The fog over the southern district thickened, shrouding the silent ruins of the Gate. Seonwoo observed his team, breaths heavy, bodies exhausted, yet awareness of new threats remained high. From the mist emerged a new figure—a young Hunter with a commanding aura, known as Jin Hae-Min, Rank B Hunter, Job Shadow Ranger, specializing in long-range attacks and reconnaissance. With silver hair catching faint light, Hae-Min stared calmly at Shadowclaw, holding a Void bow radiating purple energy.
"Looks like I arrived just in time," he said, voice flat but firm. Hae-Min's primary skill, Eclipse Arrow, fired an arrow capable of piercing darkness and tracking targets via Void energy. He shot it toward Shadowclaw, the purple flash disrupting the monster's focus.
The next monster appeared—Nightfang, a new Void predator—leaping from the ruins. Its body was sleek, dark scales like molten obsidian, long fangs radiating Void energy, and a deadly tail capable of precise sweeping strikes. Signature skills: Void Bite, a bite that sends a wave of dark energy across an area, and Phantom Slash, a spinning tail attack slicing both earth and air, forcing Hunters to dodge or take damage.
Seonwoo watched Nightfang, instincts alert. This was no ordinary monster; its attack patterns were fast, aggressive, and cunning. He felt the same tension as when facing Shadowclaw, but now the challenge was heightened.
Rina and Hyunsoo reacted immediately. Rina used Luminous Slash on Nightfang to create openings, while Hyunsoo fired Void Arrow Barrage, forcing the monster to adjust its attacks. Hae-Min remained calm, releasing a second Eclipse Arrow, this time targeting a weak spot on Nightfang revealed by its aggressive movements.
The battle became a deadly choreography: every strike, block, and leap from Hunters or monsters felt like a perilous dance. Seonwoo moved with the pattern, memorizing Nightfang's moves, noting weak points, striving to survive.
The monster roared, attacking with Phantom Slash, slicing through nearby debris. Seonwoo was thrown aside, dust swirling around him, yet he began to understand the importance of coordination: the combined skill of the Hunters created openings he alone could not exploit.
After several minutes, Nightfang retreated, shimmering faintly into the Void before disappearing. The Hunters gasped for breath, minor wounds marking their bodies, yet all survived. Seonwoo stared at the ruins, heart racing, and a new understanding grew: battles were not just about strength but strategy, observation, and skill coordination. He realized the Hunter world would keep challenging them, and only the intelligent and vigilant would survive.