The next day, the inauguration of new hunters began. Harin nearly cried at every oath she took as a hunter who accepted the consequences, fully aware that she might lose her life while on duty. Harin felt a deep sense of gratification; her struggles all this time had finally paid off. She would work as hard as she could to become a Ranker.
Lexus recruits new hunters every six months; however, there are always many applicants, even though it endangers lives. A job as a hunter offers numerous benefits: the salary is substantial, and the opportunity to enhance skills beyond those of ordinary humans is appealing. Everyone desires an honorable job that protects this country. Harin saluted the Rankers who stood before her.
There are ten Rankers, or division leaders, although only nine Rankers appeared today. They will open only ten seats for new hunters. The Rankers will choose whom they wish to admit into the division. The new hunters will introduce themselves and their abilities based on the results of their exam reports.
Harin confidently stepped forward. She saw her friend Tara, who was on Brian's side. Tara occupies the position of Ranker's confidant. Harin wants to be like Tara, to become the greatest among all her friends and take one step further to become a Ranker.
Although the report of the test results that Harin opened was somewhat embarrassing, the participants announced that their average ability was above fifty percent. However, all the abilities that Harin has are below ten percent.
Harin was just about to introduce herself when the open hall door disrupted the solemnity of the event; all eyes turned to the man who entered the hall. Harin immediately trembled at the sight of a white-haired man with red eyes, reminiscent of her parents' murderer, a man who resembled the photo that Tara had shown her.
He entered with an air of unwavering self-assurance. While all Rankers wore formal attire, this man did not wear a suit; instead, he rested it on his shoulder and donned sunglasses that exuded arrogance.
"This is a sacred event; visitors are not allowed to enter," said a Ranker with the number one flag behind him.
"I am the eleventh Ranker, Sylus Maholtra."
"Is there an eleventh Ranker?!" whispered everyone, who began to question the arrival of Sylus.
"You are late, we have heard from the Chairman that you can fill the position of the third Ranker, who is not present for the team recruitment," said the Ranker to Sylus.
Syrus immediately filled the vacancy in the third ranker seat that was en route to the mission. They invited Harin back to continue her introduction after being paused by Sylus's arrival, which made Harin think hard.
'Is he the same person who killed my parents? Lexus is a high-level organization; they can't possibly make someone a Ranker if they have a criminal record of killing humans.'
"Miss Harin?" the owner of the name gasped. She took a breath and then focused on her exam report book.
"My name is Harin Virendra; my physical ability to fight at close range is 5%," she said confidently. Even though Harin could hear the voices of her prospective friends stifling their laughter behind her, some Rankers were just as amused by Harin's report.
"Sword ability: 6%, heavy weapons: 3%, small weapons: 8%, long-range combat: invalid. History of killing wild animals: mosquitoes." Harin closed the test book, having received the lowest score. Her luck had allowed her to join Lexus.
"You didn't test your long-range fighting skills?" asked Ranker Ten.
"My eyesight is farsighted, making it difficult to see distant objects, sir," replied Harin stiffly.
"And you think mosquitoes are wild animals?" Ranker Seven inquired.
"Anything that consumes human blood or flesh is savage, sir," Harin stated.
"Gosh, with your current abilities, you will die on the first mission. Who is in charge of your exam? You shouldn't pass. Immediately move to the right. You will become a cadet because the Rankers will definitely not vote for you," he explained.
"Me," said Brian. The Rankers turned to Brian, who had stepped forward for Harin.
"Brian?"
"It seems you entered Lexus using your lucky card. However, in the field, when you face monsters, you can't rely solely on luck; you need strength," Brian explained. Harin said nothing, her cheeks flushed as she realized her many shortcomings.
"However, if you are truly determined, you can join my division. Other than that, no Ranker wants to accept you, other than as a cadet."
Harin contemplated Brian's words; after all, from the beginning of the plan, she and Tara had intended to enter Brian's Division. However, the appearance of Syrus made Harin hesitate in her steps. She glaced at the man who, still upright, was paying attention to the hall's decorations as if he were tired of being there.
"If permitted, I would like to enter the eleventh division," she said. Syrus, sensing that his target was drawn to him, looked at Harin. Both felt uneasy with the situation, leading Syrus to understand that the Bloodstone aura would only manifest when Harin felt pressured by something.
They stared at one another for an extended period, but when Harin felt Syrus reject it, she finally looked down and moved to the side, knowing she would be the cadet serving the hunters by preparing their equipment and only training at the headquarters.
Syrus noticed again when the Bloodstone Aura increasingly emerged as Harin experienced disappointment and sadness. Syrus plans to watch her only from afar. However, there is nothing wrong with assigning Harin to his division. This will make it easier for Syrus to understand the bloodstone and take good care of it.
"Agree..." Harin's steps stopped. She looked back at Syrus enthusiastically. Harin looked at Tara, who nodded so that Harin would immediately swear allegiance to Cyrus. Tara was quite surprised because Harin had rejected Brian, even though they had planned it. Harin immediately clenched her fist and hit her firmly on the chest. She saluted Syrus. Harin felt happy because the opportunity to satisfy her suspicions was wide open.
At least Harin had to investigate whether this man killed her parents or not. Close to Syrus, with her minimal ability, Harin could kill Syrus when he was careless if it was proven.
"I'm done," said Syrus.
"W—what?!" Everyone was surprised, including Harin, who put on a confused face when Syrus walked back out of the room. "The division must be filled with at least ten people," said Brian. "I have ten, eleven with this new hunter. Let me know when it's done."
"But after this, there is an event to install attributes by Ranker as a closing ceremony," said Tara. She looked down as she spoke, even though it managed to stop Syrus' steps. He looked at Harin, who was also still confused by the attitude of the new Division leader.
Syrus may be very busy, but this is crucial for Harin. Syrus, who realized that he could not simply claim Harin and had to finish the event, was ultimately compelled to return to his seat.
Two hours finally passed; Harin was the only one chosen by Syrus. Four people who rejected the ranker's offer and chose Syrus had to become cadets and do a re-examination in the next six months. Syrus rejected them without providing a clear reason.
She didn't know why Harin felt happy, because she didn't have to queue while standing stiffly in front of Syrus. Syrus put up a Lexus pin and also a weapon for Harin, who was pounding with excitement because she finally wore her dream uniform.
"Sir, have you ever lived in Ringlight?" asked Harin. Sylus, who looked at her, certainly felt that he knew immediately where the woman was referring their conversation.
"No."
"Eighteen years ago?" Harin was impatient; she urged her new Ranker to confirm whether he was the person she was looking for.
"I just moved to this country ten years ago."
"Ah..." Harin nodded. Sylus had not yet come to this country when her parents died, but that didn't quell Harin's suspicion of him. She also stepped back and paid tribute to Sylus.
The inauguration ceremony had ended, and Harin had officially become a new member of Lexus. She followed Sylus to the eleventh division room, even though Tara had prepared a chair for her friend. Tara understood why Harin suddenly wanted to be with the Ranker who resembled her parents' killer. However, Lexus would not be able to pass a criminal to become a hunter.
"Welcome!" welcomed Julian. Harin was, of course, surprised to find Tara's boyfriend in the Eleventh Division room.
"W—what?!" she stuttered.
"I was transferred to be a member of the Eleventh Division," Julian explained. Harin still felt confused; she also noticed some familiar faces in this room, which added to her discomfort.
"Yes—but you are all Level A. Where are the new hunters?" Harin asked.
"Only you," Sylus replied.
"What?" Harin asked, bewildered, as Sylus took a seat in the Ranker chair. The five Level A members also settled into their seats. Sylus then fixed his gaze on Harin until she snapped out of her daze and quickly looked for an empty seat.
"I'm late because I had to finish the inauguration. What do we get?" Sylus inquired. Harin truly felt as if she had entered a new world, being the only one who did not understand the situation. She felt unable to ask for help regarding how to operate the computer in front of her. Everything, including the atmosphere in the room, made her hesitate.
They immediately started the team meeting without considering Harin as a new member. Harin thought that on her first day, she would be taught how to operate several tools in this division or be shown around. This was not what Harin expected.
"We received a signal indicating that there is an open Class C gate in the Lyly district," explained Julian.
"Wait, what is a Class C gate? I have never encountered that in the Lexus exam material," said Harin.
"This is our own mission," Julian replied.
"What?" Harin exclaimed, becoming increasingly confused as she looked at Sylus, who was holding a black envelope. This was the first mission officially assigned to their division by Lexus.
"This is a new directive from Lexus," Sylus said, tossing the envelope. Surprisingly, this lightweight object landed smoothly on Harin's table. Harin immediately opened the envelope, a task normally reading a Ranker.
"A monster has been detected in the waters of Wisteria. The force was undetected, but the echo caused surrounding buildings to collapse," she explained.
"Okay. From now on, we will carry out two missions. For the Lyly district, I will handle it. As for the mission from Lexus in Wisteria, I leave it to you all. Please finish it within one day."
"One day?! A new hunter?!"
"You come with me; the rest take care of Lexus's problems." Harin really can't follow the way this team works. Sylus stood up and stepped out, even though he looked at Harin, who also looked confused.
"N—now?" Harin got up without preparation; she also followed Sylus to sort out problems outside Lexus. Harin doesn't know, doing missions other than Lexus is illegal or not.
"Sir, it looks like we have to take the hunter's weapon first." Sylus immediately pressed the elevator button to the parking lot.
"No need. You just need to follow me wherever I go."
To Be Continued...