Chapter 31 – The Nameless Guest
With the Antares Gate finally destroyed, Nael and the other hunters were slowly making their way back to headquarters.
Meanwhile, far from the battlefield, two familiar faces were bored out of their minds…
In a large, silent office, Valen was slouched in his chair, head tilted back.
> Valen: "Aaah… I'm dying of boredom, Zarion…"
Sitting cross-legged on the couch, Zarion gave a slow nod, expression unreadable.
> Valen: "The other hunters still haven't come back from that damn gate? What are they doing, fighting a dragon or having a picnic?"
> Zarion: calm "A dragon, apparently."
> Valen: "Great. And we're stuck here, like two old bureaucrats waiting for retirement."
Silence.
Then Valen shot him a look.
> Valen: "Tell me, is it just me or do you try to act mysterious all the time?"
> Zarion: without looking up "No. It's just natural for me."
> Valen: "Right. Remind me never to put you on stage — you'd clear out the audience."
He suddenly stood up, stretching with an exaggerated sigh.
> Valen: "Come on, let's get some air. If I stay in this office one more minute, I'll lose it."
> Zarion: getting up quietly "Let's go."
They left headquarters, hands in their pockets, strolling down the sidewalk. Their next destination: the nearby café.
The plan was simple — eat, complain, and avoid all responsibility.
But the moment they turned the corner, a hooded figure fell from the sky, landing soundlessly before them.
His cloak rippled in the wind, and an invisible wave of energy made the air tremble.
Time itself seemed to pause.
> Valen: raising a brow "I don't know about you, Zarion, but I hate people who make dramatic entrances without warning."
> Zarion: arms crossed "You hate everyone except your own reflection."
> Valen: "That's false. I also love pancakes."
An awkward silence followed.
The stranger lifted a hand.
The ground quivered lightly, stirring the dust around them.
> Valen: sighing "Okay, so he's either mute or trying to act cool."
> Zarion: "You talk enough for two people. It balances things out."
Before Valen could reply, a deep, raspy voice echoed — as if it came from another world.
> The Stranger: "Divine Hunter… and you, Forgotten Child of the Void."
Both froze.
Zarion slowly turned to Valen, brows furrowed.
Valen blinked a few times, pointing at his own chest.
> Valen: "…Divine Hunter? Me?! Seriously?"
He laughed nervously. "Well, it's not wrong. Everyone knows I'm the Divine Hunter, the strongest man alive."
> Zarion: curt "And 'Child of the Void'… I assume that's me. He's not wrong, but I'd like to know how he knows that."
> Valen: "Wait, wait—'Child of the Void'? I've known you for months and you never mentioned a weird past like that."
> Zarion: cold "And you, Mister 'Divine Hunter'… how does a non-human know who you are?"
> Valen: shrugging "It's not a secret. I'm handsome and famous. Everyone knows me."
He pulled out a small mirror from his pocket. "Just look at this. Who wouldn't?"
The stranger slowly lowered his hood.
His face was pale, almost spectral. Silver hair fell in thin strands, and his icy blue eyes seemed to pierce through their souls.
> The Stranger: "My master awaits you."
A heavy silence fell.
> Valen: rolling his eyes "Of course… because nothing can ever be simple. We can't just grab food and watch a match in peace. No, someone from a nightmare has to show up and invite us to their 'master.'"
> Zarion: slowly drawing his weapon "Who is your master?"
> The Stranger: calm, almost smiling "The one who remembers everything… even you."
The wind picked up.
Streetlights flickered.
Valen frowned.
> Valen: "'The one who remembers everything'… so what? He's got a good memory, big deal."
He crossed his arms. "If this is a riddle game, I'm telling you now — I suck at those."
He stepped forward, a crooked grin on his lips.
> Valen: low, almost threatening "...Who the hell are you? And why shouldn't I just beat you up right now?"
The stranger didn't answer.
He simply smiled — a cold, empty smile — before his body slowly dissolved into a cloud of dark mist.
Within seconds, he was gone.
Zarion sheathed his weapon slowly.
> Zarion: "What do you think he meant by 'he remembers everything'?"
> Valen: back to his usual tone "That he's got an excellent memory. Now come on, before another weirdo shows up, let's finally eat."
> Zarion: exhaling "Even when the world's falling apart, you're hungry."
> Valen: with a grin "That's how I face fear — with a good sandwich."
They walked on as if nothing had happened.
But deep down, an uneasy feeling lingered.
Valen glanced up at the sky and murmured, barely audible:
> Valen: "'The one who remembers everything'… what a joke."
Chapter 32 – Returns and Reunions
On the road back to HQ, Nael, Drake, Lya, Nova, Valor, and Ryn walked peacefully, finally enjoying a rare moment of calm after the chaos of Antares' domain.
Lya, hands behind her head, was grinning mischievously.
> Lya: "Aaah, it feels so good to use my powers again!"
Without warning, she dove straight into the ground—her body turning translucent—then popped her head out right in front of a passing woman.
> Lya: "Boo! I'm a ghost!"
The woman screamed and bolted down the street, shouting:
> "Help! A ghost!!"
Nael, deadpan, pinched the bridge of his nose.
> Nael: "…Lya. Can't you stay calm for five minutes?"
> Lya: emerging from the ground with a grin "Come on, I'm just having a little fun. Since when did you become so boring?"
> Nael: "Me, boring? You're the one scaring civilians at seven in the morning."
> Lya: crossing her arms "It's psychological training for them."
> Nael: "Yeah, mostly for their vocal cords."
He turned toward Ryn.
> Nael: "See Ryn? Calm, polite, respectful. You should take notes."
> Lya: grumbling "Not the same thing, hmm…"
> Drake: "Now, now… no arguing. Let's head back before Nael starts another 'exemplary behavior' meeting."
> Valor: sighing "And HQ is on the other side of the city."
> Nova: "Why didn't you just open a portal, Nael?"
> Nael: "Because we need to enjoy the scenery. And because someone drained my mana reserve bombing Antares."
> Valor: glancing at Lya "Hmm, I wonder who that could be."
> Lya: "Oh, come on! Wait… I'll fix it. I'll just borrow a vehicle."
> Nael: raising an eyebrow "Borrow? Or steal?"
> Lya: "Technical detail."
> Nael: sighing "You really do everything just to annoy me, don't you?"
> Lya: "And is it working?"
> Nael: ignoring her "Anyway… how's Valen doing these days?"
> Lya: "Same as always. Acting like a spoiled brat and flirting with his reflection every time he finds a mirror."
> Nael: chuckling softly "Doesn't surprise me. He's always been like that… well, almost."
> Lya: squinting "You're weird lately. There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
> Nael: looking away "No. Just… old memories resurfacing."
---
Meanwhile, at the café
A few blocks from HQ, Valen was enjoying his meal with almost religious fervor.
> Valen: "Zarion, you've got to taste this! These dishes are divine! I think I've found my new spiritual temple."
Zarion, unbothered, calmly sipped his coffee.
> Zarion: "Your 'temple' changes every meal."
> Valen: "Let me live my culinary faith."
A waitress shyly approached to ask for an autograph, but Valen, feigning humility, replied:
> Valen: "Sorry, I'm on divine rest. Come back tomorrow."
Zarion rolled his eyes.
> Zarion: "Pathetic."
> Valen: "Charismatic, you mean."
After their meal, they headed back toward HQ, stomachs full and spirits light.
---
Back at HQ
Thirty minutes later, Nael and his team finally stepped through the HQ gates.
A crowd of hunters filled the main hall.
> Hunter 1: "Look! They're back!"
> Hunter 2: "And Nael's with them?!"
Excitement rippled through the crowd until an authoritative voice cut through the noise.
> Liora: "Settle down. You'll give your reports after you've had some rest."
Silence fell instantly.
And that's when Valen made his theatrical entrance — a cup of coffee in hand, wearing the smug look of a king returning to his throne.
> Valen: "Well, well… a hundred and fifty-two years just to close a gate? No wonder you'll never beat me, Nael."
A few muffled laughs spread through the hall.
Nael stared at him, unimpressed.
> Nael: "Still as humble as ever, I see."
> Valen: "Humility's for those who still have something to prove."
> Nael: sighing "And you've proven you're insufferable. Congrats."
> Valen: grinning "It's a rare talent — gotta maintain it."
Lya crossed her arms, amused.
> Lya: "You two sound like kids in a schoolyard."
> Zarion: calm "Correction: two overpowered kids in a schoolyard."
Laughter broke out among the hunters, except for Nael and Valen, who were still locked in a silent, knowing stare — a mix of rivalry and brotherhood lingering in the air.
> Nael: "Alright. If you're done with your little show, come to the debrief room."
> Valen: stretching lazily "Only if they serve pancakes."
> Nael: coldly "Dream on."
> Valen: with a wink "That's what I do best."
Chapter 33 – The Shadow That Rises
In a higher stratum, beyond time and the laws that bind existence, a servant knelt before the Throne of Shadow.
His hands trembled; even his voice was shattered by fear.
Two reptilian eyes turned toward him. The pressure emanating from the figure on the throne made the columns tremble — silence fell like a weight.
> — "And who have we lost this time, after Nyzorath?" asked the voice, cold as a tomb.
The servant, unable to speak at first, finally managed to whisper:
> — "W-We've lost Antares, my Lord. The Dragon of Fire… he was… erased."
The darkness surrounding the throne began to churn. A colossal aura rose, shaking the very structure of the stratum.
The figure slowly stood. Two black horns emerged from his forehead. His hair — a deep black with faint blue hues — was tied loosely behind him, and his half-bare torso revealed cords of power like forged steel.
When he spoke again, his voice rolled through the void like a blade through flesh.
> — "Enough."
— "I am Yzareth, Primordial Dragon of the Void." His tone flowed like cold steel. "I will descend myself… and crush this inferior race. They will pay for their insolence."
The servants recoiled in terror.
> — "No, my lord—" one dared to say.
— "Let us act. We'll mobilize the Arbiters."
Two hooded servants darted away, tearing through layers of reality in streaks of shadow — their destination: Earth.
---
On Earth
The alert hit like a hammer.
A "Disaster-Class" portal had appeared. Emergency beacons screamed across the network, triggering the highest-level protocols. All hunters ranked S and above were ordered to report immediately to the briefing chamber.
At HQ, the main hall emptied in seconds as the crisis room filled to bursting. Liora stood before the central table, her usual mask of authority tightened by unease.
> — "Anomaly signal: level beyond all prior records. We are facing a threat that exceeds every known precedent. We must consolidate our forces and respond immediately."
Silence followed — until Arthur, a triple-S rank hunter, broke it.
> — "Why not send Valen, Zarion, or Nael? They're our strongest. They deal with the impossible."
Lya frowned sharply and snapped back:
> — "That's risky. If we put all our top assets in one place and another gate opens elsewhere… we're done for."
The room erupted into argument — defensive strategies, resource allocation, political consequences, and even the Guild's reputation if it risked its brightest figures.
Liora raised her hand for silence.
> — "We'll proceed by vote. Who supports deploying our strongest available to this portal?"
Hands lifted in groups — some confident, others hesitant. Murmurs spread — echoes of the names spoken earlier (Vael, Nyzorath, Antares) stirred dread in every corner.
Some officers suggested a quieter approach — send elite reconnaissance first, then call in the "titans" only if the situation proved beyond control.
Zarion, silent until then, observed the room. His gaze met Valen's, and farther away, Nael's — who had just arrived after being briefed.
Each of them understood the same truth: this decision could tip the balance… and awaken forces the Guild was never meant to face.
Liora spoke again, steady but heavy-voiced:
> — "Final vote. Simple majority: we send an elite reconnaissance unit to the portal. Quick assessment, neutralize if possible.
If the threat surpasses capacity — full alert. Summon Valen, Zarion, and Nael."
Hands went up, hesitant but numerous. The verdict was set.
The operation would begin — stealth first, power if needed.
And as Liora added quietly, almost to herself:
> — "Those who've dared to awaken these names are playing with flames they cannot control."
---
Elsewhere, in a dim corridor
A young officer approached Zarion, voice unsteady.
> — "If… if Vael is truly involved this time… the world might not be ready."
Zarion, without a hint of a smile, replied flatly:
> — "Then we make it ready."
And as the headquarters stirred into motion, preparing the strike teams, somewhere — high above all strata — a shadow smiled faintly.
Yzareth had heard.
His pieces were in motion.
The game had only just begun.
Chapter 34 – The Unknown Gate
Liora stood before the holographic screen of the HQ, arms crossed, her tone sharp and commanding:
> — "Arthur. Drake. You'll lead the strike teams. Each of you picks four hunters for the mission."
Drake nodded without hesitation.
> — "I'm taking my usual squad — Lya, Nova, Valor, and Ryn."
Arthur barely took a few seconds to think before replying, calm but resolute:
> — "I'll bring Annabelle, SS-rank mage; Marie, archer; Béatrice, healer; and Ethan, SS-rank pugilist."
Liora tapped quickly on the screen, locking in the assignments.
> — "Good. You've chosen your people. Get your gear ready and move out immediately."
She paused briefly, her gaze shifting toward Lya.
> — "A simple recon mission could've been done by you alone, Lya… but a team of ten is safer. We don't know what's waiting on the other side."
Leaning casually against the wall, Valen smirked.
> — "Once again, the strongest get to sit back and get bored. Honestly, Commander, you've got no sense of drama."
Liora turned to him slowly, unimpressed.
> — "If we play all our best cards at once and another portal opens elsewhere, we'll be out of miracles."
> — "You worry too much. What could possibly go wrong?" he replied with that arrogant grin she hated.
Without looking up from his notebook, Zarion commented dryly:
> — "Every time someone says that, disaster follows."
> — "Details," Valen shrugged.
Liora sighed, then raised her hand.
> — "Enough talk. Teams, take your positions. Portal activation in thirty seconds."
---
Moments later, on the operation field, the two squads stood before a swirling black vortex that pulsed like a living heart.
The portal vibrated, exhaling a strange, unstable energy. Blue electric arcs danced across the ground, making the air almost unbreathable.
Lya stared into the dark mist with a nervous smile.
> — "No idea where this leads… but I've got a bad feeling."
Nova, adjusting her blade, replied calmly:
> — "Bad feeling or not, it's our job."
Valor crossed his arms, frowning.
> — "If this is really a Disaster-class gate, even a recon mission could turn into a nightmare."
Ryn stayed silent, her eyes scanning the warped air around the vortex.
Arthur cracked his fingers.
> — "Don't lose your nerve. It's just the unknown — not hell."
Annabelle smirked faintly.
> — "For now."
Ethan clenched his fists, gloves snapping.
> — "No matter what's in there, we're all coming back alive."
Béatrice raised a finger, her tone motherly.
> — "As long as you don't charge in without thinking, yes."
Marie nodded quietly, calm resolve in her eyes.
Drake took a deep breath.
> — "Alright. Move out. No direct engagement without orders. Lya, you're on point."
Lya winked.
> — "With pleasure, boss."
Her body dissolved into silvery mist, slipping into the portal.
One by one, the others followed, swallowed by the shifting light.
---
On the other side of the portal…
Silence. Then — a breath, almost alive.
The ground beneath their feet was neither stone nor soil, but a soft, organic surface that glistened faintly — as though the world itself was breathing.
Above them, the sky was a sickly violet, streaked with veins of moving light.
Ryn looked around warily.
> — "This isn't a regular rift world. It feels… constructed."
Arthur knelt, pressing a hand to the surface.
> — "No vital flow… but something's here. Watching us."
Lya, back in physical form, narrowed her eyes.
> — "Aura echoes… several of them. We're surrounded."
Drake drew his weapon — the black blade he had taken from Antarès.
> — "Form up."
Lya sank into the ground in her spectral form, vanishing like a shadow in mist.
Nova unsheathed her sword, Ryn's light daggers spun into orbit as she cast buffs, and Valor's magic began to crackle, ready to unleash.
Arthur drew Excalibur, its golden light a stark contrast to the surrounding void.
Beside him, Ethan tightened his stance, Marie took aim, and Béatrice prepared her healing spells.
Then came a rumble from below — and a voice echoed, rough and distant, as though speaking through a thousand mirrors:
> — "Mortals… here? How interesting."
Figures materialized all around them — ten, then twenty, then hundreds.
All hooded, their bodies warped by Void energy.
Each bore the same glowing sigil on their chests: a serpent's eye staring from the dark.
Valor's face went pale.
> — "…That's the Mark of the Void."
Arthur clenched his jaw.
> — "This isn't a portal. It's an invasion gate."
And deep within that realm, two reptilian eyes opened.
A deep, amused voice whispered:
> — "The first pawns have stepped onto the board… entertain me, hunters."
The ground trembled, cracking like living flesh.
Behind them, the portal began to collapse.
Ryn turned in panic.
> — "The portal's closing!"
Drake tightened his grip on the blade.
> — "Defensive formation! We hold our ground!"
And in the trembling light of the Void, the recon mission had just become a death trap.