Neutralization (1)

The keypad clicked under my fingers as I entered the access code.

Door creaked open, same as always. Same flickering light. Same damn smell.

My office. Technically.

Though in practice, it was mostly run by my only employee, Kei.

Paperwork, client calls, handling the NAPDI—he did it all.

I just signed off on the mess and killed whatever was too much for regular people to handle.

He was already at the reception desk when I stepped in.

Tired eyes, tablet in hand, hair tied up like he hadn't slept in days. He probably hadn't.

"Morning," he muttered, without looking up.

"You're late."

"I was unconscious. In my apartment. Again."

"You should see a doctor."

"Can't afford one."

"Fair."

I walked past the cracked N Association insignia on the wall—still bleeding triangles—and into the main room.

The place was a cluttered ruin. Spare parts, weapons, data cores, a few contracts we threw out.

Then I saw him.

New guy.

Leaning back on the couch like he'd lived here for years. One leg up. Jacket undone. Hair sharp, stupidly blonde.

Association blade strapped to his back like it was for decoration. It was obvious he was from a rich family.

He looked up, grinning wide.

"You the boss of this place?" he asked.

"Didn't expect someone so... decomposed."

I stared at him for a beat.

"You're the new recruit."

"Damn right. Grade 5, but don't let that fool you. I'll be a Grade 1 in no time. I've already neutralized six Normal Level distortions."

I didn't respond.

Kei sighed.

"He was transferred from Branch D1 - 07. They thought he needed... mentorship."

Of course they did.

The N-Association loved to throw hot-blooded brats at dead offices to see who stuck.

Better than wasting trained manpower on them.

"Name?" I asked.

"Vess Narnia, of the Narnia Household. Just call me Vess."

I turned away, grabbing my sword from the wall.

Kei spoke up again, his sleepless eyes and tired face reflecting my own.

He kinda reminds me of a cat...

"Contract came in during the night. It's Aberrant-Level. Civilian request—someone's been vanishing people in Silver Vale forest. Could be an unregistered distortion."

Vess stood up, visibly excited. "A? As in Aberrant level, huh? Sounds fun."

"It's not." Kei said, a scowl on his tired face.

Kei handed me the details with a tired yawn. "Ugh... Don't get killed. This office has a 50% casualty rate for newcomers. Would hate to file another report."

Vess just laughed as he looked at the contract.

I pulled on my coat, tightening the belt across my chest.

"Let's go," I said.

Vess followed, eager to test out his skills on something that wasn't just a dummy.

The rain outside hadn't stopped. Heavy. Relentless.

Like something was watching.