OLD-WORLD EXTRA-Chapter 146: Repercussions [Bonus chapter]

While hearing Kiera's loud screams, a thought crossed Emir's mind:

'Thank God they had theirs implanted during surgery.'

He simply couldn't imagine them going through this without his heart being torn into a million pieces.

The reason why he thought that way was due to his knowledge about the two main methods of implanting an Aether core.

One was the painful route of swallowing this large capsule, only needing the user's neural network's will to activate the process.

But why was it so painful?

Well, it was because of the almost instantaneous change to the internal structure of the body with the addition of the Aether core as it expanded and rearranged the other organs while strengthening itself as a second heart.

And even though suppressants were deployed in the bloodstream, they weren't able to negate all of the pain experienced during the transformation.

The other method was much more expensive in comparison and required professionals since they directly planted the Aether core while manually rearranging the organs of the user.

And the user wouldn't experience pain as it was a gradual process, during which they'll be sedated in its entirety.

These processes remained concealed from the general public and individuals not involved in hunter-related enterprises or government-affiliated companies.

But as Laura's company was in the relic market, Lyra was able to pull some strings to legally gain them access to all things Aether.

UEF was quite a corrupt government after all.

...

Emir watched as Leo, the last of the group, started experiencing his episode of convulsions. He wasn't worried about their survival; despite the need to remain conscious during the process, he believed they had it in them to endure the pain and push through...

He had gone through worse when he was only five years old, so they've got no excuses if they fail and end up needlessly dying.

And thankfully, none of them did.

Kiera was the first to stand; next was Jack; then Evan; Sarah; Hiro; and finally Leo.

Waving them back to their seats, Emir said:

"Alright now that it's over, I'll have you lot understand why we spent so much money on you..."

"Oh, and if you want to know everything about Aether, Lyra will stay behind today, so you can ask her."

He stopped speaking and waited for them to retake their seats.

Alongside Emir, Lyra extended her hand to the table, and a hologram of the same list they had received from Nathan materialized.

With her eyes sweeping through them, she spoke:

"As you all know, Prince Emporium is under attack by the Elite. But why would they bother attacking an upcoming company like ours at such a high degree?"

"...Well, it's because they are the hound dogs of the Order, I'll explain more about them later. For now, all you need to know is that they are our enemies, or at least one of their leaders is."

Pointing towards the hologram, she continued:

"As you can see here, we've got many names, and we need you, Kiera, to have your most capable and trusted men track them."

Nodding at her words, Emir added:

"Although we have the manpower, those you see before you are Elite."

"The cream of the crop on Earth, not someone that you could easily track even with the tracking devices we have from the UEF."

"...So to spell it out for those of you who are slow, we are trusting you with this. And of course, no mentioning of this conversation, just tell whoever you'll be choosing the severity of their failing."

Those addressed were listening so intently as if not catching one of his words would spell their end, even their leader, Kiera, looked dazed at the information Emir and Lyra spewed out of their mouths.

Suppressing a chuckle, he thought:

'If this is their reaction to this, then how would they act when they hear the real kicker? Too bad I won't be there to see it, but I guess I could always ask Lyra to show me her memories...' Kiera, appearing to have finally composed herself, said:

"Thank you for telling us all of this... I don't know what else to say except that we will repay this debt!"

||||

Seeing that neither Emir nor Lyra replied, she quickly added:

"And of course, we will do as you say, just point us to the targets, and I will send my best men after them, this includes the people on this table as well."

Nodding, they spoke at the same time:

"Good."

"That's what I like to hear~."

Standing up, Emir began heading towards the door while saying:

"Lyra will explain the details of who you would go after."

"I'll be doing my own thing, as my target isn't there, and neither is Lyra's, she will be off the

grid for a long while, so make sure to ask her everything you can by tonight."

As he passed Kiera, he gave her a couple of reassuring shoulder pats before exiting the room.

[Lyra, I'll be going to get a haircut now, I've got to look presentable in court after all.]

[Have fun. And don't worry Emir, they'll know everything they need to, and once I'm done, I'll

meet you at home.]

[Sure. Keep up the good work.]

[Anything.] She said, her voice filled with glee at a simple compliment.

Exhaling a sigh, Emir came to a halt in front of a holoscreen, finding most of the gang

members gathered around it in the expansive warehouse.

The low hum of conversation filled the air as their attention was fixed on the display.

While he watched what appeared to be the news, he thought:

'Thankfully, we're too busy right now to even think about feelings, but I guess I have to actually reply to her sooner rather than later...'

But then his thoughts fell silent as he tuned into the news channel, and the hologram display abruptly switched to 'Hunter's Daily Updates,' or so they called themselves.

Urgent signs flashed incessantly along the bottom of the holographic screen, indicating the gravity of the situation.

A charismatic newscaster appeared, impeccably groomed and confident behind the set.

Behind him, a massive screen displayed an image of a man that Emir distinctly recalled seeing

before.

"Good evening, fellow hunters. One of our top stories tonight concerns a deeply disturbing

trend in our sector."

"The recent wave of suicides has seen an alarming increase, and many attribute it to the abhorrent treatment meted out by the Blackwood family to hunters in their debt."

"Today, we bring you another heart-wrenching example of their cruelty..."

The newscaster's voice was somber, and the holographic screen shifted to show images of the

affected hunter.

The background was a collage of news clippings, testimonies, and heartfelt messages from the victim's family, creating a poignant narrative of suffering and injustice.

The gravity of the situation hung heavy in the air, causing a solemn atmosphere to descend

upon the gathered gang members.

But that solemnity didn't affect Emir, as a single thought crossed his mind:

'I know this guy...'

'Didn't I steal the strength cultivation art from him?'

'... Hah! Guess it's a plus one on my never-ending kill streak, I don't know if this would count

though-'

His musing suddenly paused as an all-too-familiar building was shown on the screen.

"Now onto other news, Hunter's Den, a fairly popular shop for all hunter equipment, has announced their permanent closing..."

His breath seized in his throat, and his eyes widened as he understood what truly happened.

[Fuck... Lyra change of plans.]

[What happened?]

[News.]

[.....So they've gone after Mariane.]

[Yeah... Keep doing what you're doing, I'll go check up on her.]