"So as new joiners, we can only take the missions that nobody wants. So if newbies like us want a say in here, we've got to stick together."

"Ohhh... So you are inviting me to join your group." Jeff nodded.

"Yes. Yes. Exactly. I know we are just a new group starting out, but we are growing." Silverhand seemed to have found his pace.

"At this pace, we'll definitely grow into a top-notch squad someday. And as someone who joined us early, you'll definitely become management one day."

With [Aura Vision] and [Beast Instinct] activated, Jeff took a quick scan at this group.

"So how about it?"

"Tsss... Yeah." Jeff forced a smile.

"I prefer to work by myself." Jeff slipped out his card from his brochure.

'At least I can flee whenever I want... Without leaving anyone behind...'

'Only if I were stronger... Maybe I can punch my way through any threat...' Jeff sighed in his mind.

"Oh." Silverhand stared at Jeff's card in awe for a moment. "S-rank... No wonder you are confident."

The dude pursed his lips. His talking speed quickened. "But there are many S-ranks in the sanctuary."

"So you can't just scare off those groups with a rank."

"The gap between S-ranks are considerable as well. If you have seen them fight, you would know. Those top-tier S-ranks are more like monsters than humans."

"If we don't stick together, there is no way..." The dude tried to sound as convincing as possible. Though, he didn't look convinced at his own words either.

Jeff patted the squad leader's shoulder. "Thanks for the offer. And thanks for the information. But how do you know if I'm not one of those monsters?"

Silverhand: '...'

Leaving a sigh, Jeff left for the door.

'Feels bad to reject a sincere offer... But it must feel worse to be weak and powerless...' Jeff felt a little sorry for those guys. 'However, it's not like I'm a hero who can solve everyone's problem either...'

'My time is limited. If I slack off, when trouble comes, I might not be able to fend it off.'

Almost dying to the thug break-in...

Feeling powerless against that wolfman...

Patting the brochure against his palm, Jeff heard towards the exit.

This fogged up world was cold and unforgiving.

'This is why I need to start hunting and get stronger...'

'I never want to feel that powerlessness and hopelessness again.'

Sliding his card through a card reader, the exit door became unlocked.

Pushing that door open, Jeff finally set foot onto the sanctuary.

The sanctuary was not a big place. Only got nine blocks in here.

'3 by 3... Like a side of a Rubik's cube... What am I thinking...' Jeff shook this weird thought out of his mind.

In the center block, there was a five-stories town hall and a small park. On its top dome, there was a beacon light circling around. Surrounding the town hall block were residential blocks.

In which... Jeff's card was also a suite key.

Reading the brochure, Jeff nodded. As a S-rank hunter, standing at the apex of personal power, Jeff had very little restrictions here.

Got to pay 25 credits for rent every month. Do at least one mission per month. Respond to the S-rank missions.

And that's Jeff's job.

More importantly...

Information!

Monster location and danger level. Location of criminal dens. Rare resources for grabs.

There's a group of people working to provide the most updated information. And that information was free to Jeff's access now.

Following the map in his hands, Jeff walked down a staircase.

Pushing open the door, a warm breeze smelling like alcohol escaped this place. Loud chattering, cheers, and laughter could be heard.

Apparently, this was Hunter Central, the place where hunters sign up for missions.

At the front reception, there was a stack of electronic tablets sitting on the table. There was a group of fellas waiting there. Looks like they were waiting in line to get in.

The receptionist lady was just minding her own business. She looked busy.

Looking past the reception, there was the bartender's station across the room. In between, there were seats and tables. This place could easily fit a hundred people.

And this place was absolutely packed. Business was good here.

Turning on [Aura Vision] and [Beast Instincts], Jeff scanned around.

A rare few felt Jeff's gaze and checked on Jeff. But they quickly lost interest as if this was normal around here.

Most people didn't even notice.

Getting a general feel on the people's threat level here, Jeff nodded.

Jeff walked up to the reception and grabbed a tablet. He needed a tablet for mission selection.

"Woah. Buddy." A hooligan-looking dude grabbed Jeff's tablet and put it back. "You new here?"

Jeff raised a brow at the dude.

"Look man. Just because you got in, it doesn't mean you can just take missions. If you want some thrill, I can introduce you to some squads. I'm sure you'll like the experience there."

"And if I refuse?" Jeff let out a sigh in his mind.

Unfortunately, as a newbie, there's always people trying to take advantage of you. So the best way to deal with these greedy folks?

Jeff's answer: slap them awake.

'Or in more alpha terms. I'll need to establish my dominance here.'

"Oh. Looks like we've got a tough guy here." The hooligan nodded.

"You sure you want to say no to me?" The dude looked around.

"Do you know who you are refusing?"

"Do you know who I am? I'm Infernol. Top-tier B-rank hunter. Half a step into A rank."

"Look at my buddies here. All B-ranks."

"Think about what you are doing-"

"Nah. I'll pass on this one." Jeff grabbed a tablet. Jeff felt a lot of gazes on him now.

"Hmph. Alright tough guy." The hooligan chuckled. "As a senior hunter, looks like I'll have to show you the rules around here."

With a snap in the air, Infernal threw a punch at Jeff's head.

But in the next instance, the dude was sent flying back into the wall.

"Ohhh~!"

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

The crowd here got excited!

"You go get their bitch asses newbie!"

"Yeah! Get them! Kick their ass!"

Hearing the crowd's cheer, Infernal tilted his head and stared at Jeff with kill-intent,

"You've just dug your grave."

"Just you guys?" Jeff looked around at the hooligans surrounding him.

"That's some big words."

With that command, the hooligans started their attacks.

'Alright. Haste.'

The world slowed down in Jeff's view. Turning around, apparently, there was someone trying to jump kick the back of his head.

Straight punch. Sweeping kick. Low kicks. Working together, these guys sealed off Jeff's dodging room.

'But why would I need to dodge?' Jeff grabbed onto the jump-kicking guy's ankle.

Using this guy as a stick, Jeff smacked around.

One smack! Two smack! Three smack!

Toss.

Jeff threw this guy towards Infernal.

Like a blur, these guys initiated their attack. In the next instance, these guys were knocked onto the ground.

"YES!!"

"WOOOOOHHH!" This guy seemed REALLY drunk.

Some people lifted their drinks. Alcoholic beverages rained down.

Others took a glance at Jeff, then quickly turned away their gazes.

"Any more objections." Jeff picked up a tablet.

"No? Alright."

The receptionist lady stood up. She was about a head shorter than Jeff. Wearing a tight black waitress shirt. Curly blond hair flowed down her shoulders. Her hair looked a little like a wig though...

Wearing a blank expression, the mid-aged lady stared at Jeff with a blank gaze.

It's kind of creepy to be honest.

Jeff squinted his eyes. This girl wants to have a go as well?

Feeling her energy level. It's weird. Low energy reading, but a faint and fleeting lethal threat...

"Are you interested. In becoming a. Sanctuary Security Agent?" The receptionist lady spoke in a weird tone.

Jeff blinked a few times. Standing up with a serious and menacing expression. For a job offer?

'Ok... Didn't see this one coming. But alright?'

"Sanctuary Security Agent?" Jeff asked.

Never heard of that position before.

"Yes. This job. Has better pay and benefits. Than hunters."

"A more. Secure. Work environment."

"Interested?"

"Let me guess. No going out the sanctuary either."

The receptionist paused in thought...

"No."

"Hmm... I'll pass on this one. Thanks for the offer though."

The receptionist lady slowly put on a smile. "No problem. Enjoy your stay."

Leaving a polite nod, Jeff grabbed a tablet and walked towards the bar table.

The receptionist lady's smile slowly faded away as she sat down. Looking down, she seemed busy with work again.