The rain in Seoul was thin, barely touching the streets, but the tension in the air was thick—like lightning waiting to strike. Word spread quickly through the high circles of the awakened world: Valentin Roux, hybrid psychic and leader of Étoile Sanglante, had made his move. His destination? The towering headquarters of The Celestial Order.
A convoy of black sedans stopped at the base of the guild's skyscraper, and Valentin stepped out, dressed in a pristine white coat, gloves still on. He looked more like a surgeon than a guild leader. Cold. Clean. Calculating.
Inside the top floor conference room, the Celestial Order's core members had already gathered. Christoff Erickson, the Mind Emperor, stood at the window, his presence towering despite his calm demeanor. Naiomi Sasaki, Vice Leader and Gravity Queen, leaned against the wall with arms crossed, her sharp gaze locked on the door. Beside them stood Roger Wilson — the Infernal Vanguard, Martin Saunders — the Iron Fortress, and Hestia Roseberg — the Blade Dancer.
As Valentin entered, the temperature in the room seemed to drop.
"Valentin Roux," Christoff greeted, not turning. "You've come far. What business does Étoile Sanglante have with Korea?"
Valentin's eyes swept the room, briefly acknowledging each SSS-rank hunter before resting on Christoff. "I'm looking into a boy named Rover."
The name drew reactions—subtle but present. Roger raised an eyebrow. Hestia's expression didn't shift, but her fingers twitched slightly.
"Why?" Naiomi asked flatly.
Valentin gave a calm smile. "Because that boy holds something unnatural. I've felt his aura. Psychic, yes, but tainted. Demonic. A power that shouldn't exist."
Martin stepped forward. "He saved lives. He cleared the double dungeon. That alone earns him our respect."
"Respect is earned over time, not in one day," Valentin countered. "I'm not here to start conflict. But I will learn what he is. One way or another."
Christoff turned to face him at last, his expression unreadable. "You'll do nothing without our consent. He is under our protection. And you know how we handle threats."
Valentin's calm broke for a heartbeat. "We'll see who protects whom, Mind Emperor."
---
Across the city, the Dark Triad moved. In the shadows of a broken district, the core members regrouped.
Ried Stone stood under a cracked overpass, his aura dark and pulsing. His eyes burned with history. With memory. With rage.
"We move now," he ordered. "Everyone, regroup."
Kim Hwan approached, his smile curious. "Why are we moving now?"
Ried's response was cold and ominous. "You'll know soon."
Dao grinned. "Finally. Some fun. Let's see how many screams we get before sunrise."
Yao nodded with a quiet chuckle. "Been getting bored just watching. Time to sharpen our blades."
Dr. Arlen, adjusting a syringe, muttered, "I've waited to see that boy's true form. Let's see how much of a monster he really is."
Wretch twitched and giggled from the corner. "Crawling chaos... I smell it... like blood on black marble..."
Ried's voice cut through the chaos. "Valentin's not who you think he is. He looks clean, but he's a killer. Corrupt like us. Just wearing finer gloves. I've seen what he's done."
Kim Hwan's expression darkened.
---
Later that night, outside a quiet, rented meeting hall near the Celestial Order headquarters, the storm came.
Valentin, Christoff, and Ried stood in the same space. Three predators in one cage.
Valentin folded his arms. "I didn't expect you here, Ried."
Ried stepped forward, smirking. "Old friends never stay apart for long."
Christoff stood between them, calm but unwavering. "This isn't the battlefield yet."
"Not yet," Ried said. "But it's coming."
Lightning cracked above them, a silent omen for the chaos to come.
To be continue...