Olutola and Adebayo had been shadowing Akin for several days, gathering snippets of conversations and observing his interactions. The puzzle pieces were slowly falling into place, but they needed more concrete evidence before making their move.
Late one evening, as Olutola was returning to their quarters after another long day of observation, his system chimed softly.
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Mimic]
Description: Allows the user to temporarily take on the appearance and abilities of a shadow they control.
Olutola's eyes widened in surprise. This new skill could be the key to getting the information they needed.
---
The next day, Olutola and Adebayo continued their surveillance of Akin. They noticed he often visited a secluded part of the association's headquarters, a place where few hunters ventured. Suspecting that something significant was happening there, Olutola decided to use his new skill.
That night, Olutola summoned one of his shadows and activated Shadow Mimic. Instantly, he felt a shift as his appearance morphed to match the shadow's. He now looked like a nondescript hunter, someone who could easily blend in without attracting attention.
"Adebayo, keep watch. I'm going in," Olutola whispered, his voice barely audible.
Adebayo nodded, positioning himself in a nearby alcove where he could see without being seen.
Olutola approached the secluded area, moving with the ease and confidence of a seasoned hunter. As he got closer, he overheard voices.
"We need to make sure that Olutola doesn't get any stronger. He's becoming a threat to our plans," a gruff voice said.
Olutola edged closer, recognizing the voice as Akin's.
"We'll have to take him out during the next mission. Make it look like an accident," another voice replied.
Olutola's heart pounded in his chest. He had confirmation now—Akin was plotting against him.
He crept forward, careful not to make a sound. The shadows in the room provided perfect cover. Peering around the corner, he saw Akin and another hunter deep in conversation.
"We can't risk any mistakes. He's already too powerful. If he gets wind of our plans, it's over," Akin said, his expression tense.
The other hunter nodded. "Agreed. We'll need to recruit a few more to ensure everything goes smoothly."
Olutola memorized the other hunter's face, committing every detail to memory. Satisfied that he had enough information, he slowly backed away, retracing his steps to where Adebayo waited.
As soon as he was clear of the secluded area, Olutola deactivated Shadow Mimic, returning to his normal appearance. He approached Adebayo, who looked at him expectantly.
"I've got what we need. They're planning to take me out during the next mission. We need to act fast," Olutola said, his voice low but firm.
Adebayo's eyes narrowed. "What's the plan?"
"We need to expose them. If we can gather enough evidence and present it to the association's leadership, we can turn the tables on them," Olutola replied.
---
The following days were a whirlwind of activity. Olutola and Adebayo worked tirelessly, collecting evidence and documenting their findings. They tapped into the surveillance systems, retrieved logs of Akin's movements, and even managed to record a few incriminating conversations.
As they pieced everything together, Olutola couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. They were close to bringing the traitors to justice.
---
On the day of the mission, Olutola felt a familiar sense of anticipation. But this time, it wasn't just about the thrill of the hunt. It was about exposing the corruption that threatened the very fabric of the Hunter Association.
As the team assembled, Akin and his co-conspirators eyed Olutola with barely concealed disdain. Olutola met their gazes with calm confidence, knowing that he held the upper hand.
The mission started like any other, with the team venturing into a high-level dungeon. But Olutola had a plan. As soon as they were deep enough into the dungeon, he activated his system, sending a signal to Adebayo and a few trusted allies they had secretly recruited.
The ambush was swift and decisive. Akin and his co-conspirators were caught off guard as Olutola and his allies confronted them.
"What's the meaning of this?" Akin snarled, trying to mask his surprise with anger.
Olutola stepped forward, his expression cold. "The game's up, Akin. We know what you've been planning."
Akin's eyes widened in realization, but before he could react, Olutola activated his shadows. They surrounded Akin and his accomplices, their dark forms imposing and menacing.
"You won't get away with this," Akin spat, but his voice wavered.
Olutola smirked. "I already have."
With the evidence they had gathered, it didn't take long for the association's leadership to act. Akin and his co-conspirators were swiftly apprehended, their treachery exposed for all to see.
As Olutola stood before the assembled hunters, he felt a sense of accomplishment. He had faced betrayal and emerged stronger for it. The Hunter Association was far from perfect, but with traitors like Akin removed, it had a chance to become the organization it was meant to be.