"Look... apparently, the evaluators decided to adjust your ranking, believing that experience must be important to be a Hunter of Destruction..."
"So... your rank dropped to S level."
"..."
Ferinish pouted, disappointed. She placed both hands on the counter and questioned the receptionist.
"How do I get that rank back?"
"Well, we can send you on a mission right now. There aren't many hunters available for the recent Inferius incidents, so you'll have to work with another Hunter of Destruction."
"That's fine."
"You'll be working with Faller Noughter. He's probably around here."
Ferinish tilted her head, confused.
"What does he look like, so I know who to look for?"
The receptionist blushed slightly and looked away.
"He's very handsome... and has a very muscular body..."
When she turned her head back, Ferinish was no longer there.
She walked through the association's corridors, lost in personal thoughts.
"According to Slady, I didn't have that much contact with Renkai Energy in IceStorm. I might end up becoming human again, which according to him, is 'very rare.'"
She abruptly opened a door and ran straight into a man, falling to the floor.
"Ough!"
She pressed her hands to her nose, massaging it. When she looked up, she found the very person she was looking for.
His hand was extended toward her, a gentle, chivalrous smile on his lips, his clothes stylish, and of course, his white hair and a very imposing body.
"Oh, my lady. I'm sorry for bumping into you."
Ferinish sighed and accepted the gesture, taking his hand and standing up. The man seemed quite impressed by the woman's powerful appearance, and he also felt the Renkai Energy within her body, but chose not to question it.
"And who is the beautiful lady before me?"
Ferinish noticed Faller's odd behavior, but chose to be polite.
"I'm Ferinish Lawhell. Are you the famous Faller Noughter?"
"Oh, yes. I recently received a notification that I would be working with someone named Ferinish. I hope we can work well together."
"I say the same, Faller."
Ferinish glanced at the man's sword at his waist, curious about the power she was about to witness from one of the strongest men alive.
***
"I think some officers felt sick..."
Slady was watching TV in his library. The journalist was covering a horrifying scene in Libretãnhya with censorship, stating that some officers vomited or fainted due to the scene.
"I think I overdid it when I killed 200 men..."
At the crime scene, Slady approached the tape restricting civilian access. He showed his fake badge, and the officers, unable to argue, simply allowed him through.
In his view stood Rin Yuang, who looked deeply affected by the nearly macabre scene. On the other side was Roger, who seemed more impassive than Slady remembered.
'Strange. He's a strong man when it comes to these scenes, but I can't see the slightest discomfort in him. As if he doesn't even care.'
Rin Yuang looked at Slady, forcing a smile, trying to remain calm despite the scene.
"Good morning, Slady. H-how are you?" (Trembling)
"No need to pretend..." (He whispered)
"What happened here?" (He continued)
Before Rin Yuang could answer, Roger approached and replied with pure professionalism and coldness.
"From what we can tell, there was an intense fight between two gangs that ended in the death of all members. The cuts and DNA clearly prove this. But they want to push the idea that it was the 'Theatrical Assassin'."
"Killing more than two hundred men? That's insane..." (Rin Yuang murmured.)
"I see..."
Slady looked around, trying to understand the investigators' logic and find any evidence that could lead back to him.
"Apparently, this scene isn't for beginners." (He tried to add a bit of humor)
"It's not. Most investigators had to withdraw or were assisted." (Roger confirmed)
"Rin Yuang also felt a bit sick." (He replied with a hint of disdain)
Slady analyzed the entire situation on his own, drawing small conclusions. But something about Roger felt off.
'One year ago, Roger and Rin Yuang were brilliant colleagues. What happened for him to become this cold?'
"I understand. I hope you find answers."
Slady stepped away, but not before his black coat was tugged. Looking over his shoulder, he found Rin Yuang.
"Can we talk?"
***
Inside an Inferius, Ferinish and Faller prepared to eliminate all the demons. The man gave Ferinish a friendly slap on the back, almost triggering a defensive reaction from her, but she managed to control herself.
"Ready? This is a high level Inferius. It's not exactly recommended for S Rank hunters."
"I am."
Drawing their swords, the two charged toward an army of Renkai Creatures, some humanoid (Ex Humans) and others bestial (humans or animals transformed while still alive).
Ferinish used her blue flames to burn the demons. Faller used his electricity to explode or fry them. The man was extremely impressed by the woman's skill and grew even more excited.
"I've never seen blue fire in my life. You're incredible, woman!"
Ferinish managed to adopt a more energized expression, as if she were becoming just as excited.
"Alright, whoever kills the most wins!"
"The loser buys a hamburger!"
From that point on, there was no turning back. Ferinish and Faller destroyed everything in that dimension, structures, gigantic Renkai Creatures. The dimension itself trembled before the duo's power.
The excitement reached such a level that their attacks began to clash with each other, as if they were battling while competing.
The strongest demons hid in fear, but were soon brutally killed.
Fragments of Renkatas flew through the air, being sliced into almost subatomic pieces. The two no longer thought, completely lost in the adrenaline of facing one another.
***
"I don't want to bother you, Slady, but I'm feeling insecure."
"About what?" (He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall)
"Roger has always been a serious man, but he used to be a kind and gentle friend when he could be. Even his family noticed a change in him, and no one knows why."
"Maybe it isn't personal?"
"Maybe. But Roger always trusted me enough to open up. Today, he looks like he feels disgust toward me..." (She looked away, guilty)
Even though Rin Yuang was an excellent investigator, she was still a sensitive woman who had not been mentally destroyed by human cruelty.
Slady noticed this. A spark of empathy appeared on his face, and a small but gentle smile formed on his lips.
"Don't feel that way. Just give him his space or try talking to him."
Slady placed his hand on Rin's head. She appreciated the gesture and nodded.
"Thank you. I appreciate all your help."
"Of course. Just don't wear yourself out on this case."
At those words, a more serious expression appeared on Rin Yuang's face.
"I understand you want to help me, but I won't let a criminal like that live in society. I will arrest him and let justice make him pay for everything he's done."
'She's very determined...' (He thought)
"You seem very loyal to justice. What made you like that?"
Rin Yuang fell silent, as if a sensitive subject had been touched, but she decided to trust Slady.
"I lost many people I loved to people like that. I don't want to go through that again. I don't want anyone to live in fear in Libretãnhya."
'I wouldn't think the same way... admirable.'
"You'll succeed. I believe in you."
Rin Yuang smiled again, giving Slady a gentle expression.
"It's words like that that make me proud of who I am. Have a great day, Slady."
She hugged him in gratitude. Slady was surprised, but returned the gesture, carefully wrapping his arms around her waist.
'One day, I thought I was the justice of this world, of Libretãnhya. But this woman surprised me. She doesn't fight for money, power, or pride.'
'She faces human evil because it is right, because it is her dream, to remove fear from the world, even if her own life is the price.'