CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154 - MEETING SSS-RANK AND AFFINITY LEAKED?!

The next morning, Logan woke up early and immediately checked his watch.

’They’ve already set out,’ he thought, quickly getting dressed. ’Two hours left until they get here.’

Logan quickly sent a message to Silas and Edric, asking them to prepare themselves to receive the package with him.

’Everything needs to be perfect on our end.’

Yesterday, late at night, he’d received a detailed plan from the Meridian Guild to ensure the safety and the privacy of the delivery.

’Their plan was surprisingly thorough,’ he thought, nodding slowly as he glanced at himself in the mirror.

The Meridian Guild had sent out a hundred of their air shuttles at the same time, each heading in a different direction and flying to large companies to mask the traces of the real package.

’That way, the truth should stay hidden for at least a few months, maybe even years,’ he thought, a satisfied smile on his face.

Sure, someone could eventually trace back the Soul Fragment to him. But it would take a ridiculous amount of time and the cost to trace it wouldn’t even be worth it.

’Even if someone figures it out eventually, I’ll be strong enough to deal with them without needing protection by then.’

Adjusting his tie, Logan nodded at himself in the mirror before hearing a soft chime from his watch.

’’They are here,’’ he muttered, seeing Edric and Silas standing outside his room, both dressed in the same formal clothes as always.

Logan quickly unlocked his door, greeting both of them with a small smile.

’’We made sure everything seems normal, right?’’ Logan asked, glancing at Edric.

Edric nodded. ’’A few extra measures have been taken to keep everything ’normal,’ but it will just be us three on the roof to leave no witnesses.’’

’’Good,’’ Logan smiled, closing his door behind him. ’’Let’s head over there now then.’’

As they took the elevator up, Logan received an update on his watch.

’’They’ll be here in twenty minutes,’’ he said, frowning as he glanced at Edric and Silas. ’’But it seems the Soul Fragment was indeed very coveted.’’

’’Why?’’ Silas asked, raising an eyebrow.

’’Several of the hundred ships they sent out have been ambushed by rogue mercenary crews, some even being shot down minutes after leaving their headquarters,’’ Logan answered, his expression darkening.

They all fell silent for a moment, before Edric exhaled deeply.

’’Well... I’m glad we took extra measures to keep this a secret,’’ he said, his expression serious.

Logan gave a slight nod. ’I was right to be extremely cautious.’

As the elevator reached the top floor, Silas went out first, making sure no one else was on the rooftop anymore.

’’All clear,’’ he said, coming back.

A few minutes went by as they stood on the rooftop.

Finally, an average air shuttle with the Meridian Guild’s logo on it broke through the clouds, slowly descending toward the rooftop.

’Alright,’ Logan thought, expression serious.

Not only was the Soul Fragment important, he had to be respectful to the SSS-rank from the Meridian Guild as well.

’If I remember correctly, this SSS-rank is one of the co-owners of the Meridian Guild,’ he thought. ’I can’t risk disrespecting them, or they might help the Alvarez family.’

The air shuttle touched down with a soft thud in front of them.

It didn’t take long before the shuttle made a hissing sound as the hatch slowly lowered to the ground.

A tall middle-aged woman walked out, long blond hair flowing down all the way to her waist and a large staff bound on her back.

She glanced at them sternly, giving a slight nod.

’’Logan Mercer?’’ she asked, staring straight at him.

’’Yes,’’ Logan nodded, taking a few steps forward. ’’Thank you for handling the delivery personally.’’

The woman gave a slight nod, giving a brief glance at Edric and Silas before continuing. ’’Seventeen of the decoy ships were targeted. You were quite lucky that this wasn’t one of them.’’

Logan nodded, thanking her once again. ’If this one was targeted, the chances of discovery were significantly higher indeed.’

People would notice right away if someone too strong had guarded the shuttle. Tracking its route afterwards wouldn’t be that hard.

’’I’ll bring out the package now,’’ the woman said, already walking back into the air shuttle.

Logan glanced at Edric and Silas, both of whom stared nervously at the hatch.

It didn’t take long before the tall woman came back out again, this time carrying a black suitcase with several dozen mana engravings on it.

’’This suitcase contains the Soul Fragment,’’ she said, stepping off the hatch. ’’Be warned, even though it’s contained, some of its violent mana can still slip through to the outside world.’’

Logan gave a small nod, eyes still locked on the briefcase.

As the woman approached, the sheer pressure of her presence made it hard to breathe.

She came to a halt in front of him and held out the suitcase.

Logan forced himself to remain calm, and stepped forward, receiving it.

The moment his fingers touched the suitcase, he felt a thin wave of mana run through his body, as if scanning him.

Logan was alarmed for a moment, but quickly calmed down after feeling the mana wave retreat back inside the suitcase.

’’Strange...’’ the tall woman muttered, snapping him out of his thoughts. ’The soul was so violent before... why is it suddenly calm?’

Logan immediately glanced up, finding the woman staring at him with a frown.

’’Nevermind,’’ she said, shaking her head, though a flicker of interest passed through her eyes.

Logan raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what she was implying.

’’My name is Samira al-Najir,’’ she said calmly, locking eyes with Logan. ’’Remember it, should our paths cross again in the future.’’

’’It was nice to see a future SSS-rank hunter in person, rather than through rumors,’’ Samira said, giving a small nod of acknowledgement.

Logan froze immediately.

’She knows?!’ he thought, staring at her wide-eyed.

But Samira had already turned away, heading back towards the shuttle without another word.

As the shuttle disappeared through the clouds, Logan’s eyes fell on the suitcase.

He exhaled deeply, mixed feelings running through his body.

’I actually got it,’ he thought, feeling a short wave of relief wash over him as he stared at the box. ’Despite everything... I somehow managed to get the monster I released.’

But the relief didn’t last long.

His thoughts drifted to Samira’s parting words.

’Future SSS-rank hunter,’ echoed through his mind.

Logan’s grip on the suitcase tightened as both Edric and Silas turned pale.

’’Your affinity...’’ Silas said hesitantly. ’’It seems like it’s been leaked.’’