The sky broke open above the city.
Not like lightning.
Not like thunder.
It tore.
Stone streets cracked as a column of pale blue light descended from the fracture in the clouds. The air screamed as reality bent around the descending figure.
People ran.
Guards dropped their weapons.
Even the pit fighters froze in terror.
Aren stepped into the open street just as the Hunter landed.
The impact split the ground in a perfect circle.
Dust rolled outward like a shockwave.
When it cleared, the Hunter stood in the center of the crater.
White armor.
No face.
Only a smooth mask reflecting the burning sky.
In its hand rested the crystal spear.
The Hunter spoke with a voice that echoed like metal striking metal.
"Target confirmed."
Its head turned slightly.
Directly toward Aren.
"Aren Vale."
Aren did not step back.
Cael shouted from behind him, "Don't fight it head-on! Hunters are built from the core authority!"
The Hunter lifted its spear.
"You have violated system structure."
Blue light spread across the weapon.
"Correction begins now."
The spear moved.
Aren barely saw it.
The attack split the air itself.
Aren raised his hand instinctively.
Vector Break activated.
The invisible structure of the strike appeared in his mind—lines of force moving through space like threads pulled tight.
He twisted the angle.
The spear's energy bent.
The attack shot sideways and destroyed an entire stone tower instead.
The explosion thundered across the city.
For the first time…
The Hunter paused.
"Ability detected."
The system voice echoed from its armor.
Unauthorized Vector Authority.
Aren lowered his hand slowly.
"So you're the one they sent to erase me."
The Hunter's spear hummed.
"Yes."
Then it moved again.
This time faster.