章 15: CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE JOB

Selena crept through the dimly lit corridors of the Hunter's HQ, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. She had been a member of the Hunters for a few months now, but she still hadn't gotten used to the labyrinthine layout of their headquarters.

She had joined the Hunters for one reason: to see if she could find any information about Steve, the man who had killed her family. She had been searching for him for years, but every lead had ended in a dead-end. She hoped that the Hunters' resources and expertise would finally help her track him down.

As she turned a corner, Selena caught sight of a door that she hadn't noticed before. It was hidden behind a tapestry, and it looked like it hadn't been used in a long time. Selena's curiosity was piqued, and she pushed the door open, slipping inside.

The room was small and dimly lit, with rows of dusty filing cabinets lining the walls. Selena's eyes scanned the labels on the cabinets, her heart skipping a beat as she saw a familiar name: Steve.

Suddenly, she heard a faint noise behind her. Selena spun around, her hand on the hilt of her Scepter. Ken stood in the doorway, a look of mild surprise on his face.

"Lost?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Selena hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She decided to lie, to keep her true motives hidden.

"I was just looking for some information on a new mission," she said, trying to sound casual.

Ken raised an eyebrow. "A new mission?" he repeated, his voice skeptical.

Selena nodded, trying to maintain her cover. "Yeah, I heard rumors of a new artifact that's been discovered. I was hoping to get more information."

Ken's expression didn't change, but Selena saw a flicker of suspicion in his eyes. He didn't believe her, and she knew it.

"I see," he said finally, his voice neutral. "Well, I think you'll find that the information you're looking for is classified."

Selena's heart sank, but she tried to keep her expression neutral. She knew that she had to be careful, that Ken was still watching her, still waiting for her to slip up.

"Okay, no problem," she said, trying to sound casual. "I'll just have to look elsewhere."

Ken's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze intensifying. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said, his voice low and even. "You don't want to risk drawing attention to yourself."

Selena's heart skipped a beat as she realized that Ken was still suspicious of her. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster.

"Okay, got it," she said, trying to sound casual. "I'll be careful."

Ken's expression didn't change, but Selena saw a flicker of amusement in his eyes. He knew that she was lying, and she knew that he knew.

The tension between them was palpable, and Selena knew that she had to be careful. She couldn't let Ken see her true motives, not yet. She had to keep her secrets hidden, at least for now.

"Walk with me, Selena," Ken said, his voice low and even.

Selena raised an eyebrow. "Walk with you? Why would I want to walk with you?"

Ken sighed, his shoulders rising and falling in a slow, deliberate motion. "Just come with me for a second. I've got something for you."

Selena's eyes narrowed. "You're full of gifts this morning."

She followed him, her footsteps echoing off the cold, dark walls. Ken led her to a dark room, but Selena hesitated at the threshold, her distrust plain on her face.

"Never mind," she said, shaking her head. "You're yet to tell me why you brought me here."

Ken chuckled, the sound low and menacing. "Is that why you're standing outside, or are you afraid I might hurt you? Don't worry, I haven't seen your wanted poster on any wall around here, so you're safe… for now." He giggled, the sound sending a shiver down Selena's spine.

"With my eyes closed, you can't lay a finger on me," she boasted, her voice steady.

Ken's laughter stopped, and he looked up at her, his eyes glinting in the dim light. "I hope we never find out, for your sake."

He bent over, rummaging through a dusty old trunk. Selena took a few steps closer, her eyes fixed on him.

"Is that a threat?" she asked, her voice low.

Ken groaned as he lifted the trunk's lid, revealing a dusty old box inside. "I don't make threats," he said, his voice strained.

He set the box down in front of her and opened it, revealing a short coat with the Hunter's insignia emblazoned on the back.

"You should wear this when you're out on missions," he said, handing her the coat.

Selena took it, her fingers brushing against the rough fabric. "I see," she said, her voice neutral. "And what are the rules of this little game we're playing?"

Ken's eyes glinted with amusement. "You must always provide proof of death before you claim your reward. Hunters take 50% of your money after each mission. And Hunters don't care about the injuries you sustain during a mission – you tend to them yourself. That's all you need to know."

Selena's eyes narrowed. "Who made these rules?"

Ken's smile grew wider. "I did. It's insane, right?"

Just then, Shane stumbled into the room, his face battered and bruised. "What the heck happened to you?" Ken asked, his voice tinged with amusement.

Shane groaned, rubbing his temples. "Freak accident. I see you're getting ready to leave."

Ken handed Selena a photo. "You're to find and eliminate Josh. He's the emperor of a village on the outskirts of Sina. He makes his wealth off the people's sweat."

Selena's eyes scanned the photo, her gaze lingering on Josh's handsome face. "Since when did Hunters start working for the people?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Shane smirked. "We do all kinds of jobs, so long as it buys us warm meals for our bellies."

Selena's yes rolled. "Classic Hunters."

She stared at the photo, a sinister smirk spreading across her face. "So I'm to find and eliminate this charming young man."

Ken's eyes glinted with amusement. "Don't be fooled by his good looks. He's very cunning."

Selena's smirk grew wider. "I bet he is." "Who places these job offers?" Selena asked, her voice direct.

Shane looked up at her, his expression unyielding. "That's none of your concern," he said, his voice gruff. "Your job is to complete the mission and take your pay. That's it."

Selena's eyes narrowed, but she didn't press the issue.

Ken couldn't help but wonder why he'd never been worried about who placed these job offers. It was just the way things were done. But now, seeing Selena's curiosity, he found himself questioning it.

And what had happened to Shane? He looked like he'd been through a war.

Ken's eyes lingered on Shane's battered face, his mind turning over the possibilities. But he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he just watched, his eyes never leaving Selena's face.

...… ✍️

The bald lady's bare feet made barely a sound as she glided into the sparse, dimly lit room. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the faint tang of sweat. The only furniture was a single, worn leather chair, occupied by a figure swathed in bandages. She knelt before him, her slender fingers deftly unwrapping the layers of gauze.

As the last bandage fell away, she conducted a brief examination, her fingers probing gently over his skin. "How do you feel?" she asked, her voice low and soothing.

"I feel…renewed," he replied, his deep voice like a rumble of thunder. His eyes, a piercing blue, flickered open, and he regarded her with a gaze that was both intense and intimate.

"The injuries you sustained last time have healed," she said, her voice steady. "Your body is back to 100 percent."

He nodded, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Excellent," he said, his voice dripping with pleasure. "I don't know what I would have done if you weren't by my side." His hand rose, his fingers tracing the curve of her cheek in a slow, deliberate caress. His touch sent a shiver down her spine.

"You flatter me too much, My Lord," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes dropped, her gaze falling on the floor.

"I speak only the truth, my dear," he replied, his voice low and husky. "You are my rock, my confidante. Without you, I would be lost." His fingers continued to stroke her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.

"Now, is everything in order?" he asked, his voice breaking the spell.

"Everything has been taken care of," she replied, her voice steady. "Josh is cooperating, unexpectedly. I told him to force the villagers to work more and rest less."

He nodded, a cold, calculating glint in his eye. "Good. One more thing…" His voice trailed off, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Yes, My Lord?" she asked, her voice attentive.

"Do not underestimate her," he said, his voice low and deadly.

"I will not," she replied, her voice firm.

He nodded, a slow, satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Alright," he said, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Time to go see how the Realm is doing." He stood, his movements fluid and powerful, like a predator unfolding from a crouch. His eyes gleamed with excitement, and his smile grew, showing sharp, white teeth.

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