Auren and Pariston face each other. Both of them are smiling, but the air between them is tense. Auren can feel goosebumps running down his arms—part nerves, part excitent for what this exchange might bring.
“More importantly, let’s not talk about personal gain,” Auren begins. “This is more about my... feelings! I’m only pissed off because you caused a lot of stress. Your little ga was tedious and exhausting. Don’t mistake for so hypocrite who runs around preaching about justice. Strictly speaking, despite all your sches and manipulations, you’ve done more for people than most hunters ever will. Your temp hunters are genuinely helping people—for a price, sure, but still. I can respect that. Most hunters only care about their own interests. You, on the other hand, are chasing influence, prestige, control of the Association itself... but despite that, I don’t think you’re a bad hunter. In fact, you’re a hunter who hunts—just in your own way, and for the sake of the entire Association. No, not for the sake of it... to seize the Association itself! Others might even call that comndable... hunting for the entire organisation. You’d probably make a great Chairman... which I assu is your ultimate goal.”
“Oh, please,” Pariston says, clearly amused. “The old man is over a hundred years old, but he’ll live for decades longer. I’m only aiming to be Vice-Chairman... for now.”
“In any case,” Auren continues, “you can’t complain about how things turned out, can you?”
“Of course not.” Pariston stares at him with keen eyes. “I’m quite surprised... and very satisfied. How about joining my faction, Auren? I’m impressed by you. Not only are you incredibly strong and well-connected, but you’re also smart enough to see through the gas I play. You’d be a valuable asset.”
“Not interested in being soone’s chess piece. But...” Auren says calmly, “I’ll still accept your offer.”
A flicker of confusion crosses Pariston’s face. “Really?”
“Under certain conditions... of course. First, I want my students taken care of by the Association. That includes as well—I want a proper path to advance in the Association. I’ll also help when you ask to. But no more gas. If it involves , you tell the truth. You don’t need to explain every sche you’re planning, but if it touches or my people, I want the facts, no more fucking surprises. And when it’s just the two of us... drop the act. How does that sound?”
Pariston’s expression shifts. His voice turns calm and neutral. “We have a deal.” Then suddenly, his smile twists unnaturally, his face resembling a devil as he leans forward. “Although... I can’t promise to tell you everything. Lying cos more naturally to than breathing. But I’ll do my best to give you accurate intel in the future. At least when you’re involved.”
He straightens slightly, his gaze sharp. “What are your plans for the near future, Auren?”
“I’ll stay here for one or two months, as long as the exorcism takes,” Auren answers. “I plan to bring my students here for proper training. I’ve neglected them. While I’m here, you can assign a few missions—ones for and my students. I’m fine with simple ones... but rember: no sches.”
“Good,” Pariston replies. His cheerful façade is gone. His tone is flat, emotionless, nothing like the smiling act he wore earlier. “I’ll make sure you reach single-star rank within a few years. I’ll also evaluate your students myself and prepare an advancent plan for them, if I deem them worthy. You know the requirents—if you want to reach double-star, your students’ performance matters as much as yours.”
“You can push to single-star in a few years? Is that even possible?” Auren asks, skeptical.
“Yes. You’re already closer than you might think.” Pariston says flatly. “The only thing holding you back is your age. I’ll give you full credit for this incident and paint you as a hero. That alone, along with your Floor Master status and the missions you’ll complete in the coming weeks, will be more than enough. Also... aren’t you responsible for a criminal? Tell your people to end her sentence imdiately. Write whatever justification you like—I know the Hunter in charge of pardons. Have her join the next exam and take her on as your student as well. From what I read, she is a rather ... assertive and active individual. She will be useful.”
“And one more thing—I want you to act as an Examiner in the next Hunter Exam. The first ti, just in a year, you’ll serve as a regular black-suited helper. Simply observe. After that, you can choose whether you want to beco a full Examiner or continue as a helper. Either way, you’ll build connections. Your willingness to help will also be seen as a contribution, and you’ll co across as humble and generous. I might also need you to scout for , while you are at it.”
Pariston cups his hands together, deep in thought.
“Hmmm, as far as I rember, you’re registered as a Treasure Hunter? I’ll change that to Blacklist-Temp-Treasure Hunter. That way, I can give you more credit. Have you had any notable achievents with your weapon collecting? That’s what you specialize in for now, correct?”
Auren smiles, appreciating the sudden practicality in Pariston’s tone, and begins telling him about his growing collection of Ben’s knives. He also ntions his interest in other weapons, including the spear he picked up at Heaven’s Arena.
“I value Aura and practicality. I don’t view my collection as a re tool to advance my career. I want to genuinely collect them. The only real requirent I have is... Aura! Residual Aura. I won’t accept conventional rare items,” Auren explains.
“I see... do you have money?” Pariston asks. “You’ve chosen a field where you can simply buy your way into success. Expanding your collection is a relatively simple task. You already used the Hunter site to purchase a few of your beloved knives, correct?”
“Sure... the site helped a lot. I have around a hundred billion in savings. In the next few years, that will grow to around four hundred, even if I do nothing,” Auren explains.
“Impressive... Since we’re playing with open cards, Auren, does that money happen to have anything to do with a certain billionaire... and his now miraculously recovered girlfriend? No—she should be his wife by now,” Pariston asks, his smile sharp.
“It might,” Auren replies, keeping up his poker face.
“Good. Then let’s get to know each other properly first, and after that, we can discuss that exciting possibility. For now, focus on your students and the missions I’ll be assigning you. Pick the ones that suit you. And of course, your collection. I’ll send you a list and purchase whatever I can get my hands on. If you dislike so items, just resell them. From what I understood, you’re interested in items—specifically weapons and equipnt with residual aura? I have contacts, and I’ll use the Hunter website to give you a boost. I can control a few things and make sure more people see your requests. I also add my little stamp onto your requests, so people will know that I appreciate... their contributions. Spend as much on your hobby, and I’ll give you the credit you need to be promoted even faster. I’ll use my connections to rapidly grow your collection. Be ready to spend a few billion... is that acceptable? If so, what’s your limit?”
“No limit... no—limit it to fifty billion for now. That should be more than enough,” Auren replies.
“Looks like you’re a wealthy tycoon. That amount will last for decades. I’ll make sure you add hundreds of items to your collection. I have subordinates who specialize in acquisitions like these. But collecting is not enough. You need to show off your collection as well. Pictures, published exclusively on the Hunter website and on a private collector’s site, will suffice. I’ll also introduce you to a rather hidden but very enthusiastic group of collectors. It’s a dium-sized organization, with less than a hundred mbers,” Pariston explains.
Really? This guy is more helpful than I thought.
“You’re really helpful. Do you want to adopt next? I like it when I can just switch off my brain and follow blindly,” Auren jokes.
“I wish that were true, Auren. You’re far more scheming than you give yourself credit for. In any case, that community isn’t only for establishing your reputation—it can also help you build your collection. Many of the clients collect precious artworks, body parts, or all kinds of strange things you can’t even imagine. Practical things like weapons or items for fighting or daily use are actually unpopular among them. That makes them even easier to obtain for you.”
“Expand your collection into clothing and accessories as well. Things like canes, hats, watches, and lighters fit your niche. Most rich collectors consider such things common, crude, superficial, and unsophisticated, not worth collecting. Which ans you can buy their best pieces for reasonable prices. The irony is... the more logical and practical it is to collect sothing, the less desirable it becos to most so-called art enthusiasts.”
“Then please go ahead and introduce ,” Auren replies. “I’m not an art enthusiast, which is probably why I value practical and beautiful things like weapons. Still, I’m open to branching into clothing, accessories, and smaller trinkets—as long as they have aura. That’s my only bottom line. Anything with lingering, residual aura is a priceless masterpiece I want to own and generally value.”
He pauses, genuinely surprised by this turn of events. “Thank you. Looks like this will be a profitable partnership after all. I was ready to tell you that you owed , but this is exactly what I was hoping for. Let’s make sure we both profit.”
“Oh, I agree. I’m grateful as well, Auren,” Pariston says. His twisted smile returns. “Especially since you did exactly as I hoped last night.”
So it really was all him... he really is a devil.
“With two traitors exposed, and plenty of fresh recruits for my faction, I’m slowly gaining enough traction to change this little organization as I envision it. I can’t wait to rub my success in a certain dog’s face,” Pariston snickers.
“Sounds fun,” Auren says with a shrug.
After discussing a few more benign details, Auren stands up to leave. “Let’s talk again soon, Auren,” Pariston says. “I’ll send you the information via mail. Things might get busy.”
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