Military trucks rumbled across the cracked docks, soldiers shouting orders as they set up command posts, barriers, and checkpoints. The smell of burnt oil and blood filled the air. A soldier stood atop a crate, gathering the hunters around.
"No one knows exactly what's happening," the rep said, voice rough through the speaker. "All we know is—a portal cracked open. A big one. Your mission's simple: find and eliminate the boss."
A hunter in a red jacket raised his hand, scowling. "Where's the damn boss?"
The soldier said nothing, eyes hard.
Murmurs broke out. Angry ones.
"How the hell are we supposed to find something we can't see?" another hunter barked. "This isn't a goddamn hide-and-seek game!"
Someone else muttered about it being a suicide mission. The tension was thick.
A tall man with silver hair and a lazy smile stepped forward. He wore a sharp black suit, hands in his pockets. "Why not just use your fancy machines?" he asked, mockingly. "Oh, wait—" He chuckled. "You can't."
The soldier's jaw tensed. "Everything happened too fast. Our trackers, drones, and scanners were wiped out in the first wave."
The man in the suit rolled his eyes. "Figures."
Hunters grumbled louder, complaining about being sent in blind. Some cursed the military outright.
The suited man whistled, then said loud enough for everyone, "If you're scared, drug your asses outta here. No shame in knowing you're weak."
The crowd shifted awkwardly. He turned to the soldiers, smirking. "Lucky for you, I'm here. I can track mana signatures. But—" he added, "we're gonna need to get a hell of a lot closer to the city."
Meanwhile, Ethan walked down the ruined street, sneakers quiet against the cracked asphalt. His black-and-white shoes were stained with dust and blood.
Above him, men crouched on broken street lamps like twisted gargoyles, others lurking in shadows along the sidewalks. Their glowing eyes tracked him.
"He smells like us... but different," one muttered. "No hunger, though. Weird."
Their leader leaned forward, earrings dangling from every part of his face, chains clinking softly. He grinned, shark-like.
"You're bold," he said. "Sneaking into the base, huh? We were ordered to wait until they gave the green light to move in."
Ethan stayed silent, eyes sharp under his hood.
The man tilted his head. "Tell me, how'd you get your abilities, stranger?"
Ethan didn't answer. His gaze was colder than the air around them.
Back at the base, tension weighed heavy in the air.
Inside the main command tent, the general stood stiffly, arms crossed, facing a man he knew well.
The man's name was Ren — sharp-eyed, built like a fighter but carried himself with the calmness of a veteran. Ren was the head of the Hunters Association on the island, and everyone in the room knew he wasn't someone you underestimated.
Ren stood with his small team — two fierce-looking women and three tough men — all of them radiating raw confidence.
The general let out a tired breath. "Ren... this is bad."
Ren nodded once. "No kidding."
The general pointed at the rough map pinned to the board. "What we're dealing with... They look human. Mostly. But they've got multiple abilities. Strength. Speed. Some can regenerate. They're destructive—worse than regular beasts."
He hesitated.
"Some reports even say they infect victims... but we're not sure how it works yet."
Ren frowned, studying the map. "Any pattern?"
The general shook his head. "No. Everything's chaos. Our machines got wiped in the first wave. That's why we need you to guide the hunters. Keep 'em alive. Keep them moving."
Ren scratched his jaw. "With over a hundred hunters from different guilds? That's gonna be a nightmare."
He jabbed his finger at the map. "We split the city into sectors. Fast sweeps, tight teams. No lone wolves."
The general nodded, grim.
"And Ren..." He looked him straight in the eye. "We're counting on you. If this spreads past the island... we're screwed."
Ren gave a half-smile — cold and confident. "Relax, old man. I got it."
The press were like sharks, circling, waiting for any slip of information. Cameras clicked, notepads scratched, and eager voices shouted questions.
"Do you think the Hunters will be enough to contain the outbreak at Verusa Island, Mr. Elias?" one reporter asked.
Elias gave a tight smile, adjusting his tie before answering. "Verusa is our neighbor. We've been preparing for this kind of situation. As a nation, we stand united, and I have full confidence that our Hunters will handle the situation. We'll provide aid where needed, but no other state should intervene."
The questions kept coming, but Elias was ready, calm under the weight of the pressure.
Then a reporter raised their hand again. "What about the so-called 'E-Rank Killer' that has been making headlines? Do you think he's a threat?"
At this, Elias paused. He turned, eyes flickering with a fleeting thought as he turned his head, the words hanging in the air.
"So that's what they call you now?" he thought, the words running through his mind like a cold, dismissive laugh.
Marcus, standing off to the side, caught his eye, and Elias gave him a small nod.
He returned his gaze to the crowd. "We'll focus on the task at hand, and we'll deal with every challenge that comes our way. No one is above the mission."
The room seemed to breathe as Elias wrapped up his statement.
Meanwhile, back at Verusa Island
The sound of boots against cracked pavement echoed as a group of hunters walked through the streets. The mood was tense, a few hunters scowling while others muttered complaints under their breath.
A few broke off from the group, disappointed and frustrated. "This is bullshit," one of them muttered, throwing his bag over his shoulder. "I thought this was supposed to be a goldmine. We came here to make money, not babysit some damn dungeon break."
Others voiced similar sentiments, shaking their heads and heading for the docks to leave. They thought they'd strike it rich with a quick, clean sweep. Instead, they were walking into chaos, and the potential payout wasn't worth the risk anymore.
The frustration hung in the air like smoke, and the mood was dark.
Back at the command center, Ren took control, the scene shifting to a new tactical plan being laid out. He stood at the front, his voice steady, commanding.
"Listen up," he said, his voice carrying over the low hum of the room. "This is going to be messy, but we're not running. We can't afford to. We are here to control the situation. I know some of you are scared, but I also know that you're capable. And you're here for a reason."
He looked around the room, meeting the eyes of every hunter. The atmosphere shifted. These weren't just lost souls looking for a paycheck — they were fighters.
"You follow the plan, and we do this together. We'll get through it." He nodded to a few key hunters. "Now, let's make it happen. Stay sharp, stay focused
The air was thick with the sound of men preparing for the fight. Military vehicles rumbled to life, their engines a low growl as soldiers moved into position. Tanks, armored trucks, and heavily armed infantry prepared for the upcoming conflict, their focus unwavering.
The head of the military looked to his team, his voice gruff. "Remember, we may not be able to stop the portal, but we'll sure as hell slow it down."
He turned to Ren, who had entered the room just moments before.
"Ren," the military head grunted. "You're in charge of tracking the boss. Let's get this done. We've got to make sure these damn things don't spread."
Ren gave him a short nod. "I've got it covered."
The hunt was on.