Becoming The Strongest Using My Would-You-Rather System!-Chapter 59 - Association Head

The two walked down the street, heading straight for the Hunter Association.

’’So, how is everything now?’’ Theo asked, glancing at Owen.

Owen lifted his hand and wobbled it from side to side.

"So-so," he said.

He paused for a few seconds, contemplating something.

’’My body and everything is more than fine,’’ he finally added. ’’But it’s just my core and affinity that worry me.’’

Theo fell silent, nodding his head slowly.

’’Makes sense,’’ he said quietly. ’’It isn’t a normal situation after all.’’

’’That’s right,’’ Owen said, a hint of worry in his voice. ’’Even so... it feels like my affinity is still growing stronger every day while my core shows no signs of improvement.’’

Hearing that, Theo’s head snapped in Owen’s direction.

’’Growing stronger?’’ he asked, in disbelief.

Owen nodded once before glancing at the ground.

’’It keeps getting larger and darker in color.’’

Theo frowned slightly, thinking it over for a moment.

"...That’s weird," he admitted.

Before the atmosphere could sink any further, Owen suddenly straightened, letting out a small breath.

"Eh, whatever," he said, shrugging it off. "That’s why that Lady Rea invited me to get my body tested anyway."

Theo raised an eyebrow.

’’Tested?’’

’’Yeah,’’ Owen replied, his tone already much lighter. ’’Because my condition was so strange, she wants to properly test my body, core, and affinity.’’

He stretched his arms above his head as they kept walking.

’’Maybe I’ll be able to find out what’s going on then.’’

Theo stared at him for a moment, his mind churning as he thought about it.

’’That’s... probably a good idea,’’ he finally said.

After hearing that, Owen smiled and turned his head towards him.

’’You wanna get yours tested out at the same time?’’

Theo’s brows knitted together.

It had always been part of his plan to get it done eventually.

But... it didn’t feel right anymore.

His main affinity having evolved would be enough to stir up trouble for himself, but now that he’d awakened a second affinity at the Bronze Core stage?

’Won’t I become a massive walking target if that information leaks?’

After a few moments, he glanced back at Owen.

’’I’ll... need to think about it.’’

Owen glanced at him strangely.

’’You know it’s for free, right?’’

Theo let out a quiet breath.

’’That’s not really the problem,’’ he said.

Seeing his difficult expression, Owen decided not to linger on it any further.

Instead, he pointed at a tall building in the distance.

’’Look at that,’’ he said, his voice brimming with excitement. ’’We’re almost there!’’

Theo followed his gaze, his eyes landing on the Hunter’s Association building.

’I’ll have to make my decision later,’ he thought. ’Now I need to focus on this.’

A small smile grew on his face as he followed after Owen, who’d picked up his pace.

Without slowing down, the two of them headed straight for the entrance.

Owen pushed the doors open without hesitation, and Theo followed right behind him.

The moment they stepped inside, a wave of noise washed over them.

But—

Even though hunters moved all around them, the heavy pressure that had weighed on them during their first few visits was completely gone.

’We’ve grown,’ Theo thought, noticing it immediately.

A small smile grew on his face just thinking about it.

Without slowing down, the two of them moved deeper into the hall, their attention already locked on the reception counters ahead.

Seeing the small line in front of it, Owen clicked his tongue.

’’Of course,’’ he muttered.

Theo shrugged with a grin.

’’Could’ve been worse,’’ he said. ’’Remember the line with David at the front?’’

Owen’s face changed, a broad smile growing on it.

’’I remember punching him, yeah.’’

The two of them chuckled as they stepped in behind the last person and settled in without much fuss.

One by one, people were called forward, handed over their hunter IDs, and moved on again.

After a few minutes, it was finally their turn.

’’Good morning,’’ Theo greeted politely, sliding his Hunter’s ID across the counter. ’’We’re here to claim some rewards.’’

The young receptionist nodded politely, swiping the card through the scanner.

After hearing a faint beep, her expression changed to one of pure shock.

She glanced from the screen, to the ID, and finally back at Theo and Owen again.

’’W-What...?’’ she stuttered.

Theo and Owen glanced at each other, bewildered.

’’What did we do?’’ Owen mouthed towards Theo.

Theo raised his shoulders, not quite sure what was going on either.

Just then, an elderly man appeared behind the receptionist.

He wore a gentle smile on his face as he patted the girl on her back.

’’I’ll take these two with me,’’ he said softly. ’’You can continue with the other hunters.’’

The receptionist nodded quickly, still looking a little shaken as she stepped aside.

Theo and Owen exchanged another glance before following the elderly man.

He led them away from the main hall, past a set of doors, and into a quieter corridor.

"...This is already different," Owen muttered under his breath.

Theo didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the man in front of them.

After a short walk, they turned into a small office on the side.

’’Please,’’ the man said, gesturing to a set of chairs. ’’Have a seat.’’

The two of them nodded and sat down, still unsure what exactly was going on.

The man took a seat across from them, folding his hands together.

’’Let me introduce myself,’’ he said. ’’My name is Joop Halsa, the head of this Hunter’s Association branch.’’

Theo and Owen exchanged a quick glance.

The head of this branch?

Joop’s gaze lingered on them for a moment longer, observing them calmly.

Then he leaned back slightly.

"I’ll get straight to the point," he said. ’’The missions both of you completed were of high value but need to be kept quiet for now.’’

Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

’’Because of the Calamity Covenant?’’

Joop nodded, a soft smile still on his face.

’’Exactly. But that also means the rewards will be better.’’

Before he could say another word, Owen leaned forward, unable to hold back anymore.

’’So...’’ he started. ’’What are they?’’

Joop smiled faintly.

’’Quite impatient... but I like that.’’

He continued without pausing.

’’For your contributions, you will each have your Hunter’s rank upgraded to the Adept level and will receive an additional four hundred thousand dollars.’’

Theo and Owen looked at each other, Theo’s eyes widening as Owen’s mouth fell open.

Before they could say anything else, Joop chuckled, stroking his beard.

’’I’ve also put in a good word with my friend for young talents such as yourselves.’’