Night settled over the Hunter Grounds.
But the silence was different now.
Not calm.
Tense.
Unseen Network
Inside the council hall—
Voices echoed.
"…Reports confirmed from three regions."
"…Same shadow manipulation."
"…No direct sightings."
Raizen stood near the entrance.
Listening.
"…So it's spreading," he said.
Kagen nodded.
"…And fast."
A Bigger Threat
One of the council members spoke.
"This is no longer an isolated case."
A pause.
"This is coordination."
The word carried weight.
Assignment Expands
Another voice followed.
"We will divide forces."
"Track the source."
"Destroy all controlled shadows."
Raizen stepped forward.
"…That won't be enough."
Silence filled the room.
All eyes turned toward him.
Raizen Speaks
"They're not the problem."
A pause.
"The controller is."
Murmurs spread.
"…And you know this how?"
Raizen didn't hesitate.
"I faced one."
Tension
The room grew quiet.
Kagen stepped forward.
"…He's telling the truth."
A pause.
"And the opponent…"
He looked at the council.
"…was not ordinary."
Decision
Silence.
Then—
"We proceed with caution."
A pause.
"Kagen."
"Yes."
"You will lead the investigation."
After the Meeting
Outside—
The air felt colder.
Raizen walked beside Kagen.
"…This is getting bigger."
Kagen didn't deny it.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"And you're at the center of it."
Unwanted Focus
Raizen stopped.
"…I didn't choose that."
Kagen looked at him.
"…No."
"But they did."
Movement in the Dark
At that moment—
Raizen felt it again.
That presence.
Stronger this time.
Closer.
Immediate Reaction
He turned instantly.
"…There."
Kagen followed his gaze.
But saw nothing.
"…Where?"
Raizen stepped forward.
"…It's not hiding anymore."
Reveal
From the shadows—
A small figure emerged.
Not a man.
Not a demon.
Something else.
A shape made of darkness.
But stable.
Controlled.
Direct Contact
It stopped in front of them.
No attack.
No movement.
Just presence.
Message Delivered
Then—
It spoke.
A distorted voice.
"…You are being observed."
Raizen didn't react.
"…By who?"
A pause.
"…By those above the shadows."
Warning
Kagen stepped forward.
"…State your purpose."
The figure didn't move.
"…You are approaching something you cannot understand."
Raizen's eyes sharpened.
"…Then make me understand."
Refusal
The figure remained still.
"…Not yet."
A pause.
"…But soon."
Disappearance
Without warning—
It dissolved.
Gone.
Aftermath
Silence returned.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Understanding the Scale
Raizen spoke quietly.
"…There's more than one."
Kagen nodded.
"…Yes."
A pause.
"And they're organized."
Final Scene
Raizen looked into the darkness.
This time—
Not searching.
Expecting.
Ending Line
When the enemy stops hiding—
It means the real game has begun.