Chương 17: Everything About This Man is Classified

The witch hunters' base was surrounded by a chain-link fence with barbed wire on top. The building itself had a few extensions jutting out of its roof with guns bolted to them. Other than that, the base looked like a cozy little log cabin. Much nicer than the blocky grey compound she trained on at home. A man's touch, perhaps? Ugh, she really had to stop thinking about that. True to their word, the witch hunters opened the main gate without a fuss. Veronika moved her hand to her holster on instinct.

She'd normally have a pistol ready to shoot when entering an unfamiliar area, but now that they were in her hands, they were ready automatically. The old wives' tales about the devil's temptations of magic were true. She couldn't deny that she loved the convenience of her new guns, despite how disturbing the assimilation process was. The cabin door opened and a woman with light-brown skin and a buzz cut walked out. She was dressed in the same standard uniform Veronika and LOA were wearing, save for the hat.

She had long eyelashes and a hint of pink around her cheeks. Was she wearing make-up? That was against the global dress code for hunters.

"Hey there! Nice of you two to finally join us. I see you didn't have too much trouble getting up here."

"It wasn't a difficult climb. I would've been here sooner if the system didn't keep messing with my head," Veronika said.

"Newer hunters find themselves washed up here sometimes," she explained.

"They don't make it very far. The mutant wildlife typically gets them, but they seemed scared of you. I can't blame them after watching you pick a fight with the largest birds on the island."

"If this place made Steller's Sea Eagles larger than ostriches, I'd hate to see what the grizzly bears look like." The woman laughed.

"The mutations don't work on a fixed scale. A bear that large wouldn't fit in any cave, and would need an unsustainable amount of food. As ungodly as it is, this island knows the limits of nature."

"Nature has no limits," Veronika responded purely on instinct.

"Um… sure. Now let's get you two inside before the boss gets impatient." The second they stepped through the door it slammed shut. It looked like a simple log door, but it had to have been made with something heavier inside. Deeper in the foyer, the hallmarks of a cute little hunting cabin were scattered across the floors and walls. A cozy fireplace sat at the wall across from the doorway. A cushioned couch and two chairs were placed in front of it, and were lying on top of a bearskin rug.

The heads of leopards and sika deer were mounted on the wall above. Were these people witch hunters, or just regular hunters?

"I can't tell if the decorations are supposed to lull me into a false sense of security or threaten me," Veronika said.

"I find it ghoulish to display corpses for pleasure, but I know some people enjoy staring at them." LOA perked up.

"Really? I would've thought you were the type to like this sort of thing. You were quick to shoot that man on the beach, after all…"

"And did I keep his severed arm to hang on my wall later? No. That's just unnecessary. Let the scavengers eat it, I say." Their guide gently pushed them along.

"Alright ladies, we can argue about interior design later. Next stop is the war room." As they walked down the hall to the right, the wooden walls stripped away to reveal an oppressive metal frame. Now that was more like it. A real witch hunter's base. Those who were serious about their profession and duties didn't need simple comforts or "morale." They did as they were told solely for their love of humanity. Or in Veronika's case, for her mother's attention.

They reached a secure door with a keypad and screen beside it. The guide covered her hand and typed something in. The screen lit up to reveal the face of a pale man with striking blue eyes. They reminded Veronika of the small sapphire on her mother's wedding ring. He had messy black hair with one larger tuft falling over the middle of his forehead. From what she could see, he was wearing the witch hunter uniform perfectly, following every global regulation in place.

He seemed familiar, and his complexion was consistent with someone from Veronika's region. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Officer Pereira," he acknowledged.

"I've got the bird-loving newbies here for you, sir."

"Very good. Come in." The door slid open. Cold, artificial light filled the room, a stark contrast to the welcoming foyer. The man that answered the call was now sitting at a round table in the center of the room. A model of an island sat on top, and judging from the purple spiral in the center, it was Ring. Veronika stared at it as she approached the table. The mountains and greenery thinned out and eventually formed a new shore in the center that surrounded the spiral. The island was a literal ring.

Great, the devil woman running it was both insane and uninspired.

"Officer Pajiri-Li, please take a seat," the man asked.

"Yes sir." She saluted him and sat on the opposite side of the table. He cleared his throat.

"I remember you; I've seen you wandering around my base back on the mainland. You're definitely General Pajiri's daughter."

"With all due respect, I do not 'wander.' But yes, I'm from the Northeast Asian region. I thought you looked familiar, but I can't seem to remember your name."

"That's because I never told you. You didn't have high enough clearance." He extended his hand.

"But now that we're stuck in hell together, you're officially a member of my team. I'm Rolan Sokolov, but please just call me Captain Rolan." Veronika gave him a firm handshake.

"Why not Captain Sokolov?"

"I gave you my name. I'm not giving you my life story."

"Of course, sir…"

"I'm told you came here on purpose." He leaned back and crossed his arms.

"Does General Pajiri really think you're capable of killing the Thorned Devil?"

"My mission is classified…" He chuckled.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? What else would you be doing here? Now answer my question."

"…If the overlord of this island is telling the truth about playing fair, I should be able to use the power she grants me against her master." She glanced down for a second.

"If not, then I'll just have to work with what my mother taught me. And all of you, of course. I understand that my life is forfeit either way."

"General Pajiri — your mother — sent you on a suicide mission?"

"Yes. The most important suicide mission in the history of mankind." Captain Rolan started moving various pieces around the island model. They were all concentrated next to a little grove deep in the jungle. The pieces in the grove were all marked with the devil's purple rose symbol. It must have been where the witches on the island lived.

"A coven lives in that grove?" she asked.

"Yes. Five of them, just like every other role. The system doesn't spare them from her rules." He looked up.

"I guess that's good for you. Evidence that she really does play fair."

"Do you know how you're going to bring our numbers back down to five?"

"Well, Kalani is gone for sure. I'll dispose of her myself after this meeting. She lied about General Pajiri having a daughter, so she's an obvious choice." Veronika looked at LOA, who was standing in the corner with her arms folded in front of her.

"I imagine you don't want to sacrifice another hunter for my escort. I'd prefer to keep her around since she has valuable hunter software installed." He sighed.

"I have to think about it. We've never had a hunter unit here before. I don't doubt she'd be useful, but my three women aside from Kalani have proven their worth over months to years. I can't throw away their efforts lightly."

"Who would you choose to kill if you decide to spare LOA?" He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not going to answer that. Trust that I'll make a decision before the time limit is up." He stood up and looked down at Veronika.

"And don't even think about taking matters into your own hands. I'll come to stop it, and you won't stand a chance against me." He turned around and left the room, leaving Veronika with her mouth slightly open. No one had ever challenged her like that, save for her mother. She felt her heart beating faster. Did she feel threatened? No… she was interested. She had met him before, but she knew nothing about him. Despite being the general's daughter, Veronika lacked the clearance necessary to know him.

Shit, why was her heart beating even faster? Get it together, Veronika.