District 12, Willsborough - The District of Innovation.
It was a district with a rich history of economic and technological development. It was home to some of the largest corporations on the East Coast. With that being sit, Willsborough was also the center of tourism and attacks. No matter what corner of the district you looked, there was always something fun to do, tasty to eat, and experiences to join.
...besides the Venizuma Job Center.
It's outward appearance was shabby at best, dilapidated at worst. The sign post was half way fallen off, the door was dirty, and I could practically get a lung-full of dust merely from being on the same street. How the hell did a Fixer office ever get approved in such a dingy place. Even the lower district have a better fucking infrastructure than this!
I opened the door, taking in another mountain of dust. I sneezed twice before rubbing my nose and looking inside. The reception area was spacious and stylized like a Victorian-era interior. The room was filled with rich colors, opulent, ornate details, and intricate patterns and textures. It was an eclectic mixture of eastern and western styles that indulged in excess. However, to call the interior "cultured" wouldn't be accurate at all. The tapestry was run down and torn at the ends, and the furniture had tears in the leather that had clearly been put off for a couple of years...
Did I seriously show up to this dump? Maybe I should rescind my written examination for GED-equivalent documentation and go back to school...
In the room sat five people of various appearances and dispositions.
"Hey! Jhin! We got the newcomer!!!" A boisterous man with an angry expression pointed at me and yelled to Mr. Anderson at the top of his lungs. I get that walls can get in the way of sound, but was this volume really that necessary...? My ear drums are gonna burst at rate. Every part of him seemed largely than life. He stood at around 6'3 with a muscular build and a burn scar around his eye.
"Heya~ Welcome to the office!" A woman with blond curly hair and a seductive look welcomed me alongside the brawny guy. Despite her charming looks, she held a large worn-this down axe in hand. This woman was clearly someone I should avoid interacting with.
"...Loud. Too loud." A boyish figure with short and straight hair that covered his eyes said with a fuddled tone. His body language was opened and relax, yet lethargic and lazy. It practically screamed "I'm tired, so leave me alone."
"Now now everyone, let's set up an appropriate welcome for our newest member, "
"All of you newbies, be quiet and listen to the ever-loving manager. This Venizuma Job Center is a sacred place preserved and managed by our most venerable lieutenant, Jhin Anderson, and the ever-loving manager Yeoui. Show some respect. Barrel, you must lower your tone. It is rather inappropriate for you to raise your voice in such hallowed grounds. Please put on some clothing, Mephi. It is unbecoming of you to be so flagrant and provocative inside this humble establishment? Is the official uniform not to your liking? Have you lost your mind? A traitor like you should definitely be reprimanded and expelled. Shin, please get up, it is your turn for cleaning duty. How could you possible insult the Venizuma Job Center to this extent? This team is truly a lost cause, I tell you; completely lost. Please allow me, Yin of the Venizuma Job Center, to give you my life in repentance, Manger Yeoui. This is truly inexcusable as the eldest recruit of the Monster Extermination Unit."
This guy, despite having an ordinary appearance, was unbelievably chatty, and he talked so fast that I could barely understand his message. Does everyone here have to be so damn weird?
As the five quarreled about themselves, a familiar presence came down into the lobby from the bronze spiral staircase.
"Settle down."
"...!"
In an instant, everyone fell silent. The oppressive aura of Jhin Anderson, 1st class Fixer of the Monster Extermination Unit, was more than enough to silence us, who were akin to ants to him.
"Line up for introductions, everyone. Let's not show our guest any unprofessionalism."
"Yessir!"
They lined up and gave their introductions as per their orders.
"Good morning, Derrick my boy! I am Yeoui, a 3rd class Fixer of the Venizuma Job Office and your personal training instructor. It's nice to finally meet you on friendly grounds~"
"I'm Mephi, nice to meetcha! I'm a 5th class Fixer of the office, though I've only been here for a month, I think we'll get along wonderfully."
"Name is Shin. 5th class."
"The name's Barrel, and I'm glad to have ya here! I'm a 5th class Fixer like most of us here. If ya need anything, you can rely on me."
"My name is Hesykia "Yin" Anthony. I am the third member of the Venizuma Job Office, and occupy the rank of 4th class Fixer. I enjoy long walks through parks, books covering any field of intellectual content, brewing coffee, assisting my superiors, the most excellent Jhin Anderson, and the ever ven-"
Thwak!
A writing board hurled towards the back of Yin's head, interrupting his lengthy speech.
Mr. Anderson rubbed his eyes in irritation and said, "That's enough, Yin. Didn't I tell you to get rid of that bad rambling habit?"
"A thousand apologies, honorable leader."
"Now then, lets get to the reason why you are all here. I need you to go on an expedition to slay a certain Monster."
"...!"
The tension shot up in an instant at the mention of Monster Hunting. Most of the people here were 5th class, the lowest class of Fixer, meaning that they were likely as inexperienced as I was. I doubt that any of us, besides maybe that Yin guy, have ever actually fought a Monster before.
"As you might have guessed, all of you are pitifully weak. I highly doubt that any of you could survive a halfway decent Monster attack, and we only have a week until the expedition is underway. Hence, I've designated Yeoui as your collective instructor. You will achieve mastery by the end of the week."
"E-Eh?! A week? How the hell are we gonna manage that?!" Mephi was the first to speak out against this unreasonable training.
"Figure it out. If you wanna complain, then leave. Monster Hunting ain't reasonable to begin with, so stop complaining and work harder."
"..." Mephi turned her gaze downward, embarrassed by the harsh response.
"Any other questions."
"No sir," we said in unison.
"Good, now I'll hand over this assignment over to Yeoui. Head to the basement and get started, everyone."