...
"It was nothing. If you hadn't sent me a warning, I wouldn't have been able to see something as incredible as that."
He had only been able to store such images in his Gift because Jain had warned him, and he quickly moved to where they were.
Using his ability to move through the shadows, it was quite easy to stay away while watching the entire interaction between the three without being discovered.
Cheok, who was about to complain, missed his chance, as the boss had already moved on to the main topic, the reason she had called all the troupe members to a meeting.
"Raise your hand if you see enough potential to help us..."
However, the vote did not begin, as a shrill female voice quickly interrupted.
"By the way, boss..."
Boss stared at the source of the voice, a beautiful Caucasian woman.
"When did we become a group that needed to meet to analyze some newbie?"
Her complaint quickly clashed with a man's gentle voice.
"I think he has potential. The most important thing is that I like the fact that he doesn't have parents, the only problem is his connection to that guy's granddaughter."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Cheok didn't understand what that could mean.
"If you don't have people by your side, you start to give yourself over to other things. For example: we may not be able to give honor, but we could give a lot of money."
The man explained calmly.
"Ah! He's dating Chae Joochul's granddaughter, so he won't be short of money."
Still feeling a touch of shame because everyone had watched him get beaten up by a child, Cheok finally seemed to understand.
The Chameleon Troupe was one of the few groups listed on the Hero Association's violet list. However, only the name of the group was known to the public, and the identities of its members remained completely hidden.
The Chameleon Troupe guaranteed the freedom of its members. They could live their lives as they pleased. Only when there was work to be done did the members gather or work in teams to complete missions.
"So what? You want to call him? A kid who could be as dangerous as he is beneficial to us?"
Jain was still wary of everything about Theo.
"We're talking strictly about potential and abilities... He was able to do something that only the old black man could do..."
The short-haired woman explained.
"Quiet."
Boss crushed the growing debate among the members.
"This man..."
In fact, the Chameleon Troupe was like a group of mercenaries. Of course, their goal was much greater than making money and living a luxurious life. But that didn't mean their goal was unattainable.
To achieve their goal, the Chameleon Troupe did what needed to be done at the right time. Currently, their goal was to kill the traitor.
"We may have confirmed the power of anti-magic."
Boss glanced at Droon.
Upon receiving his gaze, Droon projected another video.
The man in the video was standing still, and then, when a red glow took over his eyes, Jain's Gift completely disappeared.
"...That. How did he do that?"
Someone muttered in disbelief.
"I don't know... But I'd say it has something to do with his eyes. Did you guys see that?"
Said another.
People with abilities beyond those granted by their Gifts were rare, but more common in the world than it seemed.
Therefore, many there treated it as a distinct ability.
"Still... I think it's illogical to want to put someone who is clearly as dangerous as that guy in our group."
Bringing Theo Sagan into the Chameleon Troupe would be like bringing a wild tiger into a sheep pen. And Jain was afraid of that.
"Like I said, Jain, the boss didn't say we'd recruit him right away. She asked if he had 'potential'. At least in my eyes, he seems to have plenty. After all, you and Cheok know better than we do."
Faced with the man's sarcastic response, Jain glared at him angrily.
"All right, let's say we bring him here later. Black is the only color we have, so will he get that spot?"
Black was not a color that suited a newcomer and unknown.
Black was the color of the man who betrayed the previous boss. At the same time, it was the color of the "strongest member" of the Chameleon Troupe. That rule had remained unchanged for over 20 years.
"...Then I'll take that color."
At that moment, a giant man spoke up. It was Cheok Jungyeong, with his usual enthusiasm and craziness.
"Rejected. You're too stupid."
A man with long hair rejected him immediately.
"I also reject it. I'm stronger."
Jain exclaimed, also disagreeing.
"So what do you bastards want to do?"
"Are there no others? Are we just going to ignore Kim Suho, Shin Jonghak, and that kid who uses a firearm?"
Even if Suho's ideals didn't align with theirs, that didn't mean they should cast him aside. Besides, there was still Jonghak, someone they had been monitoring for quite some time, and Kim Hajin, whom they suspected had undergone an ascension.
"Let's vote on them next. This discussion is about who we will select as candidates."
The troupe members who had remained silent began to speak one by one. Their voices overlapped, causing the Chief a headache.
She spoke in a muffled voice.
"Raise your hands."
Everyone immediately quieted down.
"We are voting."
With no other choice, the troupe members began to vote.
9:1
Jain, who had already expressed her objection, was the only one who voted against it.
The other members, including Cheok, voted in favor.
"Humph!"
Jain snorted, clearly dissatisfied with the result.
"Just don't say I didn't warn you..."
...
Author: "Good morning! Hello! I think many people here must have noticed the new posting style, right? I hope this doesn't discourage you. I'm posting this way because I realized that for me, it's much better...
I hope you enjoy the chapters."