< Location: System Space, Private Meeting Hall >
< Authorized for entry: Ragna Kent (All versions) >
Ragna Twelve is currently monitoring things from within the System Space, he sees it all, the incoming reports from the Black Shadows.
< Quest Completed >
< Quest: [Minimize the Opposition Part 1] >
< (!) Message (!) >
< Quest Result >
< The Black Shadows led by 'Black Shadow Elites' are currently eliminating the Top Rank Hunters in the targeted countries within the Shadows. >
< The Following are the recorded deaths confirmed by the System Scans. >
< [Germany]: S-Ranks (6), A-Ranks (14), B-Ranks (30), C-Ranks (200) >
< [France]: S-Ranks (10), A-Ranks (12), B-Ranks (18), C-Ranks (250) >
< [United Kingdom]: S-Ranks (22), A-Ranks (34), B-Ranks (76), C-Ranks (140) >
< [Spain]: S-Ranks (12), A-Ranks (28), B-Ranks (50), C-Ranks (170) >
< [Brazil]: S-Ranks (7), A-Ranks (33), B-Ranks (80), C-Ranks (220) >
" Damn, guess they really couldn't do anything against the Shadows, guess relying on their Gifts made them really weak, for they couldn't grow their strength in each of their battles. "
" Without the gods' permission, those gods, Diviners... "
" Guess granting them the highest Ranks is not that worth it, isn't it? " Twelve asks himself.
As Twelve thinks about this, suddenly the door to the 'Private Meeting Hall' opened as it slides, and from there, Ragna (Current) enters the room, after having a bath.
" Hmph... " Ragna comes and stands behind Twelve.
" I know what're you thinking. " Twelve says to Ragna.
" Why the hell we did do this so early before the 'Tournament' begins, right? " Twelve says what Ragna is probably thinking right now.
" Yeah... " Ragna scratches his long silver hair.
" Not used to your new hairstyle yet? " Ragna Twelve asks Ragna while hearing the scratch sound.
" Keen ears, haven't found a better shampoo lately, dammit I need a new potent anti-dandruff shampoo. "
" But regardless, thanks for easing my challenges before the 'Tournament Day' happens, I really don't want to lease against... " Ragna stops at the time before saying the last sentence.
" ...those weaker than the 'current' you, which will humiliate you if that happened? " Twelve asks while Ragna responds by scratching his hair even more.
" Yeah, that's what I'm concerned about after... "
" Becoming this strong. " Ragna looks at his left hand and grips it.
" You'll still get more stronger opponents to fight, the ones killed by the Shadows will likely be replaced afterward, for the Ranks won't be kept by a person forever. "
" Isn't that how Hunter Ranking works, Ragna? "
" Yeah, even though there are some 'Ranking Positions' of a Hunter that couldn't be replaced by the newer gen. "
" Like being the 'First Hunter' holder by Uncle Andrew, until now. "
" The term 'First Hunter' means he's literally the 'First Hunter' and S-Rank number 1, by the way, Twelve... " Ragna explains.
" I see, he's still irreplaceable, a great achievement indeed, even after death. "
" For a Hunter who is able to kill gods inside their Avatars. "
" Even though he ends by- "
" Loki. " Ragna responds as he still can't take the result of seeing his uncle defeated like that anti-climatically.
" The Asgardian Allfather and the Lord of Luck. "
" I remember you once told me that the entitled person is called that because he's able to keep his allies from dying in battle. "
" Resulting in an all-win war, for none of his men led by him died despite many enemies falling to their knees and death, thanks to his very ability and presence. "
" To give 'luck', essentially 'Plot Armor' to those around him, including himself, perhaps. " Ragna says about Loki, still pissed about it.
" And that's why we strike the Hunters now. " Twelve responds as he shows Ragna the live stream of the news, where Loki is currently having a Party when all of this happened.
" Because the god is having his time, neglecting those below him, thus... "
" Bringing the 'luck' to our cause. " Twelve says which made Ragna nod, understanding the intention.
" I see a bold plan to butcher all the enemies first. "
" This isn't you, Twelve... "
" I thought you're a 'Shielder', a 'Protector' no less... "
" An all-out annihilation is not your thing, you're actually quite a chivalrous person, thus why you rarely fight despite your strengths. "
" Others might not believe this, but seeing your inactions until now, this is true. "
" With this, I could conclude that the actual person who planned for this 'Quest' is actually 69, that schemer. "
" Despite his lack of fighting, he is known as a great schemer in his Timeline, for him secretly being a Mage under the 'Diviners' (gods) nose, is he not? " Ragna asks which Twelve nods, agreeing with it.
" Yes, and now he will lay traps, to hunt the 'Hunters' that could possibly cause you trouble. "
" Which actually get great results, look! "
" Most of them died because of the trap laid down by the Black Shadows you know. " Twelve tells based on the results, showing it into Ragna.
" I see, no wonder it resulted in such a high number, they already killed most of the known Rankers though. " Ragna sees it.
" Speaking of which, the quest is still ongoing, right? "
" Which other countries that you're targeting, this is only the first phase of the whole plot, right? " Ragna asks Twelve as Twelve then activates his [Twelve Eye of Time], activating it in order to foresee the next path he must take.
" I see many options, but this time the countries we might face are filled with more powerful hunters, especially the country where our 'wife' came from. "
" Japan? "
" Yes, but... wait! " Ragna Twelve receives something from the System.
" Dammit, 69 had already sent them!? " Twelve was surprised which made Ragna confused.
" He already did? I thought you were the one who makes the decisions. " Ragna asks while Twelve reads the information more.
" Niigata Sea, this is Japan! "
" 69's had already sent them!? Which one did he send, ah- "
" I see..., it's them. " Ragna says as he sees the System Window that Twelve sees right now, coming from behind his back.
" Don't worry, Twelve! " Ragna pats Twelve's back.
" 69 chose the correct Shadows to do the job, no need to be worried. "
" After all, we already made them clear, right? About sparing 'Fubuki Yukino'? " Ragna asks Twelve, reminding him that whatever happens, the Shadows already know and won't harm the woman, whatever it takes, while eliminating the others.
" Dammit. " Twelve says as this happened.
" Why did I agree on preparing this anyway, this would make things difficult for you to-... "
" Not to worry, Twelve. "
" Look at the bright side, with this, Yukino might survive. "
" Despite her family won't, won't they? " Ragna asks which made Twelve stutters as he looks at him with his 'Twelve Eye'.
" Ragna... " Twelve calls him.
" How do you know that she is with her family in Niigata? " Twelve ask Ragna for knowing it all of a sudden, while he, like the others knew, that Ragna's 'Twelve Eye' is inactive right now, thus it was blindfolded.
"( How did he know about this? He had just been informed recently, didn't he? )" Twelve asks himself while Ragna only responds to him with a happy smile.