New home
Anticipating a day filled with uncertainties, Klauss greeted the morning at 8 am with a sense of curiosity lingering in the air. Eager to invigorate his body, he engaged in stretching and light exercises, allowing his muscles to wake up.
The workout, lasting an hour, paved the way for a soothing and refreshing shower, setting the tone for the day ahead.
As the clock struck 9:40, Klauss, clad in his ideal outfit — a hoodie, pants, and a sleek black silk coat — glimpsed through his small window.
To his surprise, a black saloon car adorned the scenery, a stark contrast to the worn-out building. Intrigued, he observed a formally dressed young woman with blonde hair standing beside the car.
Considering Sylvetta's mention of an assistant, Klauss assumed her to be the one. The meticulousness of The Hunters Association was evident, providing him with an assistant and a car.
However, Klauss, ever skeptical, saw through what he perceived as hidden agendas.
Smirking at the orchestrated display, Klauss mused, "They sent me an assistant and a car, but I see through all their schemes. Let's see what more they have in store for today".
Lost in thought, he failed to notice the young assistant's cheery disposition. As she noticed a silhouette in the second-floor window, she quickly bowed and waved, hoping for a reciprocal gesture.
However, Klauss, deep in contemplation, remained oblivious, leaving the assistant hanging with a chuckle as he moved away from the window.
Approximately thirty minutes later, Klauss stepped out of the building, greeted once again by the enthusiastic assistant.
"Good morning, sir. My name is Aisha, and starting from today, I'll be your personal assistant. I'll be in your care," she said nervously and excitedly.
Klauss, standing next to the car, listened to her introduction and coldly retorted, "Shouldn't I be the one in your care? And whose car is this?"
Aisha, taken aback by Klauss's cold demeanor, maintained her joyful disposition and replied with a big smile, "Haha, you seem funny, sir. Oh, pardon me, this car right here is the vehicle assigned to you by my superior. I am to take you to your meetings, appointments, gates, and wherever you like. Oh, I'm also a hunter, so I'll protect you as well, haha."
Though aware of her bright personality, Klauss was still shocked by how outspoken she was, a stark contrast to his own demeanor and personality. Muttering curses and complaints about Sylvetta under his breath "Damn you Sylvetta".
Klauss found himself reluctantly acknowledging the unexpected turn of events. Aisha, quick on her feet, ran to Klauss's side, opened the right backseat door, and cheerfully exclaimed, "Please get in, sir. I can't wait to drive you, hehe. We have much to do."
Twitching an eye at the overly cheerful girl, Klauss entered the car. Aisha closed the door briskly, hopped into the driver's seat, fastened her seatbelt, started the car, and beamed a smile at Klauss through the rearview mirror.
The ride started off smoothly, with not much chatter initially, but Aisha quickly burst into life. She began sharing details about herself, her life, her parents, and her experiences as a hunter.
Despite the irritation mounting within Klauss due to the constant stream of conversation, he finally snapped, telling her, "Would you just focus on the road and tell me where we are going?"
Aisha, undeterred by Klauss's stern tone, replied cheerfully, "Oh, silly me, haha. I was instructed to take you somewhere where you'll meet up with Miss Sylvetta. She should be there by now, I think."
On high alert, Klauss asked, "Where exactly is this place?"
Aisha playfully remained silent for a moment, maintaining a smile that grated on Klauss's nerves.
Then, with a giggle, she said, "Oh, oh, you are the impatient type. We are going to have a lot of fun together, hihi. I was told not to tell you, so just sit and enjoy the ride, sir."
Klauss, seething with anger, struggled to control his temper. Aisha continued her chatter, seemingly unfazed.
However, the atmosphere in the car suddenly tensed. Aisha glanced at Klauss through the rearview mirror and was met with menacing eyes,like to say 'I dare you to say one more word'.
She wisely focused her attention on the road, maintaining silence for the rest of the journey. They arrived at the designated location about 40 minutes later.
Upon arriving at their destination, they parked behind another sleek black saloon car. Sylvetta, leaning casually against her car, awaited Klauss patiently. Aisha hurriedly ran to Sylvetta, expressing her discomfort and seeking solace.
Sylvetta, in her usual composed manner, calmed Aisha down and then turned her attention to Klauss, cautioning him to be more considerate of his new assistant.
Klauss, indifferent to Aisha's feelings, nonchalantly inquired, "Where are we, and what are we doing here?"
The car had brought them to a modern-looking apartment building, tall and sleek with reflective windows that exuded an air of modernity against the cityscape. Sylvetta walked over to Klauss, leaving behind the recently comforted Aisha.
Placing her hand on Klauss's shoulder, she greeted him, "Welcome, Klauss! I hope you like your new home. We've arranged for you to move from your old dorm room to this apartment. It's a more suitable and comfortable space for someone of your caliber."
With a nod toward the impressive building, she continued, "Your new apartment is on the 15th floor. Aisha will assist you with the relocation process. I trust you'll find it to your liking."
With that, Sylvetta took the lead, guiding Klauss towards the entrance to facilitate the transition to his upgraded living space.
As they stepped through the see-through glass doors, a spacious lobby greeted them. On the right, a massive mirror adorned the wide wall, while on the left, rows of mailboxes marked the territories of the residents.
Continuing their stroll, they passed a modest reception area, manned by a well-dressed receptionist who extended a polite greeting.
Sylvetta, leading the way, offered additional insights, "The Hunters Association owns this building, and all staff members here are vetted and approved by THA. The available spaces are primarily rented out to hunters and, of course, those who can afford it. Regular humans often opt for THA's apartment complexes for added security."
Sylvetta emphasized the robust security measures in place, including a highly trained security team patrolling the lobby and floors.
With cameras on every floor and at entrances, the building was designed to ensure the safety of all residents.
Approaching an elevator, they observed its unique operation—opening solely in response to a card, devoid of any conventional buttons. Each resident received a personalized card for floor and room access.
Handing the card to Klauss, Sylvetta instructed, "This is your room card, Klauss. Place it over the little box on the right side of the wall, next to the elevator."
As the card interacted with the reader, the elevator doors opened, ushering them to the 15th floor. The automatic elevator whisked them directly to their destination without requiring any manual input.
Upon reaching the 15th floor, they were met with another layer of security—a semi-tinted glass barrier. Sylvetta prompted Klauss, "What are you waiting for? Come on, scan your card."
Displaying a hint of impatience, she pointed out the black box on the right. Klauss, shooting her a menacing look, complied, scanning his card and revealing a welcoming corridor bathed in beautiful light and adorned with decorative wall elements.
Sylvetta gestured towards the door at the end of the corridor, signifying Klauss's new apartment.
Approaching the imposing door, they were met with a sense of anticipation. As Klauss unlocked the door with his card, the door swung open, revealing Klauss's new abode.
The apartment boasted a modern aesthetic, predominantly adorned in sleek black and white tones, reflecting a minimalist and sophisticated style.
The living room, seamlessly connected to a modern kitchen, created an open and spacious atmosphere. The living area featured contemporary furniture, a comfortable sofa, and a minimalist coffee table, all bathed in the interplay of black and white hues.
The kitchen, equipped with state-of-the-art appliances, complemented the overall modernity of the space. The shared area emanated a sense of practicality and efficiency, aligning seamlessly with Klauss's personality.
A master bedroom awaited, providing a sanctuary of simplicity and comfort. The room was adorned with a minimalist bed, crisp white linens, and contrasting dark furnishings, creating a harmonious and tranquil environment.
Additionally, a spare room offered versatility for Klauss to shape as he pleased. While the apartment didn't boast extravagant luxury, its modern design and thoughtful layout were tailored to match Klauss's individualistic and pragmatic nature.
Klauss was taken aback by the extent to which THA was going for him, offering such amenities.
The surprise was palpable for the young star who had never lived in such luxury or been given the opportunity to occupy such a space. And now, it was all his.
A cheeky smile played on Klauss's face, carefully concealed from the prying eyes of Sylvetta. Despite his attempt to hide it, Sylvetta stood proudly, recognizing how pleased Klauss was.
"Enough sightseeing for now, Klauss. You'll have much more time for that later. We have important matters to discuss," Sylvetta said, injecting a serious tone into the conversation.
She had instructed Aisha to wait outside the apartment in the corridor as she talked to Klauss. "Well, what do you think of this place? Suits you," she added, and Klauss responded with a simple nod.
"I'm sure there's more you have to say to me, Sylvetta," Klauss continued.
"What a cheeky boy you are," Sylvetta retorted. They both decided to continue their conversation more comfortably on the sofa. "As you know and might have already guessed, the association fully supports you and will help you grow more."
With an air of suspicion, Klauss said, "Hmm, I could tell. Why? Why go so far?"
Sylvetta replied seriously, "We aren't doing all this for nothing. To be honest, eyes are on you, Klauss. You have gained the attention of people within THA and outside of it. Not everyone's intentions are correct."
Klauss remained silent, attentively listening to Sylvetta. He replied, "I can take care of myself."
Sylvetta smiled and said, "I know you can, boy. To keep your fame under wraps, the president of THA has decided to uphold the deal and keep your initial rank a secret. So from now on paper, you are a D-rank hunter until further notice."
Klauss chuckled at the last statement, relinquishing in silence as his plans were slowly coming into place. "That's fine."
Sylvetta continued in her serious tone, "Also, we planned to add you to an expedition. As a D-ranker, of course. You'll partner up with other hunters from a certain alliance you might not be familiar with, the Stormbringers Guild."
The air felt silent as Klauss tensed up upon hearing the name of the guild and angrily stood up, saying, "Stormbringers Guild, you said? They exist?"
What could have angered Klauss so much?