They descended the winding staircase leading to the lower floor, the sound of their boots echoing in the otherwise empty space. The glass door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the shattered training ground ahead.
Most of the scientists had already fled—fragments of glass still littered the floor where Kaito and Raito had clashed, each mark a reminder of their ferocity.
Raito looked toward them as they entered. "So… are you here to fight me too?" His voice was low, cold, but there was fatigue behind it. "Even after leveling up… my body feels heavy. My SP's higher, but my stamina's fading fast."
He steadied his breathing, his expression hardening. "That last battle… if my dagger hadn't grazed him—if the venom hadn't kicked in—I would've lost. A Rank A was already pushing me to my limit."
His eyes narrowed as he watched Takura step forward. "And now… a former Rank S Hunter stands before me."
Raito tightened his grip on the dagger, mana flickering faintly around him.
But then—
