The air was heavy… as if the forest itself was holding its breath with us.
The monster was still standing—motionless, silent—just... watching.
I looked toward it, barely able to keep my eyes steady.
It wasn't just looking at me—it felt like it was looking into me.
That silence… that stillness… made time stretch endlessly.
Then...
Another scream.
But it wasn't from the monster.
It was from Luxian.
He leapt out from the rubble, his face dripping with rage, shouting:
"Are we going to stand here like rats?! It's just a monster! We are the ones who attack, not watch!"
He raised his hand, and suddenly, a spear of light formed in his palm—piercing through the fog like a sunbeam cutting through a nightmare.
"Let's go!" he yelled, charging toward the monster.
But before he reached it...
The monster moved.
---
It moved fast… far faster than its massive body should have allowed.
It lunged at Luxian in a single, brutal dash.
But Luxian dodged at the last moment, driving his spear into the creature's side.
A strange sound came from it… not a scream of pain, but… a laugh?
Yes, it was laughing.
In fact… it was enjoying this.
---
The employer screamed: "Don't fight it!! Don't!!"
But Luxian wasn't listening. His eyes were glowing—like the battle itself had become an addiction.
Then Knox joined in.
He moved silently, as always, and with a short black blade, he struck the monster's leg—then retreated in a flash.
His strikes were precise, fast… completely different from Luxian's recklessness.
"Distract it!" Knox said.
Luxian laughed, "Oh, the quiet one speaks!"
The monster roared.
But this time… the roar was different.
The ground shook. Trees trembled.
And all of us—froze.
Then suddenly, its body began to change.
Its skin tore in places, and four additional arms burst out—each covered in black spikes.
A third eye opened in the center of its forehead.
I gasped, voice trembling:
"W-what is that…? Is that an evolution?"
The employer pulled out a small blue stone from his cloak, pressed it, and said:
"I didn't want to use this… but if the battle continues, we'll all die."
Then he added:
"Transfer."
Suddenly, light surrounded me and the other workers. It was a beautiful glow—and before I could even think, I found myself somewhere else with the others.
---
As the light faded, I found myself sitting on a solid wooden chair, surrounded by the rest of the workers who were slowly catching their breath.
I looked around slowly.
The place felt strangely familiar.
The walls were covered in rough paper. On some of them, detailed maps were pinned—marked with lines, paths, and red and yellow symbols.
Next to them were other colored papers clipped with wooden pins, showing lists and notes—some old, some recent.
The lighting was dim, coming from ceiling lamps, casting a calm mood that mirrored the seriousness of the moment.
Silence settled for a while—like everyone was trying to process what had just happened.
I felt a mix of confusion and curiosity.
My heart was still racing, and the lingering pain in my body made every movement feel slower than it should.
As I observed the room, I noticed the workers' expressions around me— a mixture of shock and concern, silently questioning where we were and how we got here so quickly.
Then I heard a quiet but firm voice.
Knox, standing near the employer, asked in a low voice:
"What did you do? And how… how did you transport us here? Where are we exactly?"
The employer gave a faint smile, though he seemed slightly tense, and said:
"We're at the Hunting Bureau."
Then he gestured toward the maps and documents on the walls:
"This is our operations center. Here, we track monster appearances and plan upcoming hunting missions."
He raised his hand and added:
"The transfer I used isn't easy—but it's necessary to keep us alive. It's a technique that lets us instantly move from danger to a safe haven."
I stood, thinking about what he said, contemplating the complexity of this world… and how much we needed everything this mysterious place offered.
Questions filled my mind, but there was no time for more.
The employer looked at us all firmly and said:
"Rest for a bit—we'll need your full strength for the next mission."
He paused, then spoke again with a sharp and angry tone as he stared into an empty corner of the room:
"Reagan… show yourself. Now."
I turned quickly. "Who?" I murmured to myself.
And suddenly—almost from nowhere—the strange man appeared. He stood firm, his expression just as emotionless as the first time I saw him.
But something about his posture now… unsettled me.
I remembered instantly.
This was the man who was said to be the "backup" in case things went south. He was only supposed to step in if we were in serious danger.
But… why didn't he?
The employer shouted, his voice nearly shaking the walls:
"Why didn't you step in and protect the workers?!"
Reagan replied with a disturbingly calm tone:
"I apologize… I was asleep. So, I don't know what you're talking about. When I woke up, I was already here."
Another shout from the employer, this time angrier:
"HUH?! You were asleep?! We almost DIED out there—and you were asleep?! Where is your sense of responsibility?!"
Reagan didn't reply. There was nothing he could say.
As for me—I was drowning in my thoughts, barely able to follow what was happening.
My hands were trembling, my breath shaky.
What should I do now?
I was… this close to dying. Literally.
The employer let out a loud sigh, then turned his gaze away from Reagan and said:
"I can't argue with you anymore. But just know this—I will report this to the Hunting Bureau."
Reagan didn't respond.
Then the employer raised his voice again so everyone could hear:
"Is everyone alright?"
One of the workers replied with a shaky voice:
"Seems like one of us is missing… and a few are injured."
The employer quickly asked:
"Who's missing?"
Another voice replied:
"It's Marcus."
The employer's face froze.
"And how was he lost?" he asked in a low tone.
"Umm… we don't know, sir."
Then… I remembered.
Marcus… he was the one I saw being dragged by the monster—disappearing into the darkness.
My brows furrowed, and my heart started to race.
Could it be that he—
No! Let's stay hopeful. There's no way he's dead.
I raised my head and said:
"Excuse me… but I think I know where Marcus is."