Reina remained rooted in her place, her sharp gaze unwavering as she spoke. “If I may be so bold, Father, I’d like to express my opinion on Ms. Maldave.”


    Her words caught me off guard, though I shouldn’t have been surprised. Reina’s opinions were rarely kept to herself, especially when it concerned people in my circle. Her calculated demeanor and piercing intellect often made her a reliable advisor, but this was Sarah Maldave we were talking about. The same woman who had just left the room seconds ago.


    Sarah Maldave wasn’t just anyone. Petite and small-framed, with dark hair and striking red eyes, she had an air of quiet intensity that belied her abilities. Her power to read minds made her an invaluable asset—both during missions and within the broader scope of my work.


    I couldn’t forget the day she first crossed my path, during the tournament.


    Back then, I had deliberately let her read portions of my memories. I showed her the truth about the god her cult worshiped—a god that was, in reality, nothing more than a cunning cryptid playing its worshippers like pawns on a chessboard. That revelation had shattered her convictions. She’d forfeited the match and abandoned her position within the cult almost immediately. Since then, Sarah had been an ally in dismantling the Cult from within, eventually joining The Company under my leadership.


    Selena, who had been lounging nearby as usual, didn’t miss a beat. She twirled a strand of her hair, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Go on, dearie, tell your daddy dearest what’s in that sharp little head of yours.”


    Reina turned to Selena briefly, her expression unamused. “I find Sarah Maldave to be an untrustworthy asset,” she stated bluntly. Her tone carried no malice, only a steely determination to be heard. “The Company has invested a significant amount of resources into her operations to turn the Cult against itself. Yet, the results remain negligible. Numbers don’t lie. If she truly meant well for you, Father, and for the Company, she would produce better outcomes.”


    It was a bold accusation. One that hung in the air like a storm cloud. Reina wasn’t merely questioning Sarah’s competence; she was practically insinuating betrayal. And her reasoning? That Sarah wasn’t earning me enough money.


    Yeah, right… espionage wasn’t exactly a money maker.


    I sighed and leaned against my desk. “That’s a tough take, Reina.”


    “The facts are there, Father,” she replied firmly. “Ms. Maldave’s activities yield minimal results, while her expenses drain resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.”


    Selena chuckled, leaning back on the couch with an exaggerated stretch. “Oh, Reina, sweetie, you’d make such a harsh CFO. Not everyone’s worth can be measured in credits and gold, you know. Besides, Sarah’s trying her best to leave her brainwashed days behind. Cut the girl some slack.”


    Reina didn’t waver. “Effort is admirable, but results are what matter. Particularly when the stakes are as high as they are now.”


    The Company. It wasn’t the most creative name, but it was what I had settled on when establishing my bounty-hunting firm. What had started as a one-man operation had grown into a full-fledged organization. I now had an entire building staffed with private investigators, analysts, and a network of contracted bounty hunters. Yet, despite the growth, Reina’s words reminded me of the cold reality: in this line of work, resources were limited, and trust was priceless.


    I rubbed the back of my neck, mulling over how to explain my perspective to Reina. It wasn’t that I didn’t understand her concerns. Reina was fiercely loyal and protective—traits I valued deeply—but she also had a tendency to view things in stark terms. To her, Sarah’s lack of immediate results equaled failure, if not outright sabotage.


    But I didn’t see Sarah as a traitor. Not after everything she’d done and sacrificed to fight against the Cult. Her conviction may not have translated perfectly into metrics, but her intel and insight into the Cult’s operations had been invaluable. The battle against the Elsewhere Cult wasn’t just about profit—it was personal. For me, for her, for everyone who had suffered at their hands.


    “Reina,” I began carefully, “Sarah isn’t just another operative. She’s someone who’s seen the worst of the Cult and chosen to fight against it. That kind of conviction isn’t easy to measure.”


    Reina’s expression didn’t change, but I could tell she was listening. “Conviction without results is meaningless,” she said with contempt.


    The ‘results’ couldn’t always be translated into numbers, I wanted to argue that.


    “Not entirely,” I countered. “Think about it—every lead she provides, every insight into the Cult’s structure, helps us get one step closer to taking them down. She’s working on the inside, risking her life every day. That kind of access doesn’t come cheap.”Stolen story; please report.


    Selena chimed in again, her voice playful. “Besides, aren’t you the one always saying ‘efficiency is key’? Maybe Sarah’s playing the long game. Ever think of that, Reina? Don’t get surprised… maybe the little missy will drop you one day a vault full of gold after everything calms down.”


    Reina hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. “I see your point, Father. However, I will keep monitoring her activities. If there is even the slightest indication of betrayal, I will act accordingly.”


    “Fair enough,” I said with a nod. “But remember, Reina—trust is a two-way street. Let her prove herself.”


    With that, Reina gave a small bow before stepping back, her expression softening slightly. “As you wish, Father.”


    Selena grinned. “Good girl. Now, who’s up for a drink? This room’s way too tense.”


    I couldn’t help but chuckle at Selena’s antics, though my mind was already elsewhere. Sarah’s loyalty wasn’t something I doubted, but Reina’s words served as a reminder. In this world, trust was a fragile thing, easily broken and hard to rebuild. And with the Saint still out there, I couldn’t afford to be careless.


    Selena piped up with a teasing lilt, “Is it just me, or are you surrounding yourself with too many women?”


    I frowned, not in the mood for her antics, but that only seemed to encourage her. “There’s me, Reina, that Sarah girl… and then there’s the Director of Operations from the Association. Hmm…” She tapped her chin theatrically, her grin widening. “Should I tell Leora about all your lady friends?”


    “Don’t start,” I muttered, doing my best to ignore her.


    But her words did make me think about Atropos, the Director of Operations—and my self-proclaimed sister. She was a peculiar one, even among Hunters. She’d requested to meet me at the Hunter’s Association HQ today. It was rare for her to reach out directly, and rarer still for her to insist on a face-to-face meeting. Whatever it was, it had to be important.


    I checked the time on my watch. It looked like my appointment with Atropos was approaching. “Reina,” I said, turning to her, “Like always, I’ll leave you in charge of the Company while I’m gone. Make sure things run smoothly.”


    “As always, Father,” Reina replied, her tone neutral but tinged with pride.


    I turned to Selena, who was lounging against the desk. “Let’s go. I have an appointment.”


    Selena yawned, stretching her arms lazily before hopping to her feet. In the blink of an eye, her outfit transformed. Gone was her casual loungewear, replaced by tacky punk-inspired gangster-style clothes that looked utterly ridiculous. She blew a bright pink bubble of gum, letting it pop loudly, and smirked at me. Whether she was being a smartass or just entertaining herself, I couldn’t tell.


    “Let’s roll, sugar daddy,” she said, twirling a finger in the air. “And you better bring me somewhere fun after your boring meeting.”


    I rolled my eyes but didn’t bother to argue. Selena was going to be Selena. Besides, her ability to blend into—or, in this case, stand out from—any crowd had its uses.


    Like always, Selena took the wheel. Driving was her domain, and I let her revel in it. I never cared much for cars or transportation in general; if I had a choice, I’d teleport everywhere. Unfortunately, teleportation wasn’t one of the tricks in my arsenal, so I tolerated the mundane necessity of the commute.


    The ride was as eventful as any trip with Selena—loud music, reckless turns, and her endless chatter, which I half-listened to while going over mental notes about the meeting ahead.


    When we arrived at the Hunter’s Association HQ, I stepped out and glanced around at the familiar surroundings. The place always carried an air of authority and mystery, bustling with Hunters coming and going, and whispers of dangerous assignments floating in the air. Selena followed me inside but lingered near the entrance, assuming the role of a bodyguard with an exaggerated flourish that earned her a few odd looks from passersby.


    We navigated the maze-like corridors, their polished floors and pristine walls still as imposing as ever, until we reached Atropos’s office. The door was ajar as if expecting me. Without hesitation, I stepped in and took the seat across from her desk, the one she always kept ready for me.


    “Good afternoon, Atropos,” I greeted, my voice steady as I leaned back into the chair. Atropos, with her trademark air of authority and a hint of sibling familiarity, looked up from the folder she was reviewing.


    “Good afternoon, brother,” she replied, her sharp eyes meeting mine briefly before she closed the file. “The Association has intel on your quarry.”


    Straight to the point, as always. I nodded, my attention now fully on her. “What have you found?”


    “The Elsewhere Saint has been located. We have reason to believe they’re holed up in the Outer Zone near the World Wall. Details are sparse, but it seems they’ve established a stronghold of sorts, heavily fortified and crawling with loyalists. However... Chances are... said loyalists had vacated the area and abandoned the Saint, at least that''s what our divination techniques provided us.”


    I absorbed her words, my mind already piecing together potential strategies. The Outer Zone near the World Wall was treacherous—a lawless expanse where even seasoned Hunters rarely ventured.


    “And the Association’s stance?” I asked.


    “The Kill Order stands. Your mission parameters are clear: eliminate the Saint, dismantle their operations, and ensure no remnants of the Cult persist.”


    No pressure, then. I crossed my arms, weighing my options. This was the moment I had been waiting for, the culmination of years of effort and sacrifice. Yet, a twinge of unease coiled in my gut. The Saint wouldn’t be an easy target. They never were.


    Atropos’s voice cut through my thoughts. “This mission will likely stretch your limits. If you require additional resources or personnel, now is the time to make your requests.”


    I met her gaze, a flicker of gratitude passing through me for her straightforwardness. “I’ll consider it. But for now, I’ll rely on my own team.”


    Atropos nodded, her expression unreadable. “Very well. Keep me updated on your progress. And... be careful.”


    I stood, giving her a small nod before turning to leave. As I exited the office, Selena was already waiting, leaning casually against the wall.


    “So,” she drawled, popping her gum, “what’s the verdict?”


    “We’re heading to the Outer Zone,” I said, my voice firm. “The Saint’s waiting.”


    And we''d need a backup.