As we stepped inside, my eyes landed on a pleasant looking man, slightly older than middle-aged, with a neat white beard and a black mustache that gave him an air of dignity. His presence was imposing, yet his calm smile was disarming. He exuded a heavy but serene aura, one that commanded respect without needing to raise his voice.
"Maybe it's because I'm now at the level comparable to S-rank hunters that I don't feel as intimidated by Mr.Victor."
"Ah, Zephyr. I've been expecting you," the Chairman said with a smile, his voice was deep yet warm enough. His eyes studied me from head to toe. The smile remained on his face as if he already knew more about me than I let on.
"This is Mr. Zephyr, whom you requested to meet," Mr. Ethan said respectfully, introducing me to the Chairman.
The Chairman nodded to Mr.Ethan, his eyes briefly flickering with recognition as he focused on me. "Good morning, Mr. Zephyr. I am Victor Stone, Chairman of the Hunter's Association here in Cobalt City," he said, his voice maintaining a calm, measured and deep tone. "I hope we didn't disturb you too early in the morning, did we?."
His demeanor was almost calm, exuding experience, but I could feel a weight behind his words. He studied me, not in a way that would make me feel uncomfortable, but with a look of curiosity, like he was gauging something deeper.
"It's my honor to meet the chairman of the Hunter Association himself, the most famous person in this city," I said, giving a slight bow as a sign of respect.
"Don't flatter me," Mr. Victor said, his tone calm but firm as his smile widened slightly, but his eyes remained sharp. "You're quite the rising figure yourself, Mr. Zephyr. The feats you have performed in such a short amount of time are nothing short of remarkable."
"Ethan has been talking about you non-stop since I arrived in Cobalt City, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to meet you in person." His eyes shifted toward Ethan with a warm smile, who suddenly seemed a bit nervous under the chairman's gaze.
He then gestured to the chairs lying in front of his desk. "Please, have a seat. I want to have a discussion with you, one that I believe is not only important for you but also for the future of the Hunter Association."
Mr.Victor's calm demeanor didn't waver as he seated himself on his chair. "Your abilities are exceptional, Mr. Zephyr. But there's something larger at play here, and you wouldn't want to be left alone without any role in it, do you?."
I took a seat and met his gaze. "As you know," he began, his tone measured, "most people are unaware that I was absent for about a week. During that time, you emerged and began to display remarkable talent."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes examining mine. "Although you tried to avoid making yourself known, your sudden rise has drawn attention. You clearly have more in your pocket than you let on. It's clear you possess something...unique."
It was obvious he wanted something from me, but he was being careful in his approach.
"Please, go on. I'm listening," I said, nodding for him to continue as his statements piqued my interest.
Mr.Victor's eyes gleamed with interest as he spoke. "So, naturally, we had to take notice of you. At first, the time you took to raid dungeons seemed ordinary. But your biggest achievement—raiding an A-rank dungeon alone in just 4.2 hours, no less, based on the time inside the dungeon—that was something we couldn't ignore."
"This proof alone shows us that you possess a monstrous talent, something that only the Six Stars have demonstrated," Chairman Victor said, his gaze sharp yet calm. "As you know, we are in dire need of hunters with extraordinary abilities, especially now."
I leaned back slightly, processing his words. The Six Stars are considered the legendary figures standing at the top of the hunters society and all the world, the most elite hunters in the world, and to be compared to them… "And you want something from me, don't you?" I said, sensing where this conversation was headed.
Victor nodded,"Your talent, your growth—they're unlike anything we've seen since the emergence of the Six Stars—."
"If you don't mind, Mr. Victor, I'd prefer if you get straight to the point," I interjected as politely as possible, cutting into his speech while maintaining a respectful tone. "I'm not fond of being kept in suspense."
The chairman leaned forward and said, "To tell you the truth, we have a proposal for you."
I offered a polite smile, though my voice remained firm, "I appreciate the offer, but as I mentioned before, I have no interest in working for anyone."
As you may not be aware," the chairman continued, sensing a shift in my attention, "there will be a tournament held to identify the strongest talents. This event will take place in every city."
"And why exactly is this tournament being held in every city?" I asked, as the word "tournament" caught my attention.
The chairman's smile widened slightly. He knew he had me hooked. His tone was smooth and calculating. "But before we delve deeper into the details, you must first accept our proposal." His eyes gleamed as he leaned forward slightly, as if savoring the moment. "Only then will we reveal everything you need to know."
His words hung in the air, and I could feel the weight of the decision pressing on me. He had played his card well, and I couldn't do anything about it.
"Thought as much. If he were so quick to reveal everything, he wouldn't be the chairman," I mused, recognizing his cunningness behind the calm exterior. His game was clear, he holded back just enough to keep me guessing.
I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my thoughts. "Give me a moment to think," I said, my voice was firm so was my demeanor.
"What to do? Should I accept his proposal? Nah, it'd be like the hunting I've been doing was for nothing."
"Thank you Mr.Chairman for your kind hospitality. I think I should get going now. I don't think this conversation will lead anywhere." I addressed Mr.Victor with a disappointed look, sensing that both of us were resolute in our decisions.
"It was nice meeting you Mr.Victor," I greeted Mr.Victor for the last time as I prepared to leave, Mr.Etan looking anxiously at both of our faces.
"Hold on Mr. Zephyr, we have a concrete reason to recruit you," the chairman began, his voice heavy with a weight he could no longer hide.
"Yes! I think all that acting wasn't for nothing."
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