D- Hidden Mission - Perception Failed?!

BONUS CHAPTER DEAL: (Power Stones are counted for Chaos and Order only)

 1. 70 Power Stones per day - 1 Bonus Chapter for both original and revamped

 2. 100 Power Stones per day - 2 Bonus Chapters for both original and revamped

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Chapter Begins:

Afternoon, June 11

East Edge of the Ilex Forest

There was a looming silence around Kurt's house.

When Kai approached it, he found the lack of zeal he had heard so much about quite apparent. Nowhere were the shouts of a gruff old man, which he was promised. Nor was there any crowd of Pokemon Trainers waiting for their orders, or about to place one.

The silence had a bitter taste to it of loss and sadness.

Kai beamed at this silence, this sense of loss, sadness, and helplessness. There was an opportunity here for him, which he would love to grasp at the merest hint.

Knock! Knock!

Petyr gently announced their presence.

Kurt's house had an old Japanese-style touch to it.

The outermost gate had a big sliding door through which Kai could have just barged if he wanted to. But he needed Kurt's favor, not anger. As he waited for a reply, Kai looked around at the small settlement. The sun was too hot here, and the ground seemed to sizzle, blurring the farther edges of the fields.

The most conspicuous was the presence of the Pokemon, Slowpoke, in a vast number.

They were all over the place.

But Kai knew better than to hurt any of them. People here worshiped these Pokemon as some kind of rain-bringer, and if this place is still standing, then surely there was some hideous reason behind it. Kai would rather not find out that reason. He was here for a specific task, and then he would be on his way, as smoothly as he had come.

Knock!!

Kai banged with his fist.

This one attracted a response.

"Go away!" a shout came out. "I am not taking orders."

"Mr. Kurt," Petyr said, "We are not here to order custom Pokeballs. We are here to help you."

The door opened, and Kai and Petyr faced a short old man with long gray hair and two bulging eyes. The blackness under his eyes told of the sleepless nights the old man must have passed in these last few days.

The Pokeball expert, Kurt, narrowed his eyes. "What help?" he asked, the slightest hint of hope returning to his eyes.

Kai licked his lips, sensing the traces of happiness he could suck out of this man.

Petyr continued, meanwhile. "Mr. Kurt, we are sorry to hear about the grievous news of the kidnapping of your granddaughter," he said sadly. "But the moment I heard about it, I contacted my friend here to help you out."

Kurt looked at Kai as Petyr pointed at him. "What can he do when Officer Jenny and another hundred people couldn't find them?" the old man rebuked. "Who even are you?"

Petyr permitted himself a courteous smile. "I am Simon, a big fan of your work," he lied. "This young man here is Desmond, a reputed hunter of Pokemon Trainers who has turned to the dark side."

"I haven't heard either of you," Kurt grunted.

But Kai could see the old man looking at his face, into his eyes with sheer fascination.

Not just anyone could talk to Kurt or enter his confidence. With his Charisma, Kai could pretty much walk up to almost all Characters to talk with them.

"Isn't that a good sign?" Petyr said gently. "Our services are better not needed by gentle hearts like yours and your granddaughter. Will you permit us a short meeting? Time is running out while we stand at the door and waste it on mere prodding, don't you think?"

Kurt gulped, took a deep breath, and turned around. "Come then, you two," he said. "Red! Bring tea to the dinning room."

Red?! Kai's brows rose high on his forehead There's someone else with the old man in this house?! Why didn't I sense his presence with my Perception… Suddenly, he remembered his encounter with 4th-floor Contestant Sparrow and beads of sweat rolled down his temples.

Only one conclusion followed the questions he had asked himself.

This Red… was a Contestant, of a floor so high that the difference between his Perception and Kai's was enough to make him invisible.

He shared a stunned look with Petyr and followed the old man into his home, anyway.

No point in making Petyr disappear anymore, Kai knew. This man who shared his Code Name musts have already picked up on their presences.

There was a large open area inside, with a tree on one side.

Kai observed the little white balls dangling from the tree and instantly knew that these were the famous Apricorns about which everyone was talking with enthusiasm. Kurt took them inside the house, following a gravel path. He pointed them towards a low table. Kai and Petyr sat down on the floor, with Kurt sitting down opposite them. "Be quick about it," the old man said. "I… I have little time to meet their demands."

"What are those demands?" Petyr asked, gravely. "We have come directly to you, and thus, know little about the current circumstances ."

"10 Pokeballs each of one color," the old man said, gritting his teeth. "There are seven types of Apricorns of different colors, so that makes it 70 Pokeballs. They have given me time till the day after tomorrow, then… Sigh! If I had known that Officer Jenny would fail in finding them, then I would have started making them ages ago. Now… I just hope I am not too late."

"Don't worry, good sir," Petyr said confidently. "My friend here…"

Kai sat there as Petyr spun the web around Kurt.

Outside, he just smiled now and then whenever Petyr mentioned how formidable Kai was in dealing with these low vermin who dared to call themselves Pokemon Trainers. Within, he had been having immense trouble controlling his heartbeat.

"I don't mind if you want to give it a go," Kurt finally said, looking towards the kitchen. "But no harm must come to my granddaughter. Robin! Where's that tea?"

Kai didn't focus on the answer.

The notification had caught his attention already.

…

[

Congratulations Contestant Kai Stormborn

You have triggered a Hidden Mission

…

Main Mission: Three heads of the Targaryen Dragon

Hidden Mission: Bring back Kurt's granddaughter, Maizie, safely from the kidnappers

Hidden Mission Grade: D-

Hidden Mission Summary: Two unknown persons have kidnapped Maizie, and have demanded a huge ransom, which Kurt must give to them by June 13. The Contestant must bring Maizie back to Kurt, making sure no harm comes to her

Hidden Mission Objective: Return of Maizie

Hidden Mission Time Limit: Morning, June 13

…

Do you accept the Hidden Mission?

]

…

The moment Kai saw the Mission Grade, he almost forgot about the threat of a higher floor Contestant.

D- ?! Kai was dumbfounded as he stared at it.

He knew Hidden Missions remained a touch more difficult the Main Mission. But to surpass an entire Grade Limit was something else entirely. It didn't need him to analyze that this mission could very well turn out to be even more disastrous than he had previously thought.

Suddenly, steps rang across the room, jolting Kai awake from his reverie. His heart thumped wildly as he lifted his neck and looked the incomer.

No matter how much Kai tried.

No matter how much he willed it to happen.

His Perception was still saying — Everything's alright.

No words could have been more terrifying than these two now.