As I walked through the streets of the Heavenly Realm, my thoughts were consumed by the weight of responsibility that now rested on my shoulders. The world of my second assignment hung in the balance, and it was up to me to stave off its destruction. My mind raced with the information and strategies Aquaria, and I had discussed, but that info wasn't even for this job. I really hoped that Helena was going to try and work with me.
But despite my growing anxiety, a small burst of excitement pulsed within me – this was not only an opportunity to prove myself but also a chance to actually do something. By saving a world from chaos, maybe I could start making some kind of difference. I had spent my entire life hiding and not doing anything, but now I had a chance to do something people considered important.
Eventually, I found myself standing before Helena's residence – a modest dwelling nestled among a cluster of buildings in the quieter part of town. Steeling myself for what lay ahead, I knocked firmly on the door.
A moment later, the door swung open to reveal Helena herself – a no-nonsense woman who exuded an air of authority that seemed to be balanced with genuine warmth this time. "So, have you come for more information? I had assumed that you were just going to go in without asking anything," she said, and I just shrugged.
"I could barely tell which way was up when I met you, so I didn't know what to ask," I said, still standing on her porch.
"Oh? Has your time with the little water goddess helped?" Helena asked with a knowing smile, and I couldn't help but blush slightly.
"Yes, Aquaria has been a great mentor and friend. We've discussed strategies and prepared ourselves for our missions," I replied, trying to maintain my composure. "But I wanted to come and ask for any additional information you might have about my upcoming assignment."
Helena nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Very well," she said, stepping aside to allow me into her home. "Come in, and we'll discuss what you need to know."
Her dwelling was tidy and organized, much like the woman herself. As we took seats at a small table, Helena wasted no time in laying out a series of maps and documents relating to my mission.
"The target you are after is named Ace," she began, pointing to a sketch of a man with an intense gaze and unkempt hair. "He's an influential hunter that has been using his chaos to his advantage to climb up the ranks in this world. The city of Halo is the last central area of that world that humans inhabit, and it is surrounded by a massive wall. As I had said before, everything is infected with the Mechanized Virus, but hunters still travel outside of the walls."
"Yes, I remember that stuff, but what can you tell me about Ace himself? You had said before that he is paranoid, but that sounds like that is a standard thing for most of the targets, right? How can I get to him?" I asked, hoping for more specific details.
Helena nodded. "You're correct; paranoia is a common trait among targets. As for Ace, he has become increasingly reclusive in recent months. He rarely ventures outside of his heavily-guarded compound within the city. The only time he leaves is when he personally leads a team of hunters on expeditions beyond the walls," she explained, tapping her finger on a marked location on the map.
"You might have to either infiltrate his compound or join one of his hunting parties in order to get close to him. Bear in mind that both options will be dangerous and require careful planning. You also are limited on time since the world is now a CCS class."
I considered Helena's words, mentally weighing the risks associated with each approach. "Has anyone ever tried to confront Ace before? Is there any information on what kind of skills or powers he possesses?"
Helena shook her head. "Grimora and I were the first ones sent to this world, but she got to him before I could. All that I know is that he is very good with a sword and shield, mixed with guns built into both of them. I was not killed by him, so I can't really give you too many specifics on that, but infiltrating his group might be your best option."
"If he is a high level, I am not going to be much of choice, right?" I asked, but Helena shook her head.
"All divine beings have something called Divine Growth. This means that when you enter a realm that is not the Heavenly Realm, everything about you becomes four times as effective. That means that in this world, you will also come in infected with the Mechanized Virus. Your version will be much stronger and will allow you to get stronger much faster than anyone else," Helena explained.
I remembered Zeus saying something about this, but I guess that it made sense. We were, for all intents of purpose, gods, after all. The concept of Divine Growth was both fascinating and a bit intimidating – it would give me an advantage in the world I was about to enter, but it also meant that my actions could have massive consequences.
Taking a deep breath, I focused on the task at hand. "Alright. So either infiltration or joining one of his hunting parties. Thank you for the information, Helena. Do you have any tips or advice before I head out?"
Helena considered my question for a moment before answering. "Be adaptable. Plans can change quickly, and while preparation is important, so is being able to pivot when necessary. Also, never underestimate your target – Ace might be paranoid, but he's survived this long for a reason."
I nodded, committing her words to memory. "Thank you again, Helena. I appreciate your help."