Meeting the Higher-Ups

Two weeks had passed since Alex awakened to his ability. In the span of those two weeks, he had gotten closer to Subin, started training in mixed martial arts, and began going to the gym more regularly. This was, of course, all in preparation for his future as a Hunter. 

Some may say that Alex was choosing such a dangerous route way too willy-nilly, but in reality, he had put a lot of thought into it. There was the fact that it was the only "career path" that actually picked his interest immediately, but also the mystery he was suddenly engulfed in. His grandfather, The Shift, the Dungeons, there was just no way it wasn't all related. Thus, he decided to do everything he could to discover the truth. 

"Mom, do you think my suit looks ok?" Alex asked his mother while looking at himself in the full-body mirror he had in his room. 

"Yes, you look very handsome, sweetie." His mother answered from the door, looking at her son with pride in her eyes.

Alex was styling a burgundy suit with black lapels, with a black waist coat, and a black shirt underneath. The entire thing combined well with his burgundy hair and his reddish eyes, and at the same the same time it made his strong jawline pop a lot more, as well as his sharp facial features. 

"Good, or else I would've been in quite a pickle." Alex said while tucking a white handkerchief into his jacket's chest pocket. 

Alex's father thought it was a bit too much formality, but his mother thought otherwise. Alex himself liked dressing up from time to time, and he definitely thought that meeting the head of the WHO's American branch deserved some formality. Once he felt that everything was in place, he left his room and headed downstairs. There, his father was waiting for him. 

"I still think it is a bit too much, but you definitely look good." His father commented while appreciating his best creation. "Thank goodness you got your mother's looks." 

"And my smarts." Alex's mother shouted from the first floor. 

"Yeah, and that." Alex's father sighed before looking at his son with newfound vigor. "So, ready to go, champ?" 

"Sure, let's get going dad." Alex said while heading towards the front door. "Lizzy, mom, I'm leaving!" 

After saying his goodbyes to the only women in his life, Alex left with his father, headed towards the WHO's American branch's office.

*

Just a couple minutes later, Alex and his father arrived at their destination. There, Alex immediately spotted Subin Lee waiting for him outside of the building. She was, to his surprise, wearing a formal women's suit, composed of a dark blue pencil skirt over black stockings, a white shirt with a loosely worn dark blue tie, a dark blue jacket draped over her shoulders, and black stilettos. 

As soon as Alex got out of the car and waved goodbye to his father, he approached Subin while staring at her, shock evident in his eyes. 

"Hey there." He greeted her. "Didn't expect you to dress like that, you look awesome." 

His nonchalant and honest compliment actually got a small blush out of Subin Lee, who hit him in the shoulder in response. 

"You look good too, jackass." She said, insulting him for no reason at all. Alex though, took that as a compliment. It meant that Subin trusted him enough to show herself as she is, no mask or persona needed. "Anyway, lets head inside. My grandpa is waiting for us." 

Taking a deep breath to prepare himself, Alex nodded and followed Subin into the building. Besides greeting the receptionist who he had met before, they spent no time in the ground floor, heading straight for the lift and going to the top floor. As soon as the lift's door opened, Alex could see an office, decorated in a minimalist style, yet one could see the professionalism that the place radiated. It was, to a point, oppressive. 

"So you are Alex Ayton." A raspy, deep voice said. "The one who tipped us about the spy." 

Alex gazed at the man who had spoken. He had a strong build, with broad shoulders. His hair was cut into a buzzcut, and he had a scar running vertically across his left eye. Wearing a three piece black suit, Subin's grandfather stood up and approached Alex.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, young man." He said while stretching his right arm for a handshake. 

"The pleasure is mine, sir." Alex said while accepting the handshake. "I never thought I would some day meet someone such as yourself." 

"Stop it with the pleasantries, kid." Subin's grandfather said before sitting back down. "Let's cut to the chase. I called you here to reward you for your service." 

"I deeply appreciate the sentiment, sir..." Alex began saying. "... but there isn't anything I really need right now." 

"Hmm... not even if I were to offer you this?" The American Branch's president said before taking a small box from a drawer in his desk. Putting the box on the table, he opened it and showed its contents to Alex. "I assume you need no explanation as to what this is, right?" 

Understanding what he meant, Alex used Scrying. 

[Dragon Lacrima (Lightning)

STATS+3 - May give the user a new ability

A Lacrima is an artificial core that allows a person to use a certain kind of magic. This item was dropped by a Boss monster from a Dungeon, and later acquired by the WHO's American branch.]

"A Dragon Lacrima? I don't know what that is, but I know what it does though." Alex said after analysing the item with his skill. "Isn't this too precious to give it to some new hunter?" 

"It is." Subin's grandfather answered nonchalantly. "Think of it as a bet though." 

"A bet?" Alex asked, not quite understanding. 

"Indeed. A bet on your original skill... and on the future generation." The American branch's president explained, his expression turning dark for a second. Unfortunately, he went back to his expressionless demeanour too quickly for Alex to infer anything. 

"Then... I will shamelessly accept it." Alex said while grabbing the box. "Thank you." 

"Don't mind it, young man." Subin's grandfather said, his already serious countenance morphing into something that promised pain if one didn't pay proper attention. "Now... I guess it is time I explain to you some things that are not open to the public. Take a seat, please." 

Alex took a seat in front of the desk and looked at the man, whose sole presence showed his decades of experience, dead in the eye. This was the beginning of not just any journey, but his journey to find the answers he wanted.