Hunter Association Office .
"Sir, urgent news! Summit City isn't the only one. Other Tier 4 cities have been attacked by a horde of Corrupteds as well," a woman in black brazers exclaimed, her voice tinged with concern.
She nervously tugged at a strand of her long brown hair as she continued, "We're baffled how they breached our detection systems. It's like they've found a way to bypass it,"
"Corrupteds outsmarting us humans? Don't joke around.," scoffed a man in his 80s, though he looked to be in his 60s because of how physically fit he was.
"It's not a good joke ," He shook his head, his wrinkled brow furrowing deeper with each passing moment.
The old man remembered the countless encounters with Corrupteds throughout his life, each one a harrowing struggle for survival.
Just the thought of these creatures evolving to outsmart humanity sent a chill down his spine, stirring up memories of past losses and failures.
This old man, was the Hunter Association Head Director, who had earned his position through sheer effort and achievement as a field Hunter.
He was a far cry from the director of Summit City, who had only attained his position through connections rather than merit.
"The only reason we've lasted this long is because those damn monsters don't use their minds. And now you're telling me they're using tactics?" he asked, his voice filled with irritation, not directed at the woman, but at the disturbing hypothesis .
"I apologize, Sir," the woman bowed her head, her voice tinged with sincerity . "It's just the speculation circulating among our researchers. The attacks were too deliberate, almost as if someone were commanding them."
Her words sent a shiver down the spine of the Director.
The possibility of a mastermind behind the chaos added a new level of danger to an already very bad situation.
The Director clenched his jaw, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table.
"If someone is pulling the strings," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, "then we're facing an enemy far more dangerous than we ever imagined."
The air in the room grew heavy with apprehension as the implications of this revelation sank in.
The threat of the Corrupteds might no longer just be a force of nature to be reckoned with but a sinister plot being controlled by an unknown enemy.
But that was a topic he needed to discuss with someone of higher authority. It was futile to address it with his assistant.
"What's the status of the other cities?" he asked, his voice filled with urgency as he shifted the conversation immediately.
He knew he had to ensure that those cities didn't fall, or else the entire supply chain of goods for Green Valley and other Tier 3 cities would be jeopardized.
The door of the room opened and the same woman who was talking to the director just moments ago entered.
"What happened? Did you talk to grandpa?" asked the man with a big belly, none other than the incompetent director of Summit City Hunter's Association.
His tone tinged with impatience.
Despite enjoying the luxuries of his wealthy lifestyle, he couldn't shake the longing for the power and control he once had.
"The director doesn't want to talk to you," the woman answered, her tone firm and businesslike.
But, beneath her composed exterior, a hint of disgust flickered in her eyes.
"That's impossible! My grandpa loves me. I'll talk to him!" he grumbled defiantly, attempting to leave the room.
However, a group of guards quickly blocked his path, preventing his exit.
"Please escort the director's grandson back to his mansion," the woman ordered, her voice commanding and authoritative.
"Let go of me ! Don't you know who I am ?" he roared in anger.
But despite his protests, it was clear that his attempts to talk to the director would not be tolerated.
"You will regret this! You bitch!" he spat, his face contorted with rage. "Once I inherit the position, I will make you suffer!"
With a defiant gesture, he raised his hand and use his middle finger to cursed her, a final display of his contempt before being escorted out of the room.
'How can that sorry excuse of a person be part of the prestigious Zaldyck Family?' She shook her head in disbelief, unable to reconcile the behavior of the grandson with the esteemed legacy of his grandfather.
As she thought back to the Director's younger days as a Tier 2 Rank 50 Hunter, admiration filled her heart.
He had been a symbol of strength, honor, and integrity, respected by all who knew him.
In comparison, the grandson's actions only served to tarnish the family name, a bitter pill for her to swallow.
The contrast between the two generations weighed heavily on her mind, leaving her with a sense of unease and concern for the future of the family.
Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.
This saying couldn't be more true in this particular occasion.