Mizuki only raised her head briefly before shaking it.
"It doesn't matter. Don't worry about her. Just send Yami-kun a message."
After all, there was nothing truly hidden about him anymore.
Ordinary civilians in the Alliance might still be in the dark, debating whether the leaked video of monsters and supernatural abilities had been a hoax.
But anyone with even a shred of influence—the wealthy, the powerful, or those connected to the upper circles—already knew who Yami Tsukishiro was.
The Alliance leadership had issued a strict decree:
No one was to approach him without cause.
"Contact him only if you have personal business," the order said. No probes, no manipulations.
The result? The world's governments remained oddly still. A few discreet movements happened behind the curtains, yes—but nothing bold.
And why would they? Yami himself had stated openly that even nuclear weapons wouldn't frighten him. Against such overwhelming confidence, what was the point of poking the beast?
"…Tch. What is this world turning into?"
Haruno Yukinoshita pressed her temples and took a sip of her coffee, her usually sharp smile nowhere to be found.
Monsters, superpowers, people disappearing by the thousands—it was enough to give anyone a migraine.
Her mother had already confided in her, warning her of the "new reality." That the supernatural wasn't rumor or fantasy, but an undeniable truth.
And now, yet another incident: thousands dead, simultaneously, without explanation.
It was enough to make her wonder if one day her own name would quietly be added to that list.
"…Yukino…"
Her gaze lowered as she thought of her younger sister.
Mother had given a clear warning: do not get involved.
But Yukino was in the same class as Yami Tsukishiro. That fact alone made her mother soften, hinting that Yukino could—no, should—try to learn something from him.
Not to become close, necessarily. Not even to trust him. But to pick up fragments of knowledge, small insights, anything that might ensure survival in this strange, shifting world.
Yet Haruno knew her sister too well. Yukino's awkward, prideful personality would never let her ask. She'd sooner stand alone than admit she needed help.
Haruno let out a long, weary sigh.
"Really now… everything's spiraling out of control."
She leaned back in her chair, sipping the last of her coffee. There was nothing more to do but let events unfold as they would.
Yukino, whom Haruno worried about so much, remained unchanged.
When Yami returned to class before the bell, she glanced at him—then immediately looked away, burying herself in her book as if nothing had happened.
The teacher's voice droned at the front, and from behind, a folded note poked Yami's arm.
"…?"
He unfolded it under the desk.
Yami-kun, who were those two?
Yui's bubbly handwriting. She meant Utaha and Eriri.
Yami smirked faintly, scribbling back a reply before sliding it behind him.
Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Spencer Eriri. Class C.
Another poke.
Ohh, you know them? Friends?
Yeah. Friends.
…Then who's closer to you? (≖‿≖)
Yami almost sighed. That was a minefield of a question. He wasn't the type to lie—but he wasn't suicidal either. So he shifted his words.
I've known you longer, Yui. I only met them two days ago.
When Yui read it, her face lit up in quiet joy. She hugged the small note to her chest, grinning like she'd just won a prize.
She didn't realize that every tiny movement—every exchange, every smile—had been carefully watched by Miura Yumiko's sharp eyes.
---
Meanwhile – Dungeon Expedition
"Alright… fifth floor next. Everyone ready?"
Viper's tone was steady. The group had fought hard to reach this far. The first four floors had been manageable—hard, but not deadly.
Even the new mummies on the fourth floor were nothing the team couldn't handle.
"We stocked up from the third floor. No serious injuries," Shinobu observed coolly. "I think we should press on."
Kanroji Mitsuri nodded firmly. Busujima Saeko and Miyamoto Rei also agreed, blades in hand.
"Then let's go!" Jade chan cheered, leaping forward.
Together, they stepped into the red portal.
The fifth floor greeted them with silence.
No twisting corridors. No traps waiting. Only towering blue brick walls, arranged like a massive chamber. The firelight from an altar burned dimly, painting the space in eerie orange.
"…Strange. Be on guard," Shinobu warned immediately. Change meant danger.
"Adventurers."
A girl's voice, sweet and crisp, echoed in the chamber.
The red portal flared—and from it stepped a white-haired girl in a pure white dress.
Ella.
Her delicate features and crimson eyes were beautiful, almost angelic. But Saeko and the others froze, their blood running cold.
Because the adventurer's system display revealed something terrifying:
[Monster]: Immortal Girl Ella
[Rank]: ???
[Title]: ???
[Race]: Undead
[Memes]: ???
"…All question marks."
Even elite monsters, even second-level ones, had clear classifications.
[Monster]: Fighting Zombie
[Rank]: Second Level
[Title]: Common
[Race]: Undead
[Memes]: ???
But this girl—this "Immortal Girl"—was shrouded in unreadable mystery. Her very existence defied the system.
The team's grips tightened on their weapons.
For the first time in this dungeon, they felt it: the presence of a true predator.
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