Chapter 33: The Poachers

Chapter 33: The Poachers

One day earlier, in the northern part of Harmone.

Deep within a forest lies an area with colossal trees, as tall as skyscrapers and as wide as small building complexes. High up in the branches of one tree is a building, perfectly designed around the branches it’s built on. An elevator system leads down to the base of the tree.

Inside the building, a plump man with brown hair in a buzz cut walks through a gray hallway, straining himself as he carries a stack of two wooden boxes. He wears a plain red uniform, tight against his round frame, and appears to be in his 30s.

Poacher – Grode.

“What kind of garbage is in these boxes?” Grode asks, frowning in irritation.

Another person enters the hallway from the direction Grode is walking toward. The man’s long gray hair flows down to his lower back, and his long legs allow him to stand taller than most, easily towering over Grode. He wears a plain blue uniform. Although his hair is gray, he appears to be in his 20s.

Poacher – Raider.

“It’s food, my guy,” Raider replies with amusement. “You should know this by now.”

“In a wooden box?”

“Yes, in a wooden box. It’s packaged food. Take the boxes to the kitchen. Sheesh.”

Raider walks on past Grode, who continues walking forward into a dining room with a long rectangular table, four chairs on each side with one chair at the end. One person sits alone at the table, a bald man with scars all over his face. He wears a brown vest with a white shirt underneath, and gray pants. He appears to be in his 40s.

Poacher – Shotsteed

Shotsteed sinks his teeth into a fried chicken leg, taking a large bite out of it. Speaking with his mouth full, he says, “Ah, I see the food shipment has arrived.”

“Am I the only one who was unaware that there was food in these boxes?” Grode says in embarrassment.

Shotsteed shrugs and continues chewing.

From another opening that leads to the kitchen, a young woman with shoulder-length pink hair leans against the door frame with a ladylike posture, and keeping her left arm constantly tucked behind her back. She appears to be in her early 20s.

Poacher – Easia.

“If it makes you feel better, Grode, nobody informed me either,” she says cheerfully. “Though, I’m also not the one tasked with bringing it in.”

Still carrying the boxes, Grode slumps forward, frowning even harder. “Yeah… That makes me feel better…” he says before sighing. He carries the boxes past Easia and into the kitchen.

“Are the boxes that heavy?” Easia asks.

“Yes, yes they are,” Grode groans.

A man, who has dark blue hair and long bangs, stands in the kitchen with the pantry doors open. He wears a green uniform and appears to be in his 40s.

Poacher – Edgar.

Edgar notices Grode and smiles. “Ah! The supplies have arrived! Well done, Grode.”

“Where do you want me to put these?” Grode asks while straining himself.

“Just set them down right where you are,” Edgar replies.

Grode sets the wooden boxes down and breathes a sigh of relief, sweat dripping from his forehead.

Another man walks into the kitchen from another entrance, giving off thug vibes with his spiky brown hair and forest green shirt that has the word ‘Troublemaker’ on it. A lit cigar sits between his lips. Completing his getup is his ripped blue jeans with holes around the knees. He appears to be in his 30s with his muscular frame.

Poacher – Sen.

“Is the food ready yet?” Sen asks with his eyes narrow and mouth open in a scowl.

Edgar glares at Sen. “How many times do I have to tell you not to smoke in the kitchen?! In fact, do it outside!”

Sen’s face stays in his resting scowl look as he responds. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Honestly, if you’re one of Tazer’s big shots, why are you the chef?”

Edgar smiles proudly. “Being an expert cook is a wonderful skill to have! It’s not just about being close to the boss!”

Sen closes his lips on the cigar again to continue smoking. He blows out another puff before saying, “Okay, ‘chef’, I hope the food is ready soon.”

He turns around and walks away, leaving Edgar, Grode, and Easia staring after him.

“He’s a real jerk sometimes,” Easia remarks.

“He doesn’t wear that ‘Troublemaker’ shirt for no reason,” Edgar replies with a sigh. “If he’s that hungry, he could just cook something himself like Shotsteed did.”

***

Sen walks into a storage room full of gas canisters. There, he finds a young woman, who has mostly short and flat black hair with a small tuft banded up, kneeling close to the floor as she gathers canisters. Her skin is tanned and has what looks like four pronged Ws tattooed under each eye. She appears to be in her 20s.

Poacher – Alga.

“What are you doing in here, Alga?” Sen asks, cigar still in his mouth.

Alga glares back at him, gritting her teeth. “Don’t smoke in here, you moron!” she hisses.

Sen drops his cigar on the floor and smothers it with his shoe to put it out.

“Anyway, I’m gathering gas to refill our vehicle,” Alga states.

“We don’t have an active job right now,” Sen replies.

Alga rolls her eyes. “Says you… We could be hired for a new job at any moment.”

Someone else walks into the room. She’s a woman with blonde hair tied into a ponytail. She wears glasses and a green uniform. She appears to be in her 30s, but stands with a commanding presence.

Poacher – Naysha.

“If you two aren’t busy, the boss would like us all to gather in his office,” she says with authority.

“It better be for a good reason,” Sen growls.

Alga chuckles. “It may be for a new job.”

“He hasn’t told me why yet,” Naysha says.

***

A few minutes later.

The eight poachers have gathered in an office room with a brown computer desk against a wall. The computer screen is tall and wide, perfect for a group of people to all watch. Seated at the desk is a man with black hair that flows down to the middle of his back and has a short beard. He wears a top hat on his head, and a green uniform with a diamond up top near his collar. He appears to be in his 40s.

Poacher Leader – Tazer.

“I hope you’re all doing well, because we are getting a new job,” Tazer says firmly.

The other poachers walk around the desk to stand behind him as they gaze at the computer screen.

On the screen are the faces of four people. The first is a bearded man who looks like he is in his 40s. He stares at the poachers with a stern expression.

Hawk Clan Leader – Marcal.

The second is a bald man who looks like he is in his 50s. He gazes at the poachers with intrigue.

Hawk Clan Leader – Gard.

The third is an old man with gray hair and a gray mustache. Despite his old age, there’s a sharpness in his eyes revealing little patience for funny business.

Hawk Clan Leader – Eustace.

The fourth is a woman who has her hair in a bun and appears to be in her 40s. Her eyes do not sway serious or happy, just calm.

Hawk Clan Leader – Agatha.

“We have a job we want to hire you for,” Marcal declares. “It involves the Eagle Clan and their home city, Kunasha.”

The Hawk Clan leaders are plotting something against Zeth’s home city!! Just what do they have in mind?!

Chapter 33 END

To be Continued in Chapter 34: If You Harm Him…