"I believe you."
Voss stood again, moving to the window.
"Which brings me to my offer. The Spectral Response Division needs individuals with your sensitivity and adaptability. We can provide training, resources, and legal authorization to hunt entities like the one that killed your caregiver."
The offer was tempting, almost suspiciously aligned with his goals.
"In exchange for what?"
"Your service when called upon. Your insights into spectral behavior. And complete transparency regarding your abilities and methods."
She turned to face him again.
"We don't expect exclusivity or full-time commitment, especially given your physical circumstances. But we do require honesty from our associates."
Honesty—the one thing Marcus couldn't provide without revealing his Lord of Contracts Origin skill and EP harvesting methods. The Transcendent Authority might accept skill evolution, but they would certainly question a system that rewarded death and destruction with power.
Eventually, he replied:
"I need time to consider."
Although he wanted to outright reject the proposal, doing so would only hint that he was hiding something.
To Marcus's dismay, Voss readily nodded.
"Of course. This isn't a decision to make lightly."
She returned to her desk and retrieved a small device, which she handed to him.
"This is a secure communication link. When you've decided, or if you encounter another spectral entity, activate it. It will connect you directly to me or another division specialist."
Marcus accepted the device, examining it briefly before pocketing it.
"Thank you."
"One more thing before you go."
Voss's expression became more serious.
"The Wraith you encountered yesterday wasn't random. It was hunting specifically in a Transcendent facility, which suggests intelligence and planning beyond what we typically observe in spectral entities."
"You also think it's the same one that killed Mrs. Abernathy?"
Marcus asked, though he already suspected the answer.
"Possible, though difficult to confirm without direct energy signature comparison."
Voss leaned against her desk.
"What concerns me is that after your confrontation, it might now be hunting you specifically. Wraiths rarely forget those who harm them."
"I'm counting on it."
Marcus replied before he could stop himself.
Voss's eyes narrowed slightly at his abrupt response.
"Revenge is a natural impulse, Mr. Thorne, but hunting spectral entities requires strategy and support. Even C-Ranks don't engage them alone if they can avoid it."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Marcus directed his wheelchair toward the door. He stopped at the exit, asking:
"Is there anything else, Specialist?"
"Just a word of advice."
Voss straightened, her posture shifting subtly to emphasize her authority.
"Whatever you decide regarding my offer, be careful with your evolved skill. Tempest, as you call it, has significant offensive potential. The Authority monitors energy signatures throughout the city. Unauthorized combat applications in public spaces will draw attention you might prefer to avoid."
The warning was clear. His recent activities had already been noticed by the Authority's energy monitors. If he continued developing his abilities independently, he risked further scrutiny and potential apprehension.
"Understood."
Marcus acknowledged, adding:
"I'll contact you when I've made my decision."
Voss nodded once, professionally.
"The receptionist will arrange transportation back to your residence if needed."
"I have that covered, but thank you."
Marcus exited the office, his mind already analyzing the implications of the meeting.
The Transcendent Authority knew more about his abilities than he had anticipated. They had been monitoring him, perhaps since his first skill crystal activation. Voss's offer presented both opportunity and risk—access to training and resources, but at the cost of transparency he couldn't afford.
As he navigated back to the reception area, Marcus expanded the system interface.
"Can the Transcendent Authority detect or access this system?"
He asked silently with a concerned expression.
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS COMPLETE]
[TERRA SYSTEM OPERATES ON FREQUENCIES OUTSIDE STANDARD DETECTION PARAMETERS]
[CONTRACTED SKILLS EMIT RECOGNIZABLE ENERGY SIGNATURES]
[ORIGIN SKILL: LORD OF CONTRACTS REMAINS UNDETECTABLE TO EXTERNAL SCANNING]
[RECOMMENDATION: LIMIT OBSERVABLE SKILL USE TO CAPABILITIES CONSISTENT WITH REGISTERED RANK]
This was reassuring. The system itself remained his secret, even if his contracted skills' effects could be observed and measured. As long as he maintained the fiction that Tempest was simply an evolved Wind skill, the true nature of his abilities might remain hidden.
Marcus messaged Devin for pickup, then waited in the building's lobby, processing everything he had learned. The Spectral Response Division's existence confirmed that encounters with entities like the Vitality Wraith weren't as rare as the public believed. The Authority was actively monitoring and managing such threats, which meant they possessed information that could be valuable for his quest for vengeance.
Accepting Voss's offer would provide access to that information, but at the cost of operating under supervision and scrutiny. Declining would preserve his independence but leave him without institutional support when he eventually confronted the Wraith again.
Neither option was ideal.
Devin arrived promptly, helping Marcus into the car with practiced efficiency.
"How'd it go?"
He asked as they pulled away from the Authority headquarters.
"Interesting."
Marcus replied, unsure how much to share. Eventually, he said:
"Specialist Voss offered me a position with a division that handles spectral entities."
"Seriously?"
Devin's eyes widened with excitement.
"That's incredible! The Spectral Response Division is super elite. Most people don't even know it exists. I can't believe you were offered a position with them."
Marcus glanced at him sharply.
"You know about it?"
Devin looked slightly embarrassed.
"I told you I follow Transcendent forums. There are rumors about specialized divisions within the Transcendent Authority. The spectral response team is like... the ghost hunters of the Transcendent world. They only recruit people with natural sensitivity to the spectral plane."
"Which apparently includes me."
Marcus mused.
"Makes sense after what happened yesterday."
Devin agreed as he navigated through afternoon traffic with casual skill. After a moment, he asked:
"So, are you going to accept?"
"I haven't decided."
Marcus replied, staring out the window at the passing buildings with narrowed eyes.
"There are complications."
Devin nodded, not pressing further. After a few minutes of comfortable silence, he asked:
"Where to? Back to your apartment?"
Marcus considered his options. He needed more EP to enhance his skills, particularly if he was going to operate independently of the Authority. The drawing method was functional but inefficient. He needed a better source—one that aligned with his ethical boundaries while providing greater yield.
An idea formed in his mind, one that might solve multiple problems simultaneously.
"Actually..."
He turned to Devin and requested:
"Could you take me to the technology recycling center? The one on Industrial Avenue?"
Devin looked surprised but adjusted their route without question.
"Sure. Any particular reason?"
"I have some old electronics to dispose of."
Marcus vaguely replied, the plan taking shape in his mind.
"And I'm interested in seeing what might be available there."
The technology recycling center occupied a sprawling warehouse in the city's industrial district. Unlike traditional junkyards, it specialized in processing electronic waste—computers, phones, appliances, and other devices discarded by consumers and businesses. Some items were refurbished for resale, others dismantled for valuable components, and the remainder processed for raw material recovery.
As they pulled into the facility's parking area, Marcus activated his Contract Visualization, curious about what he might see in a place dedicated to the end of technological existence.
The result was stunning. Golden threads of potential contracts filled his vision, connecting him to countless objects awaiting processing. Most were faint, indicating low compatibility or high EP cost, but the sheer volume was impressive. More importantly, many of these items were already destined for destruction—their existence would end regardless of his intervention.
"Want me to come in with you?"
Devin offered, expecting rejection.
Surprisingly, Marcus nodded.
"If you don't mind. I might need help selecting items."