Melton limped away from the scene, leaving the bodies of the fallen mercenaries behind.
*REWARDS WOULD BE FORFEITED IN FIVE MINUTES*
A holographic screen popped up again as he walked away.
Taken by surprise, Melton exclaimed "The hell?..."
"To claim your price, you'd have to finish them off, kill them. Have no mercy for those who rose against you."
Melton, contemplating for a minute, said "why do I have to, what happens if I don't?"
"Permanent reduction of all stats by 40% and withdrawal of title Chimera Lord, which also takes away your ability to absorb other powers" Nexus replied.
"What the heck Nexus….this has never happened before" Melton replied, turning to the body of the people he just knocked down on the floor.
"Affirmative. Since you got me, everything that has happened to you is life threatening situations and if you die, I die. I can't risk that." Nexus chimed.
Melton rested against the wall to gather his thoughts. "I hate it when you put it like that Nexus but you're right and I hate to admit it. I lost Zara and the others because I was too trusting and lacked what it needed to finish off my enemies because they were human."
"You realize it now don't you Melton?" Nexus chimed.
Taking out a care pack and applying a set of painkillers, he said amidst mild pain from the needle piercing his skin, "Not all that have skin like me and can walk on both legs are humans, some are monsters bred by society and some humans that just let themselves become monsters"
"You're correct Melton. You have to hurry up and leave here before their colleague comes." Nexus chimed.
He clutched the data chip tightly in his hand, knowing that this was only the beginning. Erebus was after him, and this trap was just a test. He had survived, but he knew the real fight was only just beginning.
"Nexus," Melton gasped, his voice barely above a whisper, "we need to figure out who the hell set this up."
"Already working on it," Nexus replied.
—-------
Melton was in his apartment, under the low light, putting on his boots. The mission had left him feeling more unsettled than he was willing to acknowledge. There was a puppeteer in control, and he had to discover their identity. Taking a deep breath, he grabbed his jacket and left the house, walking towards the DWZ.
Turning a corner, he heard the noise of a motorcycle engine accelerating from behind. He managed to look just as Jemmy arrived, her face lit up with a broad smile. Although she was dressed casually, her eyes were more piercing than usual.
She joked, "Hmm, hmm, see who's up before time," while taking off her helmet and shaking her hair. "Melton, where are you going?"
Melton eyed her, a slight frown tugging at the corner of his lips. Something about her energy was off. Normally, she was more distant, disrespectful and more guarded, but today, she seemed almost too eager to strike up a conversation. He forced a casual tone. "Heading to the DWZ. Just got some things to clear up."
Jemmy swung her leg over her bike and hopped off, walking alongside him. "Mind if I tag along? I've got nothing better to do, and maybe we can grab a job together."
Melton's suspicion prickled the back of his mind. He shrugged nonchalantly, trying not to show any signs of distrust. "Suit yourself. I'm just doing some recon work today."
"Oh, gathering information, eh?" she grinned, lightly poking his arm. "Mr. Melton is always the one who prefers to work alone. Are you absolutely certain that you don't require a partner?"
"I like working by myself," he stated, giving her a suspicious look. "You are aware of that."
Jemmy chuckled, yet there was a sense in her voice that didn't feel quite right to him. "Relax, don't be so tense. Having someone keeping an eye out for you occasionally can be beneficial."
They kept walking in silence for a few moments, yet Melton couldn't rid himself of the sense that Jemmy was observing him too intently. She was inquiring about more things than usual - his recent jobs, his daily schedule, and his future plans. His suspicion grew as she continued to speak. What has sparked this sudden curiosity? Why at this moment?
When they finally reached the DWZ, Melton's mind was still racing with doubts. He entered the large hall and immediately noticed how quiet it was. There were only a few mercenaries scattered around the room, each absorbed in their own tasks.
The ladies at the counter were gossiping again, their low voices barely audible over the hum of the building.
"Yoo did You hear about that guy last night?" one of the women whispered.
"Yeah, of course did. I heard he barely made it out alive. Apparently, he was ambushed."
"He's lucky. Erebus doesn't usually leave survivors."
Their conversation piqued Melton's interest, but he made a point not to let it show. He approached the counter with Jemmy at his side, their presence cutting through the quiet atmosphere like a blade. The two women at the counter went silent as they noticed him.
"Melton," one of them greeted with a slightly forced smile. "Good to see you again. Looking for something specific?"
He leaned on the counter casually. "Anything new on the board?"
She gestured toward the job listings. "Same as always. Nothing too exciting, but we did have a request come in earlier that might interest you."
Jemmy shifted next to him, and Melton noticed her trying to peek at the listings over his shoulder. He suppressed a sigh and turned to glance at her. "You looking for something?"
Jemmy blinked innocently. "Just seeing what's out there. We could take a job together, you know, cover more ground."
Melton became more suspicious. He couldn't determine if her friendliness was genuine or if there was a hidden, malicious agenda behind it. He maintained a casual tone. "Absolutely. Let's find out what options there are."
They ultimately decided on a mission that appeared simple: to look into a missing shipment of stolen items in a nearby area. It may not have been exciting, but it was sufficient to occupy him as he figured out what Jemmy was doing.
Leaving the DWZ and heading towards the drop-off point, Jemmy continued the conversation by inquiring about his life prior to becoming a mercenary and his aspirations for the future. Melton responded with brief, vague statements, maintaining his defensive demeanor.
After a long period of silence, Jemmy inquired, "Have you ever considered the idea of putting down roots? Could it be possible to abandon this existence?"
Melton lifted one eyebrow. "Why are you asking about my personal life?"
She raised her shoulders and looked away, breaking eye contact for the first time since they had encountered each other earlier that day. "Simply interested. You are consistently dedicated to your tasks. Do you always prioritize money? Have you ever thought about what will happen in the future?"
"Not really," he replied curtly. "I've got too much to handle in the present."
Jemmy smiled faintly, her eyes flickering with something unreadable. "Fair enough."
At the beginning, their mission proceeded without any issues, as they collaborated seamlessly while investigating the area for hints. However, Melton couldn't rid himself of the suspicion that Jemmy was keeping secrets. Many times throughout the mission, she appeared to predict his actions before he executed them. Discovering concealed stashes came easily to her, and she consistently had a sense of the right direction to follow before reaching a decision point.
At a certain moment, Melton came to a halt and gazed at her. "It appears that you are quite knowledgeable about this location."
Jemmy shrugged, maintaining a casual tone. "I have a lot of experience. I've been here before."
Melton agreed with a nod, but his mind continued to work. Something didn't seem quite right, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was.
After finishing the mission and coming back to the DWZ, the dynamic between them had changed. Jemmy had become more reserved, seeming to understand that she may have shared too many details. And Melton was feeling more tense than ever before.
While they were outside the DWZ, Jemmy leaned against her bike, looking pensive. "You performed well today. We worked well together as a team."
Melton did not respond right away. He just nodded, searching the vicinity for any indications of problems. He was unable to relax his vigilance.
At that moment, a shadow quickly moved in the corner of his eyesight. He became tense but then eased up upon recognizing Julian, a familiar face who had been observing them with his usual intense look.
Jemmy followed Melton's gaze and spotted Julian, her expression tightening slightly. She quickly averted her eyes and focused on Melton again.
"You had better stay careful," she said quietly, her voice carrying a sinister edge of warning. "This city's crawling with a lot of people who wouldn't mind seeing you take a fall."
Melton didn't respond. He simply nodded again, his mind already racing with questions. Jemmy's behavior, Julian's presence, everything was beginning to feel like a setup.
As Jemmy mounted her bike and revved the engine, she shot him one last glance. "See you around, Melton. Watch your back."
And with that, she sped off into the night, leaving Melton standing alone in the dimly lit street. His mind was clouded with doubt. Something bigger was at play here, and it was clear that Jemmy and Julian were involved.