"Look... apparently, the evaluators decided to adjust your ranking, believing that experience must be important to be a Destruction Hunter..."
"So... your rank has dropped to S-tier."
"..."
Ferinish pursed her lips in disappointment. She rested both hands on the counter, questioning the receptionist.
"How do I get that ranking back?"
"Well, we can send you on a mission now. There aren't many hunters available for the new Inferni, so you'll have to work with another Destruction Hunter."
"Maybe..."
"You'll be working with Faller Noughter. He's probably around here."
Ferinish tilted her head in confusion.
"What does he look like, so I should know?"
The receptionist blushed slightly, looking away.
"He's quite handsome... and has a very muscular body..."
When she turned her head, Ferinish was no longer there.
She was walking through the corridors of the association, lost in some personal thoughts.
"According to Slady, I ended up not having much contact with Renkai Energy in IceStorm. I might end up turning back into a human, which, according to him, 'is very rare.'"
Opening a door abruptly, Ferinish bumped head-on into a man, falling to the ground.
"Ouch!"
She put her hands to her nose, massaging it. Lifting her head, she found the person she needed to meet.
His hand was extended to her, his gentle, chivalrous smile on his lips, his clothes very stylish, and of course, his white hair and a very... imposing body.
"Oh, my lady. Sorry for bumping into you."
Ferinish sighed and accepted the gesture, taking her hand and standing up. The man seemed quite impressed by the girl's powerful appearance... but he also felt the Renkai Energy in his body, but decided not to question it.
"Which beautiful lady am I in front of?"
Ferinish noticed Faller's strangeness, but chose to be polite.
"I am Ferinish Lawhell. Are you the famous Faller Noughter?"
"Oh, yes! I recently received notice that I would be working with a Ferinish. I hope we can work well together."
"I say the same, Faller."
Ferinish stared at the man's sword at his waist, curious about the power he would witness from one of the strongest men of all...
***
"I think some of the officers got sick..."
Slady was watching TV in her library: the journalist was documenting a horror scene in Libertãnhya with censored footage, claiming that some officers vomited or fainted at the scene.
"I think I overdid it by killing 200 men..."
At the crime scene, Slady approached the barrier that restricted the presence of civilians. He presented his fake badge; the officers, without a chance to argue, simply allowed him to enter.
In his vision, there was Rin Yuang, who seemed quite affected by the almost macabre scene. On the other side was Roger, who seemed more impassive than Slady remembered.
"Strange, he's a strong man with these things, but I can't see the slightest discomfort in him. As if he didn't even care."
Rin Yung looked at Slady, forcing a smile, trying to appear calm in the face of the scene.
"Good morning, Slady! H-how are you?" (Trembling)
"No need to pretend..." (Whispered)
"What happened here?" (Continued)
Before Rin Yuang could answer, Roger approached, responding with pure professionalism and coolness.
"From what they indicate, there was a fierce fight between two gangs that ended in the deaths of all the members. The cuts and DNA evidence clearly demonstrate this. But they want to make it seem like the 'Theatrical Killer' did it."
"Killing over two hundred men? That's insane..." (Rin Yuang murmured.)
"I see..."
Slady looked around to understand the investigators' logic and find some evidence that might lead to him.
"Apparently, this scene isn't for beginners." (He tried to add a bit of humor)
"No, most of the Investigators had to retreat or were rescued." (Roger confirmed)
"Rin Yuang also felt a bit unwell." (He replied with a hint of contempt)
Slady analyzed the entire situation for himself, coming to some small conclusions. But he found something strange about Roger.
"A year ago, Roger and Rin Yung were brilliant colleagues, what happened to make him so cold?"
"I see, I hope you get answers."
Slady walked away, but not before receiving a tug on his black overcoat. Looking over his shoulder, he found Rin Yuang.
"Can we talk?"
***
In an Inferius, Ferinish and Faller prepare to eliminate all the demons. The man gave Ferinish a friendly slap on the back, which made her almost react defensively, but she managed to control herself.
"Are you ready? This is a high-level Inferius, not so recommended for S-Rank hunters."
"I am."
Then, drawing their swords, the two rushed toward the army of Renkai Creatures, some humanoid (Former Humans) or animal-like (Humans or animals that were transformed while alive).
Ferinish used her blue flames to burn the demons, Faller used her electricity to explode or fry them. The man was extremely impressed by the woman's skill, starting to get even more excited.
"I've never seen blue fire in my life! You're impressive, woman!"
Ferinish managed to take on a more agitated expression, as if she was starting to get equally excited.
"Okay, whoever kills the most wins!"
"Whoever loses buys a burger!"
From then on, there was no turning back. Ferinish and Faller destroyed everything in that dimension, structures, gigantic Renkai Creatures, the realm trembled before the duo's power.
The excitement was so intense that their blows began to clash against each other, as if they were battling while competing.
Newborn Destroyers hid, unable to give in to even their own instincts, but in a short time, they were brutally killed.
Renkata fragments flew through the air, being cut into almost subatomic pieces. The two no longer thought, seemingly completely lost in the adrenaline of facing each other.
***
"I don't want to bother you, Slady, but I'm feeling insecure."
"About what?" (She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall)
"Roger was always a serious man, but he was a kind and gentle friend when he could be. Even his family noticed a change in him, and no one knows why."
"Maybe it's not something personal?"
"Maybe, but Roger always trusted me to open up, but today, he seems disgusted by me..." (Tears began to stream down her face)
Even though Rin Yuang is an excellent investigator, she's still a sensitive woman who hasn't been mentally destroyed by human evil.
Slady noticed this; a flicker of empathy appeared on her face, and a small but gentle smile appeared on her lips.
"Don't feel that way, just let him have his own space or try to talk to him."
Slady placed her hand on Rin's head, who appreciated the gesture and nodded.
"Thank you. I appreciate all your help."
"Sure, just don't wear yourself out on this case."
At this, a more serious expression appeared on Rin Yuang's face.
"I understand you want to help me, but I won't let a criminal like that live in society. I'll arrest him and let justice make him pay for everything he's done."
"She's very determined..." (He thought)
"You seem very loyal to justice, don't you? What made you like this?"
Rin Yuang fell silent, as if a sensitive subject had been raised, but decided to trust Slady.
"I've lost many people I loved to these kinds of people, I don't want to go through that again. I don't want anyone to live in fear in Libertãnhya."
"I wouldn't have the same thought... admirable."
"You can do it, I trust you."
Rin Yuang smiled again, giving Slady a gentle expression.
"It's these kinds of words that make me proud of who I am. Have a great day, Slady.
She hugged him in gratitude. Slady was surprised, but returned the gesture, wrapping her arms around her waist with a certain care.
"One day, I thought I was the justice of this world, of Libretanhya. But this woman is its definition. She doesn't fight for money, she doesn't fight for power, or submit to the rules of men."
"She faces human evil because it's right, because it's her dream: to remove fear from the world, even if her own life is the payment."