The Most Satisfied Reincarnate

Grimm's gaze intensified, fixating on the enigmatic man before him. "What about the son of the master witch who fell victim to the beasts, losing his hand in the process?" he inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of anticipation and frustration.

The mysterious man responded promptly, relaying the information they had gathered. "According to the intel we've acquired, it appears to be true. The boy did indeed purchase a husk wolf, and there is evidence of a husk wolf carcass discovered near his residence," he revealed, his tone steady and composed.

Grimm grumbled under his breath, his expression growing increasingly sour. He had attempted to extract information from Elizabeth, managing to broach the subject with her. However, her response had caught him off guard.

Elizabeth claimed to have been hypnotized by the robed man, asserting that she had merely been following his commands. Initially, Grimm had been inclined to believe her, speculating that if the king had promptly made an official statement regarding his daughter's hypnotism and the man in the robe, then Elizabeth's account might hold merit.

Yet, several days had passed, and no word had come from the king.

This realization led Grimm to suspect that Elizabeth had been deceiving him. The following day, he had returned to the clothing shop, hoping to meet Yasi and obtain more information. Instead, he had been greeted by Albin, who served him with a dismissive and hostile attitude.

The strained relationship between Matson and Clark had cast a ripple effect on their parents' interactions, causing Grimm to inadvertently boast about Matson, further fueling Albin's irritation. Consequently, Grimm had been unable to glean any insights about the robed man and was promptly expelled from the shop.

Yet, as Grimm racked his brain for a solution to unveil the mysterious individual's background, the communication glass flickered to life. Seizing the glass, he channeled his energy, preparing to engage in the ensuing conversation.

"Hey, what about the spy?" Krox's face materialized in the glass, his relaxed demeanor evident as he enjoyed his drink, flanked by two women.

Grimm maintained an impassive silence, intentionally refraining from responding to Krox's inquiry. Instead, he busied himself with one of the parchments, feigning absorption in his work, as if he had unintentionally answered Krox's call.

Krox frowned, perceiving Grimm's ruse. "Hey, don't try to distract me. I know you're pretending," he voiced his suspicion.

"Hmm? Oh, what's the matter?" Grimm feigned surprise, his gaze fixed upon Krox's image within the glass.

"If you truly didn't—" Krox began, only to be abruptly interrupted by Grimm.

"No, I haven't failed. It's simply that a few obstacles have arisen, such as the king summoning all the master wizards and witches," Grimm retorted, maintaining an unwavering composure as he stared back at Krox, his expression devoid of emotion.

Grimm's condescending attitude caught Krox off guard, but he quickly regained his composure and flashed a smile. "I hope you won't let me down," he retorted, his voice laced with a hint of challenge. With those words, Krox looked down upon Grimm before abruptly ending the call.

The sound of shattering glass filled the room as soon as Grimm concluded his conversation with Krox. Fueled by a surge of emotions, Grimm hurled his glass against the wall, its impact resonating with a loud crash. "Fuck that, I didn't fail!" he exclaimed, frustration and anger coursing through his veins.

The memory of Krox's condescending gaze lingered, intensifying the whirlwind of emotions within him.

Unbeknownst to Grimm, a mysterious figure had been observing the entire scene, silently observing the exchange from its inception to Grimm's explosive outburst. Sensing an opportunity, the enigmatic man approached Grimm, a sly smile creeping across his face.

"Master Grimm," the mysterious soldier spoke, his voice a calculated blend of confidence and secrecy. "I have some information that may pique your interest. It appears there is a child seeking to join the ranks of our esteemed guild as a mercenary."

Grimm's rage-filled glare met the gaze of the mysterious man, his anger seething beneath the surface. "And why should I care about some kid?" Grimm growled, his voice dripping with contempt. The sheer intensity of his gaze conveyed an unspoken desire to tear the man apart.

Unfazed by Grimm's menacing aura, the enigmatic figure maintained his calm demeanor, his voice composed and measured. "Please, Master Grimm, hear me out. The intriguing aspect is that this young boy possesses only one hand," he stated, tossing a coin into the air and catching it skillfully.

The mention of the boy's handicap brought a notable shift in Grimm's expression, morphing from fury to a glimmer of hope. Eagerly, Grimm retrieved several parchment sheets from a nearby table and presented one to the mysterious man. "Is this the child you witnessed?" he inquired, a sense of urgency evident in his voice.

The enigmatic man squinted, scrutinizing the parchment to discern its details more clearly. "Just a moment, Master Grimm. May I take another look?" he requested, extending his hand to receive the parchment.

Complying with the request, Grimm handed over the parchment, and the mysterious man began to chant in a low, melodic tone. A soft glow enveloped the parchment, and a spectral image of the child materialized, hovering in the air. Gradually, the ethereal image transformed into radiant energy, permeating the very essence of the enigmatic man's mind.

After a few minutes of immersion, the man's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Grimm's anxious stare. A broad grin played upon his lips, driven not only by the financial rewards promised by Grimm but also by his insatiable curiosity regarding the information this mysterious boy possessed that had rendered Grimm so visibly unnerved.

"Yes, Master Grimm," he affirmed with a sense of satisfaction, his smile widening. "That is indeed the person you seek." The enigmatic man's words held an air of finality and assurance.

Grimm's voice brimmed with authority as he issued his command. "Monitor the child closely. I trust you already possess his name and background. Should anything peculiar arise, inform me without delay," he instructed with unwavering resolve.

"As you wish, Master Grimm," the enigmatic man replied, bowing respectfully before gracefully vanishing into the shadows, becoming one with the darkness.

...

Meanwhile, Desmond stood outside the towering guild building, his gaze fixed upon its formidable structure. Thoughts raced through his mind as he pondered the unexpected need to seek employment within its walls.

"Never thought I'd find myself asking for a job here," Desmond mused, a hint of wry amusement tugging at the corners of his lips.

Desmond harbored no disdain for any profession. It was simply that he had a preference for reaping financial rewards through the art of taking lives rather than toiling away like a common laborer.

Steeling himself, he crossed the threshold, stepping into the bustling atmosphere that permeated the guild's interior. Oblivious to the gazes of those around him, Desmond maneuvered his way through the crowd, his expression adorned with a warm, amicable smile.

"Excuse me, miss," Desmond addressed the receptionist, Katrina, as he approached her desk with purpose.

Katrina's eyes widened in shock as she recognized Desmond, her disbelief palpable. She was about to voice her recognition but was swiftly silenced when he pressed a finger against his lips, urging her to maintain silence.

Perplexed, Katrina locked eyes with Desmond, only to find herself met with a professional smile that softened his features. Regaining her composure, she resumed her duties as though the encounter had never transpired.

"Good day, sir. Are you here to apply for a position as a mercenary? Please wait momentarily while I retrieve the necessary forms," Katrina responded, her voice laced with a touch of curiosity. She promptly retreated to the depths of the guild, her steps quick and purposeful.

As Desmond patiently awaited her return, his gaze swept across the guild's interior, taking note of the individuals populating the bustling space. Inquisitiveness tinged his voice as he addressed the silent presence of his trusted System.

"System, have you detected anything out of the ordinary?"

[

System analysis: Affirmative, host. Two individuals within the vicinity harbor hostile intentions directed toward you. They are continuously on the move, their locations in constant flux.

]

A nod of comprehension accompanied Desmond's silent acknowledgment. Upon his initial entry into the guild, he had failed to detect any suspicious figures. However, as soon as he initiated conversation with Katrina, his ever-watchful System alerted him to the looming threat. Consequently, he discreetly gestured to Katrina, signaling her to maintain her silence.