Teo pushed open the door and stepped out without a word. Selene followed, her heels clicking sharply on the pavement as they walked into the building together.

As they entered the Hunter Association headquarters, Selene’s sharp eyes swept across the bustling lobby, quickly scanning for familiar faces. The hum of conversation mixed with the occasional clatter of weapons

It didn’t take long for the whispers to start.

“Isn’t that Teo Amanar from the Extermination Squad?” a young hunter murmured to their companion, sneaking a glance in their direction.

“Yeah,” the companion replied in a hushed tone. “I heard he was banished from the Amanar family after... something. No one seems to know exactly what happened, though.”

“I still don’t get how the association keeps someone like that around,” the first hunter whispered, his tone tinged with disapproval.

“Probably because he’s an asset,” the companion answered with a shrug. “You’ve seen the reports. He clears dungeons most people wouldn’t even think about entering.”

Selene caught fragments of the conversation but kept her expression neutral, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor as she moved towards the elevator. She was used to this; whipsers and speculation about Teo always followed him wherever he went. She glanced at him briefly, wondering if he was paying attention.

Teo, walking a step behind her, seemed unfazed as ever. His hands stayed shoved in his pockets, and his eyes lazily scanned the room without showing a hint of emotion. If he'd heard the gossip, he gave no indication, though Selene suspected he heard them but was so used to it at this point.

"Follow me," she said, her tone brisk. She didn't wait to see if Teo complied as she stepped into the elevator.

Arriving at the top floor, they both exited the elevator. Selene stopped in front of her office, turning to face Teo with her arms crossed. Her orange eyes locked onto his, sharp and unwavering. “You wait here in my office and do not go anywhere. Do you hear me?” Her tone left no room for argument, but she waited patiently for his response nonetheless.

Teo just looked blankly at her for what felt like an eternity. Then, finally, with a dramatic sigh, he waved her off dismissively. “Alright, alright,” he said, stepping past her into the office, his tone dripping with indifference.

Selene exhaled slowly, her composure returning as she walked down the hallway. Her thoughts raced, a whirlwind of possibilities and concerns. This reassessment wasn’t just a formality; it had the potential to redefine Teo’s future. An awakening like his could alter not only his rank but also the weight of his responsibilities and the way he was perceived by the association, the country, and perhaps even the world.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

S-rank hunters weren’t just powerful; they were exceptionally rare. With only a handful scattered across the globe, their presence alone could shift the balance in regions of conflict or crisis. Most hunters plateaued at A-rank or below; their potential capped well before reaching such unparalleled heights. If Teo were to join their ranks, everything would change.

It wasn’t just the responsibilities or prestige that came with the title. The rumors surrounding Teo’s violent personality would amplify concerns. People might not celebrate an S-rank awakening. They might fear it. Knowing someone like him had reached such a pinnacle of power could make even allies uneasy.

Selene turned a corner, the quiet hallway offering little comfort. Her mind refused to settle, the weight of the situation pressing down harder with each step. Teo's reassessment was that big of a deal.

She clenched her fists briefly before forcing her hands to relax. She had vouched for him countless times before, shielding him from harsher scrutiny whenever his temperament caused trouble. But now? If his rank truly rose to S, it wouldn't be so easy to deflect the doubts of others.

"An S-rank hunter with a violent streak," she muttered under her breath, the words sour in her mouth. She shook her head. The council would never let her hear the end of it. Especially the Amanar family. They would be the first to question how she had allowed someone so dangerous to rise unchecked. Other influential figures might use the narrative for their own gain, even demanding stricter oversight for all hunters.

And then there was the public, the civilians who relied on hunters for protection. They wouldn't see a savior in Teo. Instead, they'd see a potential threat.

Her pace slowed as another thought crept in. What if they're right?

Teo’s nonchalance, his defiance, the way he carried himself into every encounter—it had always unnerved her, no matter how hard she tried to justify it. She had done her best to help him, understanding the circumstances that shaped him. But did he ever really try to change?

Perhaps that very personality, the sharp edge he carried, was what made him such a valuable asset to the association. Yet, at the same time, it was also what made him a risk.

Still, she had seen another side of him, too. A side most people overlooked in their rush to label him as reckless or dangerous. She'd seen the way he fought not for glory but for survival.

Her thoughts drifted back to that day. The dungeon her squad had been tasked with clearing as part of their newbie training program. When they stumbled upon him. It was supposed to be routine. But then they stumbled upon him.

Teo had been just a boy, his clothes torn and bloodied, his body trembling with exhaustion.

He hadn’t attacked them or demanded help. Instead, he had looked completely lost, hollow, like someone who had already given up. Selene could still remember the way his empty gaze lingered on them, as though he couldn’t believe they were real. He had been abandoned there, left for dead by his own family.

Even now, the memory sent a chill through her. They hadn’t just found him; they’d saved him from a life of solitude and banishment. And yet, the boy they brought back wasn’t the same as the one who’d been cast aside. That innocent child was gone, replaced by someone sharper, harder, someone who had learned to rely on no one but himself.

Selene sighed, brushing her hair back as she forced the memory aside. But then another thought surfaced, raw and unshakable.

“How could I forget?” She whispered, the weight of it hitting her like a blow. “I almost cast him aside too. Never again.”

Her voice firmed as resolve hardened within her. “Never again will I do that. I’ll face whatever issues come up. I’ll protect him.”