Kharon crossed his arms as he carefully listened. Zack continued as he said, "I have been tailing them for a few days now. Freya being an underground hunter already tells you a few things about her. While Philip has told me of his dislike for the Arcane Association."
"And how did you meet them?"
"They live in the same apartment building as me. So I have interacted with them. I think we should put them in a trial and see how they do. Considering how much work you have done, you must have a special arena to test potential recruits right?"
Kharon stayed silent as he avoided Zack's expectant gaze. After a few seconds of silence, Zack asked, "You haven't prepared one yet? That's fine. We could use the training room. It has various environments and it is very realistic. I could slip some rings onto their fingers and you could summon them. But they might not answer your call."
"I can forcefully summon members with the ring if need be. I have crafted twelve rings; including ours for official members and I have five temporary rings. I will personally go to them and sneak the ring on. I am far stealthier than you."
"As you wish boss."
Zack's figure began to slowly vanish as Kharon said, "Also I haven't finished furnishing the Eclipse Sanctum. Everything you saw is all I have prepared."
"No way-"
He was completely gone before he finished his sentence as Kharon went past several empty rooms before stopping in front of a large one.
'It's time to prepare the trials. This will probably take me a week...'
Using his runic knowledge and building experience, Kharon spent several days creating a special room. The room was ever changing and always growing. Its sometimes vibrant, sometimes gloomy nature fueled Kharon to work even harder as he weaved tirelessly for hours.
'This will be my next masterpiece after that training room. I can barely contain myself. Who knew I would become so passionate about runeweaves and challenges? It really makes me think about what I actually want. A life of fighting and destruction or a life of peace and creation...'
After days of endless crafting and weaving, he had done it. He looked at his creation with a bright yet wavering smile as his lips tried to lift themselves despite their fatigue. Kharon slowly left the room before carefully closing the door and sealing it. His red, trembling hands slowly touched his face as he slid onto the floor and passed out.
He woke up to the sound of someone speaking as he felt a gentle yet firm arm tap him awake. His heavy eyelids drooped as he tried to keep them open. Kharon quickly realised who it was and forced himself up as he coughed awkwardly.
"What are you doing here Zack? Shouldn't you be watching the candidates?!"
"I sent you several messages but you didn't reply. Then I tried teleporting here which I successfully did without your forceful suppression. You shouldn't push yourself this much. We aren't in too much of a hurry."
'We are... We really are...'
Thoughts and memories of all his previous fights flashed before his eyes as Kharon slapped his face. He stared at Zack before looking away. His attention turned towards the door behind him. He looked at it for a few seconds before raising his hand and placing it on the door. As he did this, it began to vanish.
Zack stood in the corner, concern visible in his eyes as he said, "You should get some rest boss. The recruitment process is tomorrow. But we could push it back a bit-"
"That wouldn't be necessary. In fact, it will happen today. I just need a few hours of rest then we will put Freya Vale to the test. Until then keep an eye on her. Furthermore you don't need to go hunting as often."
"But I need to avoid suspicion. I have already reduced my hunting activity."
Kharon remained silent as he walked towards Zack and placed his hand on his shoulder. Looking him straight in the eyes Kharon said, "This is a critical moment in our organisation's creation. I need you to constantly be available in the next couple of days."
Before Zack could protest, Kharon had already reached for his bag. He pulled out several platinum marks as he handed them to Zack.
"You can use these to pay for anything you want."
Zack looked at the grey-white coins in his hands before returning them to Kharon as he said, "I don't need any money. I didn't join you to be handed everything, but to be able to grow without restraints. You already gave me my freedom. Instead of just handing me money you should put it into the organisation. We will need funds once things start to pick up."
'He keeps on surprising me. All he wants is to grow without limits... just like me. The Association will definitely be overthrown by us. People's potential wouldn't be restrained. Humanity will grow even stronger! That's another promise I will fulfill...'
"You are right. I will create a vault where the Null Order's fund will be stored. This will make it more convenient if a member needs money for a mission. The trial room is complete. Well I will just call it the Room of Trials."
"That is a good name. It's not over the top and flows well."
"Why are you still here?"
Zack looked at Kharon as he smiled before vanishing. Kharon also vanished as he returned to his room in the Conservatory. He put down his bag as he changed his clothes and walked towards the door. As he stepped out, he saw the usual bellboy carrying some luggage for some guests as he smiled. The bellboy smiled back as he went into the guests' room.
Kharon walked through the luxurious corridor as he reached the massage room. He was asked to take off a few pieces of clothing as a young, beautiful woman brought him to a long massage bed. As he got on, his muscles immediately relaxed as he slowly analysed the bed.
'So the bed is a runic device... I really must be tired if I couldn't notice that. Temperature runes, sleep runes and muscle control runes. I am not very familiar with runes concerning bodily functions. I should focus on them more since I have mastered most runes. It could be useful for healing myself without arcane abilities or mystic constructs.'
Sighing in relief, Kharon just lay still as he enjoyed the massage. It lasted for almost an hour as he drifted into sleep. He was gently woken up by the masseuse as she gently tapped him awake. He stood up slowly as he felt his completely rested body and mind.
'This is quite amazing. I should have been receiving massages from the very start. It would have saved me a lot of pain and sleepless nights. The more aspects of this retreat I find, the more the price feels justified.'
Kharon thanked the masseuse as he returned to his room feeling refreshed. He had a bath in his large tub as he just soaked inside for ninety minutes before preparing. As he put on his clothes, he took out the Stalker's Cloth and looked at it melancholically before wearing it. He walked out of his room as he walked past several other wielders. They looked at him strangely but still greeted him. He reciprocated their greetings before walking away.
After explaining what he was doing with the receptionist, he left the Aetherbloom Conservatory. As he stepped into the dim, luxurious street, his figure began to dissipate as he vanished into thin air. He activated Hidden Hand as he floated up in the air. He felt the wind slam against his face as he arrived at the Eclipsed Hollow in less than a second.
Waiting for him in an alley, was Zack wearing a dark, purple cloak. He was warily looking around when he heard someone whisper in his ear, "I am here." His instincts immediately told him to punch but he stopped himself as Kharon fully materialised.
"Hey boss. Don't scare me like that again. I almost punched you."
"Your punch wouldn't deal that much damage to me either way."
Zack huffed as he said, "We should have a duel and find out. If I win, you have to apologise and if you win, you get to pick your prize."
"I don't plan on dueling members of my organisation. It will just lead to more complications. We aren't in the Hollow Syndicate anymore."
"Sorry. Old habits die hard I guess. Follow me."
Kharon once again vanished as Zack began walking in silence. They walked for several minutes before arriving at a large, run down building. Zack quickly whispered a few words before entering the building while Kharon jumped onto its roof.
'It isn't reinforced by aether, so that's good. Freya's apartment is on the third floor and to the left; Room 15.'
Kharon used Silent Craft to create a soft couch for himself as he lay down while looking at the sky. The ominous rift seemed to call his name as he stared intensely at it. And whispered, "Hello."
As if answering his call, the rift stirred as a giant, ominous eye which seemed to contain the entire opened...