Clue about the Kidnappers
25
All the imposing bearing and attitude that came with her title were subdued by a gentle aura of an worried older sister.
"Tiffany, you can stay if you want. Even though you're part of the guild, you're not obliged to take part in dungeon clearances."
"Mana, you don't need to worry so much about me. I'm only one step away from reaching level 20 and gaining my class, and I'm also a two-star Stellar Hunter. I'll be fine."
"I know you'll be fine, but it's hard for me not to worry. Dungeons are unpredictable and full of danger; even knowing that, you can't know what you'll actually find in there."
Tiffany sighed before making a promise to her sister.
"If there's danger, something I can't handle, I'll stay behind the senior hunters, so you can feel more at ease, right? Now I have to gothe others must be waiting for me."
Tiffany was grabbed in a surprise hug as she prepared to leave.
"My little Tiffany is a woman now."
"Mana?"
Tiffany jumped, freeing herself from her sister, who poked her breasts.
"Take this with you. Don't hesitate to use it if you're in danger. If you reach level 20, use it immediately if things get complicated. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mana, you were clear."
"Then hurry and go. I'll stay here coordinating the mission. Keep your camera always on, understood?"
Tiffany ran off, leaving only Tatiana in the place. When she was completely alone, a shadow took shape in front of her and spoke with a hoarse voice like a creaking door.
"Vice-Leader, do you wish me to go with her, to provide from the shadows?"
The figure was cloaked in black robes; from the shape of the body and the voice, it was impossible to discern its gender.
"No need. She'll be fine. There are hunters with decades of experience leading the dungeon sortie."
The black figure seemed confused; it looked at its mistress and asked in its strange voice.
"Vice-Leader, if it's not to protect young Miss Tiffany, why was I summoned?"
Tatiana's eyes turned as cold as ice; the figure at her side felt a chill down his spine.
"A bastard dared to touch my sister. I want you to kill him and bring me his head."
"Who are we talking about? Vice-Leaderwho would be so bold as to mess with the Vice-Leader of the Blue Spirit Guild?"
"I just sent you his information. Don't forget to bring his head to me. You will be richly rewarded."
The figure's eyes gleamed behind its mask. He took his phone and read the name of the person on a file.
"Alex Wellny" Wellny, the association. Those two words ring a bell. That face is somewhat familiar."
Seeing the figure struggling in thought as he tried to remember something, Tatiana said without emotion.
"He is the professor's son."
When the title "professor" was heard, the figure began to sweat coldlyat least that is what anyone would do. Since he wore a mask it was hard to tell if he was really sweating.
"Vice‑Leader, are you sure you want this person dead? If by any chance that person returns and discovers that we killed his son, not even the chickens of our most distant relatives will be spared from annihilation."
"That man is dead; you don't need to worryhe will never return. Besides, I thought you didn't leave traces."
"If the Vice‑Leader has such confidence in me and is so sure the professor will not return, I will carry out this mission, but I will want double what you usually pay me to get rid of a two‑star hunter."
Tatiana frowned as she looked at the figure.
"The boy is only a one‑star Stellar Hunter, and you want me to give you double what a two‑star hunter would be wortharen't you being a bit greedy?"
The figure shrugged before answering.
"Vice‑Leader, the extra money is just so I can sleep at night knowing I was the one who killed the professor's son."
Sighing, Tatiana said, annoyed:
"All right, deal. Carry out the mission. I will send half of what we agreed now; when I have his head on my desk you will have the rest, agreed?"
"Vice‑Leader, as always it is good to work with you. Although this time you went too far, in any case, I accept."
The figure vanished into a shadow, leaving only those words in the room.
***
The truck barreled to a stop right in front of a convenience store next to a private hospital.
Members of the Blue Spirit Guild disembarked in formation, all clad in armor; most wore leather armor with small plates, except Tiffany, who wore plated armor.
The person responsible for the dungeon invasion approached the association's official and provided the complete list of everyone who would participate, their levels and other information.
The official would remain there while the invasion proceeded; he would only leave once the dungeon had been cleared and the government's percentage collected, and if the designated guild failed its mission, he would call in association hunters to act.
The portal that appeared was gigantic, about eight meters in diameter. Half of the convenience store was engulfed by the dungeon portal. Many people were filming the hunters entering the gateway.
Besides the onlookers capturing the moment on their phone cameras, there were also professional reporters who wanted to interview the Blue Spirit Guild, but unfortunately for them the police were there to prevent the general public from approaching the site.
Slowly, the people watched as all the guild members entered the enormous gate.
***
"Can you find her?"
Félix nodded affirmatively to Alex's question."In theory yes I'll track the position of her phone from before it was turned off, and if there are cameras in the area I'll be able to access them and find some clue."
As he spoke, Félix's fingers typed furiously and several images flashed on the screen in front of them.
"Done. I triangulated the position where the phone was switched off. Strange it's this place."
"What's wrong with the place?"
"There's nothing wrong, it's just that a portal appeared right where the phone was switched off, but it must be just a coincidence after all there's a full day's interval. Okay, got it."
"Did you find her?" Alex asked hopefully.