Two days later, another member of the Dark Hunter team was dead.
Gaunt's expression turned grim.
The atmosphere in the hall grew heavy, a suffocating silence stretching between them.
After a long pause, Gunter finally spoke.
"Stop the investigation."
His voice was cold and measured. "Whoever we're dealing with is too good at hiding. Our current methods are useless."
He exhaled slowly, then continued, "All members, fall back. Wait until they come for Rosgel's head."
Gunter's sharp gaze swept across the room. "The head is sealed. If they want to take it, they'll have to break the seal, and that will cause a commotion. That's when we strike."
His words hung in the air. A few of the hunters exchanged uneasy glances.
"The ones we sent to report back... they're all dead by now," he went on. "Breaking out isn't an option. We'd only suffer more casualties."
Gunter had two choices: lead everyone in a desperate breakout or lie in wait. The first option offered a chance to spread the word but risked total annihilation. The second—his current strategy—offered a greater chance of survival and revenge.
Deep down, Gaunt harbored a personal grudge. He wanted to avenge Ina himself.
But what Gaunt didn't realize was that, just outside the Dark Hunter base, two figures stood concealed in the shadows, watching.
One was a young man.
The other, a small girl.
"They've stopped searching for us," the young man muttered. "They're waiting for us to make a move on Lord Rosgel's head."
He turned to the girl. "Allie, what do you think?"
Allie hesitated, then said, "If we try to break the seal on Lord Rosgel's head, it'll definitely alert them. They'll attack."
Her expression hardened. "Rather than waiting for them to act, we should strike first. If a few of them escape and spread the word, it won't matter. By then, we'll already have Lord Rosgel's head."
She clenched her fists. "It's all because of Ina. If he hadn't spotted us, we could've just caused a big distraction and slipped away. Now, it's complicated."
Her voice dropped to a whisper. "We have to take Lord Rosgel's head. This mission must be completed."
She glanced at the young man beside her. "Rosgel-sama's story has been forgotten by most. They don't even know where his head is. That's why they only sent three of us."
"And we're the ones making this difficult," she added bitterly.
She lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Lord Akney. It was my mistake."
Akney waved a hand dismissively. "Forget it. Just make up for it. As long as we retrieve Lord Rosgel's head, I'll overlook your error."
His gaze returned to the Dark Hunter base. "Tonight, we attack."
"You'll lead the assault," he instructed. "I'll infiltrate them from within."
"Your Nen level is only B, but your ability is unique. If you go all out, even Gunter won't be able to handle you immediately. That's all we need."
Allie nodded but hesitated. "What about Lord Uki?"
"Uki will focus on breaking the seal. The two of us can create enough chaos. He doesn't need to be involved."
...
Nightfall
The sky darkened. The minutes dragged by.
Then—
A lone figure appeared outside the Dark Hunter base.
Allie stood still, staring at the fortress ahead. Determination burned in her eyes.
"For Mimbo!"
"For Lord Rosgel!"
"For justice!"
"For fairness!"
"For justice!" she repeated, her aura flaring violently.
"Refine!"
She thrust her hands forward. "Fist of the Sun!"
A massive surge of aura condensed into her palms. Then, with a ferocious swing, she hurled a blazing fireball toward the Dark Hunter base.
The fireball expanded, growing larger with each passing second until it reached the size of a house.
"Boom!"
Flames erupted on impact, engulfing the area. Structures crumbled under the inferno's assault.
"Enemy attack!"
Shouts rang through the night as Dark Hunters scrambled awake. Panic spread like wildfire.
Kaizen and Wendy's eyes snapped open.
They exchanged a glance.
Without a word, they rushed outside.
No matter their stance on the battle, staying inside was no longer an option. They'd be buried in the ruins if they lingered.
Gaunt bolted out, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Who?!"
His question was met with another incoming fireball.
"Boom!"
The explosion sent flames roaring in all directions, turning the battlefield into an inferno. The entire Dark Hunter base was in chaos.
Allie's assault was relentless. Even Gaunt struggled to counter her flames. Against such an overwhelming offense, the other hunters stood no chance.
This was Allie's ability—fire manipulation unlike any ordinary flame-based Nen.
Amid the chaos, a shadow crept into the base.
Akney moved swiftly, his form shifting the moment he stepped inside.
It was one of his abilities—the power to take on another's appearance.
Similar to the Transformation Technique from the Naruto world.
"Pfft!"
A Dark Hunter mistook him for an ally. Before he could react, Akney's blade sliced his throat.
Moments later, another area.
A third target. A fourth…
By the time they realized something was wrong, it was too late.
Bodies littered the ground.
Gaunt's gaze snapped toward the infiltrator. His eyes burned red with rage.
Without hesitation, he abandoned the fight against Allie and charged straight for Akney.
Akney smirked.
"The rest is up to you!" he shouted.
"Stick to the plan!"
Allie gave a determined nod.
"Understood."
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