I stand frozen in the middle of the room, my eyes darting across every inch of the space. The room is massive—no, the entire mansion is massive. This estate is nothing short of a palace, and I'm not exaggerating. For someone like me, who spent his entire life clawing his way up from the bottom, this feels like stepping into another world.
I take a deep breath and scan the opulent decorations: crystal chandeliers, gilded edges on the furniture, and curtains so thick and heavy they could probably muffle a gunshot. The bed, easily large enough to fit three people, looks like something out of a dream, with its plush pillows and pristine white linens.
I can't help but let out a low whistle. "Look at you now, Ben," I mutter under my breath, shaking my head.
The bathroom is equally extravagant, with polished marble floors and a freestanding tub that could probably double as a swimming pool. The walk-in closet is more organized than most stores I've seen. It's pristine, untouched, almost like it's mocking me for even being here.
I sit down on the bed, sinking into its absurdly soft mattress. My life goal was simple: survive the next twenty years under contract with the Eye, save enough money to maybe, maybe, afford a place in Sector E. If I were lucky, I might have made it to Sector D, where life is a little less cruel. I never dared to imagine Sector A.
But here I am. Sector A. The fortress's inner sanctum, home to the most powerful, the most elite, the untouchable. This is where the cream of humanity resides—the S-class hunters who protect us all from annihilation. The wealthiest families. The untouchable few who wield influence beyond comprehension.
And now, somehow, me.
I let out a bitter laugh, rubbing my temples. What the hell am I doing here? A street rat from the slums of Sector Z, the backwater cesspool where most people don't even make it to adulthood. I should be dead or rotting in a gutter. Instead, I'm sitting on silk sheets in the heart of the fortress.
It all makes sense now. Boss isn't just someone. She's Emmaline Morne.
The realization sends a shiver down my spine. Emmaline Morne—daughter of Richard Morne, the man who controls the backbone of humanity's economy. He's the only powerhouse of humanity who isn't an S-class hunter, but his reach is unmatched. Over 80% of guilds are in his pocket, and he runs the auction houses that deal in the rarest of artifacts. With no other relatives, his entire empire revolves around his daughter.
And here I am, working directly for her.
I should've realized sooner. She paid my penalty fee to the Eye without blinking. It was an amount that would've ruined most people, but for her, it was nothing. Her access to rare artifacts, her confidence, her everything—it all pointed to someone far beyond what I'd originally thought.
Sure, I'm practically in a lifetime contract now, but who the hell cares? Look at me. Look where I am. Besides, it's not like I'm some saint. I've stolen, killed, and done things I'd rather forget just to survive, you name from theft to arson to murder. This? Being an assistant? It's a vacation compared to what I've been through.
I pull out my phone and stare at the blank screen. I've been just "Ben" for so long—no last name, no identity, just a generic name for a disposable orphan. That's about to change.
I type it out slowly, savoring the moment. Benjamin Viper.
There. A name that fits the new me.
After a moment's hesitation, I decide to open my system interface. It's been a while since I've looked at it. The glowing blue text materializes before my eyes.
[ Benjamin Viper
Rank: B+ ]
B+. Not bad for a slum rat. I smile to myself, B rank hunters are slightly above average, my hands tightening around the phone. I don't know what the future holds, but one thing's for sure—I'm not going back to the gutter.
I continue inputing my information like age, birthday bla bla bla.
This is my chance, and I'll be damned if I waste it.