I sighed, trying to process everything Jim had just told me. "Yeah, I guess I can see that now."
"Now, onto more pressing matters," Zeus said, regaining his serious demeanor. "Your mission is of utmost importance, Halberd. Remember what Helena and Aquaria have taught you, and rely on your instincts. You have the potential to excel as a Chaos Trigger, so trust in yourself and your abilities."
He handed me a small device that resembled a watch. "This will allow you to communicate with us here in the Heavenly Realm if necessary. Use it wisely, and only in case of emergencies."
I nodded, fastening the device securely around my wrist. "Understood."
Zeus studied me for a moment before speaking again. "You're ready, Halberd. Go forth and face your destiny, knowing that we stand behind you and support you every step of the way."
With those parting words, I was sent off to begin my second mission as a Chaos Trigger. The journey ahead was uncertain and fraught with danger, but somewhere deep within myself, I found the strength to push forward.
As the world around me shifted and changed, transporting me to the realm where my target awaited, I held tightly to the memories of my time spent with Aquaria, allowing her love and belief in me to fuel my determination.
I would not fail – not when there were so many lives at stake and so much riding on my success. I just had to make Ace's life a living nightmare, and then kill him. It was a Perfectly reasonable plan.
For better or worse, I was the Divine Assassin, and it was time to embrace my calling.
---
Upon arrival at the world of my second assignment, I was immediately struck by the stark contrast in the atmosphere compared to my previous mission. The sky overhead was a dull gray, almost oppressive in its heaviness. Buildings were haphazardly constructed and in various states of disrepair, telling the story of a civilization struggling to survive.
It didn't take me long to notice that I, too, had been infected with the Mechanized Virus, as Helena and Aquaria had warned me about. My arms were coated in a sleek layer of metal, intertwining with my flesh in an unsettling yet fascinating way. As much as it made me uneasy, I knew this affliction would be key to my survival and success on this mission.
As I began to navigate through this bleak landscape, I couldn't help but keep an eye out for any potential allies or connections. Aquaria's words echoed in my mind – reminding me that forging bonds with others would not only benefit my mission but also provide some semblance of companionship in this otherwise lonely existence.
The city of Halo loomed ahead, its massive walls standing imposingly against the desolate horizon. Within those walls, Ace, my target, awaited. Gathering my resolve and determination, I marched toward the city gates, prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Once inside the city, it became apparent that the people living here existed in a state of perpetual fear and unease. They scurried about their daily lives with haunted expressions, always looking over their shoulders as if expecting danger to strike at any moment.
"Where the hell did you come from?" A man asked me as I looked around to decide where to go first.
I turned to him, and he was also infected with the Mechanized Virus, but his was minor compared to the progress that mine was at. The moment he saw this, the man took a step back.
"Jeez! How are you even able to function like that? And they let you through the gate?" The man asked with an incredulous look smeared across his face. I paused for a minute and looked the man over.
He was wearing tattered clothing and had a rugged appearance, but there was an intelligence in his eyes that couldn't be ignored. Seeing an opportunity to gather some information about my target and the city itself, I decided to engage him in conversation.
"I've learned how to manage it," I replied cautiously, not wanting to reveal too much about myself just yet. "As for getting through the gate, let's say I have my ways. What can you tell me about this place? And maybe something about Ace, the hunter?"
The man eyed me warily but seemed intrigued enough to answer my questions. "This city is the last stronghold of humanity in this damned world," he began, gesturing around at the crumbling buildings and tense residents. "We're all doing our best to survive amidst the constant threat of the virus and other dangers lurking outside the walls."
"As for Ace... he's become somewhat of a legend among the hunters – both feared and respected. He rarely makes public appearances anymore, preferring to hide away in his heavily guarded compound. If you want to know more, your best bet would be to find some way to infiltrate his inner circle or join one of his hunting parties."
I nodded thoughtfully, taking in the valuable information the man had provided. "Thank you for the intel. By the way, what's your name?"
He hesitated for a moment before answering. "Call me Remy. Just keep in mind that people here don't take kindly to strangers asking too many questions – especially about Ace. Some people might not like that, and might do you some harm, if you know what I mean?"
With Remy's warning fresh in my mind, I continued to explore the city and gather information while also keeping a low profile. Over time, I managed to learn about potential avenues to get closer to Ace, including rumors of upcoming hunting expeditions led by him personally.
As days turned into weeks, I patiently bided my time, carefully planning my next move. There were Mechanized monsters inside the city, but my body seemed to like creating blades for me to use. At first, I thought this was going to be a disadvantage because the Monsters all seemed to have guns grown from their bodies. I quickly learned that my body was not only versatile, but it was almost like I was built to kill the monster!