The return to base was quiet.
Too quiet.
No one spoke on the ride back. Not even Shoto, who usually had a smart remark locked and loaded. Azael sat with her legs crossed, humming some ancient melody under her breath. Shigen stared out the window, watching the trees blur into nothing.
They knew what was waiting.
And she didn't disappoint.
---
The Wrath of Ice
The moment they stepped into the command hall, Shinomiya was already pacing. Her coat billowed behind her like a storm cloud, and the temperature dropped ten degrees the second she saw them.
"You absolute idiots," she snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut bone. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Shigen opened his mouth.
"Don't," she warned.
He closed it.
"You burned down half a village. You engaged two high-level Vatrint mages. You triggered a Dread-class swarm. And you incinerated a civilian in the middle of an inn!"
"She wasn't a civilian," Shigen said flatly. "She was a cultist."
"You didn't know that!"
"She knocked once."
Shinomiya's fist clenched.
Then flew.
Her punch hit Shigen square in the chest—so hard her arm passed through him like a spear. A burst of blood sprayed behind him.
Shoto flinched. Azael's eyes widened.
Shigen didn't move.
Shinomiya pulled her arm back, her glove soaked in crimson.
Shigen's body healed instantly. The wound closed in seconds. He exhaled softly.
"Feel better?" he asked.
She stared at him, breathing hard. "No."
---
The Break
After a long silence, Shinomiya turned away, wiping her hand on a cloth.
"You're all on leave," she said. "Effective immediately."
Shoto blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
"I'm reporting to HQ in Shibuya," she continued. "I won't be able to direct you for a while. And frankly, after what just happened, it's better if you all disappear for a bit."
Azael grinned. "A vacation? How thoughtful."
Shoto pumped a fist. "Finally. I can sleep without demons trying to eat my face."
Shigen gave a small smile.
It was fake.
He only smiled because Shinomiya was still staring at him—eyes sharp, unreadable, like she was trying to see through him.
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
"When I get back," she said, "we're going to have a talk."
Shigen nodded once. "Looking forward to it."
She didn't believe him.
He didn't either.The sun was just beginning to dip behind the mountains as Shigen helped Shinomiya carry her bags to the transport vehicle. The air was crisp, the kind of cold that bit at your skin but didn't quite hurt.
She didn't say much as he loaded the last case into the trunk. Just stood there, arms folded, watching him with that same unreadable expression she always wore when she was thinking too much.
He closed the trunk with a soft thunk.
Then turned to her.
She didn't speak.
Just stepped forward.
And hugged him.
It wasn't long. It wasn't tight. But it was real.
Her arms wrapped around him with a kind of reluctant warmth, like she wasn't sure if she should—but couldn't stop herself.
"You're barely human anymore," she said quietly, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "Be careful, idiot."
Shigen blinked.
Then, slowly, his arms came up and returned the hug.
"I'll try."
She pulled back, her eyes sharp again. "And keep an eye on the other two. Shoto's got a temper, and Azael… well, she's a walking red flag with claws."
Shigen gave a half-smile. "I've noticed."
She stared at him for a long moment. "We'll talk when I get back."
He nodded.
She climbed into the car, the door shutting with a hiss.
As the engine roared to life and the vehicle pulled away, Shigen stood there, hands in his pockets, watching the dust trail fade into the horizon.
Behind him, Azael leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.
"You're not gonna cry, are you?" she teased.
Shigen didn't answer.
He just turned, walked past her, and muttered, "Let's get this break over with."Meanwhile — Korea, Hunters Second Head Association
The boardroom was carved from obsidian and steel, its walls lined with glowing sigils and digital maps of global demon activity. Eight men sat around the long table—each one a governor of their respective state, each one a high-ranking Hunter with decades of battlefield experience.
At the head of the table sat Captain Ryu, the stoic leader of Korea's Second Hunter Division. His face was carved from stone, his eyes sharp and calculating. He rarely spoke unless necessary.
Today, it was necessary.
"We've received word from Tokyo," he said, voice low. "The situation in Japan is escalating. The Black Vatrint cult is active again. Keziah may be involved."
The room murmured.
Then one voice cut through the tension.
"I'll go."
All eyes turned to the man seated near the end—tall, lean, dressed in a pristine white coat that shimmered with frost.
Ken Kanaki.
Vice Captain. SS-rank Ice User. The pride of Korean Hunters.
And brother to Shinomiya Kanaki.
"I'll escort you to Tokyo," Ken said calmly. "And I'll see my sister while I'm there."
Captain Ryu raised an eyebrow. "You're volunteering?"
Ken nodded. "She's involved. I can feel it. And if Keziah's truly returned, we'll need more than just reports."
The room fell silent.
Then Ryu sighed, rubbing his temples. "Very well."
He turned to the remaining eight governors.
"While I'm gone, you'll maintain operations. No cross-border missions. No solo deployments. And if anything moves near the Ninth Gate perimeter, you report it immediately."
Each man nodded in turn.
Ken stood, his coat trailing frost behind him.
"I'll prepare the transport," he said.
Ryu glanced at him one last time. "Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
Ken's eyes narrowed. "I won't."
As the meeting adjourned, the frost lingered in the air—like a promise.
And somewhere in Tokyo, Shinomiya felt a chill she couldn't explain.
[End of chapter 8 v2]