High Hunter Society Headquarters – Seoul, 7:03 AM
The main chamber of the High Hunter Society buzzed with tension as Maria del Rosario's hologram flickered to life. Standing tall, her voice was sharp and precise, echoing through the grand hall filled with representatives from guilds across the globe.
> "The attack on Silver Halo was deliberate. Kim Hwan and his team infiltrated our guild during the Calamity Dragon's emergence. They overwhelmed us and stole the Dimensional Core. This was not random. It was the Dark Triad."
A collective murmur swept through the room.
> "They were behind everything—the chaos in Seoul, the dragon, the core theft. And if we do nothing, they will strike again. Harder."
She paused, narrowing her eyes.
> "I urge immediate investigation. Full surveillance. And prepare for escalation. This is no longer just a rogue group. It's war disguised in shadows."
The screen blinked out, leaving the council stunned.
---
Professor Kuroda's Boarding House – 8:12 AM
The kitchen was warm with morning sun, the scent of grilled fish and miso soup drifting through the room. Rover sat at the low table with Mina, Vex, Ayaka, and Professor Kuroda. It was peaceful—for a rare moment.
Rover quietly put down his chopsticks.
> "I'll be going on a raid today," he said.
The room froze.
Mina was the first to speak, lowering her tea cup. "But you just got back. Don't you want to rest more, Rover?"
Vex leaned forward, frowning. "Yeah, kid… isn't that too much for you?"
Professor Kuroda didn't say anything for a long moment. Then he adjusted his glasses and looked Rover in the eye.
> "Are you sure, Rover? You have time to rest. Nobody expects you to rush back out there. But… if that's your decision…"
"Then I won't stop you. I'll support you."
Rover nodded with quiet resolve. "Yes, Professor."
Ayaka gave him a crooked smile, trying to mask her worry. "Then just be careful, okay? You're not alone anymore."
She leaned forward, jabbing him in the forehead.
> "You have a family now, moron. So come back alive, alright?"
Rover grinned. "Yeah. I will. Thank you… all of you."
---
En Route – Hunter Raid Center, 9:05 AM
The car was silent except for the hum of the road. Professor Kuroda drove with one hand on the wheel, occasionally glancing at Rover in the passenger seat.
> "Don't lose yourself again," the professor said. "No one controls your fate now—not the world, not the system."
Rover clenched his fists. "I'm not going to be controlled again. Not this time."
---
Hunter Raid Center – Seoul Check-In Lobby
As Rover entered the bustling lobby, every head turned.
A murmur passed like a wave.
"Isn't that…?"
"Wait, that's the guy who fought the Calamity Dragon!"
"I saw him on the news—they called him the Demon of Seoul!"
"No guild crest? Is he solo?"
"Hey, do you have a guild? Wanna join ours?"
"You free for today's raid? We need someone like you!"
Hunters began swarming him, curious, excited, desperate.
He couldn't even speak. The noise blurred together—dozens of hands reaching out, voices stacking on top of each other. His heart pounded. Then—
A strong hand grabbed his arm.
He was yanked sideways and pulled into a small side room off the main lobby.
The door slammed shut.
Rover blinked as his eyes adjusted.
Standing before him was a tall figure with a sharp aura, a faint scar running down one eye, dressed in a clean black coat marked with Azure Dagger's insignia.
> "So," the man said with a smirk. "You're the Demon of Seoul."
Rover didn't respond.
The man crossed his arms.
> "Name's Cain Arven, vice-leader of Azure Dagger Guild. We've been watching you. And I'm here with an offer."
He stepped forward, voice lowering.
> "Not just for a raid. For something bigger. You interested?"
---
To Be Continued...