Chapter 311: Checkpoint and Background 4
"Hello?," she said, her voice steady but her eyes showing concern .
She started the conversation normally, but as the minutes passed, her face grew paler and her gaze repeatedly shifted toward Reign and the phone.
By the time she ended the call, she looked ashen and shaken.
Slowly, she walked back toward Reign, her steps slower and her demeanor subdued.
"Mr. Rain," she began, her voice soft but earnest, "we believe you came here with good intentions for the city. I apologize on behalf of the military. The General called and requested your assistance because the fort is struggling to fend off the attack, and we desperately need your help." She bowed her head respectfully.
Reign’s expression hardened, a sneer forming on his lips.
"So now you need my help?" he retorted. "You insulted me and my family name. What do you take me for? Just validate my identity and let me leave," he spat, trying to sound as irritated as he could.
Agatha’s face flushed with frustration. She cursed her superiors inwardly for their contradictory orders—first to detain Reign and then to seek his help.
Did they think this was some sort of joke?
"Mr. Rain, I’m really sorry for this situation. The General said that if you refused, we were to offer compensation to convince you," Agatha said, her voice tinged with resignation.
"Oh, that’s nice. You should have started with that," he said, nodding slightly as if he were considering the offer.
She felt a surge of relief. At least he was willing to listen now.
With the government’s funds, thanks to the businesses contributing to the city’s defense, even ten’s of million credits would be manageable for one person.
"Alright then," Reign said casually, lifting his two hands as if the amount were trivial. "I will help you all for 10 billion credits."
"What ?" Agatha’s eyes widened, and she nearly choked at the astronomical figure.
Only someone with immense resources could demand such a sum.
"W—we don’t have that much," she stammered.
Reign’s eyes glinted with amusement. "I thought you were just a military officer. Didn’t realize you were the treasurer as well," he said mockingly.
Agatha felt a sting of insult from his mockery but kept her composure, understanding that they needed his help right now.
"I’ll call the General," she said, sighing in defeat.
"There’s no need for that. We are here now," came a husky voice, cutting through the conversation.
Reign turned to see the source of the noise and saw sixty hunters standing in the clearing.
Their collective presence was so powerful that it made Reign feel a flicker of intimidation.
"Hunter Allan," Agatha exclaimed, her tone a mix of surprise and relief.
The hunter who interjected was well-known for his status and achievements since arriving in the city a month ago.
He was a Double Digit Hunter from a Tier 2 city, and his presence was important for the city’s defense against the corrupted.
Without their aid, the city might have already fallen.
"Hunter Allan, I thought you were dealing with the East Area?" Agatha asked, her admiration evident.
"We finished that already, "Allan replied, his gaze shifting toward Reign.
The blindfold made Reign’s expression unreadable, but Allan’s curiosity was evident as he scanned him from head to toe.
"Who is this man, Agatha?" Allan inquired.
She hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to reveal Reign’s claimed identity as a member of the Razer Family.
"You don’t need to ask her; this is enough," Reign said, raising his hands. Sparks of blue electricity danced around his fingertips, drawing attention.
"Thunderbird Breathing Technique of the Razer family," Allan said, nodding in recognition.
"My name is Allan, a Tier 2 Double Digit Hunter," he introduced himself.
"I go by the alias Rain,"
"All right, Rain," Allan chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Where’s your katana?" he asked, noticing that Reign was unarmed.
"I don’t need it; I’m on a secret mission," Reign said nonchalantly.
Allan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "A secret mission, you say? And yet, you’re asking for 10 billion credits? "
Reign’s composure remained intact as he considered his response.
"I was just teasing her. They kept insisting on knowing my real identity, even though I’ve already said I’m here on a matter that requires discretion," he said, sounding like he was the victim in all of this.
"Is this mission sanctioned by the Hunter Association?" Allan asked, his brow furrowing with doubt.
"No," Reign replied casually. "It’s a family matter. Besides, I don’t really work for the Hunter Association. I’m more like Quill," He referenced the information he’d gotten from Lilith about the infamous hunter.
Allan’s expression remained neutral. He knew about Quill Flazer’s popularity, known for his independence and godlike level talent and potential.
But simply mentioning the name didn’t prove much.
The fact that Reign wasn’t affiliated with the Hunter Association made Allan more suspicious.
"I’ve heard a lot about the Razer family," Allan said after a moment. "I even sparred with someone from your family once. Unfortunately, he went missing after a corrupted invasion," he added, his voice tinged with sadness.
He wasn’t alone in his reaction. Some of the hunters behind him also showed somber expressions, their shared memories of the missing person evident.
Hearing the mention of Corrupted Invasion, Reign immediately pieced the information together and decided to gamble.
"I understand your pain," he said gravely. "I also have a missing cousin. I hope my little brother, Jayden, will somehow return to our family."
"What? You know Jayden?" Allan exclaimed in shock. But the young maiden with green hair and eyes had an even more intense reaction.
"Jayden? You’re his big brother?" The girl’s voice wavered as she stepped closer, her eyes wide with shock. "I trained with him and we were close. Do you know what happened to him? I’ve been so worried."
Her expression softened from shock to concern, showing a personal connection to Jayden.
’Does this girl have a crush on Arc?’ he wondered inwardly.
If that was the case, he could use her to his advantage.
"I’m his cousin, but he used to call me ’big brother’," Reign said, weaving a web of lies. Technically, he wasn’t entirely untruthful, as Arc was part of him.
"Really? Wait, I think I remember now," the girl said, her eyes searching Reign’s face. "Jayden mentioned he idolized someone in his family—his big brother Jayreen. Are you him?"
Reign’s expression remained neutral as he considered his response. He neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
"I’m on an important and secret mission, so I can’t disclose much," he said, choosing to keep the details vague.
For all he knew, there might be no one named Jayreen, and she could just be trying to catch him off guard.
The girl looked momentarily dejected but managed a smile as she calmed herself.
Allan then rejoined the conversation. "I won’t bother you any longer," he said. "But perhaps we can discuss Jayden more after our group finish defending the fort."
"Sure," Reign agreed, and they exchanged phone numbers.