August 8, 2024
I pulled into the Hunter Association's underground parking lot, guiding my black Mustang into a tight space between a DeMara and some hunter's tricked-out Jeep with reinforced bumpers. Typical. Even the parking reflected the wealth disparity in the hunting world—those who'd made it and those still grinding.
"This is it?" Noel asked, peering through the windshield at the concrete pillars and fluorescent lighting. "Seems... underwhelming."
"The good stuff's upstairs," I said, cutting the engine. "This is just where they hide the cars from civilians who might wonder why government employees drive Lamborghinis."
The corner of her mouth twitched. "You're joking."
"Only partly."
Miguel was waiting by the elevators, scrolling through his phone. He brightened when he spotted us, his natural energy impossible to suppress even after yesterday's exhausting run.
"There they are! Los hermanos Valentine!" He clapped me on the shoulder before giving Noel a quick hug. "Ready for payday, X-ray?"
I nodded. "How's the recovery?"
"Perfect. No more muscle soreness, mana reserves back to full." He flexed dramatically. "Ready to fly again whenever you are."
The elevator arrived with a soft chime, and we stepped inside. I pressed the button for the fifteenth floor—Association Finance and Exchange.
"So how does this work?" Noel asked, her eyes darting around the elevator as if memorizing every detail. I recognized that look—information gathering for her meticulously organized files.
"Pretty straightforward," I explained. "We submit the cores for verification, they assess quality and grade, then transfer payment to our accounts. Usually takes about an hour, but..."
"But what?" she prompted.
Miguel grinned. "But your brother has a way of speeding up the process."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
I kept my face neutral. "It means the Association values efficiency."
Miguel snorted. "It means half the women who work the exchange desk fight over who gets to process his paperwork."
Noel's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"
"Miguel exaggerates," I said, shooting him a look as the elevator doors opened.
The Finance and Exchange department spread before us—an open floor plan with sleek counters, digital displays showing current core exchange rates, and about twenty service windows staffed by Association employees. A digital queue system managed the line, which currently showed about fifteen hunters waiting for service.
"Fifteen people ahead of us," Noel noted, pointing to the display.
Miguel tapped her shoulder and nodded toward the counters. Three female clerks had already noticed our arrival. One was straightening her hair, another applying lip gloss, and a third was frantically clearing her desk.
"Watch and learn," Miguel said.
I approached the queue kiosk and entered my Hunter ID. The machine printed a ticket: #37. Standard procedure would have us waiting our turn, but...
"Xavier Valentine?" One of the clerks—Amber, according to her nameplate—called out. "Window seven is open for you."
Another clerk—Stephanie—stood up at her station. "Actually, I can take you at window three. We have the new high-speed verification equipment."
"I processed his last submission," said a third, Lisa. "I already have his information in the system."
Miguel covered his mouth to hide his laughter while Noel's eyes widened slightly.
I nodded politely to all three. "Thank you. Window seven is fine."
As we walked to Amber's counter, I heard disappointed sighs from the other clerks. The hunters waiting in line grumbled, but none protested openly. This was how the Association worked—an unspoken hierarchy that had nothing to do with the official rank system and everything to do with personal connections.
"Good morning, Mr. Valentine," Amber said, her professional tone belied by the slight flush in her cheeks. "I see you have more cores to exchange today."
I unzipped the duffel bag and carefully emptied the contents onto her counter. Twenty kobold cores glowed with a soft white light—D-rank, but high quality.
"These are from yesterday's run," I explained for Noel's benefit.
Amber nodded, entering information into her terminal. "Yes, I see the gate report was filed last night. D-rank gate, fifty-seven kobold regulars and eleven kobold elites with one boss. Zero casualties, gate closed at 23:47."
She placed each core into a scanning device that analyzed its quality and energy content. "These are exceptional specimens. Minimal damage, high mana retention. You must have taken them down quickly and cleanly."
"That's my specialty," Miguel chimed in. "Quick and clean."
Amber smiled politely at him before turning her attention back to me. "Based on current exchange rates and the quality assessment, these cores value at $6,480 total. After Association fees, that comes to $5,832. How would you like the funds distributed?"
I glanced at Miguel. "Fifty-fifty split."
"Confirming $2,916 to each hunter account," Amber said, tapping at her keyboard. "The transfer will be complete in approximately—" she looked up at me through her lashes "—five minutes. Much faster than the usual processing time."
"I really appreciate your efficiency," I said.
Noel watched the interaction with barely concealed amusement. While Amber processed our payment, I explained the rest of the system to my sister.
"Each core is logged in the Association database," I said, keeping my voice low. "They track everything—where it came from, who harvested it, quality metrics. It helps them monitor gate patterns and hunter performance."
"And prevents black market sales," Noel added. "Since each core is traceable to a specific gate and hunter."
"Theoretically," I agreed. "Though there's always a market for those willing to take the risk."
"Especially for higher-ranked cores," Miguel said. "S-rank cores can go for millions on the open market."
Amber cleared her throat. "Your transfer is complete, Mr. Valentine. The funds should be available immediately."
I checked my phone, confirming the deposit notification. "Thank you, Amber. Always a pleasure."
"Will you be submitting another run report soon?" she asked, her professional demeanor slipping just slightly.
"Depends on the gates," I replied. "But I'm sure we'll be back."
As we walked away, Noel leaned close. "So that's your secret weapon? Being pretty?"
I shrugged. "Use what you've got. Amber processed our cores in five minutes instead of the standard thirty. That's twenty-five minutes we can use for something productive."
"Like finding our next gate," Miguel said, checking his own account. "Sweet! The money's already there." He looked up, his expression shifting to something more serious. "I'm taking my mom out today. She finally has a day off, and I want to thank her for... you know..."
"For not killing you when you told her you're hunting?" I suggested.
Miguel nodded. "She cried for three hours straight. Then threw a shoe at me. Then hugged me and made me promise to come home every night."
"That's actually more understanding than I expected," Noel said.
"She's seen what hunting can do to a family," Miguel replied, his usual exuberance dimming. "But she also knows I can't ignore the call forever. At least this way I'm doing it smart—with proper training and a good partner." He clapped me on the shoulder again.
"You're doing right by her," I said. "Family matters."
Miguel's smile returned. "Reservations at her favorite place in Boyle Heights. Gonna treat her like the queen she is."
We made our way back to the elevators, passing through the bustling main floor of the Association. Hunters of various ranks moved purposefully through the space—some heading to assessment rooms, others consulting the digital boards that displayed active gates throughout the region.
"It's amazing," Noel said, taking it all in. "This whole infrastructure built around something that didn't exist twenty years ago."
"Humans adapt," I replied. "Find a new resource, build an economy around it."
My phone buzzed with a notification. I pulled it out, expecting a bank alert, but instead found a direct message through the Hunter Association app.
"What is it?" Noel asked, noticing my pause.
"Job offer," I said, scanning the details. "Personal request from someone named Aurora. C-rank gate in Frazier Park. Ten thousand signing bonus plus ten percent share of core value."
Miguel whistled low. "Ten K just to show up? That's excessive, man."
"Maybe for normal hunters," Noel said, a hint of pride in her voice. "But Xavier's completed thirty gates in a short time with zero failures. Perfect record."
I reread the offer, considering the implications.
"When is it?" Noel asked.
"Today. Three PM start time."
"You should take it," she said without hesitation. "Ten thousand would put us over ninety thousand total. That's enough for a serious apartment deposit in a good neighborhood. Plus first and last month's rent."
"What about you, Miguel?" I asked.
He shook his head regretfully. "Can't ghost my moms like that."
We reached the parking level, and Miguel headed toward his new motorcycle. "Let me know what you decide, but I think you should do it."
After he roared off, Noel and I returned to my car. I still hadn't responded to the request.
"I need to get you to class," I said, starting the engine.
"Stop stalling and take the job," Noel replied, buckling her seatbelt. "We both know you want to."
I pulled out of the parking space, thinking it through. The money was too good to pass up.
"You're not worried?" I asked, genuinely curious about her change in attitude.
Noel looked out the window, her reflection showing a complex expression. "I'm always worried. But I'd rather you take calculated risks than wonder what might have been." She turned back to me. "Plus, I've been watching you. Whatever's happening with you, you're not a D-rank anymore. Not even close."
I smiled slightly. Of course she'd noticed. Noel missed nothing.
"Alright," I said, pulling onto the main road toward USC. "I'll accept the job. But I want you to stay with a friend tonight while I'm gone. Just in case."
"Just in case what?"
I kept my eyes on the road. "Just in case this Aurora person isn't being entirely forthcoming about what's waiting in that gate."
Ten thousand was a lot of money just to show up. Either this Aurora was desperate, or there was something about this gate she wasn't telling me. Either way, I'd find out later.
『You know, there's something suspicious about this request,』Arcan's voice echoed in my head. 『The payment structure is unusual. Most clients offer percentage-based compensation, not flat signing bonuses.』
'I know,' I thought back. 'But ten thousand is ten thousand.'
As we pulled up to the USC campus, Noel gathered her books. "Text me when you get there."
"Yes, ma'am," I said with mock seriousness.
She punched my arm lightly. "I'm serious. And when you get back, we're apartment hunting. No excuses."
I nodded. "Deal."
She hesitated before getting out. "Xavier?"
"Yeah?"
"Be careful. Whatever's happening with you... just remember who you are."
"Always," I promised. "Now go learn how to manage my future guild."
She rolled her eyes but smiled as she got out. I watched her walk toward her building, surrounded by normal summer college students with normal worries. It struck me how different our lives had become in just two months weeks.
As I pulled away from the curb, I tapped the acceptance button on the Hunter Association app. The response was immediate:
Request confirmed. Coordinates and details attached. Thank you, Mr. Valentine. See you soon. —Aurora
C-rank. Ten thousand dollars. A mysterious client.
This was either going to be very profitable or very interesting. Possibly both.
I was counting on it.