Rosaline stared at the runes for a moment before whispering, "Is that so?"
"One day, we will be able to read them. Perhaps they hold the key to permanently closing all four Great Gates," Charlwind said, his voice filled with a scholarly delight.
"I suppose so," Rosaline replied, shifting her gaze from the ancient script to the Professor. "I hope for that as well."
Having worked with Charlwind for over two years, she had seen these symbols scattered throughout various Gate Dungeons. The Professor had always maintained a firm belief that they were more than mere decoration—that they were a fundamental factor in understanding the Great Gates that plagued the world.
"Now that we've gathered the data, we should head back. I'm worried Malloch might try something," Rosaline said, her voice laced with weary resignation behind her fox mask. She didn't feel comfortable leaving Charlwind's protection to Eugene or the others.
"...Rosaline, can I ask you something? Do you believe we can truly defeat the De-vons?" Charlwind asked suddenly, his eyes fixed on the camera screen.
"...With the current strength of the Hunter Association, a decisive victory is difficult. Even with five Golden Chairs, a few Legendaries, and the S-Rank Hunters, we still lack both the quality and quantity of manpower needed for a total triumph," Rosaline answered truthfully.
"Then... in the long run, do you think we stand a chance?"
"To be honest, Professor... I cannot see the future," she replied.
"I see. Always the realist, aren't you?" He spoke with a faraway look in his eyes. "I've always admired that about you. It's such a waste to see you taking on missions unrelated to Dungeons or combat."
"Professor Charlwind," Rosaline said softly, "is something wrong?"
"I don't know... I'm just speaking my mind," Charlwind muttered. "Tell me, are you truly satisfied with sharing this world with De-vons? Are you content with just surviving day to day, never truly eradicating the catastrophe that threatens humanity?"
Rosaline went still, evaluating the situation. She searched his golden eyes before asking, "...Professor... is this really what you wanted to say to me?"
His golden eyes flickered, as if he were suddenly snapping back to reality.
"I... I was just thinking aloud. I don't know. The thought just... came out," Charlwind stammered, looking visibly confused. "How... strange."
Hearing this, Rosaline summoned her amber-headed staff, sweeping its light across the area. Her deep blue eyes scanned every shadow the light touched.
"Fearful Presence," she whispered, extending her hand.
Though there was no immediate target, the cold, sharp killing intent radiating from her skill made even Charlwind wince. He had felt the brush of death a thousand times, yet he managed to chirp cheerfully, "Wow, you've improved again, Hermit. Remarkable."
"We need to leave. Now. Staying here isn't safe," Rosaline urged, her face grim.
"Right..." Charlwind nodded, packing his camera. He flashed a wide, unnerving grin.
Rosaline watched him silently. Was that what he really thought of her? Or was something else influencing him?
"Professor, stay in front. I'll watch the rear," she commanded, her voice professional and stern. She kept her staff ready, leaving a trail of frigid killing intent behind her as they retreated. She glanced back periodically, but the darkness remained empty.
…
…
When they returned to the team's resting point, they were met with a shocking scene. Amalin was standing off against Malloch. Beside her stood Eugene and a female low-rank Hunter.
Eugene was staggering, supported by the woman. One side of his face was swollen and bruised from a heavy blow.
"Stop this madness, Malloch!" Amalin roared. "You're terrifying her!"
"What?! I just wanted her to sit on my lap and help me relax a bit," Malloch sneered. "She's got a pretty face; I figured I'd show her some affection. No need to throw a fit over it."
Alka merely sighed, refusing to get involved. He remained cross-legged against the wall, watching with indifference.
"Mr. Malloch, Ms. Amalin," Charlwind spoke up, his voice booming with authority. "What is the meaning of this?"
"...He was harassing a low-rank Hunter," Amalin explained, glaring at Malloch. "Eugene tried to protect her and took a punch to the face."
Rosaline watched as the female Hunter used a Heal skill on Eugene. His jaw looked nearly unhinged, but the magic began to knit the bone back together.
"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave, Mr. Malloch," Charlwind declared, tapping his earpiece. "Command, this is the containment team leader. Do you copy? Over."
"What?! You can't do that!" Malloch stomped toward the Professor, but Rosaline stepped into his path, her staff pointed directly at his face.
"Don't... even think about doing something stupid, Malloch," Rosaline said, her voice like ice. But Malloch wasn't looking at her; his eyes were fixed on the amber staff, glittering with pure greed. "If you kill a fellow Hunter in a Dungeon... do you think the Association's laws will protect you, or bury you?"
"That... that staff. You found an artifact, didn't you?" Malloch laughed, reaching out with a massive hand. "Give it to me... with that, I'll finally break through to Rank A."
His face twisted in rage when Rosaline effortlessly pulled the staff out of his reach.
"You can't use this. This staff chooses its master. Very few can even hold it, and even fewer can draw out its true potential," Rosaline said, her voice as detached as a corporate presentation.
"...You... you want it all for yourself!" Malloch's voice shook with fury. "If I had that artifact, I'd be S-Rank in no time! No... I'd be Legendary!"
Malloch summoned his giant war hammer and swung it down at Rosaline.
"...This isn't something someone like you could ever wield, Malloch," she whispered, dodging the strike while pulling Charlwind to safety.
The hammer slammed into the floor, the force shattering the ground into a crater.
'He's using skills against us?' Rosaline thought. She had no time to dwell on it as the hammer swung toward her again, relentless and merciless.
CLANG!
"Stop! The structure is fragile! If you keep hitting the floor like that, the whole place will collapse!" Amalin had intervened, using the handle of her steel pickaxe to parry Malloch's hammer.
"What I want, I take!" Malloch declared. His eyes were turning bloodshot, and a dark, malevolent aura began to ooze from his body.
Amalin felt the surge of unnatural strength. She grit her teeth, knowing she couldn't let him hit the ground again. "[Skill: Jolt!]"
A localized gale erupted from beneath her feet. The shockwave expanded, shoving the massive warrior back several meters.
"You... woman!" Malloch roared like a lion. He activated his signature move. "Thunder's Mail!"
White lightning arced down, but as it touched Malloch's skin, it was instantly corrupted, turning pitch black as it surged through his veins.
The team watched in horror, realizing something was fundamentally wrong.
"A Legendary Hunter... and then... the position of High Commander of the Association will be mine!"
Charlwind manifested a heavy metal shield from his palm. "It seems combat is unavoidable. All Supports except Grey Hood, get back! Everyone else, prepare for battle—Tanks to the front!"
Alka finally stood, summoning his staff, while the rest of the team braced themselves for the unthinkable.