After everything was done and Hunter received his monetary reward from Shakti, the very first thing he did was get some new clothes. He has enough common sense to understand that his vengeance isn't gonna be solved in a day, and in that time he can't walk around looking like a hobo that got mugged. Shakti, in her wisdom and experience, dispatched a lower level member of her Familia to stay with Hunter until he had some decent wear because if he were to walk into any store, or any establishment in general, with a massive sack of valis and looking like the worst fashion accident to live, he would at best be kicked out and at worst be mistaken for a criminal. Therefore, having law enforcement by his side from the start is beneficial to get over the first hurdle.

The store he settled for was quite literally the very first clothes store they found up the north street of Orario. It was a small shop owned by a few werewolves who were kind enough to not vocally express their dismay at Hunter's appearance. One big purchase and half an hour later, and the speedster was now a different man.

He was now equipped with a short-sleeved, buttoned blouse in pure black that could open its top half for a deep cleavage with rather well camouflaged, equally black buttons. Added to it, he sported a pair of bright blue jeans with deep pockets front and back, combined with a pair of black socks and sturdy shoes designed for sports. He had two pouches on his hips, one to his right and one to his left, each containing half of his remaining Valis as he was not willing to carry a bag of coins the entire time. The bag itself was repurposed to hold two more sets of clothes for when he'd have to change.

"Thanks for the assist, but now I am situated" Hunter told the Ganesha Familia member, who nodded in response before wordlessly walking away to resume his duties. "Hm, a diligent one. Good thing I got rid of him" Hunter commented before he slowly walked away further north, cutting a corner to enter an abandoned alleyway. "Now I just need to get rid of those pesky eyes on me..."

SCENE CUT

Atop the highest floor of Babel was a massive penthouse suite, a private living quarter that was owned by Freya. It was where she resides most of the time, isolated from the majority of her familia, a place where only she, Ottarl, Helun and Horn reside, aside from some standart servants that keep everything clean and tidy. From up there, she could enjoy some peace from all the unwanted attention her charm brings, but also have a view of the entire city, which allowed her 'Discerning Gaze' to observe the souls of every citizen in Orario. She did this in order to find rare, high quality souls, and with them people, to add to her collection that is essentially her Familia.

And this day was a day like most others, where she was using her Discerning Gaze in combination with a minimum-Arcanum fueled Divine Mirror to observe a soul that caught her interest.

"Oh, how interesting this is~" She cooed to herself while placing her face into her left hand while leaning against the armrest of her chair, fixiating her gaze on her target.

"Have you found someone interesting, My Lady?" Ottarl questioned, his stoic and emotionless tone awaiting only her orders, only her will, while his form stood a few steps behind her and her seat to embody his role as her closest confidant, her guard and the closest thing Freya may have to a son.

"I have, my dear Ottarl" The Goddess of Love responded, her lips curving upwards into a smirk. "It is unlike anything I have beheld, only outdone by the beautiful innocence of my Odr. It is like the deepest pit of Hell itself, a red so bloody and so volatile. I have never seen a soul so wholly devoted to hatred before, Ottarl. Only at the deepest core of it lay a small, green light, a small tether of sanity and joy, surrounded, stowed away and shrunk into insignificance. What could drive a man to such wrath~?"

Ottarl knew she was asking herself and not him, but he always answered these questions anyway, as he knows Freya genuinely welcomes his imputs as more than once he has managed to help her figure things out she herself was stuck on, such as how to help Bell Cranel overcome his fear of Minotaurs. And this time was no different, he would voice his own thoughts to give his Goddess insight. "Hatred is never random. And the magnitude is always personal. If his soul is filled with only hatred as you describe it to be, then he must have suffered loss unlike anyone else while also having a clear target."

Freya smirked with a bit of pride and lifted her head off of her hand and stood up from her seat, approaching the large window-wall of her room, a room that was both her library and her 'Soul Watching Room', from where she observes those that interest her. "So he is hunting someone, someone who has taken everything from him..."

"It would seem so, My Lady."

Amused and further curious, Freya kept gazing at the soul for a moment longer, watching it walk north before rounding a corner. "Fufufu, where will it drive y-" but before she could finish her sentence, the soul blurred away. The person she had observed seemingly disappeared from her sight. She widened her eyes lightly and expanded the view within the Divine Mirror, zooming out to eye a large range. "Where did he go?"

Ottarl suddenly felt every single hair on his body stand up and leapt to action, carefully yet swiftly pulling his Goddess away from the window-wall, the sudden movement breaking her focus and dispelling the Divine Mirror. A second later, a loud THUMP came from her window and... there he was. The soul she had watched, the blood red orb of fury incarnate, holding his right hand against her window while the feet were at the tiny edge between the glass and the wall surrounding and connecting to it. Then, his whole body suddenly began to... vibrate, becoming blurry to all sight before he passed right through the window as if it was not there in the first place.

Hunter glared at the goddess with a bloodthirst that sent a shiver down her spine and made Ottarl very defensive and wary. "I do not like being spied on. Out of common courtesy I will only warn you this time." He spoke, his voice empty of any emotion, cold and void of any room to protest.

Ottarl had his sword drawn and stood protectively between Hunter and Freya, his sharp eyes and trained reflexes all telling him to be careful of the individual before him. His instincts roared at him that he stood before a beast of death preying on those stupid enough to stand in its way.

"Ottarl, my dear, you can calm down" Freya spoke as she stepped forward and past the bulwark of an adventurer. "My apologies, it would seem that you mind my little observations, but do know that I simply had to know what could drive a man like you. I have never seen something like your soul, and it captivates me greatly."

Hunter did not know who she was and what her deal was, but he was not about to offer her his patience, or at least initially he was not going to. But then he remembered that he was in unknown territory, and if Freya's gaze was not restricted to a single person, she would essentially be Orario's watchtower, and he could make use of that. "So you can, what, see my soul? See who I really am underneath? In that case you should have known right away that it is unwise to have my attention" he began, his eyes turning to slits as he was seemingly threatening her, only to then visibly relax. "However it is a useful ability to have."

"As is yours" The Goddess countered. "How did you do it? Vanish from my sight, appear before my window and walk through it like it was air?"

Hunter turned his attention to Ottarl, who was still on guard, then turned his eyes back to Freya. He decided to tell her the truth, a gamble, revealing all his cards to her, figuretively speaking, in order to entice her for cooperation. The power of oversight over all of Orario was just that useful. "Superspeed. I can run so fast the world is essentially at a standstill to me. I didn't vanish from your sight, I outran it, literally. I appeared before your window by running up the entire height of Babel. As for your window..." He stopped for a second before lifting his right hand and began to vibrate it again, slowly shoving it up to the elbow through the glass. "By vibrating at the natural frequency of air, my body or parts of it can enter a state of cellular excitement that lets me phase through solid objects." After finishing, he retracted his arm and stopped phasing it.

Freyas interest was profoundly awakened and she now knew she simply had to have him in her familia. He was like a rare trophy just laid bare, within arms reach. All she has to do was reach for it. And so she did, her eyes donning a light glow of purple and pink as she was activating her charm. "Such an interesting power... won't you join my Familia?"

However, much to her surprise, Hunter simply scoffed. "I intend to join nobody." It was a shock to both her and Ottarl. He resisted her active charm, effortlessly from the looks of it. An unintended and currently unknown side-effect of his eyes he had transplanted as a 3 year old. His eyes were not his, and certain powers, such as Charms, adhere to it. Thus it was not so much as Hunter being immune to charms as it was just his eyes being charmed and not anything else. Hunter saw their surprised looks and noticed the faint glow in Freya's eyes disappearing, and put two and two together, which caused his expression to visibly sour. "You just tried something on me, didn't you?"

But the shock quickly faded and was now replaced with only more curious interest, one that was more genuine and more deeply rooted. "Fufufu, you are quite special indeed... I will convince you to join my Familia."

"You can do that if you want" Hunter spoke and decided that here's where he will now ask for what he wants. "If you want to convince me, you can start by offering me your sight."

Ottarl glared and got between the two again, weapon pointed at Hunter who remained unphased by it. Dangerous and high quality as it was, unless it actually hits him, it was as harmless as a dry branch and thus, by margin of his confidence or even arrogance in his abilities, the Speedster was wholly unafraid of it.

"Not literally" He corrected, which relaxed Ottarl. "I assume you can view everyone from your position. I am looking for some people, the ones who are at the very top of my list. They belong to an organization called Evilus. Ring any bells?"

The atmosphere became more tense and serious in the room and the Goddess of Love tapped Ottarl's shoulders to let him know he can retract his weapon. "Indeed it does. Evilus has been quite the annoyance ever since Orario was first built. But only in recent years did they escalate into a force to be cautious about. Their main hideout is somewhere in the dungeon, but they have a few leftover secret bases across the city, one of which you broke out of. But that is all they have as far as the surface goes. 5 years ago, their foothold was crushed and they were forced to retreat into the dungeon by an agent of revenge much like you. A former adventurer known as Gale. But even though she ended what was known as the Dark Age, remnants of Evilus remain, split into their own divisions."

That was solid information that Hunter would be able to work with. But he needed more, he needs a lead. "They have an active trafficking ring. The hideout I busted out from was one of their locations for distribution and indoctrination of captives. If Orario is half the city I was told about, then there is no way they could achieve that without aid on the inside. A familia, one with reach and wealth, is helping them smuggle people in and out of Orario. I need to know who and how. You get me that intel and you will have earned a favor from me."

With how eager Freya was to have this one-of-a-kind soul join her ranks, she was not about to refuse the deal and extended her hand. "Then you can consider this a partnership. But, where are your manners, I don't even know your name."

"Point" Hunter conceded and reached his hand out to shake with hers. "My name is Hunter. As for you..." he started before turning to Ottarl once more. "A giant Boaz guard, there is only one deity I was told of who has that" he noted before turning his attention back to the goddess. "Which means you are Freya. Ganesha Familia gave me only a basic rundown, but you share the top spot with Loki I am told. And that means you can be helpful to me. So as long as that remains true, I will not turn my hostility towards you or your familia."

"Fufufu, to so casually threaten the gods. You truly hold no fear, do you?"

After letting her hand go, Hunter shook his head. "It's not that I am not afraid. I simply couldn't give a damn if I tried. There is only one thing I care about, and fear is going to slow me down in getting it so I don't need it."

Freya gave a humm and walked backwards until she was back at her chair, sitting down on it and crossing her legs. "It is nice to have someone other than Ottarl speak to me with less regality."

A scoff escaped the speedster's lips and he crossed his arms as he took steps backwards himself, leaning against the window. "That is why I would prefer if you keep what's been said in here to yourselves. Until Evilus is dead by my hand, popularity will only be a distraction" was what he said first, before uncrossing his arms and lifting his right hand for a chop, then vibrated it. "If anyone finds out about me, I will know it was you. I will consider it an act of betrayal and accordingly devote my full attention to killing you and your familia before going back to my business of dealing with Evilus."

With that, he phased himself through the window with another backwards step and fell out of Freya's room, going down along the Tower of Babel before beginning to run along its surface to descend.

Freya on her end however could only revel in the amusement. A mortal who resists her charms, who is not afraid to openly threaten her, who speaks to her... normally. Yes, someone who could be honest with her was a very deeply vested interest of hers. It is for that reason why she yearns for her Odr, why she appreciates gods like Hestia. And oh she will have Hunter, she absolutely will.

SCENE CUT

After the short but fruitful conversation with Freya, Hunter raced back into the alley he had left from earlier, as he had hidden his valis and his bag with the other clothes there so he could pick it up. Just as he lifted said bag and turned to leave the alley, he felt another presence, but unlike before, it was not so much as the feeling of a gaze as it was someone being there in person. The lack of a pressing aura that was trying to compel his subconsciousness to convey respect let him know it was not a deity. "One after another..." he whispered to himself then turned back to face the alley. "You can come out now. I know you're there."

A few seconds later, slowly, seemingly out of nowhere, a form manifested from the shadow of the alley, giving Hunter a visual of a large, black hooded robe completely hiding an entire body under it, said hood casting a shadow of black over the face to obstruct any ability to recognize who was beneath it. "Hunter Thraune. I am an Agent of Ouranos, contacting you on his behest. You may call me Fels."

Hunter could feel something different about this presence before him. The uniqueness of how his instincts developed as a murderer gave him a way of insight normal, healthy people would not possess unless extreme circumstances gave way to it. His insight alerted him that something was unusual about this Fels person, something that separates them from everyone else, even the gods. His eyes narrowed dangerously and he took a step forward. "What the fuck are you, Fels? The feeling I get from you is unlike anything I've ever encountered before..."

Fels was masterfully hiding his surprise at the reaction, quickly contemplating a response. "Is he capable of discerning my true nature as an immortal? As a fleshless construct of bones? But how? I should not make an enemy out of him as per Ouranos' orders, so I need to answer in a way that will satisfy this man while tempering his curiosity."

As Fels was thinking, seconds of silence passed before a proper response came, or it would have, if Hunter didn't interject. "Not that I care, really, you came out here because you want something from me, so what is it?"

Hearing this put Fels at ease and he proceeded with the topic at hand. "Lord Ouranos has heard of your breakout and believes you may be an ally in the coming battles against the forces of Evilus. You have a personal grievance with them, correct?"

A scoff escaped the speedsters' lips and he crossed his arms. "A bit of an understatement, but yes. If you are going to offer your help and his in destroying them all, then I want to know what you are expecting out of me in return" he spoke before uncrossing his arms again and took a few steps forward, now barely a few feet away from the cloaked Fels. "Ouranos strikes me as a practical, no nonsense type of guy, which means this isn't a charity work. Out with it, what's my part in it?"

"He wishes to understand whether or not you, too, will be a threat to this city."

Hearing these words was... refreshing, really. So far, since his escape, all he had was formality and people sizing him up at first glance, but not Ouranos and Fels. They seemed to regard him as a force worthy of being cautious about, and he both appreciates it and enjoys the feeling of power it gives. After a few seconds, he answered. "As long as the city doesn't give me a reason to, I won't harm it. However, I also judge every case individually if it can apply. So if someone has any grievances with me, it is on them alone." Afterwards, his expression suddenly became much more menacing and serious. "However, should my enemy be protected by any facility recognized as the public domain and servant of the people, such as the guild, then I will deal with it accordingly."

Fels processed what has been told and gives what was probably a nod, given how his hood moved. "In short, if anyone were to be your target, we shall not oppose you. That... may not be easy depending on the case, as such I must consult with Lord Ouranos about it."

A nod from Hunter was all the sleketal aide needed to witness to know it is an agreement. "Then I will await your word. Now, I need to get myself a place to stay, so unless you have any recommendations I'd say you best leave."

"Actually..." Fels began and Hunter gave a curious glance.

SCENE CUT

The Next Day

Waking up from a good night's rest after so many years of borderline animalistic captivity was a type of refreshing feeling that could become very addictive and dangerous for Hunter's sense of moderation of sleep. He woke up feeling like he went super saiyan.

"I knew I needed it, but god damn..." he said to himself, reveling in the sensation of how rested, relaxed and rejuvenated his body was. And that was only sleep. It made him look forward to eating, bathing and enjoying a sunny day. This seemingly random everyday moment taught him just how grateful he ought to be to the small things. "Yeah I guess 15 years of isolation underground will do that to you..."

He got dressed in a black, skintight shirt that intentionally showed off his lean yet fit figure and paired it with sea blue jeans and the same durable athlete's shoes he wore yesterday after purchase. He had an inkling he'd be running today so he wasn't gonna get shoewear that will earn its way into a trashcan after just minutes. He then put on a belt with two pouches, one with his Valis and one for small items he might come into possession. Once prepared, he departed through the front door of his new residence.

Yesterday, Fels had let Hunter know he was elligeble for the full bounty on Valletta's head, a bonus on catching her alive for interrogation, as well as recommendations on facilities greatly useful to a stranger in foreign lands as he was, such as the library, the location of the most important buildings and the homes of the biggest 10 familia, and of course where the Pantheon, the Guild's Headquarters was located. He was also told that the Guild also serves as the main hub for many secondary functions such as being the city's bank, the monsterstone exchange, registration of all businesses and adventurers with their familias and a dozen other bureaucratic management roles that keeps the city functioning smoothly and without any enterprises committing foul play against each others.

And, more importantly, he also saw to it that the Guild rushed the paperworks necessary to get him a place of residency, its cost deducted from the bounty directly so he doesn't have to manage payments himself. It was a simple two-story house with its own property, wooden fence surrounding front lawn and backyard. It was the most stereotypical 'rural family home' he has ever seen, right down to how it was shaped and structured and even painted in a light, gentle white colour that wasn't bad on the eyes. But it served its purposes, and it actually was rather remote, located to the west of Babel at a small patch of land that was near the border of the Pleasure District. Due to the way said district was constructed, there was room between the buildings themselves and distance between them and the district entrances that the Amazons of Ishtar Familia guard.

The only downside is that because of its proximity to the Pleasure District, almost everyone who walks by his home is on their way to essentially the whorehouses of Orario.

Returning to the here and now, Hunter decided that his first destination was the Library, which just so happens to be right next to the Guild, so he would be able to get most of his business done before sunfall, before his... "Still can't believe someone like her said yes. Can't say I am exceptionally good looking so... let's find out what got her to agree" he mused to himself as he autopiloted his way to the destination he desired. Without his super speed, a leisurely walking pace took him nearly half an hour to get there.

Once there, he approached the front desk and leaned in a bit to keep his tone of voice low in respect of a library's silence. "Excuse me, I'd like to read up on a few subjects. I am new to the city so I would like objectively informal books, preferably with maps. Additionally a few history books about the founding of Orario and reading material on the biggest Familias of the last 15 years."

The worker behind the desk, a short werewolf woman with light rosy hair and tail, nodded her head. "Of course, sir. Please wait a moment while I prepare the books for you. Would you like to read them here or rent them out?"

"Read here, please" Hunter answered, to which the worker nodded her head and left the desk to walk towards the large arrays of rows with books, completely disappearing from his vision.

It took a few minutes, minutes Hunter spent mostly standing there with an uneasing, creepy motionlessness, a display of his capacity for patience, but the worker returned with a small wagon and a respectably big stack of books, moved it to Hunter's side of the desk and then waved towards the area with tables. "Enjoy your read, sir."

"That I will, thank you" Hunter responded before taking the wagon and moving to the furthest table at the very corner of the massive, open room. He was going to superspeed-read those books so he had to have good oversight of his surroundings to ensure nobody saw him do so, which means the corners were the best places as he didn't have to manage a 360° visual range from there, only a maximum of 90°.

He sat down at the table and took the first book, titled 'Zeus and Hera: Legacy of a Thousand Years', a book that is dated to have released about 9 years ago. Hunter tilted his head sideways to get a crack out of his neck to rid some stiffness. "Now then, let's get to it..."