Ozeroth and Ozerra also reached the same conclusion. Their expressions darkened slightly.

Atticus, however, calmly regarded the woman. If she truly worked for the Pride Queen, then matters had changed entirely.

Though the Pride faction was the only major faction that hadn’t attacked them alongside the others, it still didn’t change the fact that their queen had once sent agents after them.

As far as he was concerned, she was an enemy.

Atticus’s fingers tightened around his katana, his gaze turning cold.

"You work for the Pride Queen."

A flicker of shock passed through the woman’s eyes. However, she quickly suppressed it, staring at Atticus warily.

He hadn’t asked a question. He had simply stated it. The certainty in his voice left no room for doubt.

’How did he know?’

She had concealed her will so thoroughly that not even the slightest trace leaked from her body. It felt absurd that he had still managed to see through her.

Fixing her eyes on Atticus, she suddenly felt completely exposed beneath his gaze.

So this... this was truly him.

Atticus Ravenstein.

"What is your answer?"

At the cold voice, the attendant felt a shiver crawl through her. Only then did she truly notice the hand resting on his katana, and the icy look in his eyes.

’He can’t...’

They were inside the city. It was against the rules.

Yet as she met his gaze, she swallowed.

Those were not the eyes of someone who gave a fuck about the rules.

The attendant parted her lips, about to speak, when the door to the room suddenly burst open.

A large, portly man stepped in and strode toward them.

The attendant’s eyes widened the instant she saw him.

"Association Chairman!" she exclaimed, quickly moving toward him. "...what are you doing here? Do you need something?"

The association chairman, Konsa, shot her an irritated look.

"...I own this damn building. Why the hell would I need a reason to walk around inside it?"

The attendant quickly lowered her head.

"...of course not, chairman."

Konsa clicked his tongue. His gaze swept across the group before eventually settling on Atticus. Something flickered within his eyes before he spoke.

"Ah, new applicants?"

"...yes, chairman."

"Hmm. Good, good." Konsa nodded slowly. "I assume my subordinate here has already explained the rules and regulations of our Hunter Association to you all, correct?"

Atticus simply stared at him without responding.

Konsa’s eyes narrowed slightly. Had this trash just ignored him?

Him?

A faint grinding sound escaped as Konsa clenched his teeth, suppressing the irritation rising within him. If not for Elomot’s request, he would’ve crushed this ant beneath his feet already.

"...I’ll take that as a yes."

Letting out a light cough, Konsa shifted his attention toward the attendant before pulling out a portable screen displaying a map.

"...anyways, this is perfect timing. There’ve been reports of unusual activity in these locations. It’ll make for a good first mission."

The attendant’s brows drew together slightly as she studied the map. Yet beneath Konsa’s gaze, she still nodded.

"And you. Come see me once you’re done here."

"...yes, chairman."

With that, Konsa ignored the group entirely and walked out of the room.

Atticus’s eyes lingered on the closed door for several moments. However, he was soon pulled from his thoughts by the attendant’s voice.

"...have you made your decision?"

...

Moments later, after separating from the group, the attendant ascended to the highest floor of the building. Passing through a pair of massive double doors, she entered a vast office.

A portly man sat calmly behind the desk.

As she approached, she lowered her head slightly, suppressing the disdain stirring within her.

"...you called for me, Association Chairman."

"Yes, yes, I did." Konsa nodded, studying her intently for a moment. "How long have you been with us now, Unive?"

"...almost two decades, chairman."

"Two decades..." Konsa muttered, lightly tapping a finger against the desk. "Haha... that’s a very long time. Long enough for this place to become home. Long enough for loyalty to sink into the bones. So tell me, Unive... would you say your loyalty to the Hunter Association is unquestionable?"

Unive’s brows furrowed faintly before she gave a nod.

"...yes, chairman. My loyalty to the association is unquestionable."

"Good." Konsa nodded slowly, a faint smile spreading across his face as he continued staring at her in silence for several long seconds.

"That group from earlier. Tell me about them."

Unive gave a small nod.

"They’re newly arrived hunters attempting to register within the First Crown."

"Mhm... and the head hunter?"

A faint flicker of coldness passed through Unive’s eyes, though after a brief pause, she still answered.

"...he goes by Atticus Ravenstein, chairman."

Konsa’s eyes lit up instantly, and a grin spread across his face.

"Haha! So it really is him! Good, good..." He tapped his fingers excitedly against the desk. "Tell me, did you assign him to the mission I selected?"

"...yes, chairman."

"Excellent."

Konsa nodded immediately, the grin on his face widening further.

"And I assume you gave him the Hunter Sigil?"

The Hunter Sigil was issued to all hunters and primarily used to track their kill counts. However, though not widely known, it could also be used to monitor their movements throughout the Wilds.

When Unive gave another nod, Konsa paused briefly, as though debating how much he should reveal, before eventually continuing.

"...for some reason, Elomot has taken an interest in this hunter. Strange fellow. He wants the boy out of the city for some reason, so the instant he starts making his way back, you report it to me immediately. We cannot afford mistakes here, Unive."

As Konsa spoke, a heavy pressure gradually seeped out from his body.

The instant Unive felt the crushing weight settle over her, she lowered her head further and replied without hesitation.

"Understood. I won’t fail you, chairman."

"Haha... good! Now get out."

...

Outside the association building, Atticus, who had only taken a few steps away, frowned slightly.

’I see.’

From the moment that portly man had interrupted their session, Atticus had immediately sensed something was wrong.

What sort of chairman would personally take interest in newly registered hunters?

Especially when Atticus was certain they had never met before.

’That attendant also looked shocked. It was almost as though she was trying to warn me.’

She had emphasized the title chairman, almost deliberately making sure he heard it.

Because of how strange the entire situation felt, Atticus had ended up spying on them.

Using his authority over all forces, he tapped into the world’s natural energy itself. To Konsa and everyone else within the room, he had become no different from air.

And because of that, he had uncovered their plot.