In the Hunter Association's headquarters, on the top floor, sat a large office reserved for the president and vice president. Seated at a desk near the window, Selene Karmov reviewed a set of important documents. Sighing, she leaned back and signaled to the secretary.
"Hannah, go and get Teo Amanar for me." She ordered. Hannah's hand froze, for an instant, at the mention of that name. Teo Amanar. Pulling herself together, she nodded and left the room.
In one of the training rooms below, Teo, a young man with long, white hair tied back and piercing crimson eyes, was doing push-ups. His athletic physique moved with precise control, each movement steady and unhurried. He barely paused when a knock sounded at his door.
"Come in. It's open," he called out, continuing his push-ups without breaking rhythm.
The door opened slowly, and Teo looked up to see a woman with long black hair and black eyes stepping into the room. Hannah seemed hesitant, taking a moment to gather herself as she entered the room, her gaze dodging Teo's.
"You're needed by the vice president. Please go to the office." She avoided his gaze, her fingers twisting together as she spoke.
"Alright," Teo answered while finishing up his workout. After hearing his answer, Hannah quietly left the training room.
Teo scowled, thinking to himself, 'I know my reputation's rough, but seriously, it can't be this bad.' Dressing himself in his signature black suit, he also left the training room and made his way toward Selene's office.
As he walked, he noticed the uneasy expressions on every person's face he passed. Irritation prickled under his skin. 'Sure, I'm not exactly the friendliest guy around. But this is getting ridiculous.' As another junior agent practically dove out of his way. Teo rolled his eyes. A mocking smile crept onto his face. 'They act like I'm a rabid wolf let loose in their office. If only they knew half of what I've actually done for them.'
Annoyed, Teo made his way to the vice president's office and pushed the door open without knocking. "Selene, what's so urgent?" He said, his gaze sharp as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
Selene looked up, surprised as someone entered her office without knocking. She almost scolded the intruder, but her expression changed when she saw it was Teo. "Teo, you know better," she said, frowning. "Close the door and sit on the sofa. I'm almost done."
"Fine, but hurry up; I don't have all day," he said, slouching back onto the sofa, arms draped over the cushions. Selene shrugged it off, her focus still on the papers in front of her as she finished her work.
Standing up from her desk and sitting across from Teo, she began, "I have another mission for you." Hearing those words, Teo slumped deeper into the sofa, giving a frustrated "Fine, what is it this time?"
Rolling her eyes at his dramatic display, she curtly answered, "It's a dungeon called Cave of Echoes. Even though it's only rank C, it's riddled with strange monsters and other hazards that make most hunters steer clear of it."
"Is that the only reason you're sending me?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously.
"No," Selene replied. "Right now, everyone else in the Extermination squad is on another mission, so you're the only one available. It needs to be cleared soon, or the dungeon will break."
"Okay, anything else? Otherwise, just send me the location and data, and I'll be on my way." Teo said, leaning back and crossing his arms.
Selene frowned, her brows knitting together. "I know you enjoy fighting and prefer doing your missions alone, but are you sure you don't want me to send backup?"
Teo waved her off dismissively. "I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse, and I turn 17 tommorow." He stood up, ready to leave. "Make sure to send me the details, and I would also like an assistant that does my paper work and reports."
Hesitating for a moment, Selene just nodded and let him leave. "I'll think about it; just make sure to come back safely."
Nodding at her, Teo left the office and headed straight to the ground floor. Exiting the association building, he signaled to his personal driver and climbed into the car.
"Where to, sir?" the driver asked politely.
Teo retrieved his phone from his pocket and opened the email from Selene containing all the data. "Cave of Echoes in the North. How long will it take to get there?"
"We should arrive in about 25 minutes, sir," the driver replied with a nod.
"Okay, don't bother me unless it's an emergency. After we arrive, call the cleanup squad and tell them to be there in two days," Teo instructed, his eyes glued to the screen.
The driver nodded respectfully and began driving toward the Cave of Echoes.
Information on this dungeon was limited, Teo noted with frustration. Still, it was the perfect chance to awaken his abilities and discover what he was truly capable of. Plus, he would finally have the freedom to act as he pleased inside.
As the car sped along the road, Teo scrolled through the data Selene had sent him; the lack of information was both annoying and exciting to him. What kind of enemies would he face, and how thrilling would the battles be? He could hardly wait.
Once the car exited the city and drove into the wilderness, Teo leaned back, letting the thrill of the unknown wash over him. What if it's just a bunch of weaklings hiding behind traps? he wondered. But he decided not to dwell on that possibility, knowing it was none other than Selene Karmov who had assigned him the mission.
He was aware that she understood him well; despite his tough exterior, she had supported him countless times since his expulsion from the Amanar family. In many ways, she had become like a second mother to him.
When they arrived at the dungeon, they stepped out of the car and surveyed the massive purple rectangular gate standing alone in the dense forest. The surface etched with white runes that shimmered with a faint glow. Turning to the driver, he instructed, "Don't forget to notify the cleanup squad to be here in two days."
"Yes, sir. I'll inform them as soon as I return to the association," the driver replied, inclining his head slightly.
"Good. I'll be back in two days, then." With that, Teo marched into the frame and vanished.
Once he disappeared, the driver muttered, "Who does he think he is, talking to me like that?" He climbed back into the car, shaking his head in annoyance. "No wonder no one likes him. With that attitude, even his own mother would have a hard time." He snorted as he drove off.
Upon returning to the association, the driver made his way to the briefing room, where members of the cleanup squad were gathered. "Hello," he called out, drawing their attention. Recognizing which driver it was this time, they all rolled their eyes and sighed, bracing themselves for the inevitable announcement.
"Teo's at the Cave of Echoes. He'll need you there in two days. Better prepare for whatever mess he'll leave behind."
Shaking their heads, they exchanged helpless glances, fully aware of the rough job awaiting them once Teo emerged from the dungeon. He wasn't called "The Butcher" for nothing; he always left the dungeons he cleared in an extremely gruesome state. Some members of the cleanup squad had even fainted the first time they entered a dungeon he had cleared.