The shrill ring of the doorbell shattered the quiet of early morning. Gale stirred beside me, groaning softly. "Who the hell is ringing the doorbell this early?" she mumbled, her voice still thick with sleep.
I rolled over, pulling the blanket over my head. "Ignore it. They'll go away."
But the ringing came again, persistent and insistent. With a resigned sigh, Gale climbed out of bed, muttering under her breath about inconsiderate people.
Moments later, I heard the creak of the door and Gale's surprised voice: "Oh! Good morning. Can I help you?"
A woman replied, her voice steady and professional. "Good morning. I'm Officer Lyra Castillo, with the Hunter Association. I apologize for the early hour, but this is an important follow-up."
I groaned softly, already dreading whatever this was about.
---
The sound of footsteps and quiet conversation filtered in from the living room. Gale was playing the polite host, as always. I heard her moving around the kitchen, the clink of mugs and the hiss of the kettle breaking the silence.
"So," Gale said brightly, "is this something all newly awakened people get? A home visit?"
"Not exactly," Lyra replied. "We conduct follow-ups for individuals with… exceptional results. It's standard for high-rank awakeners to receive additional guidance."
"Oh, I see." There was a pause before Gale added, "It's been a bit overwhelming, honestly. Ji came out of the gate exhausted, and I wasn't even sure he'd make it back in one piece."
"Understandable," Lyra said. "Tutorial dungeons are designed to push people to their limits. But your partner seems to have handled it remarkably well."
"Well, he's stubborn," Gale said with a laugh. "That helps."
---
The door to the bedroom creaked open, and I felt a hand gently shake my shoulder. "Ji, wake up. Someone's here to see you."
"Tell them to go away," I muttered, burying my face in the pillow.
Gale leaned in closer, her voice soft but insistent. "It's the Hunter Association. I think it's important."
Grumbling under my breath, I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "They couldn't wait a few hours?"
"You know how they are," Gale said, offering me a faint smile. "Come on, I already made her coffee. Don't keep her waiting."
---
I walked into the living room to find a woman sitting on the couch, sipping from one of our mismatched mugs. She was in her late thirties, with sharp features and dark hair pulled into a tight bun. Her uniform was pristine, the Hunter Association insignia prominent on her chest.
She rose as I entered, extending a hand. "Good morning, Mr. Zeus. I'm Officer Lyra Castillo, here on behalf of the Hunter Association."
I shook her hand reluctantly, noting the firmness of her grip. "Morning," I said curtly, taking a seat across from her.
Lyra set the mug down and retrieved a sleek tablet from her bag. "I'll get straight to the point. As a newly awakened Rank S individual, you've been flagged for special follow-up. This includes a mandatory orientation session to familiarize you with your options and responsibilities."
"Mandatory?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She smiled faintly. "Strongly encouraged, let's say."
I crossed my arms, leaning back. "And what's the catch?"
"No catch," she replied smoothly. "But I'll be honest: we're also here to discuss recruitment."
I let out a short laugh. "Recruitment? You barely know me."
"Your Rank speaks volumes," Lyra said, her tone unflinching. "Rank S individuals are exceedingly rare. You have the potential to make a significant impact, not just for the Association, but for humanity as a whole."
"And what exactly would joining the Association get me?" I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism.
Lyra's expression didn't falter. "Access to unparalleled resources—training, equipment, and financial compensation. The opportunity to lead missions and make decisions that could save lives. And, of course, the chance to work alongside the best awakeners in the world."
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. "The Malice Zones are growing more dangerous. We need people like you to help turn the tide."
---
Before I could respond, Gale leaned forward, her eyes bright with excitement. "Ji, this could be huge for you! I mean, Rank S isn't just rare—it's legendary. Think of the opportunities!"
I glanced at her, skeptical. "Opportunities to do what? Get pulled into a bunch of political games or thrown into the worst Malice Zones they can find?"
She rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. You always focus on the worst-case scenario."
"Because I've seen what the worst-case scenario looks like," I shot back, my voice sharper than I intended.
She softened, reaching across the table to take my hand. "I know, Ji. But this is different. You're not just some random awakener—they see something in you. If they didn't, they wouldn't be here. And you know as well as I do that Rank S comes with its own set of responsibilities."
I leaned back, letting her words sink in. Gale wasn't wrong. Even if I wanted to fly under the radar, my rank would make that impossible.
Lyra, who had been silently observing our exchange, seized the moment to interject. "She's right, Mr. Zeus. Rank S isn't just a classification—it's a mark of potential. Whether you like it or not, you're going to attract attention. The question is: how do you want to use it?"
I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. "And you're saying the Hunter Association is the answer?"
Lyra nodded, her tone calm but firm. "We can provide you with resources, training, and the infrastructure to maximize your abilities. But beyond that, we can give you purpose. Joining us means you'll be part of something larger than yourself—something that can truly make a difference."
Gale squeezed my hand, her voice soft but insistent. "Ji, I know you don't trust easily. But this is your chance to take control of your future. If you keep saying no to opportunities like this, what's the point of everything you've worked for?"
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Fine. I'll attend the orientation. But I'm not signing up for anything yet."
Lyra's expression didn't shift, though there was a glimmer of satisfaction in her eyes. "That's all we ask. Attend the orientation, see what we have to offer, and then make your decision."
I turned back to Gale, who was beaming with a mix of relief and excitement. "You owe me for this," I muttered, though the edge in my voice had softened.
She grinned, leaning back in her chair. "I'll cook beef curry, your favourite. Deal?"
"Deal," I said, shaking my head.
---
With Gale's words still fresh in my mind, I stood as Lyra prepared to leave. "All right," I said, my voice steadier now. "I'll attend the orientation. But if you're serious about recruiting me, I'm going to need more than vague promises. Bring me a contract—something worth my time."
Lyra's lips curved into a faint smile. "I'll see what I can do. But don't underestimate us, Mr. Zeus. You might find we're exactly what you need."
As the door closed behind her, I slumped onto the couch, the tension draining from my shoulders. Gale sat beside me, her hand resting lightly on my arm.
"You made the right choice," she said softly.
I gave her a half-smile, my mind already racing. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through the news, pausing at the headline: "Malice Surges Detected Across the Pacific."
My thoughts turned to the future—Lyra's offer, the orientation, and the weight of Rank S. For better or worse, my life was about to change.
"All right," I muttered to myself. "Hunter Association. Let's see if you're worth it."
---