Chapter 140 Awkward Hannah

The interior of the branch was just as massive as its exterior suggested. Immediately beyond the entrance lay a grand reception hall, though there were surprisingly few people around. Security personnel stood at their posts, and a receptionist sat behind the counter, but none of them attempted to stop Kai. The presence of the man accompanying him was apparently more than enough to grant them unrestricted access.

"This building primarily serves the Hunters working for the Association. Their meetings, raid preparations, and almost everything related to their operations take place here. The main branch, on the other hand, deals mostly with surveillance and diplomacy," Adam explained as they crossed the reception area and approached the elevators.

"I was wondering, Mister Adam. Why do so many people consider joining the Association their dream when privately owned clans like Flame Claw and Bay Frost offer considerably higher monthly salaries and a greater share of the profits from raids?"

Kai had heard similar sentiments from several powerful Hunters during the few raids he had participated in. Moreover, the sheer number of S-rank Hunters serving the Association across the nation was simply staggering.

Even recently, a woman hailed as a prodigy, someone who could have joined virtually any clan, including Flame Claw as its highest-ranking Hunter, had turned down every offer and chosen the Association instead. And she had done so through the formal recruitment process.

Adam proceeded to explain some of the privileges reserved for the Association’s finest Hunters.

"Those who genuinely enjoy the thrill of hunting naturally gravitate towards an organization with the most sophisticated surveillance network and the authority to regulate their activities. Additionally, there are several allowances provided by the nation to Hunters affiliated with the Association. As for legal proceedings, we do our best to protect our Hunters, provided they haven’t committed anything too... outrageous."

Kai offered a wry smile.

"I suppose minor offences are forgivable? You do realize that people like Drake are still roaming freely and tormenting people like us because of these very exemptions, right?"

Adam let out a quiet sigh but offered no response.

Kai didn’t particularly blame him. Adam wasn’t the one who had established these privileges, nor was Kai naive enough to believe that the man could change the system simply because he disagreed with it.

He wasn’t new to this world. He understood perfectly well what truly dictated the order of things.

Strength stood head and shoulders above everything else.

Ding!

The elevator doors slid open.

They had arrived at B2, a floor that was undoubtedly situated underground. And why wouldn’t it be? The enormous training facility stretching out before Kai was far too large to have been accommodated within the building’s visible structure.

’This is insane...’

Right before his eyes was what appeared to be the changing and equipment area. The sheer scale of the facility was already impressive, even before he had explored it completely.

Several direction boards had been installed to guide visitors. The changing rooms and washrooms were situated to the left, while the arsenal, gym, and dojo occupied the right side.

They were currently standing in the main lobby.

"Shall we head to the training area?" Adam suggested. "I’m sure Hunter Kai is eager to get started."

Kai wouldn’t call himself a battle maniac, but he was certainly curious about what the Association had to offer.

There was simply no replacing the experience of fighting in the wild, where circumstances remained unpredictable and even the slightest miscalculation could prove fatal. No controlled training environment could truly replicate that.

Still, this was an opportunity to experience something different, perhaps even discover something that could inspire him to improve further.

They headed towards the left side of the lobby, where a turn awaited them at the far end of the corridor.

After walking for a little longer, they eventually reached another elevator.

"Just how was this entire structure built?" Kai asked in astonishment as the elevator carried them even deeper underground.

The journey didn’t take long. Soon, the doors parted, and Kai immediately spotted a familiar woman waiting outside.

....

[A few moments earlier]

Hannah felt a little embarrassed about how insistently she had requested permission to come here today. However, she had no regrets about her decision.

She had been forbidden from approaching the man who had saved her, even though all she wanted was an opportunity to express her gratitude. So, when Dave casually mentioned that her saviour would be visiting the facility that day, she immediately approached the Vice-Commander with her request.

She had tried Adam first, but the man proved rather stubborn. Eventually, she decided to approach someone Adam couldn’t afford to refuse.

And it had worked.

Now, she stood waiting for the man who had occupied her thoughts for several nights.

Not for any strange reason, of course. It was admiration.

She had spent considerable time thinking about what she would say when they finally met again. Yet, the moment he appeared before her, every carefully rehearsed sentence seemed to vanish.

All she managed was a rather foolish smile.

"Hi. We meet again."

His greeting was considerably warmer than the last time they had spoken, when he had nearly taken her head off because of a misunderstanding.

She nodded.

"Hello. I... I’m Hannah. Hannah Veilbourne."

He smiled.

"Anyone remotely connected to social media would know who you are. Hello, my name is Kai."

He extended his hand.

Hannah quickly wiped her palm against her trousers before accepting the handshake.

Silence followed.

She realized she needed to say something before the awkwardness became unbearable.

"Umm... I just wanted to say..."

Her words trailed off.

"Ah, well... Senior Adam told me to leave after expressing my gratitude. But if it’s not too much trouble, could I watch you train as well? Please?"

Kai found himself in a rather difficult position.

He glanced at Adam, only to find the man deliberately avoiding his gaze and pretending not to hear their conversation.

Oh, great.

He already had two people watching him train. Surely, adding a third wouldn’t make much difference.

"Yeah, sure. I don’t see why Sir Adam would forbid you from staying."

Adam looked positively betrayed.

Kai, however, pretended not to notice and proceeded towards the training centre with Hannah.

Though inwardly he was anything but calm.

This... was going to be troublesome.