"So...Miss Eun-Ha, are you more of a capuccino or Americano type of person~?"
"..."
"Huh, not very talkative are we?"
Before entering the coffee shop, Anna Eun-Ha noticed many suspicious things. The store had not only flipped its sign at the entrance to 'closed', but there was no one there other than one male barista.
"What kind of coffee do you want hm? It'll be free of course, this place is owned by our guild after all~"
Annoyed by her question, Eun-Ha finally answered.
"I want black coffee"
Beatrice's face lit up. She got up and went to the counter over to the barista and gives her order. Eun-Ha activates one of her skills.
[ The Rank S Hunter {Anna Eun-Ha} uses the Rank S skill {Enhanced Senses LV.83} ]
[The Rank S hunter {Anna Eun-Ha} uses the Grade A skill {Eagle eyes LV.76} ]
Eun-Ha did not look at Beatrice and the worker to not appear suspicious, but she heard everything they said although they were quite far away and whispering. She heard Beatrice order her a black coffee and a cappuccino for herself.
Nothing weird for now.
Beatrice comes back to the table with the order.
"Hm...and some sugar with this?"
Anna Eun-Ha had enough.
"Cut the small talk already. Why did you wish to speak with me?"
"Ugh...so boring...But there are indeed matters we need to discuss."
"Go on."
Beatrice kept on putting a fake smile on her face, but in such a way that it seemed like she was doing it on purpose to see how far she could push Eun-Ha.
"Join our guild."
"No."
"Ha! So mean."
Anna Euna-Ha's patience was running out. She was mostly surprised that Beatrice had done all this only to ask her to become a member of her guild. It was not unusual Eun-Ha to get this request. She got it everyday the moment she became the second Ranker of Korea.
"Well lets talk about other things now...I want to hire you to help us find 'Hiders' in schools. We, and I mean everyone, are aware that you possess some kind of detection skill or a high senses skill since you're an S class assassin."
"Hm...How much are we talking?"
"Oh my! Already asking about the money?"
Ever since the gates started to appear 19 years ago, normal people who undergo a huge emotional or physical impact have a chance of awakening.
Most people can awaken at the age of 13 years old and older, of course there are exceptions. However, among the laws made by the International Hunter Association, one states that anyone who awakens has the obligation to partake in Hunter activities such as beating dungeons or trading.
But, some people do not wish for a life like this. There are indeed many people who, after awakening, did not want to become Hunters and just wanted to live a normal life and have a normal job, not wanting to risk their lives in the Dungeons.
These people, who do not declare or register themselves in the Hunter Association's data base, are called 'Hiders'.
Being a Hider is illegal, but since the whole world is in need of Hunters they do not get big repercussions after being found out other then being obligated, under surveillance, to partake in Hunter activities.
However, this in itself is a punishment, since Hiders who only want normal lives are now forced to face death in order to make a living.
"Answer me, how much?"
"1 000 000 000,00 won."
"Not enough, I want more."
"My! You're quite a money hungry girl aren't you?"
Anna Eun-Ha continues to sip on her coffee.
"I'm not selling out people for only 1 000 000 000,00 won. Give me more and maybe I'll consider it."
"Huh, sadly, this is all the money our guild master gave me to pay you. She assumed it would be more then enough."
"Sophia assumed that? I thought she knew me more than this…"
Anna Eun-Ha got up and pushed her chair.
"Well, if this is all you have to say to me, I'll be going now-"
"Wait a second! There is another thing."
"...Go on, my patience is running out."
She sat back down, looking clearly bored out of her mind. Beatrice made a cheeky smile before speaking.
"This may be a… quite personal question, but...What kind of skill do you use to heal and how did you get it?
Anna Eun-Ha almost spat out her coffee.
"...Excuse me?"
After this question, the atmosphere got tense and Anna got even more suspicious.
"This is indeed very personal. I don't see why you would want to know about my skills."
"Well...People nickname you 'Vampire'. I know you have blood related skills and healing ones. Apparently, according to the rumors, you have an extremely good healing skill. They say Vampires live forever you know?"
The smile on Beatrice's face grew larger as she said that last phrase. A chilling aura came from her.
"You wouldn't be in possession of such a skill now would you.?
Anna Eun-Ha eyes started glowing in red.
"Are you kidding me? I don't have that kind of skill, no matter what rumour your heard about me."
She partially lied.
Since she was an assassin, her healing was naturally bad. Each Class had pros and cons.
Although, being the second Ranker, Eun-Ha had a 'healing' skill which only worked has a cover up to confuse her enemies. She did not really heal, it just appear as she was.
A healing potion always worked out for her.
Besides, healers and supports were rare among Hunters. People were more hungry for power than anything.
"..."
Beatrice stayed silent and after some seconds her eyes shined yellow.
Anna Eun-Ha prepared and suddenly, Beatrice's eyes came back to normal.
"Hm...If you say so~"
Beatrice got up and opened the door to the coffee shop. Halfway through the door, she spoke to Eun-Ha.
"I will be leaving now, this conversation is over. See you, maybe, some other time~"
"..."
Eun-Ha did not respond and kept the glow in her eyes as a threat.
"Hehe~"
Beatrice's fake smile became ever bigger before she left and closed the door behind her.
She got into a car and then drove away.
Anna Eun-Ha waited for her to be completely out of sight, and used {Enhanced Senses LV.83} to make sure she was completely gone.
When the car was completely out of her vision and out ouf her skill range, she left the coffee shop.
'What a creepy bitch…' she thought.
The Holy Guild activities are already monitored by the dungeon management and prevention company.
The guild leader, Sophia was not the problem, but the people in the guild were.
Sophia was not actually the real guild leader. She is more of a substitute for the old leader who is off travelling. Because of this, Sophia did not have the authority to remove people off the guild as she wished. She had to get the approval of the real guild leader first.
The Holy Guild has many Hunters who commit illegal acts and pass it as 'Hunter activities'. Many cases of Hunters going missing in dungeons skyrocketed since the real guild leader left.
'This whole conversation was extremely weird, but her comment about my ability is what worries me the most…' Anna Eun-Ha thought.
Indeed, asking a Hunter about their skills, especially if they are a high ranking Hunter, is extremely taboo for many reasons.
Firstly, guilds and Hunters in general have a lot of competition regarding dungeons. When a new dungeon appears, especially if it's a rank B or higher dungeon, the same questions start to appear.
Who will clear it first? Who will get the rewards first? What if this dungeon has new rewards that will change the trading system? Who gets the recognition?
Secondly, fighting tournaments between guild and Hunters are allowed under strict regulations. So, knowing the other's skills is a huge advantage. No one wants to reveal the ace up in their sleeve.
Most classes share the same base skills that can get stronger with work, but some skills can only be obtained by beating specific dungeons or bosses. Besides, some people awaken with a skill of their own, although rare.
'This is all so fishy. I need to arrange a meeting with Sophia as soon as possible to talk about this.'
As Anna Eun-Ha walked back to her appartement. She noticed many of the students previously stuck in the dungeon she just cleared walking home.
Since it was night time, Anna didn't think to take a hoodie to hide her face in public, but seeing all the students walking closely to her…
'I dont want to be bothered by weaklings after that horrible conversation with Beatrice.'
She did not want them to notice her and thank her for her help earlier. She was not the kind of person to like conversations. Anna thought it was only a waste of time.
She whispered.
"{Inventory}".
And took out [{LV.1} DAMAGED coat], a drop she had gotten from a weak monster in the dungeon. She covered her face in it.
'This feels so disgusting… I can't believe some people are content getting trash like this in dungeons.'
Suddenly, some students caugh her eyes.
A girl with curly hair and a pink dyed stroke at the top of her head, a short boy with curly hair and beautiful blue eyes and a boy with short black hair and black eyes.
'I remember that girl from earlier…I feel bad for her, it must be miserable, being a E rank. Poor thing, she didn't even know who I was. Does she live under a rock?'
'I wonder where that boy with long hair is.'
Anna Eun-Ha became even more annoyed when noticed that the three of them were walking towards the same direction as her.
'It's a good thing this coat doesn't smell or feel weird at least. It would have made my day much more-'
Anna's internal voice stopped for a moment.
'Wait…why can't I…smell or feel the coat?'
She had enhanced senses, being an assasin. It immediately ticked her off.
'How did I not…realize I couldn't…smell or feel…?'
'Why am I…thinking so…slow…??'
It was the first time in her life she felt something like this. No poison, no venomous monster, no enchanted weapon had made her feel like this.
This sensation was a shock to her. She couldn't believe what was happening.
'So…what kind…of…coffee…do you…want~…'
Beatrice's words flashed slowly in her mind.
Although Eun-Ha was thinking tiredly, one thing was clear.
'She drugged me.'
It was not a question, but an affirmation. However she had no idea how she did.
No poison had ever hurt her.
'I'm the second Ranker of Korea…'
She had used one grade S skill {Enhanced senses LV.83} and one grade A skill {Eagle eyes LV.76} to check her surroundings and the coffee she was previously given. She didn't pick up on anything wrong.
'How…'
Her vision started to blur.
'What the hell…'
She gathered the last bits of strength in ther body and walked towards a dark alley while leaning on the wall on her right.
'No one can see me in this state…'
She thought.
Having made her way in the alley, she slid down the wall behind her back and sat down.
"Hah…hm!"
Sharp pain made her hold her breath.
She covered her mouth with her hand, feeling nausea spike up her throat.
"*Cough* *Cough* Ugh…"
She felt warm liquid in the palm of her hand. With her vision still blurry, she looked at the center of her hand expecting vomit.
Instead, she saw red all over her palm.
'Bloo…d…?'
She, who had never gotten sick in her whole entire life, was sitting, her back against the wall of a cold, dark and grey alley and vomiting blood.
*Thud!*
Her hand fell to the floor. She couldn't move her body anymore.
Bright lights emerged from the left side of her field of vision.
She couldn't see much at this point, but she felt that sinister aura.
Having the strength to only utter a single word. She spoke.
"Bea…trice?"
She fainted immediately after.
***
"Is this all you have to eat in your house?"
After we got to my house. Jin-Hu's first instinct was to open my fridge.
"Hey! Not my fault I live in a 'ingredients' household."
"Sauce…cheese…ice cream…salad topings…Do you not have any dish??"
He makes his way to my pantry.
"Emy, you don't even have RAMEN??"
"I'm saving money okay??"
Arthur looked at me and sighed.
"Saving money, but buying the 8000 won school cafeteria coffee everyday?"
"Gotta stay awake somehow."
Jin-Hu laughs at Arthur's comment and continues to look through my pantry, knowing there was nothing to eat in there.
Arthur speaks again.
"We could always go get food somewhere if you both want to."
"How about fried chicken?"
"I had that in mind. Theres a good place next to our house too."
I joined in on their short conversation.
"Yeah that place has really good food, but it's in the path of that dungeon from earlier. The street is probably blocked or something…"
"We could always take another way to go there."
Might not be the best coping mechanism, but eating and having fun together was the only option after what had happened earlier.
The day went by so quickly, I can't believe that happened today…
I wasn't really shocked that this had happened tho. Dungeon appearing out of nowhere is a common occurrence, especially for the Rank D and E dungeons.
They're viruses, always appearing frequently.
And the worst thing is that a lot of Hunters don't see it worth their time to clear Rank D or E dungeons.
For that reason, the dungeon management and prevention company, or DMPC for short, likes to keep around Hunter from rank E and D to do these dungeons.
Since they're easy, well…for most at least, many low level Hunters like to complete them. Some dungeon even stay forever. These are the heaven of farming.
I stopped my internal monologue and spoke.
"I can go alone."
Jin-Hu turned to face me.
"Really, you sure? The three of us can go."
I looked at my brother, he nodded to Jin-Hu's words.
"Yeah we can just all go together."
"It's fine, really. That food place is close anyway. It's better if I go get the food while you guys choose which game to play."
Jin-Hu and Arthur both look at each other.
"I guess you're right."
…
…
After getting out of my school's uniform, I grabbed my jacket, took the keys and some money and opened the front door.
"Okay, I'm off! Gonna be back with the food!"
They both waved at me.
"Bye! Be quick please I'm starvingggg…"
Said Jin-Hu in a sarcastic tone.
I smiled at him.
"I'm gonna be slow on purpose just so y'all starve. Anyway bye."
While closing the door behind me, I heard Jin-Hu scream in a funny tone
"Murderer!"
…
…
…
…
"That'll be 25 538,95 won! How will you be paying?"
"By cash please."
I hand the money to the cashier.
"Do you want the receipt?"
"Yes please"
She hands it to me.
"Thank you come again!"
"Thank you, have a nice night." I responded.
…
Even tho it was the dead of night, I wasn't really scared of walking alone, never have been. How could I be?
Still there was a really eerie vibe looming around. I brushed it off thinking it was probably because of the dungeon that had appeared earlier during class.
"…!"
Suddenly, I stopped dead in my tracks. I smelled something…a strong smell…
'Blood…?'
The stench of blood was in the air.
I looked to my right and saw a dark alley. I could barely see what was there since there was no light but on the ground, I saw laying flat on their stomach.
"Oh my God, hey are you okay?!" I put the girl on her back and that was when I realized.
'The second Ranker??'
She had cuts all over her body. There were also some holes on her arms and neck. Many bruises were covering her face.
I didn't know what to do. How did she end up like this? How could the second Ranker of Korea get hurt this much outside of a dungeon?She's strong, what happened?
'I can't call an ambulance, they would suspicious and question me for being with a badly injured Ranker… what if they find out?…'
After a long time thinking,
I decided on what to do.
***