Inside the reinforced, mana-proof interrogation chamber constructed from sterile, cold alloys, time itself seemed to freeze. The intricate defensive runes carved upon the walls pulsed with a faint, iridescent blue glow. Across the metallic table sat two colossal pillars of the Hunter Association—Global Rank 2 Hunter Arthur, whose body subtly radiated the invisible, oppressive heat of solar flames, and Officer Kane, posture rigid and expression deeply stern.
On the other side sat Hero, his right arm secretly concealing the lingering remnants of the High Vampire's limb and the dormant tension of the 'Diversion' technique. He took a slow, deep breath, cold sweat lightly coating his palms.
"Hunter Hero..." Kane repeated, softening his voice into an unprecedented tone of polite caution. "We are not here to put you on trial. However, the sheer magnitude of power you displayed on the battlefield defies every known law regarding an F-Rank hunter. Tell us the truth... Which high-tier entity or Spirit have you formed a secret contract with?"
Hero lowered his gaze. Deep within the abyssal expanse of his soul, the dark, cosmic manifestation of 'Time' was emitting a hollow, silent chuckle. Hero gathered his thoughts and spoke in a low, measured voice:
"Regarding the Spirit bound to me... I honestly do not know much myself. To this day, it hasn't even revealed its true name to me. Whenever I ask for its identity, it simply tells me that I am unworthy of knowing its real name. It has assigned a strange name for itself and strictly demands that I address it only by that odd designation..."
As Hero's words echoed in the quiet room, a sharp flicker of realization crossed the eyes of both Arthur and Kane. They exchanged a brief, silent glance.
'The Supreme Entity that Elena postulated in her report... this confirms it,' Kane thought privately.
A deep crease formed on Arthur's brow. Inquiring too deeply into the affairs of an ancient, cosmic 'Supreme' existence was not merely ignorance—it was courting absolute annihilation. If the Spirit willed its identity to remain concealed, prying further could prove fatal.
Arthur straightened his back, breaking the heavy silence. "Very well, Hero. We shall not pry into the identity of your Spirit. But tell us... How exactly did you eliminate that Triple S-Rank monster mutated abomination and that High Vampire all by yourself?"
Hero provided a direct, unvarnished answer: "The Spirit bound to me granted me specific combat techniques. It was solely through those techniques that I was able to withstand their terrifying assaults and destroy those monsters."
Suddenly, the ice-cold, echoing voice of 'Time' resonated directly within Hero's consciousness:
'Foolish mortal! You should reveal the full, terrifying extent of the grand powers I have bestowed upon you! Once they catch a mere glimpse of my divine authority, their very organs will quiver in sheer horror! They will never dare pester you with their pathetic questions again.'
Hero immediately retorted in his mind:
'Do you think these people are weak? Do you have any idea who is sitting right in front of me? The man across the table is ranked Global Number 2! Global Rank 2! You can't even comprehend how catastrophically powerful he is!'
At Hero's panicked response, 'Time' released a dry, contemptuous laugh that vibrated through Hero's psyche:
'Hahaha! Ignorant insect! If this world were to comprehend even one percent of the infinite techniques I granted you, their entire civilization would crumble in terror. You dare boast of a mere ant's strength before me?'
On the outside, seeing Hero momentarily freeze and stare into blank space, Arthur's analytical eyes narrowed further. 'He went silent... Is his consciousness communicating directly with that Supreme Spirit right now?'
Kane broke the silence, asking gently, "Hero... What specific abilities or Skills did that Spirit bestow upon you?"
Hero snapped back to reality and replied, "I have primarily received two core skills—'Diversion' and 'Blaster'."
Kane suppressed his curiosity and proposed, "If your Spirit has no objections... May we test and measure the precise Level and Rank of these Skills in our inspection chamber?"
Hero mentally consulted the entity again, 'Time... Can I let them inspect the skills?'
Time's voice dripped with disdain:
'Do you truly believe my supreme arts are so mundane that these fragile humans can measure them with their primitive toys? Without my consent, they couldn't even decipher a single rune of my techniques! But fine... Let them try. Inform them they have my permission. And remember Hero... When they witness less than half of the power I granted you, their minds will shatter in disbelief!'
Hero looked up at Kane and Arthur. "My Spirit has granted permission. You may proceed with the skill inspection."
Kane and Arthur escorted Hero into the Association's highest-security 'Skill Inspection Chamber'. The room was encased in thick, reinforced alloys and high-density mana-dampening barriers.
In the center stood an elevated, crystalline pedestal fitted with a state-of-the-art mana-measurement core.
"Stand here, Hero," Kane instructed. "Place your right hand onto the core pad of the device."
Hero stepped forward and rested his hand on the smooth surface. Within seconds, the screen flared with rapid, erratic pulses of blue light. A harsh, panicked beeping noise erupted from the internal circuitry. Lines of complex data scrambled wildly across the display, yet the 'Rank' field remained blank. The machine was entirely incapable of categorizing Hero's skills.
Hero asked inwardly, bewildered, 'Time! Why can't this device display the rank of my skills?'
Time replied coldly:
'Because the techniques I bestowed upon you far transcend the mortal ceiling of what this world calls 'Super S-Rank'! This primitive contraption was built only to process mana signatures up to Super S-Rank. When exposed to an infinite power tier, its analytical framework simply collapses.'
Hero's heart hammered against his ribs. Higher than Super S-Rank?!
Hero expressed his doubt, 'But Time... Whenever I deploy these skills in battle, why don't they feel so endlessly destructive? Why does their impact seem so limited?'
Time let out a cold, hollow sigh:
'Because you yourself are a weak, incompetent, low-tier mortal! Your current mana capacity is so abysmal that you cannot properly channel even one percent of these skills' true potential. The limitation lies not within the technique, but within your own pathetic weakness.'
Meanwhile, Kane grew increasingly alarmed as the scanner repeatedly spat out system errors. "This is impossible... The standard S-Rank scanner has completely locked up."
Arthur observed the flickering readouts intensely before making a decision. "Kane, we have the 'Protocol-X' Advanced Scanner unit stored nearby. Merge that new version scanner directly with the mana-conductors of this old system. Combining the processing power of both versions might yield a breakthrough."
Following Arthur's command, technicians hurriedly bridged the core interfaces and thick data cables of both machines. The moment the dual systems merged, the overhead lights flickered violently. A massive holographic blue display manifested in the air, rapidly rendering lines of translated data.
As the final report stabilized on screen, all color drained from the faces of Arthur and Kane. They stood frozen in utter shock.
At that very moment, on the opposite side of the globe—far removed from human maps, on a desolate, uncharted island...
The entire island was blanketed under thick, noxious clouds of dark Demonic Mana. Waves of crimson foam crashed violently against the jagged black rocks of the shore. At the heart of the island stood a massive, ancient fortress—a dark, impenetrable stronghold.
This was the supreme headquarters of the 'Demonic Cult'.
Deep within the subterranean council chamber of the fortress, five masked figures sat around a colossal stone table. Each member wore a sinister mask crafted from synthetic human hide, adorned with two prominent black horns and glowing crimson runes.
These five individuals did not possess ordinary human or monster blood—each had successfully fused a single droplet of pure 'Demon King Blood' into their bodies. This blasphemous ritual had amplified their combat power exponentially, elevating them to levels comparable to—or exceeding—Global Rank hunters.
The Cult Leader, seated at the head of the table, spoke in a raspy, terrifying voice:
"Our intelligence signals have been verified. We have received explicit orders from command to initiate 'Plan-B'."
Cruel, bloodthirsty red light gleamed from behind the eyeholes of all five masks.
"Plan-B..." the second member rasped, rubbing his bone-dry hands together. "Does this mean we launch a direct, full-scale assault on the nation where our Demonic General made his arrival?"
"Precisely," the Leader confirmed coldly. "The very country where the Association has remained oblivious since the General's portal manifested. It is time we plunge that entire realm into absolute purgatory."
Back inside the Hunter Association's subterranean inspection room—
Arthur and Kane stared wide-eyed at the rendered data scrolling across the holographic screen. The combined processing power of the merged advanced scanners had finally produced a partial readout—one capable of shattering all established human records.
At the top of the display, the first skill was highlighted:
[Skill 1: Diversion Technique]
Measured Rank: Undefined / 'Detected Threat Level: Disaster Grade'
Core Characteristics & Capabilities:
Absolute Reflection: Capable of altering the vector and trajectory of any incoming physical, magical, or mana-based attack, redirecting it back at the attacker with double the original velocity and kinetic force.
Environmental Weaponization: Allows the user to manipulate the surrounding physical environment—air pressure, terrain, or residual impact force—converting ambient mass into lethal offensive strikes.
Mental & Spiritual Nullification: Automatically deflects and neutralizes incoming psychic assaults, mind-control attempts, or spatial illusions before they reach the user's consciousness.
Poison & Demonic Mana Neutralization: Instantly intercepts lethal toxins, corrosive bio-agents, or invasive Demonic Mana entering the bloodstream, rerouting the toxic flow away from vital organs and expelling it outward.
Curse Absolute Nullification: Completely dismantles binding seals, ancient curses, or lingering soul-shackles upon contact.
Below this description, several lines flashed with a glaring prompt: [ERROR: DATA OVERFLOW]. The machine was fundamentally incapable of processing the remaining parameters.
Hero asked Time internally, 'Time! Why can't the machine process the rest of the Diversion technique's data?'
Time remarked with total indifference:
'I warned you earlier. This primitive diagnostic tool cannot comprehend the full scope of my divine arts. And even if I explained the rest to you, it would be utterly useless... because with your current mana capacity, you cannot progress beyond 'Level 12' of this technique. That is your absolute limit for now. Do not waste your thoughts on power you cannot yet wield.'
At that moment, Arthur and Kane's gaze shifted to the second skill readout glowing in blood-red text:
[Skill 2: Blaster Technique]
Measured Rank: Undefined / 'Detected Threat Level: Calamity Grade...