One week later....
In an abandoned factory....
In a certain dark room where shadowy figures sat, all were silent with grim and troubled expressions over something.
"The 21st meeting will commence and..."
"Just get to the main point."
"We have failed miserably," replied #1.
"Yes," answered #2.
"We honestly don't know what happened, to fail in that manner," said #3.
"We have failed, a great failure. And now, not only is A.E.G.I.S targeting us, but even the H.E.R.O.E.S organization has its eyes on us," replied #1.
"We must move immediately and remove any trace linking us to that operation," said #1.
"It's too late. I think they already know who we are at this point. It's a matter of time. We must plan our moves carefully and stay out of the spotlight for a while," said #4.
"But before we begin, tell me, how was all this destroyed? That was the plan we devised, since the very beginning of our foundation, everything we've built until now," said #1.
"It was because a girl named Ridley escaped. She's a huntress from Dawn. She managed to escape miraculously and our operation was exposed," said #5.
"Damn those people," another person answered angrily, #2.
"That's why you don't trust those Predators. They're useless these days," replied #3 in an old man's voice.
"Impossible. It can't be just that. There must be something we didn't pay enough attention to," #1 spoke up.
"Actually, there was a small piece of information," said #6.
"What is it?" asked #1.
"They mentioned there was a shapeshifter involved in uncovering our location," said #6.
"A shapeshifter?" repeated #1 with a strange tone.
"That's what I heard. They took him to the hospital, but there was no name for a shapeshifter in that hospital," replied #6.
"It might be false information," spoke #4.
"That's what I heard from my operatives. All I know is, he's a wolf," replied #6.
"A wolf?" asked #3.
"Wait a minute," said #1.
"The one who stopped our operations and risked exposing our organization, it so happened he was also a wolf, a werewolf to be precise," said #1.
"And you're saying there was another one there too?" asked #1.
"Perhaps it's a coincidence," said #5.
"This is no coincidence. Someone knows us, and is targeting all our operations," said #1.
"We must find out who it is and neutralize him, as quickly as possible," #1 spoke in a threatening voice.
"But we don't even know his identity," asked #4 in a feminine voice.
"You mentioned a shapeshifter from Ellis as well?" asked #1.
"Yes," replied #6.
"We can neutralize them all in that case," said #1.
"We can't. We must remain hidden for now. The organization is targeting us now. Any suspicious movement will hasten our trip to Tartarus," said #2.
"Yes, he's right. We need to hide now," said #5.
(Ding)
Everyone looked towards #1 and saw him holding his phone. He had received a notification and read a message, then threw his phone away angrily.
"Fuck," #1 replied angrily.
"What was that?" asked #4.
"It's that bitch. She's demanding we handle the shapeshifter problem in New Hades," said #1.
"But you just said—" started #3.
"I know," #1 spoke... and was thinking until his pupils dilated and he got an idea.
"Wait, what if we send him?" said #1.
"Him? you don't mean....." asked #3.
"Yes, I mean him. Our secret weapon for situations like these," said #1.
"But releasing him this early..." said #5.
"But the problem lies in his behavior. He's like a wild animal," answered #6.
"True. And how do we make him hunt this werewolf?" asked #3.
"There's almost no way," said #4.
"We don't have to make him. We just have to make him target... target that place, and he'll come to Ellis as well on his own?" said #1.
"Are you saying you'll have us fight a monster in an open area?" asked #4.
"Yes," replied #1.
"This will expose us to grave danger," said #3.
"But it's an excellent opportunity to kill two birds with one stone," #1 spoke seriously.
"But making such a decision... isn't it a bit rash?" asked #4 with some worry in her voice.
"That's true. But you know what her refusal means, don't you?" asked #1.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Since everyone is in agreement, let's send him," said #1.
"Let's send Nidhogg," spoke #1 in a threatening tone.
.....
In Kuro's apartment, on a certain TV...
[Oh no! That fox stole my bag!]
Clip
[I'll get my revenge and kill all of you bastards!]
Clip
[Welcome to Abyss Theory, let's analyze together this thing that appeared 80 years ago. Follow us, because we might finally solve its mystery.]
"Damn, there's nothing entertaining on TV these days," Kuro muttered.
Kuro was sitting on a sofa watching TV alone. He was drinking cola while flipping through channels to find something entertaining.
Some time had passed, and Atlas had managed to pay the bill and stayed peacefully in his apartment, returning to his old days.
"Man, all the channels are starting to get repetitive and boring. Isn't there anything new at least? This is really—
[Welcome to Hermes Channel, we are here for a special interview with Dawn students.]
"Hermes?... I've heard of it before but where... oh, it's an events channel. I funded it before.... Damn, I don't know," Kuro replied resignedly.
[Now our reporter will conduct an interview with a person from Dawn Academy live on air to learn the details of that horrific incident.]
The screen changed, showing a small bar at the bottom that read "Live News Feed." The picture showed a person sitting at a table on a grassy field from an unknown location. The camera was showing the reporter conducting the interview now with a person Kuro clearly recognized.
[Reporter: Hello, principal Darin, can you please comment on the Despair Land incident?]
"This guy was the principal?! Wow, who expect that," Kuro asked with some surprise.
[Darin: This incident was a tragedy for us, and we are doing our best to ensure such an incident does not happen again to anyone.]
[Reporter: It's hard to think how a group of criminals could prepare for such a heinous act. Do you think they targeted you because it's related to H.E.R.O.E.S?]
[Darin: The matter is not related to us.]
[Darin: Rather, it's related to New Hades itself.]
[Reporter: What?]
"What?" asked Kuro.
[Darin: What do you mean, Mr. Darren?]
[Darin: New Hades has always been a land plagued by criminals. The crime rate is abnormally high, and there are many gangs ruling the streets.]
[Darin: And don't forget it's a place where many shapeshifters live among a population hostile to them. A place like that is a living war zone.]
[Darren: Crimes like theft and kidnapping are normal in New Hades.]
[Darren: One week ago (Darren raised a finger), exactly one week ago, one of my colleagues advised me against the school trip there and asked me to cancel it.]
[Reporter: Why?]
[Darren: Because during this time, an incident of gate-breaking occurred, carried out by an unknown terrorist group.]
[Reporter: Yes, but I heard the military took over that matter.]
[Darren: Yes, that's correct.]
[Reporter: So what is your comment regarding the military in this incident, Mr. Darren?]
[Darin: I would like to praise their efforts in doing their job in such a difficult environment, and I would like to meet him if possible.]
[Reporter: Meet who?]
[Darin: The person who cleared the gates, because what he did surpasses what a hunter can do.]
[Darin: He handled 5 gates alone in less than three hours.]
[Reporter: That's incredible!]
[Darin: That's almost close to the top 100 records for gate clearing.]
[Reporter: Do you mean the one who did this was a professional?]
[Darin: Yes, he might be a B-rank hunter or higher.]
[Reporter: Do you mean a hunter of your level?]
[Darin: I doubt that. Hunters at that level love fame or have been noticed by AEGIS.]
[Darin: The person who cleared the gates must be an unofficial hunter, since they haven't issued any statement about him yet.]
[Darin: If you are listening, I want to meet you face to face.]
"That actually happened, old man," Kuro spoke.
[That's all for—
"Well, it's been days since I went outside. I'll take a little walk," Kuro thought.
When Kuro went out, he saw Henry to his right, painting the door and walls.
"What is he doing? Is he painting?..."
As Henry was about to finish, he turned and saw him with his own eyes, but the moment he was about to respond, Kuro vanished into thin air.
"Ah, he left as well?" asked Henry.
"Yes," replied the voice in his head.
"He's too fast for an emo kid like him," Henry spoke with a bit of a frown.
"He never came out for days. I thought he might have died. Does he spend his whole life in his room?" Henry asked with some worry.
Somewhere outside the Olson apartments...
Kuro had reappeared, on the street. People didn't show any reaction, because this happens often due to hunters' teleportation powers, and they continued walking and interacting with their phones.
"That was close."
"I don't want to interfere in their matters, to avoid annoying him further," he spoke with a tone of annoyance.
"So where should I go first?"
"Oh, wait a minute, there's actually a place!"
.
.
.
In a dark place.....
In a huge laboratory, there were many sealed prison cells. There were mercenary hunters moving in perfect harmony down a corridor towards a room at the end, a room marked with the number 666.
There was a man in the observation room with many people at their computers. There were scientists with worried expressions on their faces.
"Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded despite their expressions.
"Open the lock."
"Understood!"
The alarm lights glowed in a threatening red color, and the cell began to open slowly, like a giant vault door, opening gradually.
All of them were preparing their weapons and had suppression collars with them, bracing for the worst. They were sweating profusely.
Seconds passed since the door opened. For the troops, it felt like minutes. There was no movement from inside.
"What's happening? Why isn't he coming out?" someone from the observation room asked.
"I don't know," replied a scientist, pressing buttons fearfully.
"Turn on the speaker in room D3-AT8!"
[All units, proceed towards him and surround EXP 666!]
[He is restrained with six suppression collars. His power shouldn't exceed C-rank at worst!]
The hunters advanced slowly, step by step, raising their shields and long-range magical weapons. After a while, they reached and were about to enter the door, but they saw large red eyes.
They trembled. From intense fear, his eyes were now watching them.
To all units, prepare to—
Slash!
Before he could utter a word, his head was cut off cleanly and swiftly. Before the others could react, their bodies were turned into small slices like sushi. Something black and large surged forward at speed,
Its size filled the cameras directly, making the screens emit static. This made everyone tremble in extreme fear.
"Just what in the hell was that?!" the person screamed in terror.
"This is impossible! This shouldn't be possible!" a scientist screamed hysterically.
"What happened?" someone asked in horror.
"He... he has overcome the suppression collar systems!" replied the scientist.
"He what?!"
"I don't know how, but he understood it and escaped!"
Boom! Suddenly, the room was breached. That thing was here. Everyone looked on in shock and terror.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
"Dear God!"
"God help us!"
Somewhere in grassy plains
Boom!
An explosion appeared and a giant thing emerged, spread its wings, and flew in a certain direction, with one desire.... to kill.