"Wait? You people sure think highly of yourselves! Even the League wouldn't dare waste my time..."
Morton shoved the lackey in front of him aside and was about to walk out the door when a bald old man in a black cloak hurried over with a flattering smile.
"So you're Mr. Morton, the Rockbreaker from the Kalos League. I've heard so much about you. After using your Rock-type Pokémon to kill several League investigators, you still managed to escape unharmed despite being hunted by two Elite Four members… Truly a remarkable hero."
As one of the Hunters Guild's seated hunters, Hunter F, Farlen was at least a Gym-level trainer himself. Even so, he never underestimated another Gym-level trainer, regardless of their background.
The rare praise left Morton feeling unusually pleased, and even his gaze toward the bald old man softened. "So who are you, old man? Do you know how to join the guild?"
"Hahaha, this way, please. Right this way..."
Without hesitation, Farlen stepped outside and politely gestured for him to follow. He escorted Morton all the way to the end of the corridor before stopping in front of a teleportation device.
"After you." The bald old man continued urging him forward with a smile.
Morton, however, hesitated. His eyes stayed fixed on the dark, unfamiliar machine, filled with suspicion and fear.
'What the hell is this thing? Are they trying to trick me into going inside so they can kill me?'
The fact that Morton had survived the pursuit of two Kalos Elite Four members for so long and even made it all the way to Sinnoh proved he was exceptionally cautious. Even if he encountered a sleeping wild Pokémon on the road, he would stop and observe it first.
Farlen had long grown used to this reaction. Most trainers from lower ranks acted the same way, so he patiently explained the machine before stepping inside first.
"This device leads to headquarters... Please."
Only after observing for a while longer did Morton scratch his buzz cut and bark with false confidence, "Old man, walk around inside first."
Farlen sighed and obediently followed every instruction, demonstrating several movements. Only then did Morton gradually lower his guard toward the bald old man and slowly shuffle inside.
Though Farlen grumbled inwardly, not a trace of impatience appeared on his face. His standard flattering smile never changed.
'If these people weren't all so loud on the outside but cowards underneath, would I have to waste this much time? The Gym-level trainers waiting behind them wouldn't have to wait so long either.'
Over the past two days alone, dozens of wanted Gym-level trainers from various regions had arrived. Somehow, they had all caught wind of the situation and rushed to Sinnoh to join the Hunters Guild.
There were also quite a few Elite-level trainers from different factions. Most acted mysterious. The moment they arrived, they demanded the position of a seated hunter and even claimed they could replace Hunter A as the guild's leader.
Fortunately, no Champion-level trainers had shown up yet.
The leader of a major organization wouldn't normally covet something as small as the Sinnoh branch of the Hunters Guild… Then again, maybe they would. After all, the Sinnoh Hunters Guild's yearly profits alone equaled nearly one-third of the annual tax revenue of an ordinary regional League.
Looking at these vultures, it was as if Hunter A and Hunter B were already dead, leaving the biggest slice of the Sinnoh Hunters Guild's pie free for anyone to carve up.
Even the seated hunters from other regions, who had previously been impossible to contact, had arrived one after another at incredible speed. Farlen couldn't even tell whether they were genuine, though every one of them carried the proper identity card.
The more he thought about it, the more irritated he became.
'Where exactly did Lord A disappear to?'
Just yesterday, Hunter A had instructed him to stabilize the situation. But when Farlen tried to contact him afterward, he had completely vanished. For now, all he could do was gather everyone at headquarters before discussing what to do next.
Buzz!
The machine activated, and the two figures disappeared instantly.
When they reappeared, they were already inside Hunters Guild Headquarters, standing in an old, dimly lit stone corridor.
"Mr. Morton, headquarters is just ahead."
After delivering him there, Farlen had no interest in explaining further. He immediately turned around, stepped back into the device, and activated it.
A flash of light later, he was gone.
Morton was left behind. Before he could stop him, the old man had already vanished.
He looked around nervously, feeling more convinced than ever that this was some dangerous place. Any moment now, a few Ghost-type Pokémon might jump out and trap him here.
Unfortunately, he had no idea how to operate the strange machine behind him. Clutching his Poké Ball tightly, he cautiously made his way forward.
* * *
Jubilife City Branch.
Farlen anxiously continued sending messages through his communicator.
[Lord W, please hurry! We desperately need a wise and powerful trainer like you to take charge here!]
Unfortunately, no reply came.
The bald old man grew increasingly restless. As he walked quickly down the corridor, confusion filled his mind.
Normally, the moment hunters heard something had happened to Hunter A and Hunter B, they would wish they could teleport here instantly. So why was W taking his time? It was as though the entire affair had nothing to do with him.
No matter what, W was one of Hunter A's direct subordinates.
Across the entire Sinnoh region, there were only five highest-seat hunters. Farlen, Hunter F, stationed at the Jubilife City branch. Hunter D, stationed at the Canalave City branch. Hunter A, the guild leader, along with his deputy, Hunter B.
The Hunters Guild's two core branches in Sinnoh were located only in Jubilife City and Sunyshore City, the region's two most prosperous cities. Anyone wishing to join the guild or travel to headquarters had to go through one of those branches.
As a result, many outsiders unfamiliar with the process would receive directions from smaller branches in other cities before traveling to one of these two locations.
Sunyshore City was close to headquarters and had plenty of personnel.
Jubilife City, however, only had Farlen.
"Sigh... I hope W isn't unable to come..." Farlen muttered worriedly.
The moment he stepped out of the corridor, two subordinates hurried over to report.
"Lord F, we've cleared the branch according to your orders. It should remain closed for about three days."
"Good. Continue keeping track of those outside trainers. Remember, anyone below Gym-level gets thrown out immediately. Don't waste time on them. Now get back to work."
With a wave of his hand, the two hunters acknowledged the order and hurried away.
Farlen straightened his black cloak slightly, put on his well-practiced smile once again, and went to greet the next visiting trainer who was at least Gym-level.
* * *
[Emergency notice. Mr. Shiro, Champion of Galar, please proceed immediately to the nearest Hunters Guild branch in Jubilife City. Meet up with Elite Bertha and begin the purge operation…]
Standing beneath a streetlamp on Third Street in Jubilife City, Shiro quietly read the message on his communicator.
"I really can't be in two places at once."
Third Street presented him with two paths. One side lay a bright, sunlit main road, while the other was a narrow, shadowy alley.
One led to his rendezvous with Bertha.
The other led to the entrance of the Hunters Guild.
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