Chapter 15 -15-Ace-Rank Hunter

Chapter 15: Chapter15-Ace-Rank Hunter I said, "Take me to the Frostburne family's mansion." A robotic voice responded, "As you wish. Please enjoy the ride." The car smoothly accelerated, rising higher into the sky and offering a panoramic view of Paradise. The city was stunning, with gleaming skyscrapers and lush greenery perfectly integrated into the landscape. As we flew over the serene streets, I marveled at how different it was from the crowded F-rank state. Everything here seemed pristine and orderly. The car's interior was luxurious, with comfortable seats and advanced controls. As I settled in, the screen in front of me displayed information about the journey. The robotic voice continued to provide updates, pointing out landmarks and giving brief histories of significant buildings we passed. "On your left, you can see the Central Plaza, known for its exquisite gardens and public art displays," the voice informed me. The voice was repeating things I already knew, which felt annoying like a mosquito buzzing by your ear. I said, "Shut up, it's annoying." "Okay, Sir!" the robotic voice replied. The trip was smooth and quick, showcasing the efficiency of technology powered by monster cores. Soon, we approached a grand mansion, more magnificent than I had imagined. It was surrounded by tall, elegant gates and a sprawling estate with perfectly manicured lawns and elaborate fountains. "We have arrived at the Frostburne family's mansion," the robotic voice announced. The car descended gracefully, coming to a stop at the mansion's entrance. I stepped out, feeling a mix of awe and apprehension. This was the home of one of the most powerful families in the world, and I was about to enter it. I approached the grand doors, surrounded by about ten security guards and CCTV cameras. These weren't just ordinary guards; they were hunters—Platinum-rank hunters. Considering the highest rank achieved by humanity is Dominator, they were extremely powerful. The Frostburne family controlled them, thanks to the immense salaries they provided. As I got closer, the guards shouted in unison, "Welcome, young master!" I nodded my head in acknowledgment. Brutus, the leader of the guards, stepped forward. He went to the door's locking system, which required a specific code to open. Only Brutus and his guards knew the code. I didn't worry about them betraying us; the chances were nearly zero. If they did, they would be instantly killed by someone. Who, you might ask? We're going to meet him very soon. Brutus entered the code, and the door began to open automatically, revealing someone waiting to greet me. As I passed through the door, I glanced at Brutus. He had a muscular build, olive-tan skin, black hair and a huge scar on his face. I sighed. If he didn't have that scar on his face, he might have been one of the most handsome men in this domain, with looks comparable to a Hollywood star. He got that scar during a mission to hunt a Platinum-rank bear. Unfortunately, the bear had a mate whose rank was Ace. He somehow escaped from that monster but ended up with the scar. 'Appraise.' I used my appraisal skill on him, and a window appeared in front of me with his information. **Name:** Brutus Boriss **Height:** 6'8" **Weight:** 257 lbs **Age:** 29 **Personality:** Loyal, strategic, disciplined, Friendly. **Evaluation:** Platinum-Rank Hunter. I stared at the window with Brutus's information, puzzled. 'Friendly?' I had never seen Brutus act friendly before. He was always silent, like a statue. Interesting, very interesting... I shifted my focus to the person waiting to greet me. As I approached, he smiled warmly and said, "Welcome, young master. How was your hunting?" "It was good, Allen," I replied. "Take me to my room." "Okay, young master. Follow me," Allen responded, his tone respectful. I knew my way around the mansion, but the previous Michael always had Allen guide him to his room. To avoid raising any suspicion, I decided to follow his act. As we walked, I glanced at Allen. He had neatly styled and cut short white hair, white skin, and a well-maintained beard. His appearance was fresh and approachable. His demeanor was calm, and his posture was upright and confident, with a polite smile on his face. But I knew better than to be fooled by his calm demeanor and smile. There was a famous quote: "Don't judge a book by its cover." I decided to use my appraisal skill on him. The window that appeared in front of me sent a shiver down my spine. **Name:** Allen Carver **Height:** 6'1" **Weight:** 175 lbs **Age:** 42 **Personality:** Calculative, Loyal, Ruthless, Secretive. **Evaluation:** Ace-Rank Hunter 'An Ace-rank.' Allen's demeanor might be calm and polite, but his true nature was far more formidable. Knowing his personality traits and rank made me realize just how dangerous he could be if provoked. 'Ugh, I better not mess up with him or I might get into serious trouble.' But for now, he was my personal bodyguard and my biggest helper when I need it. In this world, there are only 100 Ace-rank hunters, according to government estimates. Getting an Ace-rank hunter as your personal butler is like finding a needle in a desert. I don't even know why he's working as my butler instead of with the government. If he joined the government, he could have easily become one of the higher-ups. Very suspicious. I was also shocked when I found out the previous Michael didn't suspect this guy at all. This guy had already told him his actual rank, but Michael just thought he was joking and shrugged it off. What an idiotic thing to do, instead of asking his real motive or goal. I don't know his motive, so it's better to be cautious around him on the inside but calm on the outside. We continued walking through the grand hallways, decorated with fancy chandeliers and priceless artwork. Allen's presence was both comforting and intimidating, reminding me of the power and influence the Frostburne family had. Finally, we reached my room. Allen opened the door and stepped aside, allowing me to enter. "Is there anything else you need, young master?" he asked, his tone unwaveringly polite. "No, that will be all for now. Thank you, Allen," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Very well. Have a good rest, young master," Allen said before closing the door behind me. I took a deep breath, feeling the tension slowly dissipate. The room was lavishly furnished, a stark contrast to the anxiety that had been building inside me. I knew I had to be careful and stay on guard, even in this seemingly safe environment. The Frostburne family mansion was not just a home; it was a fortress filled with powerful allies—and potential threats. I immediately jumped onto the king-sized bed, feeling the softness of the mattress. "So soft," I muttered, hugging a huge pillow. The room only consisted of a king-sized bed, a luxurious drawer, and a cupboard full of shoes, watches, sunglasses, and dresses. I admired the watch section, but everything else was also very expensive, considering their design. Being born rich was truly a blessing. After taking a nap for a few minutes, I woke up and decided to research more about this world, the human domain. There were many things I didn't know, so I wanted to do a deep dive into research to uncover information that could come in handy later on. I went to open my door and shouted, "Allen!" My voice echoed through the huge corridors of the mansion. This place had so many rooms, it was practically uncountable for me. After a second, a figure appeared in front of me, and I was dead shocked by his sheer agility. "What can I help you with, young master?" Allen inquired. "I want a bunch of books from our library about history, geography, economy—basically, everything I needed to know about this world," I replied. The Frostburne family had their own library, and from the expression Allen made, I could see he was perplexed for a second. But then he regained his calm demeanor and asked, "Young master, may I know why you need those books?" I knew he was going to ask this. The previous Michael would never even think of reading any book; he spent most of his time planning how to commit the next murder. And since Allen was his personal butler, he knew everything. So, I could see why he was puzzled. But I still couldn't grasp why he didn't intervene when Michael committed murder. All Michael needed was a stern reprimand and to be told, "Stop it." "Oh, nothing," I said. "I just realized how little I know about this world, and I got curious about learning more. That's why I asked you. Is there any issue?" "No problem, young master," Allen said with a polite smile. "I'll get everything ready in just a few minutes." With that, he vanished, his figure blurring before disappearing completely. Wow, he sure ran fast. He arrived and left like a gust of wind. His movements were so precise; I wonder how long it took him to master his movement technique. Like in any other world, every hunter has their own set of tactics and techniques that they refine through lifelong practice to make them smooth, flawless, and perfect, although achieving perfection is nearly impossible. Only a handful of people have mastered their techniques completely. Anna and Lia's father, who is also the leader of the Federal Association, is one of those who have mastered their techniques to the highest levels. Another crucial point to note is that techniques in this world are not assigned any ranks. I shut the door and sat on the bed. After a while, there was a knock at the door. Hurrying over, I opened it to see Allen holding the books I asked for. "Thanks, Allen," I said, grabbing the books. He nodded, and I shut the door after him. Putting the books on the bed, I got up and started reading. Opening the first book, I began to read through it. After a minute, I sighed, realizing how much I had to read. "This is going to take forever," I muttered to myself.