Anas and Nayun arrived at the building of the Seoul branch of the Global Awakening and Hunters Association. The building stood tall in the middle of the capital, fifteen stories high, its dark glass facade reflecting the rays of the setting sun. On its upper facade, a large sign written in Korean and English:
Seoul Branch – Global Awakening and Hunters Association
The entrance was wide, with automatic glass doors constantly opening and closing. On either side of the entrance, guards dressed in dark blue uniforms stood at the electronic gates. The main hall inside was spacious, with white marble floors and a high ceiling from which simple chandeliers hung. On the walls, screens displayed hunter rankings and news about gates. In one corner, blue plastic seats for waiting, and in another corner, vending machines.
Nayun: (Lifting her small head to look at the building, her eyes widening) "Wow... Dad, this building is big!"
Anas: "Yes, my little one."
Nayun: (Looking around inside the hall) "It's beautiful inside too! Look at the big screens!"
Anas: (Smiling) "You see?"
Nayun: (Tugging his hand) "Dad, tell me about this association. When was it created?"
Anas: (Remembering from the memories) "It was created a month after the Day of the End."
Nayun: "And why?"
Anas: "After the Day of the End, the hunters appeared. But there was no system. Some used their power to help people, and some used it for robbery and looting. Chaos spread throughout the world. So the association was created to maintain order."
Nayun: "And who created it?"
Anas: "The first three hunters to reach the SSS rank. They gathered a month after the Day of the End and decided to create this association."
Nayun: (Her eyes widening) "Who are they?"
Anas: "The first is German, his name is Heinrich von Stauffenberg."
Nayun: "And the second?"
Anas: "The second is Omani, his name is Saif bin Hamoud Al Busaidi."
Nayun: "Omani?"
Anas: "Yes. And the third is American, his name is Jonathan Coleman."
Nayun: (Trying to imagine them) "Are they strong?"
Anas: "They are the strongest. No one reaches the SSS rank except the powerful."
Nayun: "And where is the main headquarters?"
Anas: "In the United States of America. In New York City."
Nayun: "And are all the association branches like this?"
Anas: "Each branch is run by the country it's in. The Korean government runs this branch. It's like a semi-governmental institution."
Nayun: (Thinking for a moment) "Dad... can I become like the SSS rank hunters someday?"
Anas: (Looking at her confidently) "I will become one of them for sure. Just watch and see."
Nayun: (Jumping with joy) "Really?! Dad, you're going to become SSS rank?"
Anas: (Putting his finger to his lips) "It's our secret."
Nayun: (Winking at him) "Our secret! I won't tell anyone!"
Nayun: (Jumping around him excitedly) "Dad is going to become SSS rank! Dad is going to become a hero!"
Anas: (Laughing) "My smart girl."
Nayun: "Dad, what are we going to do now?"
Anas: "Now, we'll go to the reception desk. I'll ask about re-evaluating my rank."
Nayun: "Re-evaluation? But you took the evaluation yesterday?"
Anas: "Yes. But I've changed."
Nayun: (Nodding her head) "I understand."
---
They headed towards the reception desk. A young clerk in her twenties sat behind it, wearing the association's official uniform. She was looking at her computer screen.
When she raised her head to receive the next customer, she froze in place.
The Clerk: (Her mouth opening slightly, her eyes widening) "You..."
Anas stood before her, with his short, shining white hair, his gray eyes, and his radiant white skin.
The Clerk: (Stammering) "I... how... how can I help you?"
Anas: (Calmly) "I want to re-evaluate my rank."
The Clerk: (Staring at him) "Re... re-evaluation?"
Anas: "Yes. Where can I take the test?"
The Clerk: (Breathing with difficulty) "Do... do you have an ID card?"
Anas took out his Korean ID card and placed it on the counter. The clerk took it and entered his data into the computer.
The Clerk: (Reading) "Anas... Anas Sharif Yazeed. Egyptian... permanent resident..."
She suddenly stopped.
The Clerk: (Looking at him in astonishment) "But... you underwent rank determination yesterday. The result... G rank."
Anas: "Yes."
The Clerk: "Are you sure about re-evaluating your rank?"
Anas: "Yes."