Akira crossed his arms, pouting."Just as I thought I was doing good, I get ruled out."
Hinata smiled, the corner of his mouth tilting up as he patted Akira's back. "Well, it's not like they're not hosting another one next year."
Akira scowled, glancing around the dim chamber. "Now that I think about it—where did my key go?"
Jackson, leaning against the wall, shrugged. "Oh, we gave it to them."
Akira's jaw dropped. "Seriously? You gave it away?"
"Didn't seem like you were gonna use it," Jackson said simply.
Akira sighed, shoulders slumping. "Man, this sucks, huh."
Jackson tilted his head. "Their goals are more important."
Akira turned sharply, eyes narrowing. "More important? In what way?"He took a breath, his tone hardening. "Dreams are what make us human. Without dreams, we'd still be cavemen staring at fire, too scared to figure out how it worked. Without dreams, nothing happens. Nothing changes."
For a moment, Jackson just stared at him. Then he leaned back, smirking faintly. "Then start something."
Minutes later, the group of remaining Hunters gathered before the final gate. One by one, they lined up their keys, fitting them into the massive lock that pulsed with golden light. The air thrummed with Tao energy—unstable, alive.
Hinata stood beside Akira, his expression unreadable. Jackson cracked his knuckles.
When the signal sounded, it happened fast.
Hinata struck first, knocking one contestant unconscious before they could react. Jackson moved next, swift and quiet, taking down another with a strike to the neck.
Akira stepped forward, Tao gathering around his hands like heat waves. Alright, my turn—
Then, without warning, one of the examinees across from him staggered. His key clattered to the floor.
Akira blinked. "Huh?"
The man's knees buckled. He collapsed, lifeless, before he ever hit the ground.
Silence spread through the room like frost.
Jackson froze mid-motion. Hinata's eyes widened, then he crouched, pressing two fingers to the man's neck.
A heartbeat. Nothing.
He stood slowly, voice calm but low. "He's dead."
No one moved. The gate pulsed once, as if breathing.
Then Hinata's expression hardened. He drew his sword, the steel whispering free of its sheath.
"Everyone—back away," he said.
The golden timer above them kept ticking down.
00:24:39