Hunter Association Headquarters, Communications Room —
A room buzzing with quiet urgency. Screens flicker with live feeds and encrypted messages from across the globe. At the center, a roundtable of top officials pores over reports.
A large holo-map glows, highlighting an area near the city outskirts where the latest anomaly occurred—the abduction linked to Rover Cheon.
Director Han Seo-jin, sharp-eyed and battle-hardened, swipes through intelligence.
"Multiple reports confirm it. Their guardian was taken—an attack on our turf. This is beyond standard rogue hunter activity."
Deputy Chief Marcus Delaney, skeptical but attentive, shakes his head.
"The Hunter Association usually handles these. But the target… it's not just anyone. We're dealing with someone capable of challenging the Celestial Order's influence."
Han leans forward.
"Exactly. I'm drafting a report to the Celestial Order. They've been cautious lately—refusing most intervention requests. But this is Rover Cheon we're talking about."
Marcus crosses his arms.
"Rover? The same one tied to that Rift Calamity Dragon incident? The guy who nearly snapped the world?"
A tense silence falls.
Han nods grimly.
"We can't afford to ignore this. If he loses control again, the fallout will be catastrophic. The Celestial Order has to step in. This case will be sent upward."
---
Moments later, in the Celestial Order's High Council Chamber —
Five figures stand in a semi-circle, eyes locked on the incoming holographic message from the Hunter Association.
Christoff Erickson, the Mind Emperor, speaks first—his voice low, measured, but heavy with warning.
"This isn't just another rogue hunter case. It's a potential spark for disaster. The Hunter Association is right to alert us—but we must tread carefully."
Naiomi Sasaki, the Gravity Queen, folds her arms, eyes sharp.
"We've taken a lot of criticism lately for our methods. Many call us troublemakers, arrogant, even dangerous. Intervening too early could escalate tensions."
Roger Wilson, Uncle Flame, grits his teeth.
"But this is Rover. He's different. If he fractures under pressure, no one else can hold that line. We cannot afford silence."
Martin Saunders, the Iron Fortress, nods steadily.
"Our priority must be containment. If he snaps, it won't just be a fight—it will be annihilation. The city, the people, everything caught in between."
Hestia Roseberg, the Silent Tempest, barely moves but her voice cuts through the room like a blade.
"We wait for the right moment. But when it comes, we strike decisively."
Christoff's gaze darkens.
"The Hunter Association must understand this: we are the shields this world needs. They should not interfere beyond their scope. But Rover… he is an exception."
Naiomi exhales slowly.
"Prepare the response team. But we move quietly. The wrong message could spark war between guilds—and the Dark Continent watches."
---
Meanwhile, far across the sea, deep in the Dark Continent —
A blackened fortress looms. Inside, the Dark Triad's inner circle convenes.
Reid Stone's cold eyes pierce the darkness.
"The Celestial Order's dance with Étoile Sanglante was… frustratingly brief. They seek a bloody war but have not yet delivered."
Kim Hwan, the Demon Fang, cracks his knuckles.
"They hold their cards too close. But patience is a virtue. When the time comes, our strike will rend their illusions apart."
Mae Lou, the Widow Witch, smiles darkly.
"Their members are strong… but they bleed like any other. Christoff, Naiomi, the Infernal Vanguard—each a target waiting to fall."
Dao & Yao, the Twin Crows, exchange cold looks.
"We have watched their movements. The silent tempest, the iron fortress… fragile in their own ways."
Kellan Graves, the Smiler, laughs softly.
"Waiting only prolongs the inevitable collapse. Chaos is coming. We just need to fan the flames."
Asra Vayne, the Butcher's Grace, grins fiercely.
"Let the hunters talk. Let the guilds plan. We'll be the reckoning they never saw coming."
Reid Stone's voice drops to a whisper but carries an unmistakable command.
"When the stars fall, the world will burn."
To be continue...