Somewhere in Space,
A massive doughnut-shaped mothership floated through the depths of space.
Its inner radius measured 100 miles, while the outer radius stretched to 150 miles.
Inside it was a room labelled Office.
Bang!
The door was smashed open.
The polar bear, Fen, rushed inside.
[Fen]: Boss! News!
"Hohoho, seems like we are becoming quite the busy people."
A humanoid reindeer declared.
The most famous figure in the entertainment industry.
Freeman Herto.
[Freeman]: What news is it, secretary?
[Fen]: It seems Team PALGMK is back in action. According to information provided by an anonymous source, they're up against some unknown faction. Moreover, it's apparently the brother of Hunter Dragon they're after.
Freeman shouted with excitement.
[Freeman]: Seems like the team has quite the grudge against the Dragoling brothers. Hohoho... this new GATSKALTT is really making me happy.
[Fen]: The informer also said they'll be passing through Isolated Dimension 777. If they reach there, we might finally obtain information regarding our—
[Freeman]: Agreed. Let's leave.
He stood up immediately.
[Freeman]: I'm coming too. Prepare a spacecraft... and Project Rider.
[Fen]: But —
[Freeman]: No buts. I don't care about anything else. I want to witness this event myself.
Freeman jumped onto his desk.
[Freeman]: I shall uncover the truth with my own eyes and spread it myself. Besides, I can't push my staff into such danger alone. I may be the boss... but above all, I'm their leader!!
He spread his arms dramatically.
Fen's mouth hung open.
[Fen]: Yes, sir!! Then I'll accompany you as well!!
He hurried out of the office.
Freeman hopped back onto his chair.
[Freeman[: That was quite easy. Just a little performance and everyone's motivated.
He sighed.
[Freeman]: Though... it is true.
He slowly lifted his teacup.
[Freeman]: I don't want to lose a single member of my staff.
His smile faded.
[Freeman]: Truth attracts hatred... and enemies. As their boss, I should be the one standing in front of it, not my subordinates.
He took another sip.
A bitter expression appeared on his face.
[Freeman]: The tea has gone cold.
*
Asen,
Ruin Society,
Rain.
Not of water—
But meteors.
The sky rained blazing rocks.
Garar Foi was summoning hundreds of meteors from the heavens.
Everything caught beneath them was crushed into rubble.
The blue cloud, Ganaraj, carrying Mala and Grimori, soared high into the sky.
A gigantic superbolt descended.
Grimori struck it head-on and repelled it.
[Mala]: How are we even supposed to defeat this thing?
[Grimori]: I wonder if this is even his true power.
[Mala]: What do you mean?
[Grimori]: My instincts are warning me...
He narrowed his eyes.
[Grimori]: Something far worse is coming.
[Ganaraj]: I agree.
His voice grew heavier.
[Ganaraj]: My instincts are screaming the same. If I had even a minute to recover my lost strength... I could defeat him.
[Mala]: A minute?
A massive chunk of the dark clouds detached itself.
It drifted before the blue cloud.
Then...
It took Foi's shape.
The instant it happened—
The sky tore apart.
A crack stretched across the heavens.
Mala instinctively looked through the opening.
Her breathing stopped.
A demon.
A colossal demon.
At least twelve miles tall.
Even Grimori couldn't hide the tension on his face.
Across the battlefield, soldiers suddenly began turning into dust.
The Ganas who were fighting them froze in confusion.
Vice Commander Uson, who had been thrown near the Northern Gate, slowly stood up.
[Uson]: I hate that man for this.
He clicked his tongue.
[Uson]: Grandor deliberately sent an enormous army alongside him... just so he'd have enough souls for this invasion.
The souls of the fallen soldiers drifted into the torn sky.
They screamed.
The demon devoured them one after another.
[Foi]: That demon body shall become my body for this battle.
His hoarse voice echoed across the battlefield.
[Foi]: I shall devour every last one of you.
[Mala]: I hate the guts of that man.
Far away, Pratik slowly stood up.
He had been thrown deep into the grasslands.
His eyes landed on a badly wounded enemy war elephant.
The elephant cried in agony.
Pratik tried to ignore it.
He took a few steps away.
But the painful cries...
He couldn't.
Pratik turned back.
He walked towards the elephant.
[Pratik]: Range Shiftling, Shadow Lord's Garden. Range of 2 metres.
Soft light spread around them.
Within seconds, the elephant's wounds disappeared.
Pratik gently rested his forehead against its trunk.
[Pratik]: Why do innocent beings have to suffer in the wars of others?
He lowered his eyes.
[Pratik]: Why can't they simply live peaceful lives?
His voice became quiet.
Pain aimed at him—
He could endure.
Pain aimed at others—
It shattered him.
It had always been that way.
The elephant wrapped its trunk around him.
[Pratik]: I understand.
He smiled softly.
[Pratik]: You should leave. This battlefield is too dangerous.
Instead—
The elephant carefully lifted Pratik and placed him on its back.
[Pratik]: What are you doing—
The elephant interrupted him with a loud trumpet.
[Pratik]: I can't understand your language, friend.
"He says he wishes to become your ally until you win."
Uson spoke.
Still in his leopard form, he slowly approached them.
[Uson]: He belongs to the Three-Tusk Species.
He looked at the elephant.
[Uson]: They grow stronger under a ruler they truly believe in... and weaker beneath one they despise.
He looked at Pratik.
[Uson]: He has accepted you as his ruler. His faith itself will make him stronger.
The elephant trumpeted proudly.
Pratik smiled awkwardly.
He patted the elephant's head.
[Pratik]: I don't want to use you. I healed you so you wouldn't have to fight anymore... not so you could get hurt again because of me.
The elephant trumpeted once more.
[Uson]: He says nothing matters now except your victory.
He paused.
[Uson]: If you win... his entire clan will finally be free from Grandor's tyranny.
The elephant nodded firmly.
Pratik smiled warmly.
[Pratik]: Aren't you a hero, big guy?
He gently rubbed the elephant's forehead.
Uson nodded proudly.
A second later—
Pratik's smile vanished.
He made his usual goofy blank face and stared at Uson.
[Pratik]: But... aren't we enemies?
[Uson]: I believe so.
Uson replied with the same perfectly serious expression.
To be continued...
---
EXTRAS:-
Hunter Marshal Griho
Following Hunter Dragon Crocus's escape from Dragon Empire Prison, the great Dragoling Sorcerer, Hunter Marshal Griho, has set out to capture the Hunter Dragon.
The journey of Griho begins.