Chapter 99: An Addition!
Chapter 98
Unknown to Max and the other hunters living on the Aqualis Sanctum Island, in the outside world, panic had already spread like wildfire.
Because three days after King Sen’s order and threat, the whole world spun into chaos, putting everything into motion. To the outside world, it seemed like the government was in charge.
But they were wrong. Deep down, the Kings were the true rulers, pulling the strings from the shadows. They always kicked back and relaxed, watching the show while their puppets—the government ran things on their behalf.
This would have been the same for all the Kings except Sen. He was different. Sen always loved to show off, to put himself in the face of the public every single time. His power was so overwhelming that everybody feared to cross his path.
Which was why he was given the title "Face of the Kings."
After the ultimatum, the government moved swiftly, deploying special agents to halt the production and distribution of weapons all across the country.
The Kings also moved pieces behind the scenes. The gangs loyal to their factions in various cities struck as well, storming mafia hideouts and forcefully stripping them of their weapons.
Even some gang members weren’t spared. Guns, bombs, and every lethal weapon designed to kill hybrids were confiscated without hesitation.
Honestly, it was shocking how fast the nation was cleared of these weapons. In less than a week, no ordinary human openly possessed a gun, blade, or anything considered dangerously harmful.
But the scientific corporations of the world weren’t about to let this go unanswered. The hybrids, while powerful, weren’t that many, and without weapons, how were the gangs supposed to maintain dominance?
Even the mafia lords, once untouchable, were running out of ways to intimidate their enemies. Their authority was crumbling, their fearsome reputation slowly dwindling.
But unknown to the rest of the world, an idea had just sparked in one scientist’s mind. He had already begun working in secret. Working on something that would shock the entire world and tilt the balance back into humanity’s favor.
Something new. Something powerful. Something not necessarily lethal, but dangerous enough to rival hybrids.
Something that would change everything.
__
Back at the Association, however, things went on as usual. The hunters weren’t too concerned about what was happening beyond the walls of Aqualis Sanctum.
Max and his group kept accepting missions, one after another, completing them so efficiently that even the higher-ups began to take notice. Their teamwork was becoming sharper, their results undeniable.
On this particular day, they had just wrapped up a mission and were seated in the canteen, devouring their meals, when the doors swung open.
As always, Hunter Elijah walked in, tall and imposing, his presence drawing a few curious glances.
Max, spotting him, immediately shrank back into his seat, hoping to dodge the man’s piercing gaze.
"I see you, Max." Elijah grumbled as he strode over, his weapon strapped neatly at his waist.
"Is there anything we can do to help you?" Jake asked with a raised brow.
"Actually, there is." Elijah nodded. He then lifted his hand, gesturing for someone behind him. A young woman stepped forward.
When Max saw her, his eyes widened. He instantly recognized the epitome of beauty walking toward them.
"Meet Daki," Elijah said.
"I... I... oh shit! Such radiant beauty," Jim exclaimed with stars practically glowing in his eyes. He leaned forward, unable to hide his excitement as Daki let out a cute chuckle.
"We remember her," Lana scoffed, clearly unimpressed.
"Alright. She says her previous teammates were harsh on her and requested a transfer. Turns out, your team is the only one that doesn’t have six members." Elijah explained matter-of-factly.
"And we like it like that," Jasmine muttered under her breath.
"But sorry, the transfer has already been approved by the triple A-ranked hunters. From today, Daki is officially part of your team." Elijah said, then gestured toward a seat for her to join them.
Jake only sighed in silence and returned to his food.
"Max, I need to see you," Elijah said as he turned around to leave. "Now." His tone left no room for argument.
"Do you know an A-ranked hunter like him personally?" Jasmine asked curiously, but Max only sighed, stood up, and walked off without answering.
"It should be obvious since the assessment," Lana muttered as she stabbed another bite of food with her fork.
Meanwhile, Daki eagerly took her seat, her bright smile lighting up the table as she introduced herself.
__
Minutes later, Elijah and Max were seen walking down the familiar hallway before entering the very room where the young hunters had taken their assessment only weeks ago.
And as expected, the room was pretty empty. Elijah walked forward a few steps with his arms crossed, the sound of his boots echoing faintly, before releasing a long, heavy sigh.
"Is there a problem?" Max finally asked. His heart wouldn’t stop thumping anxiously as he wondered what the hunter wanted to say to him.
"There’s a problem," Elijah muttered darkly before turning around to meet Max’s gaze.
"Problem? What problem?" Max asked again, his brows furrowing deeper.
"A few weeks ago, a demon signal was felt again. But that same day, it vanished completely, as though the demon had been eliminated or wiped out." Elijah’s voice carried the weight of frustration.
"Huh? So you mean the demon was killed or what?" Max asked, his brow arching in confusion. "Wait a moment! Are you saying a demon actually managed to seep into our world again?"
"I’m afraid yes. But according to my knowledge, no hunter was dispatched that day, so it couldn’t be that the demon was slain." Elijah let out another sigh, his tone grim.
"So does it mean the demon masked its aura?" Max muttered, and then his eyes widened in horror as a chilling memory resurfaced—Pix’s warning about demons capable of hiding their presence.
"Maybe, maybe not," Elijah replied with a shrug, though his eyes were sharp and calculating.
"So why are you telling me all this?" Max asked, regaining a sliver of composure though his voice trembled slightly.
"Because it looks like we’ll need the help of a dragon to lure this demon back out." Elijah’s words cut like ice. "We’ve searched and searched but to no avail. Even the S-ranked hunters have scoured every corner, but the creature is nowhere to be found."
Max’s throat went dry. "So?" he managed to whisper.
"We’re afraid that with the demon still on the loose, it will have more than enough time to feast on humans... and by doing so, it will only grow stronger. I’m certain its strength was stagnated back where it came from, but now with an endless supply of food..." Elijah trailed off, his face grim.
"It will grow stronger day by day," Max finished, his voice barely above a whisper as the realization sank into his bones.
"Exactly. Which is why the master has devised a plan. And sorry to say this, but..." Elijah’s eyes hardened. "We need you as bait."
"Wait, what?!" Max’s voice cracked in disbelief. His entire body stiffened, his hands balling into fists as his mind struggled to process what he had just heard.