To understand what was happening right now, it was necessary to go back to a few minutes ago.
After Adam obtained the list from Miguel, he kept observing the different code names of the hunters and the achievements under their belts.
'If after this all hunters don't think that I am boosted then I will be greatly surprised.'
He already understood that the silver-ranked hunters were more or less the main power of the Hunter Association and any other force out there and he had the top-level hunters of that level in his team. The same went for the bronze hunters where only the top of the top was selected for the team.
Finally, there were two Gold-ranked hunters, including him, and an Executor. This team was as stacked as it could get already.
'Well… Not like I care much about their opinions.'
His hunter identity was of no consequence. It was an identity he could use or discard without the slightest problem whatsoever and he did not care much for his reputation as 'The Magician'. Though it certainly could be very useful if it were to be used in the right manner.
For instance, the matter of how he was able to gather so many talented hunters under him just for a mission. It was the perfect way to recruit goons for his use.
What was interesting here though, was that all those hunters had hidden their true identities. This was proof that despite how advanced Hunters were in general, they still feared the retaliation of the supernatural world to a great degree. This also showed the power and might of the supernatural races as a whole.
'The humans have the upper hand but I guess it's mostly because the primogenitors are either allies of the humans or not interested in tilting the Scales of Equilibrium too much and bringing in a true monster.'
He mused like this until he reached the doors that were floating in the air and were connected to different places in the world.
Truly, this was a marvel to observe no matter how many times he witnessed them with his eyes. The thought and mind put together into making this mechanism was truly out of this world. The simple power to manipulate space as one wished was something he wished to obtain more than anything else right now.
It was because… once he was able to gain such power and mix it with his inherent abilities of 'The World', he might truly become invincible… Or at the very least become someone no one wanted to fight in the mortal realm.
"Magician?"
"Sorry, I was just lost in some idle thoughts."
He tore his gaze away from the door and looked at Miguel once more. Adam could easily see that unlike the relative ease Mark had with him when conversing and interacting in general, Miguel was much more reserved with him in his speech and interaction.
In a way, this was the normal way people would react. Mark was different because he did not care much about standings in the world of Hunters. He only cared about the people he was dealing with and their mentality which made him different from everyone else.
"You did a good job."
He showed Miguel the hologram and said, "I will review the list and tell you if I want any change later on."
"You are too kind and I understand. I will wait for your update. If possible, I would like to have your opinion by tomorrow to warn the other hunters of your decision. This is to give them enough time to approach other hunters to form a team with them, I hope you understand… And…"
He touched his com and sent a second list his way.
"The list I am giving now contains the information of the reserve hunters that I selected just in case. They are more or less as good as the ones on the first list. They also all expressed the desire to participate in the mission."
"Do I have an actual limit to how many hunters I can take with me?"
"Truthfully speaking, no. But the achievement points are limited and the share of all members is fixed on a certain number of points plus a percentage based on how helpful they were during the mission. As the leader of the mission, you can decide how to assign the points but everyone has a minimum number of points they need to be rewarded with."
"So the more hunters there are the less reward is for everyone I presume."
"Indeed. Furthermore, Hunters are cowards and very prudent by nature. If they decide that the expected rewards are not worth it, they will simply desist. As long as they give the notice 24 hours before the expected date, they will only receive the bare minimum punishment."
"I understand."
There was nothing wrong with this piece of information, at least, Adam didn't find anything wrong with this mentality of the hunters. Everyone was fighting for their lives and if the price was not good enough, then they had no reason to fight. It was as simple as that.
"Very well, Magician. I will take my leave then, and I wish you a great day."
"Bye…"
Adam waved his hand as he went through the door.
.
.
.
He had been wondering where he would appear this time but rather than an office or a laboratory, he appeared inside of a large gym.
"Hum…?"
Looking around the place, he could see many machines and equipment that seemed to be quite high-tech. He was not able to recognize what even half the machines were used for if he had to be honest.
"You are here."
Adam walked around and stopped in front of the only machine that was occupied in the gym. It was an advanced mechanized treadmill and on top of it, he could see Medusa running while wearing some sportswear. A simple pair of shorts and a tank top. Her hair was tied in a ponytail and slight perspiration could be seen on her face.
"I didn't think you went to the gym or did any physical exercise."
"Well. Now you know I do."
Medusa laughed as she stopped the machine and breathed in deeply.
"A healthy mind needs an even healthier body. Also, it had been quite some time since I went on the field so I need to wake up."
"So you are truly the Hand of Midas."
"Pretty apt name, don't you think so?" She grinned, "Alchemists of old believed that Gold was the perfect metal so their greatest wish was to transform lead into pure gold. Meanwhile, King Midas obtained the power to change everything he touched in gold, be it objects or even humans. A cursed power that gave him what he wanted but cursed him to never feel the touch of another human ever again for even his beloved daughter was changed into the gold he loved so much."
She shook her head, "Well, it doesn't matter. Why have you come to me? I thought you would avoid me with how big your debt has become."
"Well. About that…Haha. I am here for a new loan."
"Oh?"
"Ahem~ But first things first… Do you know that Ghost Spider fella? Why does a Gold-ranked Hunter wish to become my teammate?"
"Oh? Ghost Spider? It's your batshit crazy ex-girlfriend."
'...'
The answer was not what he had expected.
"Ex-girlfriend? You mean…"
"Tsubasa Hanekawa."
"Oh… Ohhh…"
Adam seemed to bug out for a moment before her sentence finally made sense to him.
"I must say. Seeing the shock on your face is quite satisfying in itself."
"Okay, give me a second to process this."
Adam covered his face as his mind started to work fast.
Tsubasa Hanekawa. A young 'black' haired woman with intense charm. She had all the normal features of a Japanese woman. She had always been quite the prim and proper young lady and her long hair had mesmerized him once upon a time.
'Well. Changing one's hair color isn't something hard in this day and age.'
He took a deep breath and released it all in one go.
He knew Tsubasa was from a family of hunters. He also knew that the territory of the Hanekawa family was Little Tokyo— the place where the Ghost Spider worked as there were those so-called Urban legends about her in that region.
'Okay… It… It makes sense now.'
"Let's put aside how you knew that Tsubasa is my ex. I know you already must have searched everything about my past so this isn't much of a surprise. But can you tell me why the hell did she choose this mission? There is no way in hell you can make me believe that this is a coincidence."
Adam knew Tsubasa well. Almost too well.
The girl was… very resourceful to say the least. She had a way of thinking that seemed sometimes alien even. Though he had to admit that this had been one of her greatest charms.
"This is indeed not a coincidence. The little girl knows who you are and chose to take this mission based on that."
"How?"
"Beats me." Medusa shrugged, "The Hanekawa family have different powers based on the spirit inside them. Even if I knew exactly what spirit she sealed in her body, I wouldn't be able to know for sure. Though I do have some guesses. Anyway… What will you do now?"
Medusa smiled. Now that she knew that Tsubasa would not hurt Adam. This whole situation was truly quite amusing, to say the least.
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