Chapter 13: Unrecognized Heroes

An hour after returning home, I got to work on my homework in the comfort of my bedroom. Yvar had accidentally slept next to Celeste and both were now sound asleep. Before the sun rises, I need to wrap up all of the outstanding tasks I have in the group. I need to talk to the CEO by tomorrow.

Because time passed by at such a breakneck pace, every time I checked the clock, the recent time added up twice. Checking one's emails almost every minute and going through one's Google documents several times in a row started to seem like a tedious chore all of a sudden. It seemed as if I had been going through the same motions over and again, which made my head feel heavy.

When I logged into my social media account, the first thing I did was contact Dwayne with any queries I had about the project. In any case, if he doesn't reply by the morning, I could make it as an excuse to delay my project. *Just kidding*, I mean, in that case, it wouldn’t be my fault anymore.

After I had sent him the questions, I almost got off my chair when I saw the green active chat indicator near his profile, and he replied. I stumbled onto his chat, and now I can't stop staring at it like a plant person.

*”No reply? You probably didn't think I'd still be up at this time.”*

I gave my head a gentle shake and relaxed into the chair's back. I could hear Dwayne’s voice transcending from the phone’s screen.

I yanked my arm back and cocked my head to the right and left. As the early light penetrated the cloudless sky, I yawned. It's dawn, and I haven't even done half of my work yet.

I let out a heavy sigh that my shoulders even went up and down. *”What have you been up to? I thought the group activity was almost done and you were just waiting for my input.”* I took little sips of the coffee.

He seen-zoned my message.

After staring at it for a few minutes without receiving any kind of response or typing indication, I decided to keep plugging away at the task at hand. As soon as I turned my focus back to the monitor, my phone notified me.

It came from Mackenzie. *”Good morning!”* I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his massage. As soon as I looked at the clock on the table, I realized that it was exactly three in the morning. *”Don't worry about the task too much. Make sure you take breaks every hour.”* He continued, and I couldn't help but smile a little bit.

But when I saw Dwayne’s reply in a bubble message appearing, my mood changed. He responded, *”Aren’t you finished yet? I want to make sure you can finish as soon as possible.”*

I greeted Mackenzie back and told him that I am still working on my assignment, while I lied to Dwayne that I am nearly done. Anyway, I must complete tasks to at least eighty percent so that they don't add to my burden while I am doing other tasks.

As soon as I was done, I quickly cleaned up, changed my clothing, and made sure not to wake my dozing siblings before leaving the home without informing Yvar. When I eventually had the opportunity to meet the CEO, I stood in front of his desk while he completed some paperwork entirely unperturbed.

While writing, CEO Sylvester stated, "It's no longer surprising that you've returned, young lady."

I wanted to tell him promptly about my decision, but it was difficult to open my mouth as if my lips had their own minds. My fingers trembled a bit, and I immediately shove it away.

I expelled air before responding. "I will join werewolf hunters.”

He set down the pen and looked at me while chuckling sarcastically. He then began to write again. That mischievous smirk brought chills down my spine. A handful of individuals entered his office, each carrying a folder with them. They were dressed in clothes appropriate for the workplace. After having a brief discussion with the CEO, they got up to go, but Sylvester requested one of them to stay.

“Bring this young lady to the realm,” CEO Sylvester ordered. “You already know what to do, especially the conditions, right?” he asked. The woman nodded. The question caused the wrinkles to appear in the middle of my forehead. Why do I get the impression that they are going to put me under a test to determine whether or not I am qualified to be a werewolf hunter? But it was the CEO who approached me first to join the organization!

Later on, I found myself entering an elevator. The woman's welcoming and approachable smile is contagious, and it's causing me to smile along with her. The dimness of the lights was blinding my sight, causing me to close my eyes and look down until all of the lights were turned out, at which point I could see nothing but total blackness.

The doors of the elevator then opened, and I found myself staring blankly as a whole new world came into focus before my eyes. It looked like back in the good old days. There was both greenery and dwellings wherever you looked.

But… *This place looks familiar…*

The woman gently pushed me forward for us to get out of the elevator.

“Welcome to the realm, Lita,” the lady welcomed me in a tone that was relaxed and unpretentious. But the fact that she was familiar with my name was the thing that troubled me the most! I gazed at her with a perplexed expression. There is some uncertainty in my mind, and I'm starting to be suspicious.

I stepped back and prepared to make a dash for the elevator when I saw that all I could see was a portion of the mountain rock that was obscured by tree branches.

*W-What is happening?!*

*Where’s the elevator?!*

My eyes started to shake, and my legs started to shake as well. I mumbled some sounds, but I couldn't make out any words! I turned my head slowly to look back at the lady, and I yelled in surprise when I noticed that she had already changed her appearance! She is now dressed in what seems to be a battle outfit but a semi-university uniform. In addition, her hair had changed color, and she had a sword beside her!

“W-Who are you? What is this place?!” I asked. I slipped against my ankles and now my hands were touching the land.

The woman wearing nearly blue-colored clothing strode forward. Then, similar individuals appeared alongside her. They were clothed in distinct hues but similar styles. Everyone has a sword.

“We are the werewolf hunters,” the woman introduced.