Leo did not attend the ceremony for the new Hunters. Satz had something to discuss with him, so they went to Satz's room together.
Inside the room, Satz took out a roll of yellowed beast-skin map and a thick stack of documents from a locked cabinet.
He carefully placed them on the table and pushed them toward Leo.
"I have deciphered all the information on the beast-skin map you gave me."
Satz's tone was steady.
"This is the deciphered information and the map. Since I have time now, I'm returning them all to you."
Leo took the beast-skin map and the documents, flipping through them briefly.
He couldn't make sense of the dense text and complex patterns for the time being.
"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Satz."
Leo thanked him sincerely.
Satz waved his hand, a smile appearing on his face.
"It's nothing; this is all part of my work."
He paused, his gaze becoming profound.
"If I'm not mistaken, the content recorded on this map... is related to 'The Outside World'."
Leo looked up at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
"You mean the Dark Continent."
Satz was slightly startled, then nodded.
"Exactly. Since you also know about the Dark Continent, there's no need for me to explain further."
He pointed at the documents, his tone turning serious.
"Leo, I suggest you destroy these materials after you finish reading them. Do not let them circulate. The existence of the Dark Continent is a taboo for ordinary people. And for Hunters... it is a place many dream of but few dare to touch easily."
Leo nodded.
"I understand."
The two of them talked for a while longer.
Satz shared some details he discovered during the deciphering process, as well as information about the Dark Continent.
About the V5's prohibition, and about those Hunters who once went to explore the continent and never returned.
Finally, Leo stood up to take his leave.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Satz."
"You're welcome."
Satz smiled and saw him to the door.
"If you have any more ancient texts or maps that need deciphering in the future, feel free to come to me."
Leo nodded and left the room with the heavy documents, while the faint cheers of the newly promoted Hunters could be heard in the distance.
In the southern part of the Urubian Continent, in the vast sea area bordering the Mitene Federation.
There was a small island not marked on any map. Its surface was covered in dense tropical vegetation, and from high above, it looked no different from the countless other deserted islands around it.
But thirty meters underground—the cold white lights remained lit.
The massive underground space was divided into several areas, with walls made of smooth alloy that reflected the cold light.
Various sophisticated high-tech equipment, incubation pods, and analytical instruments were arranged in an orderly fashion, emitting a low hum.
The air was filled with a strange scent—a mixture of disinfectant, preservatives, and a hint of blood that was hard to mask.
Inside an independent office.
The Doctor sat in a wide leather chair, holding an encrypted phone.
She was still wearing her neat white lab coat, and her eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses stared calmly at the desk, as if waiting for something.
The phone screen lit up. She pressed the answer button.
"Doctor."
A synthesized electronic voice came from the receiver, devoid of any emotion.
"We are very dissatisfied with the current progress and results."
The Doctor's voice was flat, without any fluctuations.
"We have successfully made experiment subject no. 2 obey simple commands. Give me a bit more time, and I will be able to produce perfected results."
"We have reviewed the information you sent over."
The electronic voice interrupted her.
"Our opinion is—we want to see actual results. We have waited too long and do not wish to hear this anymore."
The Doctor's brow furrowed slightly as she rubbed her temples, trying to explain.
"The subject is not yet stable enough; if we proceed now..."
"I do not wish to say the same thing a second time."
The tone of the electronic voice remained flat, but the pressure contained within that flatness made the Doctor's words come to an abrupt halt.
She was silent for a moment.
"I understand."
"It is good that you understand."
The electronic voice paused.
"There is a useless Secret Realm in the southern part of the Ejin Continent; use it to test experiment subject no. 2. Let us see how much of a role it can play."
The Doctor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I will send someone over to take charge. Make the necessary preparations for the handover."
With those words, the call disconnected.
The Doctor put down the encrypted phone and sat quietly for a few minutes.
A ferocious glint flashed in her eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses.
She stood up and pushed open the office door.
Outside the door, a man in black leather was leaning against the wall, waiting.
He was lean with a sinister face, and a faint, cold smile was permanently fixed on his lips—Layard, one of the Doctor's confidants.
The Doctor walked forward expressionlessly, and Layard immediately followed behind her.
"Notify Victor."
The Doctor spoke as she walked, her voice as cold as ice.
"Seal experiment subject no. 2 and prepare it for transport. We are entering the next stage—combat testing."
The cold smile on Layard's face instantly froze, replaced by obvious surprise.
"Wasn't experiment subject no. 2 only just successfully tested?"
He quickened his pace to keep up and asked in a low voice.
"Moving to the next stage so soon? Won't there be risks..."
The Doctor came to a sudden halt.
She turned around, her eyes staring dead at Layard as she spoke word by word.
"We don't have time. Those swine above... have started to interfere."
Layard was stunned.
Looking into the Doctor's cold eyes and seeing the flash of ferocity within them, a chill rose in his heart.
"I understand."
He reined in his surprise and nodded solemnly.
"I will notify Victor."
The Doctor turned and continued walking.
After a few steps, she suddenly stopped and said without looking back.
"They have prepared a Secret Realm within the Bartochia Republic. They will send people; you go to meet them."
Layard listened quietly.
"Then, once everything is ready..."
The Doctor's voice became even colder.
"Let the people from the Association 'accidentally' discover that Secret Realm. Do you understand?"
Layard raised an eyebrow and said.
"If we do that, those above will definitely find out, and we'll be in a very passive position..."
A cold light flashed in the Doctor's eyes; she understood the thoughts of those people perfectly.
"Hmph, of course they will know. Every move we make is under their surveillance, but so what! They still need me!"
Layard's mouth slowly curled into a sinister grin.
"I see. Leave it to me."
The Doctor said no more and walked toward the laboratory.
Layard stood where he was, watching her back disappear at the end of the corridor, then turned and walked in another direction.
In the corridor, the cold white lights remained lit."