United States, Christopher Reed's Mansion—Earlier That Evening
The spacious sitting room echoed with silence as Deputy Director Adam White and Ms. Sellner sat across from Christopher Reed. The American national-level hunter leaned forward, fingers laced, lips pursed in mild annoyance. His wavy brown hair, still damp from his evening workout, framed his chiseled face as he spoke.
"You brought me out of bed for what exactly?" Christopher said, tapping the side of his Croc-clad foot impatiently. "Some vague vision?"
Ms. Sellner's brow was tense. "Not just vague. It was precise. I saw your death."
Christopher leaned back, laughing. "Ms. Sellner, I appreciate all you've done. Really. I wouldn't be where I am without your help early on, but come on—" he gestured toward himself—"do I look like someone who's going to get killed soon? I'm a National Rank Hunter. One of the strongest humans alive. You know how rare that is."
Her expression didn't change.
"Even if—and it's a big if—someone could kill me, what would I even do? Call the cops? Beg the Association?" His voice grew more serious, leaning in. "Let's say I take your vision seriously. Who the hell would I ask for help? The cops"?
Sellner answered with measured calm. "Sung Jinwoo. And Po."
That silenced him. Christopher's smirk faltered as he regarded her with narrowed eyes. "That Korean kid? And the… dragon guy?" He huffed, standing up. "No offense, but I've seen what Jinwoo can do. He's strong, but that strong? And Po? Half the time I don't even know whether he's just reckless or powerful beyond measure and doesn't care for shit."
She stood too. "Then maybe you'd better pray they're on your side when the time comes."
Japan – After the Gate
The air outside the fallen S-Rank Gate was crisp and humming with mana residue. Jinwoo stood atop a crumbled high-rise, overlooking the devastation. Po floated beside him, arms folded, his eyes distant as if still mentally wrestling with Legia's conversion.
Jinwoo exhaled deeply.
"If Po hadn't been there… If he didn't contain Legia…"
He didn't finish the thought. Instead, he nodded at the Radiant Shadow Monarch, whose golden-scaled dragons still shimmered with fading energy across the battlefield. A silent acknowledgment passed between them.
News spread like wildfire. The giants were gone. Two hunters—Po and Sung Jinwoo—had cleared the threat without a single civilian casualty. Social media exploded with speculation:
"Two new national-level hunters?"
"Did you see those dragons?!"
"Jinwoo's got an army—but the other guy has a pantheon."
Unlike Jeju Island, this wasn't just a regional crisis. The world took notice. Even the lone giant that crossed the sea to China was obliterated by Liu Zhigang himself.
In an unexpected turn, Chairman Matsumoto of the Japanese Hunters Association turned himself in. Some speculated remorse; others, a political move. No one knew for sure.
United States – Maryland, Government Ball
Crystal chandeliers glittered above as the ballroom filled with S-Rank Hunters and political elites. But all eyes turned as Thomas Andre arrived, wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt, tan pants, and black shades. A large S-rank stepped forward to greet him, too enthusiastically.
Thomas yanked the man's necktie off and inspected it.
"…Too tight," he muttered before flinging it over his shoulder and walking off.
The party fizzled after that.
Korea, A certain Hospital
Jinho stared at his father's unconscious form, his heart trembling beneath his chest.
"He… he's not waking up…"
The head butler beside him said nothing, only placed a steadying hand on the young man's shoulder. They turned to leave—but Jinho froze, glancing behind as if he had heard something. Then, shaking his head, he followed the butler out.
Moments later, the door creaked open again.
Jinwoo and Po entered the room in silence. Machines beeped steadily as they approached Yoo Myunghan's bedside.
Po casually flicked his wrist, a glowing bottle materializing in his hand. The liquid inside shimmered red like molten rubies. He tossed it to Jinwoo, who caught it and uncorked the bottle with a smooth twist.
The red potion poured gently into Yoo Myunghan's mouth.
As they walked off, Po and Jinwoo shared a single thought.
"Might be a little early, but... happy birthday, Jinho."
USA – Christopher Reed's Mansion
Night draped the mansion in velvet silence.
Christopher jolted awake, senses flaring like alarms. Something was wrong.
He slipped into a robe, feet gliding over marble floors as he moved through the halls. The air was too quiet.
He reached for a glass of wine from a nearby tray, then smashed it onto the floor. The silence remained. No echo. No crash. A barrier?
"Who's there?" he barked.
A swirl of purple mana bloomed before him, revealing a man with sharp features and a sinister smile. Tarnak.
"Apparently, you gain nothing by going easy on humans..."
Christopher narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you?"
But the man ignored him, eyes raised towards something beyond Christopher Reed.
"...Oh brilliant fragment of light..."
Christopher's temper flared.
"I'm talking to you, jackass!"
The man finally met his gaze. "Shh. I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to the one above, the one connected to you."
A pulse of mana surged around Christopher as his body shifted—his spiritualized state awakening in full force.
"Do I look like a joke to you?! One of you is going to die tonight!"
A moment of stillness.
Then the remaining two stepped into the light, making for quite the terrifying trio.
Rakan—wild hair, tan skin, glowing eyes, and silver pelts.
Tarnak—pristine coat, green eyes that glowed lime in the dark, dressed like royalty with murder on his mind.
Querehsha—voluptuous, alien, inhumanly beautiful, her crimson gaze dripping with hunger.
Christopher's expression shifted. Three of them?
Still, he smirked, electricity dancing on his fingertips.
"Come on, then, let's throw hands!"
Explosions lit the mansion's windows. Fire licked at the edges of priceless paintings. Marble shattered. The sky lit with colors never meant for human eyes.
And from deep within the manor...
The battle had begun.
AN: Sorry for the lack of chapters recently; I've been busy with life recently, but I think chapters should come more often now, but no promises.