Date: August 8th, 2011, 00:35 AM
After walking away, I go into one of the living rooms of the apartment, and calling Nicholas again I start sharing this experience with him while I prepare John Sven's laptop so that he can hack it from our hotel room in Kituso.
"Did you seriously choose to torture the person involved in the serial kidnapping case to extract information from him? Boss, I have to tell you that those methods seem a bit too unsettling to me." Nicholas says on the other end of the phone, feeling a mix of fear and anxiety while I type on the laptop.
"I understand that it may seem that way to you, but this is a good experience for them; both to help them establish their place in this agency and to get used to the darkness that this industry exudes." I explain.
"Even so, these methods don't seem to be the kind of Hunter I originally wanted to become." Nicholas continues arguing.
"Based on the evidence and the data I decrypted from the laptop so far, this man appears to have been confronted by the kidnappers and forced to work for them. The most likely is that he's just a pawn who doesn't have any useful relevant information about that movement."
"Torturing him with such violent methods does not seem to me to be the image on which our organization should be based."
"That's a naive and dangerous way of thinking in this profession, Nicholas. I'm going to tell you something very important that you should take to heart: the world isn't black and white, but rather composed of different shades of gray." I begin my explanation in a serious and steady tone.
"People love to judge whether a person is good or bad, sane or crazy, right or wrong, but the truth is that a person is not always completely free to choose their path and make the decisions they prefer."
"A man who runs for political office because he wants to ensure the best development and well-being for his family and his constituents, but who was forced to participate by one of the parties that pursues its own interests through assassination plots and schemes."
"A girl who constantly harasses the boy she likes, insulting him, mistreating him, and even devaluing him as a human being because she longs to have him all to herself and doesn't want to risk other people stealing him away because of how amazing he is, leaving her alone."
"Even terrorists who threaten the stability of the government and murder innocent people because of their selfish and misguided claims of how things should be can also be ordinary people with jobs, families, and friends who justify themselves by defending a twisted interpretation of their people's ideals or who claim to have associated with the wrong people who gradually convinced them to stray."
"At the end of the day, reasoning, excuses, and justifications are like belly buttons; everyone has one, but that doesn't make them special, nor does it erase or excuse the actions they ultimately commit."
"They can justify themselves, cry while apologizing, or even try to redeem themselves, but that doesn't mean people will forget their actions or forgive them, since everyone has a different set of values. That's why society has rules and laws to follow."
"A series of decrees and guidelines imposed by those who manage things at the highest levels to ensure the functioning of society as an organism and to try to minimize the chaos that is life, may or may not be fair for one or more individuals. And when those laws fail, we, the Blacklist Hunters, step in."
"We are given a certain level of freedom to act and face these harmful elements as we see fit, and therefore we must be confident and decisive when carrying out our work, especially when acting as mercenaries, or we will not succeed in our objective. Do you understand?"
The call remains silent for a few seconds until Nicholas' voice sounds again on the other end. "Even if you put it that way, I still think it's inappropriate for us to act that way."
"I believe that as Hunters, we have an obligation to preserve the order of society and our cultural heritage while maintaining an honorable demeanor. We must be an example that inspires others to be better and possess a strong spirit so as not to fall into the same vile acts employed by those we hunt."
"That's the image I've always had of professional Hunters, and in all honesty, boss, I don't think I can change it for that cold and lackluster version you present."
'It's unusual for Nicholas to respond after I've explained something with logical and based to the facts arguments. I can see he's maturing.' I think with pride before responding.
"Well, if that's the kind of Hunter you want to aspire to be, then strive to achieve it."
"What? But you just said...?"
"I know what I just said." I say, interrupting his question. "That's my view of the Hunters, and of course I defend it, but that doesn't mean I intend to force it on you."
"As long as you stay on the right path, you're free to think however you like. Keep gaining experience and aim to become the kind of Hunter you want to be. Who knows, you might even be able to change the way the agency operates if you hone your Nen abilities."
"Do you really think so?" Nicholas asks somewhat awestruck by my statement.
"Absolutely. In the future. For the present moment, however, you haven't reached that stage yet, so we'll have to get our hands a little dirty to achieve results." I declare inflexibly while glancing at the laptop.
"Well, what have you been able to unravel about the victim in the following case, Catherine Belster?" I ask, returning to the matter at hand.
"I've got a few hits on the case based on that name and the informations of the hard drive. I send you the information." Nicholas says while I hear the typing in the background.
The next instant, a file with Catherine Belster's photo and information opens on my screen:
Catherine Belster.
Age: 31 years old.
She works as an agent in a call center providing software support and consultation alongside an old friend from middle school whom she reconnected with half a year ago.
She lives alone in an apartment bordering on the westernmost part of the risk zone. She hasn't had a partner for at least four weeks, and her family members lives in other countries on the continent.
There is more information about her of course, but this is the information that is relevant to the kidnapping case.
"With this information about the target, we will be able to catch the kidnappers off guard and deal a decisive blow against them." I state leaning over to look at the screen. "Nicholas, were you able to get the operation details from the conversation I brought to you?"
"It wasn't that difficult. The cryptogram wasn't complex, and the main details of the kidnapping were stated clearly, so it was easy to predict the scenario if you knew about the kidnapping. I suppose they set it up that way on purpose so that even the least intelligent henchmen could eventually figure it out." Nicholas states, beginning to explain.
"The first thing that stands out in the conversation is the subject of the football match: The first thing that stands out in the conversation is the football game. First, the 30-yard line is mentioned, followed by the addition of the third quarter, the two touchdowns, the fourth quarter, and the safety."
"Applying numerical values to these terms we would get 3, 6, 4 and 2. Based on the fact that they have to fulfill a role with the number of yards, the most viable operation would have to be 30 multiplied by 3, divided twice by 6, multiplied by 4 and divided once more by 2, which would give us 5."
"Since Miss Catherine prefers to finish her workday at 5:00 PM, I'm sure they will try to kidnap her at that time on her way back home, which leads us to the question of where specifically they will try to do it?"
"For this, I relied on the mention of a teammate named "Rakuten." Through an anagram algorithm, among the possible words resulting from rearranging the letters, I found a match: Trenaku."
"According to the city map, it's an urban area themed around the culture and business of the country of Kakin, and it also seems to be part of the route the target must take to get home."
'The Kakin Empire? I'm surprised to hear that name so early on. Now that I think about it, maybe I should check how my stock is doing sometime.' I think, remembering my 100.000.000 investment from jenny, while Nicholas continues.
"Finally, there is the issue of the date, which, due to the repetition of the number 6 during the conversation and the mention of the 4 days since the breakup and the 2 days until the hearing, should take place within 6 days, that is, on August 13th."
'In summary, the attempted kidnapping will take place on August 13th at 5:00 PM somewhere in the area of Trenaku. Even if we are in the dark about the methods they will use, having decrypted the message, we won't have to figure out her routine to guess where and when they will attack.' I summarize after listening to Nicholas' analysis process.
"We have the target, place, date and time. Even if we don't know how the kidnappers will act, we can still use this information to can form a strategy by inspecting the risk points of the site and find a way to catch them off guard. You've done a good job with this, Nicholas." I praise Nicholas.
"We've both done our part, boss. I've simply analyzed and deciphered the resources you provided." He replies.
"Don't underestimate yourself like that. You did a great job leading the investigation, meticulously researching the city's crime in just a few days, and you even managed to handle all the paperwork on your own when the Tsukimichi agency started out. I think it's time for you to move up to the next level as a Blacklist Hunter." I state proudly.
"I don't get what you're inferring." Nicholas says a bit confused.
"I'm going back to Greed Island to continue my mission to complete the game and I won't be back for a few days, so I want you to take a more active role and make it your mission to stop those responsible for the kidnappings." I explain to Nicholas, prompting a few seconds of silence between the two.
"What?! Boss, that joke isn't funny at all! I can't take care of the mission on my own!" Nicholas shouts with vehement denial.
"Get a hold of yourself, man. I know this is sudden and unwanted, but I'm currently under contract with Battera to get through the game and I have a deadline, so I can't help but go back and do my part." I begin to explain in an attempt to calm Nicholas' nerves.
"It's been almost 10 days since I left, and if I don't return, in a few hours I'll lose all the progress I've made so far there. That's why I have to go back."
"But you don't have to stay there. With the Wormhole Orb, you can enter the game to save your data and then immediately return here with another 10 days, right?" Nicholas argues.
"That's true, but I still need to keep working on this task. I have a contract with Battera through the Tsukimichi agency, so I can't neglect my obligations to him because it would damage the organization's image." I counter-argue.
"Besides, I'm also doing this for your sake."
"What do you mean by that?! I don't understand!" Nicholas asks with growing concern.
"Since we decided to work together as a mercenary agency, I've realized that I'm always the one who does the physical fieldwork while I always leave you handling Tsukimichi troublesome things on behalf of me. And that's not good." I begin to explain.
"You are also a Blacklist Hunter, Nicholas, and therefore you have to get your hands dirty from time to time and know how to navigate the complex circumstances one encounters in this gruesome world."
"I feel largely responsible for having grown accustomed to this dynamic and not noticing your lack of experience, and that's why I want you to now take charge of the operation to stop those responsible for the kidnappings and hand them over."
"Boss, I really appreciate your desire to help me improve, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to leave right now. You're the organization's greatest asset, and this is an important job. You can let someone else take your place in that video game while you take care of this; it's not so urgent that you have to put it aside." Nicholas arguments, still displeased with the idea.
"Well, if anyones else could do it besides me, I wouldn't be doing it, right?" I ask with a flicker of sarcasm.
"The truth is, I'm the only one who can handle the Greed Island mission, and an agency cannot use the excuse that it can only do one thing at a time to avoid responsibility; it needs to know how to delegate tasks among its members, and honestly, you're actually the only one who can handle this one for me."
"No, boss, I'm not ready for this! You said it yourself, I have no field experience! I can't handle such a dangerous mission! I haven't even killed anyone yet!" Nicholas says with an obvious sense of urgency.
"I already told you, didn't I? Killing may be necessary, but it's not something to be proud of, and it's not something you should yearn to do. From my point of view, the fewer people you have to kill to accomplish your goals, the better. Especially if you can get something from them." I say the last part jokingly to try and soften the growing intensity.
"Seriously, this is good for you too. It's a chance to experience the uncertainty of a real raid and assess the value of life and death in the heat of danger and confusion."
"When people are on the edge of a cannon, sunk in the ignorance of not knowing how things will develop, that's when we truly confirm the kind of person we are and what we're capable of."
"But this is clearly a serious and calculated operation, so those people certainly have substancial manpower! Going in blindly without any support, I don't think I can succeed! At least, give me some time first before saying that you have to leave! It's not like you have to start focusing on fulfilling your contract right now, is it?" Nicholas asks, continuing his unrelenting and unphased rejection.
"It's true you'll encounter quite a few hiccups on a mission like this, but I have faith you'll be able to overcome them. After all, you've developed your Nen abilities a lot this past month, haven't you?" In response to my question, Nicholas suddenly falls silent because of the implications it involves.
"If you're so worried about going alone, you can always send Tetsu, Riven, or even Natasha as backup—that's what they're hired for. And if it's such an extreme and impossible situation that you truly can't handle it in any way, you can contact me, and I'll come and help you."
'Nicholas is strong enough to be a Floor Master, so he shouldn't have any trouble with ordinary criminals even if he goes it alone. But you never know. He could run into a very large group, or very high-level Nen users like the Phantom Troupe, or something even worse.'
"I'm telling you I can't do this, boss! How do you expect me to carry out a mission like this?!" Nicholas asks, continuing once again with his complaints and arguments about how he can't do it.
The conversation continues to grow more dizzying as Nicholas continues his incessant babble, and with my frustration at this pointless conversation bubbling up, I rub my temples and open a direct portal to Greed Island.
"Alright Nicholas, it's time for me to get back to work! I wish you the best of luck on the mission, go all out and give it your all, like only you know how, mate!"
"And remember, don't contact me before taking on this challenge unless it's a true emergency, or I'll be furious and we'll have a real problem! Bye!" I yell in a cheerful voice while ignoring Nicholas' words of disagreement, and while Nicholas continues to object to the idea of facing this challenge without my assistance, I cross the portal and ventur once again in the island believed by everyone to be a game.