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Chapter 5 - Chapter 5: The Mysterious Rex

Chapter 5: The Mysterious Rex

The night still buzzed with tension from what had happened—the talking rex, the flames that barely missed, the teleportation. Smoke still lingered in the streets when Rhian Dakoba stood frozen, his amber eyes reflecting the fading sparks from his attack. He clenched his fists, muttering, "That thing… it wasn't ordinary."

Beside him, Tensho imura felt his chest tighten. "It talked, Rhian. REXES don't talk."

Renjiro luminara swore under his breath. "Man, I thought I'd seen everything. Guess not."

Akiko Umbraxis, calm but visibly shaken, placed a hand on Tensho's shoulder. "We should go. It's getting late."

Rhian nodded, flames dying around his fists. "We'll tell the Hunter Association tomorrow. They need to hear this."

And just like that, the night swallowed them—each step home echoing against the heavy silence of disbelief.

---

The Next Morning

Tensho woke up to sunlight spilling across his face. For a moment, he thought it was just a dream, but then he remembered—the rex's grin, the child, Rhian's flames.

"Mom?" he called, yawning as he walked downstairs. His mother was asleep on the couch, her hand loosely gripping a photo of his late father. He smiled softly. "Guess you were waiting up again, huh?"

He grabbed a quick bite, packed his bag, and stepped outside just as Rhian appeared, hands in his pockets, looking like he hadn't slept either.

"Morning," Rhian said flatly.

"You're early," Tensho replied.

"Didn't sleep. We're heading to Renjiro's first."

They picked up Renjiro, who was still brushing his teeth when they arrived. "You guys couldn't wait five minutes?"

"Nope," Rhian said. "We're going to the Hunter Association."

"Wait—without Akiko?"

"She's next," Tensho said.

They stopped by Akiko's house next. She was waiting outside, stretching her arms. "Finally. I thought you'd never show."

Renjiro groaned. "How are you always so energetic?"

Akiko smirked. "Clan Umbraxis secret—don't sleep, just suffer beautifully."

---

The Hunter Association

The four walked through the towering gates of the Hunter Association (HA). Guards in sleek armor saluted them lazily—clearly not taking the teenage students seriously. Inside, the hall was enormous, glowing with crystal lights and humming screens displaying recent monster hunts.

They approached the main desk. Behind it sat Hunter Captain Garo, a burly man with scars running down his face and a bored expression.

"Kids, this isn't the academy," he grunted.

Rhian stepped forward. "We need to report a talking rex sighting. It kidnapped a child last night."

The man's expression didn't change. "A talking rex? What next, a flying fish with powers?" He laughed and looked at his colleagues.

Renjiro's fists clenched. "You think this is funny? A kid's gone!"

"Relax, boy," Garo said lazily. "We'll look into it."

But as they left, Tensho overheard Garo whisper to another hunter, "Kids making up stories now. Talking rex—ha!"

---

An Investigation Begins

Outside the HA building, Tensho kicked a rock hard enough to crack the pavement.

"I knew they wouldn't believe us," he muttered.

Renjiro cracked his knuckles. "Then we'll find proof."

Akiko's eyes gleamed. "Finally, something exciting again."

Rhian frowned. "This isn't a game. We don't know what that rex was."

Tensho turned to him. "You said it yourself—it wasn't normal. That's all the more reason to figure it out."

After asking around, they found the missing boy's parents at the local police station, pleading desperately with officers who barely paid attention. The father's voice was hoarse. "Please, my son—he's only five!"

Tensho couldn't stand it anymore. "Why aren't you doing anything?" he shouted.

A cop glared. "Watch your tone, kid. We're doing our job."

Rhian stepped in front of Tensho, eyes cold. "Your job is to protect people, not mock them."

The parents, desperate, invited them to their home to talk privately. There, over tea, they shared everything.

The mother's hands shook as she held a photograph. "His name is Jay. He's only five. He doesn't have powers—he was born in the Libra Province, where few people awaken abilities. He loves drawing rexes. Said he wanted to befriend one someday…"

Her voice broke. Akiko placed her hand over the woman's. "We'll find him. I promise."

---

The Investigation Site

The four returned to the alley where Jay was taken. The smell of smoke still lingered from Rhian's fireball. The walls were marked with deep claw scratches—but something was off.

Renjiro crouched. "These aren't from an ordinary rex. They're too… deliberate."

Akiko's eyes narrowed. "And look—footprints. Human-sized."

Rhian frowned. "No rex leaves human prints."

Suddenly, the ground pulsed with faint light.

"What's—" Tensho began, but before he could finish, the earth beneath them glowed with strange runes.

Rhian's eyes widened. "Everyone—back up!"

Too late.

A blinding flash swallowed them whole.

---

The Dungeon

Tensho groaned, opening his eyes to pitch-black walls. The air was cold and damp. "Ugh… where are we?"

Beside him, Akiko stirred. " i think its a dungeon. I can smell the ARCIS density—it's old."

He stood, feeling the ground tremble faintly. "Where's Rhian and Renjiro?"

"They must've been separated when we got pulled in."

A roar echoed through the corridor—a rex, but its voice was distorted, almost human. "Flee… or die…"

Tensho tensed. "They talk here too?"

Akiko smirked. "Then let's make them regret it."

On the other side of the dungeon, Rhian and Renjiro stood back-to-back. Rhian's flames flared to life, reflecting off the walls. "You good?"

Renjiro grinned. "Always. Let's clean up."

They were immediately surrounded by three rexes—each one larger than the last. Renjiro dashed forward, summoning twin energy blades. He sliced through the first rex's leg, while Rhian slammed his fist into the ground, sending up pillars of fire that engulfed the others. The heat was intense, the air warped around them.

One rex lunged at Rhian's back—but Renjiro spun, blocking with his arm. "Behind you!"

"Got it."

A massive flame burst consumed the creature, leaving nothing but ashes.

Rhian wiped his brow. "Nice save."

"Don't mention it. You owe me lunch."

Meanwhile, Tensho and Akiko were struggling. The rexes here were smarter—they coordinated attacks. Tensho tried to swing, but his strikes did nothing. Akiko created a wall of shadows, pushing them back temporarily.

"They're too many," Tensho panted.

"Then we use my last resort," Akiko said. She touched his shoulder, and the world turned black.

"Akiko—what did you—"

"Shadow form," she said simply. Their bodies faded into silhouettes, intangible and unseen. They slipped past the monsters undetected, through a stone door at the end of the corridor.

Inside, they found Rhian and Renjiro waiting, surrounded by glowing crystals.

"Took you long enough," Renjiro joked.

Before Tensho could respond, a deep, mocking voice filled the chamber.

---

The Voice in the Dark

"Well, well," it said, dripping with amusement. "Four little intruders in my home. How delightful."

The shadows rippled, forming an enormous silhouette—part man, part rex.

Akiko drew her weapon. "Who are you?"

The voice laughed. "Does it matter? You'll either die here… or rot in eternity."

The doors slammed shut. Darkness poured in like smoke.

Tensho and the others tried to use their powers, but every attack vanished into nothingness.

"Why aren't they working?!" Renjiro yelled.

The figure's glowing eyes gleamed. "Because it's my domain."

A low growl echoed—and then, from the far corner, another voice, deep and ancient, whispered,

"...It's no use."

The shadows thickened. The figure vanished. And in the suffocating silence, Tensho felt something deep within his arm pulse—faintly, ominously—as if the black mark of the Umbraxis inside him was responding.

Rhian turned sharply, sensing it too.

"Tensho… your arm…"

The darkness swallowed their words.

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