The figure's voice echoed again just as the last S-rank monster crumbled into ash. A heavy silence fell. Everyone except Evon stiffened, frozen as if turned to stone. The jungle and shattered temple around them regained a muted stillness, broken only by the rustle of leaves in the breeze.
The glowing eye above them slowly shrank, twisting and collapsing into a black humanoid shape with a single piercing eye at its center. The figure materialized before Evon, standing unmoved.
"Evon Wang, finally we have found you," the black figure said plainly. "We need to protect you and push you back to your former might. Only then can this universe be saved."
Evon blinked, stepping forward, eyes glowing faintly with power. "What do you mean by that?"
The glow in his eyes brightened suddenly, the eyes of fate activated on it's own.
Evon said puzzled "Oh, I see. You're a clone of the Arbiter. But what exactly are you?"
The figure nodded slowly. "Yes, I was sent by the Arbiter to explain what you are and what your purpose will be. First, let me tell you about my main body—the Arbiter..."
Before the figure could finish speaking, Evon interrupted, his eyes shimmering more intensely. "No need. I already know. My ability revealed the information. The Arbiter managed interaction between the lower realm worlds and the middle realm worlds. Earth belongs to the lower realm."
The clone of the Arbiter's expression remained neutral. "Correct. And a master of a middle realm world seeks to devour your Earth. That master consumed the previous middle realm world where you and your fated companions lived. Someone saved your Fated lovers and sealed them here on Earth. You need to find and unseal them."
Evon's face tightened slightly. "Who saved them? And what exactly am I supposed to do?"
The clone's voice was calm but urgent. "Whoever saved your lovers remains unknown. Your priority is to release them from their seal. Once done, the Arbiter will send further instructions."
With that, the black figure faded away, melting into the surrounding air like smoke.
Almost instantly, the rigid stillness around Evon melted away, the jungle and ruins returning to normal. The rest of the team, previously frozen in stone-like stasis, blinked and stirred, recovering from the strange paralysis as though waking from a deep trance.
Evon's mom, dad and others came running toward him.
Jessica hugged Evon tears appeared in her eyes "Evon...I thought we lost you again..."
Shen put his hand on Evon's shoulder "You saved us all my son, I'm really proud of you... you became extremely powerful. But I hope you will not push yourself too hard"
Evon nodded "Don't worry, Mom, Dad, nothing will happen to me. I'm safe and I will protect you all"
They were all already fully healed under Evon's destiny prison when Evon awakened destiny resonance he used Yena's holy blessings to heal them.
Minutes later, reinforcements from the Hunter Association poured in, arriving in armored vehicles that rumbled through the broken foliage. Soldiers and Hunters moved quickly to secure the area. Evon stood quietly as the new arrivals evaluated the battlefield. The atmosphere was tense but professional—everyone aware that this was far from a typical gate incident.
Commanders and specialists gathered, speaking in low tones, sharing reports and running scans on the corrupted gate remnants.
Evon was soon approached by a tall, lean man with sharp features and close-cropped hair. His uniform bore the insignia of the National Hunters Association of China. He introduced himself simply.
"Commander Jaun Huang. I've been sent to take charge of this situation and to meet with you."
Evon nodded, keeping his voice steady. "I understand."
Jaun regarded him carefully. "We've heard a lot about you—more than is usual for a Hunter the Association hasn't yet officially evaluated."
"Understandable," Evon replied. "I'm ready for whatever assessment you require."
Jessica and Shen came to say something but Evon gave them a slight nod "Don't worry, Mom, Dad I'm okay, you can go home and prepare some food for me, I'm really hungry now."
"Okay, we will be waiting", They smiled and left with the other four A-Rank hunters.
Jaun gestured toward an armored vehicle still idling nearby. "Come with me. We'll go to the National Hunters Association facility for your official evaluation."
The vehicle ride was quiet, the city's neon skyline fading behind them as they headed toward the Association's headquarters. Inside the vehicle, Jaun finally spoke.
"We've been monitoring the increased gate activity. Your arrival coincides with the appearance of these black gates—corrupted, unstable, and dangerous. Your abilities make you unique. It's rare we see someone respond with the precision you showed today."
Evon gave a decisive nod. "I'm here to do more than respond."
Jaun looked out the window for a moment before meeting Evon's gaze again. "Then we'll need to know exactly what, and who, you are. The evaluation will be thorough."
Evon's voice was measured. "I'm ready."
At the National Hunters Association, the building was a vast complex of steel and glass, humming with quiet activity. Receptionists directed Evon through security checks and scanners that assessed his physical and magical signatures in detail.
He was brought to a sleek evaluation chamber where several high-ranking officials awaited—scientists, strategists, and experienced Hunters.
Jaun stood beside Evon. "We have extensive data to process. But first, we'd like to hear from you."
Evon settled in as one of the senior researchers began a formal interview.
"Can you describe your awakening and your abilities?"
Evon answered plainly. "I was unconscious for nearly a thousand years. Upon awakening, I exhibited unusually high mana density with no rank classification. My abilities include 'Eyes of Fate,' which allow me to see enemy weaknesses and possible futures, and 'Destiny Prison,' which can isolate or protect targets by removing them from the flow of fate temporarily."
The officials exchanged silent glances.
"Your bond to elemental forces—is it accurate to say you have resonance with multiple elemental goddesses?" another voice asked.
"Yes. My soul is bound to five elemental beings. Their powers augment my own. I awakened this bond recently during a critical battle."
The panel digested the information in silence. Jaun finally spoke.
"This presence we saw—was it real? The black figure connected to the Arbiter?"
Evon nodded. "It was real and informed me about the threat to Earth and my role to unseal my lovers, who were sealed here for their protection."
Jaun's expression hardened. "This middle realm master sounds like a serious threat. Devouring entire worlds."
Evon looked away briefly. "Exactly. That is why I need to regain my strength and locate the seal holding my Fated. Only then can we hope to stop this."
One official's tone was skeptical. "How do you intend to negotiate with a threat that exists beyond our comprehension, in realms we cannot fully understand?"
Evon met her gaze steadily. "By finding my Fated first. Their powers will be the key."
Jaun nodded slowly. "The Association will support your mission. But you'll need official clearance, equipment, training—"
Evon raised a hand. "I don't want to start from scratch."
Jaun smiled faintly. "Good. Because you already carry power unmatched in our history."
The evaluation continued with physical tests, magical synchronization trials, and simulations. Evon moved with a calm precision that impressed the evaluators, his abilities confirming what was whispered in the corridors—he was unlike any Hunter they'd known.
By the end, Commander Jaun approached with a formal tone.
"Evon Wang, you are officially recognized as an SSS+ Hunter with undefined rank—an anomaly. The Association will provide resources, but you must prepare for mission assignments that go beyond normal parameters."
Evon inclined his head. "Understood."
Jaun clasped his shoulder firmly. "Welcome officially to the Association. Welcome back."
As Evon exited the chamber, Jaun spoke quietly, almost as a warning.
"The road ahead isn't simple. We're dealing with forces wanting to rewrite reality itself. Your connection to the Arbiter and the Five Fated makes you the fulcrum. Protect yourself, and remember—you are not alone."
Evon looked out at the city skyline from the facility windows.
"Not alone. Yet so far from home."
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