บท 9: - Darkness Consumes
"Who's that?" Jade asked.
Hyunji shoved the interface back in her pocket. "It's no one."
"He has the same last name as you," Jade noted.
"Just shut up," Hyunji said, her voice even. The elevators slid open silently and they were back in the lobby.
At least a hundred bounty hunters stood around, conversing or waiting in line to receive their payments. Hyunji kept her eyes ahead, as always.
But it was as she feared.
The rest had checked their interfaces. Even now, some stared at their screens and glanced back up at her.
"Dammit," she muttered under her breath, gritting her teeth. They all knew her, the rookie. And now they all knew about her brother.
They crossed the lobby and got in line. Four bounty hunters of varying sizes stood in front of her, each with a ticket in their hand.
The one in front of them turned around. He was at least seven feet tall, and he looked mostly human, except for the third eye in the center of his forehead. "Rookie. You seen the new bounty?"
"Yes," Hyunji responded quietly.
He smiled down at her, his third eye moving to look at Jade. "Who's the boy?"
"He's a nobody. Some kid I found off the street to help me transport a bounty."
"Oh really? How much you gettin' for it?"
"10k."
"Only 10? I was on the upper level earlier," he said, waving the ticket in front of her face. "I'm getting 90 off of some little punk. I bet your brother will go down just as easy."
"I doubt it. He's tougher than me. Besides, I'll be getting to him first," she said looking him in the eyes.
"We'll see," said the man, and he turned to the counter and cashed in his ticket.
"Kid," Hyunji said, looking down at Jade. "This is gonna get dangerous. Once we go outside, you better run like your life depends on it."
Jade nodded but stayed silent.
"Next," said a secretary sitting behind the counter.
Hyunji slid the ticket across and the secretary scanned it. There was a quiet beep and a tube shot up from a pipe. The secretary snatched up the tube and opened it. Inside was an envelope, which she handed to Hyunji.
Hyunji stepped off to the side and tore open the envelope. Shuffling through the money, she pushed a thousand Ƈ into Jade's hands. "There."
Jade beamed as he stuffed the cash in his pocket. "Thanks!"
"One more thing before we head out," Hyunji said. "We're gonna need some weapons."
"Weapons?" Jade exclaimed. "I don't know how to use any weapons. I just need food."
"There's food as well," Hyunji said as they walked to the other side of the lobby. "Just down there. Go get something to eat, I'll pick you out a weapon."
Jade rushed off toward the restaurants where she had pointed, leaving Hyunji by herself.
She walked toward the weapons shop, which was smaller and hidden away.
Inside was a shopkeeper, who gave her a smile. "Welcome. Let me know if you need assistance."
"Will do," she said as she made her way down the melee weapons aisle.
She still had her own gun, but there were no bullets. She had Jade's gun, but it felt cheap and inaccurate. She would get another couple rounds of bullets, but Hyunji also wanted something…sharper.
Rows and rows of weapons hung from walls and shelves. There were so many to choose from. Whichever she chose, it needed to be one easy to master in a short period of time.
There, she thought.
In the back corner was a katana, sheathed and dusty. Hyunji snatched it up and pulled out the blade. Inscribed on the silver blade we're the words: 'When darkness consumes, light will persevere.'
"I'll take this one," Hyunji said, setting the katana on the counter. There was a large glass case in front of her. "Also this one," she said pointing at a gray butterfly knife.
"All excellent choices," the shopkeeper said. "That will be 8,800 Ƈ."
"Great," Hyunji said, sighing. She flipped through her new stack of cash, and handed the shopkeeper the required amount, leaving only 200 Ƈ for herself.
"Will you need a bag?" The shopkeeper asked.
"No. I have a feeling I'll be using them very soon," Hyunji said, snatching away the weapons and bullets.
"Very good," he said. "Enjoy."
She met up with Jade who was exiting out of a nearby restaurant, holding a to-go bag of food. "Here, I got you this," Hyunji said, handing him the knife.
"Thanks. But…."
"You'll learn. Hopefully, tonight you won't have to use it."
They walked toward the exit of the building. Hyunji still felt it: the watchful eyes.
Hyunji pushed through the doors, Jade right behind her. She looked around.
There were at least six hunters waiting in various positions around the doors. Across the street, there were more.
"Now's the time to run, kid," Hyunji said, unsheathing her new katana. The darkness was all around her. But she would persevere.
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