Let the Hunt Begin! [01]

"The target has not noticed your presence, I just need to keep him in my sights a little longer and I'd be done" thought Daven Nightshot pointing his middle and left index fingers from the rooftop of a small building towards a subject walking down the alley next to the building.

After about 20 seconds Daven fired an aura blast straight into one of the subject's legs, [Point and shoot]. The badly wounded man tried to scream from the pain without success, the hunter had already launched himself from his advantageous position and managed to cover the wounded man's mouth with the same executing hand.

- I aimed at your joints, the Achilles heel to be more exact, so you won't be able to move easily from here - Daven said. - Tak, better known as the rogue, you have a certain reputation for in this area of Yorkshin City, but since you couldn't dodge the attack I see you don't do justice to your reputation.

The attacker pushed Tak through a broken window into what appeared to be an abandoned dwelling making sure he landed on his injured leg to prevent any possible escape plan that might cross his prisoner's mind. The hunter and scanned the room with his eyes for potential dangers, a quick scan revealed that there was nothing to worry about beyond the nest of rats sweeping the room disturbed by the sudden movement of two adults breaking into their abode. Nightshot quickly grabbed the bandit and dragged him carelessly and with full intent across the room to the wall adjacent to the window, then sat down on the opposite outside of the room, next to what under normal circumstances would be the access door to the place.

After a long silence, Tak fearfully dared to take the initiative of the conversation - Listen, I... I really don't - Tak the rogue paused to observe the reaction of the man in front of him.

- I haven't worked in a while... I don't know who sent you, I was low profile, you know, stepping out of the spotlight... it looks like I wasn't low profile for shit....

Daven watched the guy's movements, he brought a hand to his knee and started flexing his fingers while extending his palm outward, at that point he activated [Gyo] over his eyes to check if Tak had any tricks he rolled down his sleeve.

"He has a weak [Ten], he must have used it as a preventative measure to avoid damage from some surprise attack like before."

- I'm not here for revenge or anything like that - Daven said with a somewhat jocular tone - I heard you were involved in an incident a couple of months ago. Attempted robbery, Lingon Airport.

- So if it was a matter of revenge," Tak replied, quickly going into alert mode.

- In an organized operation, you and your group attempted to steal a shipment of jewelry and exclusive items that were to be auctioned this year in September by the Dimecci Family - Daven added. - However, due to lack of information the operation resulted in an operation where stealth was conspicuous by its absence, and during a confrontation with the Dimecci Family's private security a part of the cargo was destroyed so the mafia did not hold back in punishing the thieves... The part that really matters to me is the apparently missing merchandise.

Tak momentarily deactivated his [Ten] upon hearing that last. Apparently lost. At that moment a possible scenario crossed his mind, but one he didn't really want to think about.

- I don't know the conditions of your target, but they sure sounded... strange to you at first too - Daven Nightshot added as he shifted his posture as if preparing to stand up. - But of course, an emerging group of bandits who were gaining a certain reputation with their robbery work in the financial sector, It seemed like a golden opportunity to make a name for himself and get better orders. 

-My theory is the following: in that plane there was auction merchandise of the Dimecci family, that's right; but there must also have been things that the family wanted to get rid of or keep... Those are the things and more that were given up for lost at the time of the alleged robbery attempt.

- What about that to me? - Tak interrupted. - Whether I want to or not, I was linked as a criminal because of what happened at the airport, besides, you still haven't said what I'm really interested in, are you going to let me go or not?

- Easy, take it easy, I'm getting to my point, Tak, because it was a while ago, the missing items didn't make it onto the official auction list so I have no way of verifying if what I'm looking for came in that shipment. However, I know for a fact that the members of the operation you participated in had information on the items that were in there... At least the target items.

Tak tensed his body while grimacing in pain from the wound in his foot, he had the cause of his pain in front of him, but as tempting as the idea of attacking him sounded the rogue thief understood that he was not in the condition to face him, the pressure that emanated from that guy did not let the injured man move was almost tangible to the point that Tak questioned if that talkative in front of him was a Manipulator and was somehow employing his technique on him.

A smile came across Tak's pained face - What I understand is that I'm going to live another day, at least until I give you what you want from me - Tak lowered his [Ten] - between Manipulators who gets there first is who wins, I don't know how, but you have me under your control Why don't you use your ability to get what you want?

- What I want is to know if it's really worth partnering with you - the hunter answered calmly - I wouldn't lose much money really, but in these matters time is key, and if I take too long to get that text, I could lose it forever.

- W-What? - Tak asked between choked groans - Partner up? You're not going to kill me after I give you the list?

- Did I ever say I was going to kill you?

- No... but still... why kidnap me, hurt me and paralyze me and then leave me... even worse? Make me a proposal to work together! - confusion and disbelief were visible on Tak's face, in contrast to the perversion and enjoyment of the situation plastered on Daven's face. - What kind of crazy person hired this other crazy person to steal from another crazy person? Besides, I told you I'm keeping a low profile.

- For this mission, nobody, it's nothing more than a personal hunting.

- Hunting? - he asked.

- That's right! - interrupted the Hunter as he waved to Tak - Let me introduce myself, I'm Daven Nightshot, Professional One Star Paleographic Hunter, although you can also consider me an Information Hunter, I'm currently hunting an extract from an ancient book containing a Panagram in a lost language once spoken in what is now the Kingdom of Tanbóh and according to my sources, among the Dimécci Family merchandise on the plane to Yorkshin City were ceremonial costumes from that civilization; And, you are going to help me get my first clue to the Panagram!

- Why would I do that? - replied Tak puzzled by all the above explanation.

- Because you won't be able to move for 5 days if I don't take you to my trusted Specialist for healing! - Daven finished off with a mocking tone.