Recruitment

Keon looked to the towering building.

' Veltore and Co '

That was the name pasted on the entrance in large black letters.

He sighed as he walked in. He was dressed in a suit - something that he had to compromise with Sheila.

He went straight to the reception desk. In front of the desk at the reception sat a lady in her twenties. She was incredibly beautiful with an hourglass figure. She was chewing gum while browsing through her laptop.

" Hello " 

The lady looked up to see Keon. His hair was neatly tied to a ponytail , his suit clean yet..... The lady noticed the sewn fabric to the side. 

" How may I be of assistance ?"

" I am here to see Asher Veltore " Keon said with a straight face as if that name carried no weight.

" And is he expecting you ?" The lady continued. 

God another wannabe. I am really tired of this bullshit. The lady could not help but think.

" Not really. I was told to seek him out " Keon fished out the business card and handed it over to the receptionist.

The reception studied the business card.

It's real !! She couldn't help but look at the boy in a new light. 

" A minute kindly " The receptionist said. 

" That won't be necessary. " 

Keon's head turned to the source of the voice.

What greeted him was a handsome, youthful man with long crimson-red hair with black tips, golden eyes with black rings, pale porcelain skin. Wearing an ornate dark coat embroidered with silver runes, high collar, velvet gloves.

" Ah you must be Keon Velmore. I must say what a unique name " The man spoke in an eccentric yet eloquent manner. His tone felt like those ancient families that spoke weirdly yet with charm behind every word.

He raised his hand inviting for a handshake

" It is "

Keon replied reciprocating the man's movement and shaking his hand. The man's handshake was firm but there was something else in it, something he couldn't quite place , something that felt far too familiar to his liking.

" Come with me " The man said as he guided Keon to the elevator under the watchful gazes of all who were in the lounge.

The man pressed the elevator button and it instantly opened. He motioned for Keon to enter first which hed did then he followed suit. The elevator was transparent meaning Keon got the scenic route seeing it ascend. 

Asher was courteous , he didn't say anything as he watched with mild amusement as the boy's eyes darted around gazing at the view yet adopting a formal posture. 

The elevator opened and Asher exited with Keon following him. Gazes lingered among the two until they finally reached his office. Asher walked to the front of his desk then sat leisurely.

" Please sit " He said with a gesture. 

Keon quietly and calmly sat . Asher leaned forward with a smile. 

" You're oddly calm "

" This outcome will not change my goal "

" And that is ?" 

" Get as much money as possible " 

Asher smiled as his eyes assessed the boy. He leaned back.

" Tell me about yourself "

" I am well versed in computers , mathematic and pride myself in ..... "

" No no not that sell's pitch bullshit. I wish to know about your goals and your ... desires " He said the last part with some disturbing smile. 

Keon felt a cold sweat form on his back, his relaxed sitting position became more tense. 

" I wish to get as much money as possible. My desire is to retire Sheila as soon as possible "

" And how do you wish to gain this money ?"

" Studying to become a lawyer , specifically hunter law . " 

Asher smiled as he leaned back.

" I can understand your logic given your ..... weak capabilities " Asher said. 

Keon looked to his eyes trying to assess him. Asher just smiled at him as his eyes glowed for a second before disappearing just as fast as they came. That just confirmed to him that Asher too was an awakened. 

" It is far much better to focus on my strengths "

" Hmm. Tell me about your family , your real family " 

Keon shifted uncomfortably, that was a sore spot for him. 

" My father died when I was three and my mother followed later when I was 12 . I have been living with Sheila ever since. " Keon responded.

Asher smiled as he thought for a while.

" What if your mother had relatives , that she hid from you. An example being the famed Veltores " 

Keon's eyes narrowed , a frown formed on his face. But then a tired expression. He slouched to the leather seat as he rubbed his temples.

" Haizz I knew this was too good to be true "

Asher watched in amusement .

" You hide your true feelings well " 

" Hatred is all I have for what you did to my mother " Keon revealed his true feelings. 

Asher laughed . A short laugh.

" Surely you cannot condemn one person for all of this. "

" The fact that you allowed him to live tells me full well that I can condemn the whole family " Keon replied this time with more venom.

Asher smiled.

" That old coot is dead " 

Keon's anger quickly faded or rather it was replaced by confusion. 

" What ?" 

Asher's smile once again sent shivers to Keon.

" I killed him but not before I had my fun with him. I tortured him - Cut of his fingers, his toes and even his balls... . "

Asher's smile slowly grew more to a grin. 

" I then cut him , small cuts really and for my grand finally\.... " 

Asher's eyes sharply turned to Keon .

" I made a boat , tied his limbs on it and poured as much milk and honey as I had and then I watched. I watched as the flies devoured every part of him , as magots grew , as every kind of insect entered his body. I heard him scream , beg for forgiveness until his voice grew hoarse and finally he died "

Keon stared at the man infront of him. He meant every word , he could feel it in his very core. 

This man is dangerous.

Despite every part of him wishing to just walk off and run away , he relished in knowing the perpetrator suffered. But that didn't mean.

" I appreciate what you ..... did . However I will not just join your family . Mother did not tell me much but she told me I should be wary of anyone who carries the Velmore name. " 

" Yet that is your surname. Tell me , why not inherit your father's name or even change it. "

" That .... "

" Or..... She didn't , You did "

Keon did not say anything. 

Asher smiled. 

" Ah I am right. I can see the hate you have for us so it surely can't be because you wanted us to find you. "

" My mother was killed ..." 

Keon saw Asher's eyes widen in surprise but then shift back to normal.

" The official reports say she committed suicide but that is a lie. Someone killed her , he was targetting her for what I assumed was her name but I guessed wrong "

" Ah , so it is revenge you seek, a fool's errand . " Asher replied in his normal eccentric tone. 

" As you have said , it is a fool's errand. I know carry her name in remembrance " Keon said. He had honestly given up in trying to catch the killer. He was content currently.

" Such a shame. I honestly thought you would jump at the opportunity when I presented it. Wealth , you really do not care , revenge , you have no thoughts for it. You simply do not care " Asher made his judgement. 

" Yes . If that is all I will be leaving "

" Hold on. We are still talking now aren't we " Asher had no threats behind that. 

" Mmh "

" Has your mother ever told you what we do ?" 

Keon shook his head. 

" We hunt and kill people. A family of assassins "

" And why tell me ?"

" Because for our profession we are hunted. Of course it won't matter to you unless it does. " 

"... Elaborate. "

" We are strong incredibly so but you are weak. You'll be targeted. Hence I propose you four choices.... "

" The first go back , live your life but know you will eventually be hunted and trust me even if you change your identity it matters not. You will be killed and some of our enemies can and will target your adoptive family. The second is I fund you to go to Ilia's School of Awakened. You'll be trained and taught the ways of a hunter and you'll be nurtured however not as much as our children. The third is you come to train at our family, I will personally ensure you get the best education and that you are not thrust into our delicate family business. The fourth is join us completely . "

Keon was quiet. 

" If I choose the first option , how sure are you I will be targeted. "

" I do not know but would you risk it ?" Asher asked. 

" ..... "

Keon looked at the man , assessing him and then a thought occurred.

He has been observing me. That's how he knew Sheila. Haizz the first choice was never an option was it ? Neither was the second choice. This man..... 

" Option 3 "