Meanwhile…
Far above the lower districts…
Inside the central tower of the city.
A circular chamber lined with black stone pillars.
Five High-Rank Hunters stood in silence.
All S-class.
All monsters in human form.
And at the center—
She sat.
White robes.
Bare feet.
Silver hair falling over her shoulders.
Eyes closed.
The one they called…
The God Sister.
No one knew her real name.
And no one dared to ask.
One of the High-Ranks stepped forward.
"The breach at East Village was contained."
Silence.
Another added,
"Student squads were deployed."
Her eyes slowly opened.
The room temperature seemed to drop.
"Casualties?" she asked softly.
"Thirty-two civilians."
A pause.
"And the students?"
"No deaths."
Her gaze shifted slightly.
"Interesting."
One of the High-Ranks spoke carefully.
"The breach was small. Low-tier monsters only."
Her voice cut through him.
"Low-tier monsters do not destroy reinforced walls."
Silence fell heavier.
She stood up.
No dramatic movement.
But every S-rank in the room felt pressure on their lungs.
"There is movement beyond the outer ruins," she said.
One High-Rank frowned. "You sensed it?"
She looked toward the massive window overlooking the city.
"I don't sense it."
A pause.
"It's watching."
That made even the veterans stiffen.
Another spoke carefully:
"The student expedition request has been submitted."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"Approved."
One of the High-Ranks hesitated.
"You're allowing students outside the ruins? That's dangerous."
She finally turned toward them fully.
And for the first time—
There was something cold in her eyes.
"Growth requires risk."
A pause.
"And something needs to see them."
Silence.
Then she added quietly—
"There is one among them."
The High-Ranks exchanged glances.
"One… what?"
Her gaze lowered slightly.
"An anomaly."
She didn't say a name.
She didn't need to.
The decision was made.
Back below…
Ren finalized expedition paperwork.
Hakari sent Narukaze a message:
"Let's train together tomorrow."
And Narukaze smiled at his phone.
Unaware…
That forces far above him had already begun to move.