After investigating for days, Kael and his friends got tired. They went to the guild bar and began to discuss. The guild had announced that adventurers are going missing again in H-Type city.
All the guild adventurers were ranked F to A and were not in the party.
"Man, it's not use. We are not getting any information!" said Noel, eating sandwitch as she looked hungry.
"It can't be helped, all we could gather was to collect some biography of victim but there isn't any single witness or any evidence. They were just last seen at guild bar which makes it even more hard to search for them." said Willy, exhausted while drinking water.
Kael was sitting silently while eating some snacks.
"But this case is now expanding even more. More guild members are being kidnapped it seems. Or simply went missing. It's just like last time. I hope they don't have another secret base or something." said Noel, doubting whether The Saints have another unit and place to kidnap members.
"Noel, although this might be a possibility. However there is something strange in this case. It looks as if only one person is involved." said Willy, catching Kael's attention as well.
"What is your basis on that?" asked Noel.
"Previously, The Saints kidnapped guild members regardless of their party size, ranks, and most importantly when they were seen last time." said Willy.
"So?" asked Noel.
"But something is wrong here. The Saints kidnapped all kinds of members from all ranks like S rank like you Noel. But here, the targets were only upto A rank. Furthermore, only the members who are solo are missing." explained Willy.
"Okay? But that doesn't explain much." said Noel.
"It explains that the perpetrator is either a single person or contains small group but they still don't have efficiency to kidnap them so they must target single guild members." said Willy.
"However, all these guild adventurers were only last seen at the guild bar. It means the moment they went out, they were being watched. It never happened last time, all members were seen in random areas before they kidnapped by Jeff's members or people who wanted reward to kidnap." continued Willy.
"I see...." listened Noel as she replied...
"First of all, they are capable of defeating A-Ranked member in one vs one or they are just clever enough to kidnap members who are on their own without a party. But still, if they just want to kidnap them without a fight, why bother ignoring higher ranked?" said Willy.
"I wonder why." asked Noel.
"It's simple, they don't have all necessary stuff or brain to kidnap easily which is why they don't target high rank above A or maybe they don't want to kidnap them at all. They might just want to kill them and remove all evidence. Think about it, why bother going through all the trouble just to kidnap them?" asked Willy.
"No....this can't be." said Noel, terrified as she spoke.
"What I am trying to say is....they are removing and instilling fear that those who try to find the truth shall be eliminated. That is the message perpetrator is hinting at. Of course they might not be that strong but they can do this so guild stops searching for them to avoid consequences after understanding the message." explained Willy.
"And also....this perpetrator is among us. From the guild." continued Willy.
"W-What!? But who could do that horrible thing!? You must be kidding me....right?" replied Noel, looking unease.
"It might be true Noel unfortunately....and it's either SSS-Ranked Michael or SSS-Ranked Issac. Because I have always seen these two around the victims so far at this guild bar right before the crime happened. Both of them stared at victims. But I wondered why they stared long at them only to know they are next victim." said Willy.
"That explains why the victims were seen last at the guild bar." continued Michael.
"M-Michael!? But he seemed like a kind person...!" asked Noel, desperately trying to resist this fact.
"We don't have enough evidence against him..."
Kael observed this carefully and realised that there is another variable which is another well respected SSS- Ranked Issac.
The receptionist suddenly called out to Kael.
"Hm? Did you do something or messed up, Kael?" asked Noel, grinning and teasing Kael.
Kael slightly glanced at Noel who was trying to recover her composure by having joking around and got up as he went to the receptionist.
"Here is the report i have collected.... please you must promise me that you will take responsibility if something were to happen." said Receptionist.
Kael nodded in response and took the report file with him.
As he went back on his seat, Willy asked Kael "What is that file you are holding onto?"
Kael handed over the files to Willy.
"This is..." muttered Willy as he read the contents.
The contents mentioned the database of his activities. Although everything looked normal but the report clearly showed that there was a gap.
All the records were present on when and where Michael had worked officially regarding the guild quests or missions.
However, there were no other official records since the time when solo guild members were starting to went missing. Even till the current date, there was no official tasks Michael had done.
The most important part was that the fourteen members who went missing before, they were all connected to each other as all of them were working together.
These fourteen members were often seen nearby Michael as if they were keeping the track of him.
However guild never took any actions against these fourteen members as they had never done anything else aside from keeping their eyes on Michael.
"Kael...did you asked the receptionist to get all these informations? But isn't it against the rules unless the case is extreme? Well, it doesn't matter. It seems receptionist had done thorough investigation and helped you after all." said Willy, surprised by Kael's actions.
"This might be enough, but the problem is where is Michael?" asked Noel.
"Um, I think you guys might want to find SSS- Ranked Michael. Can I go with you guys and look for him." asked a certain someone.
Upon seeing him, Willy was astonished.
"SSS- Ranked Issac...!? It's an honour...um are you also looking for Michael?" asked Willy, not realising since how long Issac was eavesdropping.
"Sorry I heard your conversations....hm so my suspicions on Michael were correct." said Issac, crossing his arms.
"What do you mean? Were you also suspicious of Michael!?" exclaimed Willy.
"In brief explanation...yes..." replied Issac.
----
To be continued...