The next morning — exactly at nine.
The sky above Sena City was silver-gray, a thin mist hanging in the air, reflecting the dim light of a sun reluctant to reveal itself. In the center of the main field, the entire Monster Hunter force stood in neat formation, their faces tense yet burning with anticipation.
Jake stood before them, posture straight, sharp eyes scanning every face.
"MONSTER HUNTERS!!"
His voice echoed, vibrating in the chest of every soldier.
The entire force responded in unison, stomping their feet and striking their right fists against their chests.
"For Indosvara! For humanity!"
Their roar thundered through the morning fog.
Jake looked at them with pride—yet caution lingered in his gaze.
"Today is the day we begin our journey and our first mission beyond the gates of Sena City," he declared. "For the first time… you will step outside the protection of these walls."
Silence fell briefly. Jake inhaled deeply.
"You have not yet been divided into squads. The assignments will be announced later—at our new headquarters, outside the city gates."
His eyes narrowed, recalling what had happened earlier that dawn.
---
A Few Hours Earlier — 1:00 AM
The medical room was silent. Only the sound of rain tapping against the window could be heard.
Suddenly, Sai's fingers moved slightly.
Jake, who had been sitting in a chair, straightened instantly. "He's awake… Sai!"
The man parted his lips slowly. His voice was hoarse, broken.
"Ve… lis… ta…"
Jake and Ken exchanged tense looks.
"Velista? Who do you mean?" Jake asked quickly.
But Sai did not answer. His eyes closed again, his breathing weakening.
Jake stared at him for a long moment.
"Velista…" he whispered. "Is she… behind all of this?"
The scene seemed to shift beyond the window—the dark night, rain pouring heavier.
Lightning struck, illuminating the silhouette of a woman standing atop a distant tower.
A faint smile curved her lips, her eyes unreadable.
"It has begun," she whispered softly.
The next flash of lightning made the figure vanish.
Jake flinched, his face paling.
"Jake, what is it?" Ken asked suspiciously.
Jake swallowed and looked down briefly. "It's nothing, Ken."
But his breathing was uneven—something had clearly unsettled him.
Ken continued seriously, "Have you divided the Monster Hunter squads?"
Jake looked at him and answered flatly, "Yes. I'll announce it at our new headquarters."
"New headquarters?" Ken frowned. "Isn't this already our new base?"
Jake gazed out the window, lightning splitting across his eyes.
"I plan to take them beyond the gates. Into uncertain territory—safe or not."
"To bait something."
Ken fell silent. "Bait… what?"
Jake's gaze sharpened. "The enemy beneath the blanket."
"So you suspect there's a traitor among us?" Ken asked gravely.
Jake nodded slowly. "This world is already too chaotic. The monster attacks are not a coincidence. They wait for us to be careless. And if all of this is too organized… then human hands are behind it."
Ken exhaled heavily. "And if we truly get attacked?"
Jake looked at Sai's weakened body.
"That's why I've prepared a contingency plan. I won't let what happened to Sai happen again."
His eyes burned with resolve.
---
Back to the Morning
The Monster Hunter ranks stood silent after Jake's announcement. Some swallowed nervously, their faces tense. The rumors of last night's patrol being slaughtered were still fresh in their minds.
Ryu, Evelyn, Leon, and Elias stood side by side.
Elias nudged Ryu lightly. "Oi, Ryu… you heard, right? The patrol last night was wiped out. Only Sai survived."
Leon glanced sideways, expression flat.
"I don't care," Ryu replied coldly. "If they patrol at night, that's the risk they take."
Elias shook his head uneasily. "But what if that happens to us too?"
Leon frowned. "Commander Jake wouldn't let us move without a plan. He must have prepared something… but what?"
Evelyn suddenly shot Elias a sharp look.
"Can you be quiet? If the commander hears you spreading panic, you might get kicked out of formation."
Elias grinned awkwardly. "Ahaha… yeah, yeah, sorry. I just want us to stay alert."
Jake stepped forward.
"We will walk to the new headquarters," he said firmly. "Square formation—now!"
"Square formation, ready!" the soldiers shouted in unison.
Metal footsteps filled the air. Thirty-eight soldiers marched in formation, their swords reflecting faint sunlight. Jake led at the front, his steps steady.
They passed rows of civilian houses. Children stared in awe, waving their small hands.
"That's the Monster Hunter squad!" a child shouted.
Some soldiers looked proud. Others looked nervous.
"Man, I look so cool," one muttered, earning quiet laughter.
Evelyn merely scoffed. "They don't even know how terrifying monsters truly are," she murmured.
Ryu glanced at the smiling townsfolk lining the streets, their eyes full of hope.
"That look… I don't want to disappoint them."
Memories flashed in his mind—the ruins of his city, his family's screams, the red glow of the meteor tearing the sky apart.
He clenched his fists.
"I won't let that tragedy happen again."
"Monster Hunter squad exiting! Open the gates!" a guard shouted.
Chains clanked as the massive gates slowly opened with a deep rumble.
From above the walls, Ken and his deputy, Isabela, observed.
"Ken," Isabela said softly, her brown hair flowing in the wind, "why aren't they using horses?"
Ken smiled faintly. "Because Jake doesn't move without reason. If he chose to walk… there's a purpose behind it."
"You mean he's intentionally slowing them down?"
"Exactly," Ken replied. "To identify the enemy hiding among them."
Isabela let out a small laugh. "So our suspicion was right. Something much bigger lies behind all of this."
She watched as the mist swallowed the squad's figures.
"I hope they'll be safe," she murmured.
---
As they marched farther, the fog thickened.
"Ryu, don't stray too far from me," Evelyn said quietly.
Ryu smiled faintly. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere."
Evelyn lowered her gaze slightly, her cheeks tinged red. "I just… worry I won't be able to save you in time."
Leon, Elias, and Kael walking behind them exchanged amused looks.
"Seriously? Even in this fog they still find time for drama," Elias muttered.
Up front, Jake remained focused. His eyes scanned every corner of the mist, his body tense.
Suddenly, the wind stopped.
The world fell silent.
Then—
Boom.
The ground trembled.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The sound grew louder. Dust rose. Birds scattered into the sky.
"W-what's happening?!" a soldier shouted in panic.
"Prepare yourselves!" Jake barked, drawing his sword instantly.
The tremors intensified.
Then, from within the fog, a gigantic shadow emerged—tall, dark, moving fast.
"Run left! NOW!!" Jake shouted.
The entire force scattered in panic. Ryu grabbed Evelyn's hand, pulling her out of the thick mist.
"Keep running! Don't stop!" Jake roared, his breath heavy.
As they broke free from the fog, the ground behind them exploded—
A massive monster burst forth, charging forward, each step shaking the earth.
"That's… A MONSTER!!" someone screamed.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The earth trembled as if it were about to collapse.
"Damn it… Elias, you were right!" Ryu shouted while sprinting at full speed.
"Don't tell me we're going to end up like last night's patrol!" another soldier cried, face pale.
The monster drew closer, its breath like a storm, its shadow swallowing the sunlight.
Jake glanced back, his eyes reflecting destruction.
"Keep running! Don't leave anyone behind!!"
Screams, dust, and thunderous footsteps merged into one chaotic symphony.
The world itself seemed to tremble.
To be continued…