Emery and co stepped into a wide and spacious room with a single table and chair at the centre. A large carpet replaced the floors. There were several couches and other relaxation areas to the side.
Windows to the outside revealed the entire outside world from where they were although curtains blocked some parts.
Lights shone overhead from then, and several ACs hit him at full force. He'd already completely forgotten how those felt. Several questions popped into his mind all at once as the realization dawned on him.
This entire room was the same technology that had supposedly been gone after the world was altered. But weren't they in this penthouse right now? Weren't all these looking at him right now?
A lot of things didn't add up, but he wasn't too focused on that when one of the overlords of the city sat in front of him at that moment.
No other person than Hemp himself sat in that chair at the centre of the room. He wasn't anything like what Emery expected.
An image of a thinner Carlos came to mind whenever he thought of Hemp in the past. It was almost the complete opposite. This pale man had long black hair and similarly coloured eyes. He wore a simple black suit that meshed with his features nicely.
A familiar large, armoured figure stood behind the man silently. Konnor.
"What's with the rat and the girl, Charles? I thought you said you wanted me to meet one person not two? Or three?" A smooth voice said.
He flinched a little at Hemp's voice but at the very least didn't outright huddle in fear. That would be a terrible first impression.
Chris bowed a little, gesturing to Emery's figure. "They're sort of a packaged deal, sir."
"Eh, I suppose that makes sense, but I'm not quite sure what I'm meant to be looking at right here." Hemp cocked his head, resting his chin on his palm, "Why did you bring this weak guy to us? At least the rat and the girl are Class Nine. He's still Class Ten."
"That's where things get a little interesting, sir."
"How is that?"
Chris chuckled a little then adjusted his coat, "Well, you see a few days ago they were nothing more than Class Tens, all of them. And even the boy, while he's still Class Ten is on the verge of advancing."
"That is indeed unique, but I still don't see why that requires my personal attention. Everyone knows that lower ranked Awakened advance faster,"
Hemp tapped his fingers against the table and then moved to pick something up. It was a large cigar.
'Is that why they call him Hemp?'
Soon, a large amount of smoke filled the room, and an unpleasant smell followed. Elyn and Citro shifted uncomfortably, but he soothed them to the best of his abilities.
"That's that, yes. But obviously, that isn't the only reason I brought him here. There are other things. Other very interesting things."
"Get to the point, Chris. You know how much I hate these word games of yours." Hemp rolled his eyes, then picked up another cigar. He'd already finished smoking the entire first one.
"Apologies, sir. Well, apart from their advancement which is faster than normal, Emery here is familiar with our little fat friend?"
And for the first time since the conversation started, Hemp began looking serious.
"What does that fat prick want with him?" he cocked a brow.
Emery, unsure of what came over him at that moment, answered the question for Chris.
"I'm a chef. I cook,"
The man sat up straight to assess Emery with great interest, "You must cook pretty good if that pig wants you. But that still isn't a valid reason for what Chris suggests you for. For all we know Carlos just wants a chef so he can put on more weight."
"Ah yes, but sir-"
"Shut up Chris," Hemp said, then returned his attention to Emery, "I'll be taking this from here. If you really want this weak guy to become one of my commanders then he'll have to pass one of MY tests."
"Understood sir,"
"Good. So there'll be two parts to this test of mine. Let's see how well you do."
Emery grew a little flustered, but he nodded at the man's words. He was a little worried, but Hemp wasn't anything like Carlos in the end. And that was the only thing he had been worried about with meeting him.
"My first test is rather simple," the man raised a finger, "All you have to do for this test is block any attack from Konnor over here. I promise you he'll go easy."
Block an attack from Konnor? What kind of test was that?
A thunderous silence spread through the room, and everyone couldn't help but look at Hemp as if he were ill.
'Konnor is a Class Six! I saw him decimate a Class Seven without a problem! How am I supposed to block any attack from him?'
While he was stuck in those thoughts, the large man stepped forward, spear in hand. He looked down at Emery with amusement. Disdain too? It was clear what the gaze meant, however.
The chef in Emery couldn't help but shrink back at the challenge. What would his dad say about this kind of pairing? He would probably bash him in the head with a hammer or something.
But the Awakened him wouldn't quite allow that to pass without doing anything. He had gained the system. He killed so many people over these last few days. Surely, he could at least block one attack.
Or was that a childish dream as well?
Emery let go of all those thoughts and summoned his kitchen knife from his Pantry.
"I'm ready whenever you are, Mr Konnor."
Hemp smirked a little and looked at the almost suicidal matchup.
"Hold back a little, Konnor. I don't want my room and office getting destroyed so easily."
The giant of a man looked between Emery and Hemp for the final time before uttering one word.
"Understood…"