Chapter 139: Calling

Reina's signature voice rang as her eyes swept through the incoming woman who approached their table right away. "Come and sit down, there's an empty chair beside your favorite person on our team," Reina smirked as she pointed towards a certain member, White Fox.

The table was square. Reina took the side which had only one chair, Elgin and Yan sat together side by side, while White Fox sat next to an empty chair. The last side was pitted against the wall, so it couldn't be used.

Aria hadn't learned of White Fox's real name or face yet up until this point, but she vividly remembered that this person did not exactly have the best first impression inside her head. She knew that the woman was strong, but there was just something that didn't click right with Estelle.

Although she felt quite strange having to sit next to her, she acquiesced and went to reach for the chair handle, keeping her eyes on the woman while performing her actions.

"Ahahah! It's a joy to see you put on that face. I don't really know why you don't like White Fox.. Well- nevermind, I do know. She's not the best person you want to keep around. But if you joined her clique, then she's actually quite a decent person. Aren't you, Foxy?" Reina teased the two of them as it grew awkward.

"Haa, are we here to get along, or are we here to pick a fight? Choose one, silly." Elgin scolded as he reached out to Reina's forehead and flicked her with a moderate amount of strength.

Feeling wronged, Reina made a disgruntled face and sat upright.

"Ao? We are Hunters, we fight everyday. Why don't we pick a mixture of both? Violence and peace, both sounds good to me!" Reina excitedly called out. Even though it was still in the morning, she was quite hyper as always.

Nothing could bring Reina and her personality down, and that was what made her special and irreplaceable to Lichte even though she could be annoying from time to time. Reina was just a pillar of support for them and the one who actually got along with all the members well without leaving anybody aside.

Granted, those who can receive her good will was not few, but she was particularly a significant existence in the squad.

"Stop playing around.

"We are here to play around though. Get along before we have to work risking our lives. Us Hunters also have to relax, right? Being a Hunter is a high risk job, but once you actually get to a high rank, you can practically live a life of leisure aside from your subjugation jobs. Which is why... I recall that someone here isn't actually a formal Hunter yet and thus, can't receive those perks. Right?" Reina looked to Aria, making her tilt her head.

Aria nodded, confirming Reina's words.

"So that's why... Let's get her a new Hunter identification card right now! I opened up a slot in the evaluation programme and booked spots for you. Aria, let's go measure out your power! With your strength and our support, you will definitely place no lower than B-rank right off the bat! This kind of thing, it will definitely assure you a lot of fame, prestige, and money. Don't worry about settling accounts or debts, I will be doing this free of charge. Of course, it would be better if you finally realize how much our group is worth for you and join us as a proper member," Reina winked as she shamelessly offered.

"Like I said, I am planning to work individually.. Or else, with a group that I personally lead. I don't do that well under the commands of another, although I can manage. About the Hunter application thing... Well, I'm still not registered, but I also don't have the proper identification documents for me to prove my identity anyway, so it wouldn't be possible. I'm still waiting for my documents to be made. After they are finished, I will definitely register, but not now, I can't do that,"

"Ao? Who do you think we are? Identification documents? Pshhh! That kind of requirement will be solved in the bat of an eye using our backdoor. Well.. it's not legal, but who cares? There's an exploit we can use, we're not saints, why would we refrain from doing so? Like I said, I already booked a spot for you. Come on, wouldn't it be a waste if you don't come to the programme~ You just have to hit a few targets here and there and fight one or two people. It's not that hard, and it doesn't take a long time. Your result will be given immediately, so you can even be a Hunter by the end of this day? What is there for you to refuse this kind of offer? Listen, refusing to join our group is one thing, but if you even refuse to do this, then there's something wrong!" Reina advised, proving her points and coercing Aria.

Aria pursed her lips for a few seconds. She debated internally. She had been planning to formally register through Aria's assistance, but going through the backdoor wouldn't really change anything. If it was truly as Reina said, then there was no difference if the sequence of events were switched up. She would just have to link her identification documents at a later time.

After considering the situation, she finally agreed, as there was truly no reason on why she should refuse the offer.

"Then.. show me the way," Aria said.

"Great! Wait a minute, have a cup of coffee first. Have you had breakfast? We were actually planning to get breakfast at the same time, which is why.. White Fox is here. You know, we didn't tell her that you are going to come at all. When you passed  by the shop's window, she recognized you in one go and started launching questions, it was so funny!" Reina spilled out the beans, making the little girl who sat beside Aria stand up and start making annoyed tones.

"What are you talking about? Such a thing didn't happen! I was just wondering why this extra person is here when you clearly said that she refused to join our group multiple times! Valuable assets are valuable, but it doesn't mean that we have to stoop down so low as to try and recruit this person again and again like we don't have a shred of dignity?" White Fox questioned, raising up her volume and drawing quite the attention from the workers who prepared their food.

White Fox saw the reactions and composed herself, coughing and sitting back down as she shrunk in embarrassment for having caused a scene in the store.

"Well, even though she's not formally with us, it still wouldn't hurt to make connections with her, would it? She's definitely set to become a great Hunter.. I can see the aura in her, the stars.. the fortunes that she is involved with are.. Gold! Golden! Great! Majestic!" Reina made strange gestures as if she was hovering over a mystical crystal ball and divining Aria's fate.

"Reina, when the hell are you going to stop playing around? You already have your food, eat it before it turns cold!" Elgin berated, and Reina made a salute gesture as she munched on her sandwich and continued talking.

As always, Yan was silent unless he was directly called out. As always.

Although Aria was not really a huge fan of groups like this, she did respect how they shared a great dynamic that made her feel like she was currently hanging out with a close friend group rather than a group of strangers that she had just met for a couple times to fight with.

After they all finished their breakfasts, Reina went to pay for the bill and they all exited the store right after.

Reina stretched her body, letting a comfortable moan as she unlocked her device and called a number. After the phone rang for a couple times, the other side picked up. There was a faint female voice coming out from the phone's speakers.

"Hello~ Yoona, it's me, Reina. I will be there in a few minutes, is the spot I asked for you last time cleared off? I think we want to borrow the training section for a longer period.. We want to exercise with this newbie a little. Yeah.  Of course! We won't be late, we are near the Association, so don't worry. Mhm. One person, Aria Schreiner is her name. But we will be coming with the usual squad. Yeppp! I'm thinking of having her fight us.. particularly, one person would probably like to fight her. It's fine! It will be fine. Don't worry. Yes, yes,"

Even though Aria did not know what the person called Yoon said exactly, she could guess the contents of their conversation just by hearing Reina's replies, and she was quite shocked to find out that Reina actually planned for her to fight Lichte.