The city didn't explode.
No alarms.
No emergency broadcasts.
Just whispers.
---
In places I couldn't see—
Hunters argued.
---
> Hunter Network – Internal Channel
"Tracking failure confirmed."
"Target vanished mid-lock."
"Interference suspected."
---
I felt it through resonance.
Confusion.
Frustration.
Unease.
---
> [Emotional Resonance: High-Level Activity Detected.]
"…So this is the aftermath."
> [Assessment: Yes.]
---
Somewhere underground—
A man slammed his fist onto a table.
"This isn't a normal spirit," he snapped.
"It adapts. It hides. It thinks."
---
Another voice replied calmly.
"Then we escalate."
---
I shivered.
Not from fear.
From certainty.
---
> [Hunter Network Alert Level: Crimson]
"…That sounds expensive."
> [Clarification: Lethal-grade authorization.]
Great.
---
Mira appeared again.
Sitting casually on the edge of the window frame.
"Congratulations," she said.
"You just forced a reorganization."
"That's not a good thing, is it?"
She smiled.
"No. It's a useful thing."
---
She flicked her finger.
Symbols flashed briefly in the air.
---
> [World Variable Shift Detected:]
— Hunter Faction Behavior Changed
> Hunt Method:
• Fewer random sweeps
• More specialized teams
• Higher-value targets prioritized
---
"So I'm promoted."
"Yes."
"To what?"
Mira tilted her head.
"…A problem."
---
I sighed.
"Figures."
---
> [Spirit Core Progress:]
85% → 92%
My core pulsed.
Stronger.
Denser.
---
"Oh?" Mira raised an eyebrow.
"You're close."
"Too close to fail," I replied.
---
She chuckled.
"Good. You'll need it."
"For what?"
---
Her smile faded slightly.
"For when other factions notice you."
---
"…Other factions?"
She stood.
"Hunters aren't the only ones who hate uncontrolled spirits."
---
The air grew heavy.
Ancient.
Patient.
---
> [New Threat Category Unlocked:]
— Orthodox Exorcists
— Cultivator Sects
— Rogue Spirits
---
"…My life just got complicated."
Mira stepped back into the shadows.
"It always does."
---
> [Path of Return: World Stage Expanded.]
I hovered alone again.
Core pulsing.
City watching.
Enemies adjusting.
---
"…Alright," I muttered.
"Let's see how big this world really is."
---