Alcor pretended to be shocked at the surface, but in reality, he was extremely calm. He had initially thought that this was a lackadaisical world with no supernatural elements. But lo-behold, he had been proven wrong almost immediately.
He had to admit that due to his many reincarnations in fantasy-like worlds, he had grown used to conflict, combat, and supernatural elements. Seeing that he could have that in this life too made him very happy. After all, this was where he and his system shined the best.
While Alcor was happy and excited, Naina on the other hand seemed to be spiraling in a vortex of confusion. She could not comprehend the sudden assault of secrets she had been showered with.
On one hand, she wanted to shout at this unknown man and tell him that it was not funny to try and fool a young lady with such nonsensical stories. Yet, on the other hand, something deep inside her was screaming at her to believe all this and that it was all true.
Seeing the conflicting expressions on Naina's face, the man from the Special Investigation Department interjected.
"Ms. Naina, it's fine if you are having a hard time believing what we have just told you. It's even fine if you believe it but don't want to join us in becoming Monster Hunters. However, since you have already come in contact with this knowledge, I am very sorry to say that your life can never be the same."
"What do you mean?" Naina asked him.
"While some of us want to trust in the integrity of people who have come in contact with this knowledge, a majority of us don't agree with that notion. As such, if you chose not to become a Monster Hunter, while we will not harm you in any way, your future will be a bit restrictive."
"You will be under constant observation. You can still study and find a job, but those opportunities will be guided by us. We will find suitable education institutes and jobs for you based on your talents."
"Even the people you contact will be under secret investigation by us, just to make sure that no information leak of any kind has taken place. I am sorry if our measures seem preposterous and invasive, but to prevent this information from being leaked we will have no choice."
"Therefore, if you don't want to become a Monster Hunter and risk your life, we will respect your choice. But we will apologize in advance for placing restrictions on you for the rest of your life."
Naina felt like screaming when she heard all this. What was the difference between giving her this choice and forcing her to become a Monster Hunter?
"So, please make a decision now." The man from the Special Investigation Department said, "Will you join us in becoming Monster Hunters?"
After a few seconds of silence, Naina was the first to respond, "It's not as if you are giving us a real choice, and you know it!!"
"I am sorry you feel this way, but it is what is." The man from the Special Investigation Department said.
"Fine. I agree to join you guys in becoming Monster Hunters." Naina nodded hesitantly. She looked at Rodas with a complicated expression. On one hand, she was glad she could save a person. On the other hand, she resented that this had made her walk on a path where she had no right to choose.
Alcor knew the meaning of Naina's gaze, but there was nothing he could do about it at this moment. As such he turned his gaze towards the man from the Special Investigation Department, "Yes, I will join you guys too."
"Excellent!! At this point, introductions are in order. My name is Ganesh Shastri, and this is my partner Ravi Das. We are both parts of the Human Resource Department of Monster Hunters - India Branch."
"Our department is also codenamed as the Special Investigation Department when dealing with people who don't know of the secret world that exists shadow just as ours is in the light."
"We have a great and almost unrestricted authority when dealing with common people and organizations. So don't worry about any problems that are not related to Monsters, we can deal with them for you. Money, equipment, tickets for various entertainment events, you name it and it will be prepared for you."
"Of course, with such benefits, you also get appropriate responsibilities. After joining us, you will be put into Monster Hunter Academy for initial training. Once you complete the training, you will get a choice in deciding your future path as a Monster Hunter."
"Rest of the details will be clarified to you as soon as your admission to Monster Hunter Academy gets completed. So that you have a chance to get acclimated to all this, it will be best if you both enter the academy at the same time, that way at least you will have a companion you are acquainted within the new place."
"We will leave now and let you sort out arrangements at your end to prepare for your new life. We will contact you later with the arrangements we will have made for your entrance into the Monster Hunter Academy. Good Day to you all." Ganesh said as he left with his partner.
After the departure of those two, Naina, Ananya, and Alcor stayed in the room with complete silence. Naina was still in shock from all the changes she had been subjected to so she was in no shape to break the ice. Ananya and Rodas had an awkward step-sibling relationship in the past, so Alcor and Ananya were racking their brains, trying to figure out how to begin a conversation.
"So," Alcor finally took the initiative to speak to Ananya, "You knew about all this beforehand? Monsters and those who hunt them?"
"Of course. You heard what Ganesh said right? Along with the government of various countries, even major organizations know of all this. My organization has many companies that specialize in various fields and ranks 13th on an international scale."
"As my organization's founder, I am privy to many such secrets. I have even helped out various governments and Monster Hunter branches in their time of need."
"Unfortunately, I don't have the talent to be a Monster Hunter. My ability to sense monsters is barely above that of a commoner. I can't see them but I have a sixth sense reaction when I am in presence of one. While it allows me to protect myself to a certain extent, I am useless when it comes to hunting them."
"Why would you even want to become one?" Naina asked at that point with a frenzied expression, "I don't know you lady, but you don't seem to lack money or privilege. Why do you want to leave all that and become part of something that can risk your life?"
"First of all, while I do have money and privilege as you said, those things didn't come for free. I had my own journey full of challenges and dangers. I may not have faced actual monsters, but I never had a lack of human enemies who were just as bad as monsters or worse. I have worked and risked my life to acquire what I have today, just like any monster hunter does out there against monsters."
"Second of all, you don't comprehend what an amazing opportunity you have been given. You have a chance to come in contact with a world that most others are not privy to. You will see and experience things that most of the human population on this planet never will. You will have adventures that people read about only in stories and legends."
"Lastly, you will be part of something that gives incredible meaning to your existence. Most people in this world just wallow in decadence, waiting for their eventual death without making any significant mark in the history of the world."
"You on the other hand can make a place in history just by joining an organization that contributes to safeguarding the world against a threat that the majority have no idea about. They are like domestic animals waiting to be slaughtered with no idea about their impending doom. You own a talent that can contribute to saving billions of people. How can anyone not want such a life?" Ananya asked.
Ananya's passionate words sent Naina into contemplation about what she had said. For the first time, she began to see her current situation as an opportunity instead of a burden.
"So, what happens now?" Alcor asked Ananya.
"Well, first you have to recover. Once that is done, you and Ms. Naina here will be sent to our country's Monster Hunter Academy. Every major country and most of the smaller ones have one."
"Once you graduate from the academy, you will officially become part of the secret centuries-long war against monsters. Won't that be something?" Ananya said with an excited smile.