The Frost Wings Guild Headquarters stood tall like a frozen blade piercing the sky.
An ice-blue glass tower reflected the morning sunlight, giving the entire building a cold, intimidating presence.
This was India's No.3 Guild.
Powerful.
Elite.
Dangerous.
Inside—
A high-tech conference room.
Clean.
Bright.
Clinical.
Blue holographic screens floated above the table.
Top officers sat around the circular desk.
All A-Rank Hunters.
Veterans.
Killers.
At the head—
Elara.
Calm.
Cold.
Commanding.
She tapped the table lightly.
"I'd like to introduce someone."
The door opened.
Kael walked inside.
Simple shirt.
Simple pants.
Glasses.
Hair neatly arranged.
He looked weak.
Harmless.
Almost… nerd-like.
"Hello everyone…"
Kael bowed slightly.
"Please guide me."
The room fell silent.
Then—
Snickers.
Whispers.
"That's the Chief Analyst?"
"He's E-Rank."
"Is this a joke?"
A large man stood up.
Massive build.
Heavy armor.
[Karan — A-Rank Tanker]
"Ma'am."
His tone blunt.
"We risk our lives in raids."
"We won't follow orders from an E-Ranker."
The tension grew.
Everyone watched Elara.
But she didn't respond.
Instead—
She watched Kael.
Her eyes calm.
Her thoughts clear.
Show them.
Kael stepped forward quietly.
No anger.
No ego.
Just calm.
"Can we start with the Blue Caverns mission?"
The screen changed.
Map displayed.
B-Rank Dungeon.
Karan spoke confidently.
"Simple plan."
"Tankers front."
"Mages back."
"Easy clear."
Kael picked up the marker.
"If you follow this plan…"
He circled the map.
"...your entire team dies in 15 minutes."
Silence.
Karan's expression darkened.
"What did you say?"
Kael pointed calmly.
"Blue Caverns contain water."
"You're bringing fire mages."
"Steam reduces visibility."
"Monsters track sound."
He changed the map again.
"And here…"
He highlighted a section.
"Unstable floor."
"B-Rank tankers fall through."
"Spike pit below."
Karan froze.
"That's…"
He hesitated.
"...not in the report."
Kael adjusted his glasses.
"I didn't read the report."
"I read the dungeon."
"My calculations…"
His eyes glowed faintly behind the glasses.
"...are never wrong."
The room fell silent.
Respect.
Fear.
Both appeared.
Elara smiled slightly.
"From today…"
She spoke calmly.
"Kael's strategy is final."
"No objections."
No one spoke.
Even Karan sat down quietly.
The wolf…
Had entered the flock.
And nobody realized…
They were sitting beside a predator.
Night.
A dark slum area.
Broken streetlights flickered weakly.
Garbage scattered across narrow alleys.
The air smelled rotten.
Something moved in the shadows.
A hooded figure leaned against a wall.
Breathing heavily.
"Hah…"
"Hah…"
Vikram.
His body trembled slightly.
Sweat dripped from his face.
"…Hungry."
The word escaped unconsciously.
His fingers twitched.
His nails extended slightly.
Claws.
Then—
They retracted again.
His control…
Was unstable.
The demon inside him was growing.
And it demanded one thing.
Blood.
Footsteps echoed.
Three thugs entered the alley.
Laughing loudly.
One noticed Vikram.
"Oye."
He pointed.
"Nice watch."
"Hand it over."
The second thug smirked.
"Or we'll take it."
Vikram slowly lifted his head.
Removed his hood.
His eyes—
Completely black.
The thugs froze.
"W-What the—"
Vikram tilted his head.
"Warna kya?"
Fear spread instantly.
"B-Bhoot!"
"Run!"
They turned.
Too late.
Vikram vanished.
He appeared in front of the first thug.
Grabbed his throat.
Lifted him effortlessly.
The thug struggled.
"Le-Let go—"
Vikram sniffed.
His expression twisted.
"Fear…"
He whispered.
"...smells delicious."
Then—
He bit down.
CRUNCH.
Blood splattered across the wall.
The alley fell silent.
The other two thugs ran.
But Vikram moved again.
Faster.
Stronger.
The darkness swallowed the sounds.
Moments later—
Silence returned.
Bodies lay motionless.
Vikram stood still.
Blood on his face.
His breathing slowed.
Then—
A voice echoed inside his mind.
[Demon Core Activated]
[Vitality Absorbed]
[Strength Increased]
Vikram wiped his mouth slowly.
His senses sharpened.
Then—
He sniffed again.
Something familiar.
A scent.
He closed his eyes.
Memory flashed.
Red Gate.
Crowd.
A fat boy.
Standing beside someone.
Shadow aura.
Vikram's eyes opened.
"The fat one…"
He muttered.
"He was close to that masked hunter."
His smile widened.
"If I can't find the hunter…"
"...I'll hunt his pet."
His eyes glowed faintly.
Rohan…
Had become prey.
Morning.
Hunter Training Gym.
The sound of punches echoed through the room.
THUD
THUD
THUD
Ren stood in front of a training dummy.
Sweat covered his face.
His breathing heavy.
But his movements…
Sharper than before.
He raised his shield.
Then punched.
The dummy tilted sideways.
Better balance.
Better control.
His phone vibrated.
Ren answered immediately.
"Bhai!"
Kael's calm voice came through.
"Angle wrong hai."
Ren blinked.
"Kya?"
"Shield ko 45 degrees par rakh."
"Direct impact mat le."
Ren adjusted.
Another punch.
This time—
The impact deflected perfectly.
The dummy spun.
Ren's eyes widened.
"Bhai…"
"Tu genius hai!"
"Since I'm following your tips…"
"D-Rank dungeons easy lagne lage!"
Kael sat quietly in his office.
Watching city traffic outside.
"Don't get overconfident."
He spoke calmly.
"And listen…"
His expression turned serious.
"Go home early today."
Ren scratched his head.
"Kyun?"
Kael paused.
His instincts felt uneasy.
Something wrong.
Something approaching.
"Just… do it."
Ren shrugged.
"Thik hai."
He hung up.
"Arav bhi na…"
Ren muttered.
"Zyada tension leta hai."
He walked toward the locker room.
The lights flickered.
Bzzzt…
Ren frowned.
"Electric problem?"
The air suddenly grew colder.
Ren stopped.
"...Strange."
He turned.
"Kaun hai?"
Silence.
Then—
Two red eyes appeared in the darkness.
A voice echoed.
"Hello… chote haathi."
Ren froze.
He recognized the voice.
"...Vikram?"
The lights shattered.
Darkness filled the room.
Only the glowing eyes remained.
Vikram stepped forward slowly.
His aura darker.
More dangerous.
"I need your friend."
Ren stepped back.
"W-What?"
"The masked one."
Vikram smiled.
"Tell me who he is…"
"...or I'll break every bone in your body."
Ren reached toward his inventory.
Trying to summon his shield.
Too slow.
Vikram grabbed his wrist.
CRACK.
Ren screamed.
"AAAAHH!"
His wrist twisted unnaturally.
Ren collapsed.
Pain exploded through his arm.
Meanwhile—
Far away—
Kael's coffee cup slipped from his hand.
SHATTER.
He froze.
His instincts screamed.
"Ren…"
Something had gone wrong.
Very wrong.
Chapter 11 End.