gravity of his question, muttered to himself, "I see, so that mysterious character is bad news. I have never seen Sylvetta be this mute."
Breaking the silence with a succinct response, Sylvetta stated, "We'll talk more in my office," setting the stage for a conversation that promised revelations and, perhaps, a deeper understanding of the enigmatic figure named Shade.
Upon their arrival at the THA building, Sylvetta, maintaining her air of authority, directed Klauss to follow the driver.
The aftermath of his intense battle against the Archdread Monarch had left him with a distinctive odor that needed addressing. The driver led Klauss to the facilities, ensuring he had the opportunity to freshen up.
After a much-needed shower, Klauss emerged feeling revitalized.
A set of clothes, carefully chosen to align with his distinctive style, awaited him. He donned a beige hoodie that added a touch of casual flair, its warmth and comfort evident as it shielded him from the lingering chill of the battle-scarred air.
Paired with this, he wore neatly tailored black trousers that provided a sense of refinement, blending seamlessly with the overall aesthetic of the hunters association.
Completing the ensemble was a black long coat that added an element of sophistication to his appearance. The coat, its fabric flowing gracefully, bore a subtle sheen, hinting at a blend of practicality and style.
Dressed in the new attire, he made his way to Sylvetta's office, a subtle transformation from the battle-worn individual who had faced the monstrous spider in the depths of the Tarantula Territory.
The clean attire spoke volumes about his adaptability, ready to navigate the more formal setting of THA's administrative domain.
After Klauss relished in a well-deserved shower, Sylvetta took the initiative to discuss the day's events with the higher-ups, highlighting how Klauss had exceeded her expectations.
As she ascended to the pinnacle of the THA building, reaching the office of the THA president, she encountered three senior members already in discussion with the president.
"Sir, I have returned, and he seems to be the real deal," she conveyed confidently.
The president responded with a boisterous laugh, "Hahahahaha. Very well then, Sylvetta, you may proceed."
The reaction sparked confusion and discontent among the other members present.
Disagreement permeated the room until the head of the THA emanated a menacing aura that swiftly subdued any opposition.
"Silence! Sylvetta, go and conclude the deal with the young hunter as I discipline these three fools," he declared.
Sylvetta promptly left the room, sighing with relief on her way to her office, "Oof, made it out in one piece."
The atmosphere within THA, a mix of power dynamics and internal struggles, hinted at complexities beyond the surface.
As he approached Sylvetta's office, the anticipation of their impending conversation lingered in the air, with secrets and revelations waiting to unfold within the confines of her workspace.
The driver guided Klauss to Sylvetta's office, where a formal entrance marked the beginning of a significant encounter.
Sylvetta, framed by expansive windows, directed Klauss to take a seat. She moved with elegance, her black fitted dress resonating with authority as she settled on the desk. The weight of the impending conversation hung in the air, and Klauss, though composed, sensed the pressure.
With a resounding slam, Sylvetta presented a compilation of documents, revealing the mercenary contract containing the conditions Klauss had specified.
As Klauss sifted through the pages, confirming the desired terms and, notably, his newfound freedom from THA, Sylvetta acknowledged the exceptional feat of a rookie defeating a rank B monster solo.
She expressed expectations of collaboration when needed, blending commendation with a subtle reminder of responsibility.
Amidst the revelations, the base salary of $10,000 per month caught Klauss's attention. Suspicion crept into his gaze as he questioned Sylvetta about potential bribery.
Sylvetta, with laughter in her response, clarified that the sum was standard for C rankers, even though Klauss held a B rank. Her playful admission of personal additions, jokingly referred to as bribery, lightened the atmosphere.
The surprises, however, didn't end there. Sylvetta had woven additional benefits into the contract, surpassing Klauss's expectations.
A fully furnished apartment, symbolizing stability, was now part of his compensation. Moreover, Sylvetta assumed the role of Klauss's representative and direct link to THA, cementing a unique mentor-mentee relationship within the challenging landscape of being an official hunter.
Although the added perk of the apartment seemed suspicious to Klauss, he believed Sylvetta would use his new accommodation as a means to spy and monitor him. But he refrained from commenting.
The contract, a tangible pact, held within its clauses a blend of promises and opportunities that would shape Klauss's journey within the enigmatic realm of the Hunter's Association.
Klauss, content with the terms, proceeded to sign the contract. Sylvetta, brimming with enthusiasm, rose from her seat in a joyful display of mana, extending her arm toward Klauss.
"This marks the beginning of a promising partnership, and I'm eager to witness your growth, Klauss," she exclaimed.
However, Klauss, maintaining his stoic demeanor, remained seated, devoid of visible emotion. He responded by shaking Sylvetta's hand, asserting, "Let's maintain this as a professional venture."
Sylvetta, sensing Klauss's reserved nature, playfully scolded him to express some joy. Placid, Klauss held firm to his stance, emphasizing a business-centric approach, steering clear of personal ties or camaraderie.
His focus remained singular — the pursuit of goals and ambitions shielded from the prying gaze of the association.
In a sudden shift, Sylvetta's expression transformed.
From the handshake, she swiftly returned to her seat, adopting a serious posture. Elbows on the desk, hands crossed, she addressed Klauss with a determined tone.
"Now, let's confront the elephant in the room. Tell me, Klauss, everything that transpired with the mysterious figure Shade. Lay out the details without reservation."
The air in the room thickened with a sense of urgency as Sylvetta delved into the enigma surrounding Shade, eager to unravel the secrets that had intertwined themselves into Klauss's journey.