The rain hadn't stopped.
It poured endlessly over the ruined street, washing away blood, dust, and the remains of the battle.
But one thing refused to be washed away.
Kael.
He stood at the center of it all, the Abyss Core still floating just above his palm, pulsing like a living heart.
Daniel slowly approached him, his steps unsteady.
"…Kael."
No response.
Kael's eyes were fixed on the core.
The crimson system window flickered again.
[Abyss Core Synchronization Available][Warning: Compatibility Unknown]
"…Synchronization?"
Kael muttered the word under his breath.
Before he could think further—
A distant sound cut through the rain.
SIRENS.
Multiple.
Getting closer.
Daniel froze.
"…They're here."
Kael didn't need to ask who.
Hunters.
Government forces.
People who dealt with Gates.
People who would definitely notice… him.
"Kael, you have to hide that—"
"I know."
With a slight movement of his hand, the shadows wrapped around the core.
It vanished.
Not destroyed.
Stored.
The system confirmed it.
[Abyss Core Stored]
Footsteps echoed through the street.
Heavy.
Organized.
Within seconds, several figures appeared through the rain.
Black uniforms.
Weapons ready.
Eyes sharp.
At the front stood a man with a calm but intimidating presence.
His gaze immediately locked onto Kael.
"…You're the one who killed it."
It wasn't a question.
Kael met his eyes.
"…Yeah."
Silence.
The man studied him carefully.
Then—
"…Name."
Kael hesitated for half a second.
"…Kim Kael."
The man nodded slightly.
But something in his expression changed.
Like he didn't fully believe it.
Behind him, another Hunter whispered:
"There's no way… the readings are wrong."
"The Gate energy is still unstable."
"And him—"
Their voices lowered, but Kael could still hear fragments.
"…abnormal output…"
"…not matching any known system…"
The leader stepped closer.
Up close, his presence felt even heavier.
"What level are you?"
Kael paused.
"…I don't know."
It wasn't a lie.
But it wasn't the truth either.
The man's eyes narrowed.
Then suddenly—
A device in one of the Hunters' hands beeped loudly.
BEEP—BEEP—BEEP—
Everyone turned.
"What is it?"
The Hunter stared at the screen, his face turning pale.
"…That's not possible…"
"What did you see?"
The Hunter swallowed.
Then slowly turned the screen toward the leader.
"…He's not registered."
Silence.
"…What?"
"There's no player ID."
"No system record."
"No awakening data."
"…Nothing."
The rain grew heavier.
The leader's gaze returned to Kael.
But this time—
It wasn't just serious.
It was dangerous.
"…Everyone who receives the System is registered."
His voice dropped.
"…So tell me—"
A faint killing intent filled the air.
"…what exactly are you?"
For a brief moment—
The world went quiet.
Then—
Kael's system activated on its own.
[External Observation Detected][Threat Assessment: Rising]
Another message appeared.
Slower.
Colder.
[Recommendation:]
[Eliminate Witnesses]
Kael's eyes flickered.
The shadows around his feet moved slightly.
Unnoticed.
Uncontrolled.
Dangerous.
Daniel, standing behind him, felt it immediately.
"…Kael…?"
But Kael didn't respond.
His gaze remained locked on the Hunters.
On the man in front of him.
On the situation closing in from all sides.
Then—
He exhaled.
Slowly.
"…I'm just a player."
The system flickered.
As if… dissatisfied.
The leader didn't respond immediately.
But his hand moved slightly toward his weapon.
"…We're taking you in."
The other Hunters raised their weapons.
Not fully.
But enough.
A warning.
A threat.
Kael stood still.
Rain dripping from his hair.
Eyes calm.
But deep inside—
Something was changing.
Something growing.
Because the system had already made its decision.
And it had given him one simple answer.
Destroy.
The Gate behind them suddenly trembled.
Violently.
Everyone turned in shock.
"…What now?!"
The black crack in reality expanded slightly—
Then pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
And then—
A second presence emerged.
Heavier.
Darker.
Watching.
Kael slowly looked back at the Gate.
His eyes narrowed.
"…So it's not over."
Far away, inside the unseen depths of the System—
Something observed everything.
And it had finally reached a conclusion.
[The anomaly has been confirmed.]
Back in the rain—
Kael took a step forward.
And in that moment—
Every Hunter felt it.
Fear.