Ares stood frozen. His mind struggled to process the weight of Brown's words.
"Why? Who would want to come after a D-rank hunter with nothing to offer?" His voice came out strained, disbelief evident in his tone.
Brown sighed, his gaze steady. "I know what you're thinking, Ares." He crossed his arms, his expression a mix of seriousness and amusement. "To be honest, I couldn't believe it either, but when you think about it, it makes sense."
Ares clenched his fists. "What makes sense?" His frustration bled into his words.
Brown studied him for a moment before asking, "Ares, haven't you been paying attention to the news about your family?"
The mere mention of the Roshin family made Ares's stomach churn. He averted his gaze, his voice colder than before.
"No, sir. I've blocked all communication with them," he admitted, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "Well… More like they blocked all communication with me. But either way, I don't really care to keep up. I'd rather not get humiliated again."
Brown exhaled, his face unreadable. "The Roshin family is growing stronger, not just in combat but in politics. They've been gaining more influence and swaying public opinion in their favor."
Ares's eyebrows twitched, but he remained silent, listening.
"Your brother Leon is climbing higher in rank, becoming an even bigger powerhouse, and Celeste—" Brown's lips curled into a smirk. "She recently developed a new magic technique that allows even low-level mages to wield powerful, destructive spells with ease."
Ares's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly composed himself. That sounded like something Celeste would do.
Brown continued, "With the Roshin family on the rise, it seems not everyone is happy about it. The Lionheed Family—ranked second, the Lin Family—ranked third, and the Mitchel Family—ranked fourth, have all joined forces." His gaze darkened. "Their goal? To crush the Roshin Family before they climb any higher."
Ares scoffed. "And what does that have to do with me?" He felt a slight sense of relief. Whatever schemes these powerful clans had, they had nothing to do with him.
Brown's stare turned sharp. "Think about it, Ares," he said, voice low. "If I wanted to bring down the Roshin family, I'd target the weakest link first. The most expendable member. A blood relative, but one deemed worthless by their own family."
Ares stiffened.
"Using you as bait would shake the Roshin family's reputation," Brown continued. "Imagine what it would do to your father's public image—the great Orion Roshin, unable to protect his own son. Even if he doesn't care about you personally, his pride won't let something like that slide."
Ares swallowed hard.
It all made too much sense.
If he was kidnapped or publicly eliminated, the damage wouldn't just be his. Riley, Ricko, the only people who truly cared about him, would also be at risk.
He clenched his fists. I can't let that happen.
Taking a deep breath, he met Brown's gaze. "Fine. I'll accept your offer," he said firmly. "But on one condition."
Brown raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You're already negotiating with me?" He chuckled. "Alright, let's hear it."
"There's a restaurant below my apartment," Ares said, his tone serious. "It's run by a small family—three people. The owner is my best friend. I don't care what happens to me, but I won't let anything happen to them."
Brown's lips curled into a grin before he let out a hearty laugh, one that echoed through the alleyway.
"To think I'd be doing favors for people," he mused, shaking his head. "Fine. Consider it done."
Ares exhaled in relief. "Thank you, sir."
"No, thank you," Brown replied, smirking. "You just made this old man's day a whole lot more interesting." He slipped his hands into his pockets. "There'll be a transport ready for you tomorrow morning. Pack what you need before it arrives."
Ares gave a curt nod. "Understood, sir." Without another word, he ended the call.
Brown blinked at his phone. "...This crazy bastard really cut me off?" He let out an amused chuckle. "Not like I had anything else to say, anyway."
Then, his expression shifted. The air around him grew tense as he pulled out another phone and dialed a number.
A deep male voice answered. "Sir."
"How's it going?" Brown asked, his tone sharp.
"So far, no suspicious activity in the vicinity," the man replied.
"Good. Keep it that way," Brown ordered. "But I need a few of our top-ranking elites stationed there from now on."
A low groan came from the other side. "Why? This place is boring as shit."
Brown chuckled. "Let's just say I owe our target a favor."
The voice sighed. A shadowed figure leaned against a wall, the moonlight revealing his black and silver hair and bright white eyes. A dagger twirled between his fingers.
"Alright," the man muttered. "I'll bring my best men. Just for you, Chief."
Brown smirked. "I knew I could count on you, Kendrick."
Kendrick scoffed. "Tch. Not like I have much of a choice, considering how many favors I owe you."
Brown laughed heartily. "We'll talk more tomorrow."
"Yeah, yeah. Till then." Kendrick hung up.
He stared into the night, his gaze unreadable. "...What's so special about that guy that even the old man owes him a favor?" he muttered. "That old man never owes favors." His eyes narrowed.
"We'll see what you're capable of, you little bastard."
With that, Kendrick turned and vanished into the darkness.
Meanwhile...
Ares entered his apartment, the room eerily quiet. He flicked the switch—nothing. The place remained dark.
"...What a weird day," he muttered, running a hand through his hair. "Was it the right choice to accept the deal?" His gaze lingered on the floor.
"...No. This is for the best," he reassured himself. "It's either the government or the bastards trying to kidnap me."
He reached for the light switch again, but the moment he flipped it—
"GAAAAAAAHHH!"
Ares stumbled back in shock, nearly falling to the ground.
A red-haired girl was curled up on his couch, sleeping peacefully.
"...Celeste?!" he shouted, wide-eyed.
The girl groaned, stretching lazily. "Is it morning already?" she murmured, rubbing her eyes.
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Ares demanded.
She blinked. Then, with a sleepy smile, she said, "Calm down, brother. I just came to visit."
Ares scowled. "How the hell did you get in?!"
Celeste yawned before lazily lifting a finger. She traced an imaginary circle in the air. A blue portal suddenly materialized in front of them, the space rippling with magic.
"That's how," she said smugly. "Cool, right?"
Ares felt his brain short-circuit.
"...You've got to be kidding me."
Ares's jaw tightened as he stared at the swirling blue portal Celeste had just created.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to snap. "Still, that doesn't mean you can just break into my home like this."
Celeste pouted, crossing her arms. "Oh, please. You're acting like I stole your underwear or something."
Ares felt a vein pop in his forehead. "That's not the point!"
Celeste ignored him and casually stretched her arms. "Anyway, you should be grateful. I made something that can literally save lives, and here you are, nagging me about minor details."
Ares clenched his teeth. Even his own younger sister viewed him as weak. Someone he had protected in the past. Someone who had once admired him.
But now…?
She looked at him like he was pathetic.
Ares exhaled sharply, shoving those thoughts away. Instead of lashing out, he forced himself to stay calm. "I heard you invented a technique that even low-level mages can use. That's impressive." He smiled slightly, trying to shift the conversation.
Celeste's eyes narrowed.
"That information hasn't even been made public yet," she said, her tone turning sharp. "Only a select few officials know about it. How did you find out?"
Ares tensed. Shit. He had let that slip.
Thinking fast, he forced out a chuckle. "Oh, you know… Some guys from a restaurant I go to love to gossip. I overheard a few things."
Celeste clicked her tongue. "Tsk. Looks like I'll have to tighten security on that information."
Ares wiped the sweat off his forehead internally. Dodged that one.
Celeste sighed. "Anyway, I didn't come empty-handed." She reached into her jacket and tossed him an envelope.
Ares caught it, blinking in confusion. "What's this?"
"Open it and find out, genius."
He hesitated before peeling it open. The first thing he saw was cash—a lot of it. But what really made his eyes bulge was the sleek, black premium credit card inside.
"WHHHHHAAAAAAAAT?!" Ares practically screamed. He stared at the card like it was a bomb about to go off. "Where the hell did you get this?!"
Celeste smirked. "I have my ways."
Ares gawked at her. "You do realize giving this to a D-rank hunter is like handing a grenade to a child, right?!"
Celeste shrugged. "Then don't blow yourself up with it." She turned, walking toward the portal. "Well, that's all I wanted to do. I'll be going now, D-rank brother."
Ares flinched.
That last part stung.
Celeste stepped into the portal, her figure disappearing before it collapsed in on itself.
The room fell silent.
Ares sighed, rubbing his temples. "I seriously can't understand that girl…"
He stared at the black card in his hand for a moment before shaking his head. He set it aside and made his way to the kitchen.
Rice and curry. His favorite.
After finishing his meal, he took a long shower, letting the warm water ease the tension in his muscles. But even as he dried off and slipped into bed, his mind was a storm of thoughts.
Tomorrow… everything changes.
Would there be others like him? People who had been swayed by the government?
Or was he walking straight into a trap?
Ares exhaled, shoving those thoughts away. Whatever awaited him, he'd find out soon enough.
Closing his eyes, he drifted into sleep, knowing that tomorrow would be the start of something far bigger than himself.