Underground Headquarters of the Shadow Guild.
Aside from a few individuals who were not directly affiliated with the Shadow Guild, only a handful of individuals were aware of its Guild Master's appearance, be it of face or build.
With that said, beneath its base located at the heart of the Holy Empire of Lumenasia, a discreet and virtual meeting was being held, which included every exceptional executive of the Shadow Guild scattered throughout Magica who were cognizant of Borax Doranfell's true and unmistaken appearance.
The concern…?
"Rana, I heard there's someone bounty hunting several figures throughout the Holy Empire. The rumors underground are spreading, and it's entirely possible that the other guilds already grasped such a piece of news." Through a light blue projection conjured by a communication device, a man in his late thirties asked.
He possessed an athletic build; his eyes were brown, and his short hair was the same hue. Also, there's a notable scar streaking from his right eye down to his right cheek—a symbol of warrior, one could say.
"I'm grateful for the heads up, Hans. By the way, this meeting will address exactly that matter." Rana answered the man's query whose name was Hans, prompting the other three executives to look at the figure sitting one chair apart from her.
"My beloved daughter had been cured." It was Borax's first words, garnering different reactions from the four projections shown by the communication device pioneered by the Dwarven Race.
"Huh? Little Moria?! S-she's fine now?!"
"I knew that kid's strong!"
"Heh, Master! Can I finally take her as my disciple?"
"But what happened, Master?"
Simultaneously, Hans' sudden question about what had transpired silenced the others. Knowing the principles of the Shadow Guild, there was one thing that collectively surged in their minds.
"If Moria was cured through external help, then what was the favor that was asked in exchange for it?"
Borax Doranfell, to at least ease the tensing atmosphere that seemed to become palpable even through the projections, elucidated the matters regarding his daughter's surrounding circumstances.
After some time, a woman in her early twenties, whose countenance was pale, with eyes and shoulder-length hair as grey, asked in confusion, "To be introduced to a renowned dwarf which happens to be Old Heskan, atop of a Kill List and mere forgery of identification documents? I mean, it's not exactly forgery if he uses his true personal information, but the fact that he seems to be waiting for someone seems to imply that he's hiding that person, right?"
"Even then, I don't know if he's even considered greedy or he's just a plain stupid idiot." This time around, another woman among the four projections interjected. She's in her late thirties. Her hair was long and purple, roughly similar to the color of her eyes. Her build was lithe atop her seemingly unaging skin.
Everyone remained silent before this woman added,
"By the way, Master, what do you want us to do then?"
Borax answered her, generally addressing everyone,
"Let him do what he wants. After all, those figures in the Kill List wouldn't greatly impact the world's balance."
To satisfy their growing curiosity, Rana recited the five names that were on the Kill List given to Grey.
"Is this for real? I've only heard about the rumors and dismissed them since it seems nothing… but now, even if they are quite high profile, they're still expendable in the grand scheme of things.
"Take the Vice-Guild Master of the Blood Clan for example. It was his own father who put a bounty on his head. Sigh, what a messy Vampire Family." Hans spoke.
"Three of them are already dead." Rana opened her mouth to interject.
Hearing this, the four projections pertaining to the executives' respective faces seemed to gaze at each other.
"What the?"
"I guess that's a given… to spy on the person named Grey."
"But it still confuses me how he managed to cure Moria's sickness… I am grateful but I couldn't help but be curious."
"Astral Manipulation yet he managed to interfere with Moria's Soul Core to the point of fixing it. It's insane, I must admit."
When the four executives were pondering the possibility, Borax opened his mouth to speak,
"Listen…"
This caused them to be snapped out of their own little reverie.
He continued,
"There's something else… The favors he did ask are too little of value; even the four of you, Hans, Rodrick, Milana, and Kirisha, believe so. That's why, during our discussion when we visited Old Heskan, he mentioned something after I've given him the Kill List." Borax paused, trying to digest what he heard that cold night.
"This man will be founding an agency that specializes in investigation and information gathering. Considering this, I want one of the four of you to personally apply to his soon-to-be agency as a secretary."
The four of them were left speechless.
***
The virtual meeting ended, and each of the executives went back to their ways, governing the four major powers of Magica in the shadows.
Alone in the underground headquarters of the Main Branch of the Shadow Guild, Rana seated in a chair spoke,
"Will it be all right, Master?"
"What exactly are you referring to, Rana?" Borax asked.
"Because I don't understand why you considered Grey as an extremely dangerous individual that you came up with the idea of keeping a close eye on him. After all, you personally discerned that he possessed a Soul Core to the lowest degree." Rana said.
Hearing this, Borax raised his body, leaving his seat.
"Rana… what exactly do you think makes a person extremely dangerous?" He asked.
"Anyone who can back up their true evilness; strong and crafty," Rana answered before doing the same, preparing to leave the underground headquarters.
"No, a truly extremely dangerous individual is a person that no matter what happens, cannot see himself as wrong." Borax began with his strides.
"Are you saying, Master, that Grey is that kind of person?" Rana followed.
"I am not certain yet, but that's what my soul's telling me. He's dangerously nonchalant, to say the least. Despite having the lowest-ranked Soul Core, have you ever wondered how he could face us without an ounce of fear on his countenance?"
Rana recalled their first meeting with Grey as she hid in Borax's shadows.
Sensing her pause, Borax continued,
"Do not fret over it too much, Rana. Remember that an extremely dangerous person does not mean they are pure evil.
"Some live by the golden rule, following a set of principles just like our guild. If they are not to be touched, then they won't strike back. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Master," Rana replied.
She then queried,
"If you think Grey isn't evil yet extremely dangerous, is there perhaps a different reason you haven't told us about why we should keep an eye on him?"
Hearing this, Borax chuckled.
"Time will tell."
***
Eastern Holy Empire of Lumenasia.
"That's four down. One more to go." Grey said before glancing at Moly covered with blood.
It just so happens that these two turned out to be partners in crime.
Moly smiled.
"Let's go for the last head, Grey!"