Chapter 3
The sunlight was harsh, pouring through the broken windows and cutting across the dusty floor. It felt too calm too peaceful for a battlefield.
And then
A low rumble echoed from outside.
A vehicle.
I immediately raised my head, my senses sharpening. The sound grew clearer as it approached, heavy tires grinding against the cracked road.
"…Hunters."
But they didn't react.
Didn't stop.
Didn't scan.
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"…Good."
The senses immunity device was working.
They couldn't detect us.
Still, I needed to confirm.
I tried to peek outside, but the barrier field projected by the device stretched too high, blocking my view completely.
"…Too tall."
I clicked my tongue in irritation and turned my head.
"Hey! Rudolf."
He was lying on the floor, arms behind his head, completely relaxed like we weren't in the middle of a hunt.
"…Unbelievable."
"Rudolf," I called again, this time sharper. "Lower the height of the device. I need to see outside."
He didn't even open his eyes.
"Dude… I'm sleeping," he muttered. "Stop bothering me…"
My eye twitched.
"…Seriously?"
I looked around.
Everyone else was out cold, their bodies slumped against walls, weapons still within reach but barely held.
We were all exhausted.
But still
"…Damn it."
I let out a long breath.
"Haaa…"
For a moment, I considered just waiting.
But something felt off.
Too quiet and Too clean.
The vehicle sound slowly faded into the distance, leaving behind a strange, tight silence that made my chest feel heavy.
"…Not good."
I reached for my weapon, my grip tightening slightly.
Then I looked back at Rudolf.
Still sleeping.
Completely unaware.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Without hesitation, I jumped
And slammed straight onto him.
"!"
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
Rudolf shot up instantly, his whole body jerking in shock.
"Dude! What's wrong with you?!" he shouted, clutching his chest.
I stared at him, my expression cold and serious.
No smile.
No joke.
Just silence.
His face slowly stiffened.
"…D-dude…"
He swallowed.
"…Stop looking at me like that."
I didn't say anything.
Didn't move.
The pressure alone was enough.
"…Fine!" he groaned, throwing his hands up. "Jeez, I'll open it!"
A small smirk appeared on my face.
"Good."
"Grrr…"
Rudolf stood up reluctantly and adjusted the device. The invisible barrier shimmered slightly before lowering just enough for me to see outside.
The moment it did
I moved.
"Wake up."
My voice was low.
Then louder
"Wake up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I kicked the ground hard.
"Get up, you bastards!"
Louise jolted awake, grabbing her weapon instantly.
"Wha?! What the hell?! Where's the device?!"
"Relax," I said calmly. "No hunters nearby. They've already moved out."
She frowned, still half-asleep but alert.
"…You sure?"
"They're repositioning," I replied. "Most likely waiting for us ahead."
The others began waking up one by one, shaking off their exhaustion.
"Our mission hasn't changed," I continued. "We hunt them before they hunt us."
That woke them up completely.
"…Right."
"Yeah."
"Let's move."
I nodded.
"Good."
As we prepared, something on the ground caught my eye.
A bullet.
I crouched down and picked it up, turning it between my fingers.
"…This is…"
It wasn't normal.
The surface had a faint glow, almost like energy was flowing inside it.
"…A supernatural round."
My expression darkened.
"So that's how they're hitting us…"
Weapons designed to counter abilities.
"…This won't be easy."
I stood up and looked at Louise.
"How's your team from yesterday?"
She adjusted her gloves, her expression serious.
"They made it out," she said. "But they won't be joining us. They're treating the injured."
I nodded slowly.
"…At least they're alive."
A brief pause settled between us, tight but steady.
Then I exhaled.
"…Alright."
I turned to everyone.
"We finish this."
"Move!"
We gathered our weapons quickly. Rifles, pistols, remaining equipment everything we could carry.
Jones moved toward the vehicle, already preparing the engine.
The rest of us advanced on foot, moving through the broken structure of what used to be a pizza factory. The smell of burnt dough and rusted metal lingered faintly in the air.
Beyond it
The 24 Hours News Building.
Our battlefield.
I stopped and turned around.
"…Listen carefully."
Everyone focused.
"Rudolf, you're with me."
He grinned slightly.
"No problem. This'll be easy."
"…Don't get cocky."
I pointed toward the direction of the news building.
"We'll push them from the front. Force them into position."
Then I looked at Louise.
"You take the others. Flank from the side."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Got it."
"Be careful," I added. "You already know what their weapons can do."
She nodded once.
"…We won't get hit again."
I stepped forward.
"…This is it."
A quiet tension filled the air tight, heavy, but controlled.
No fear.
Just focus.
"Move out."
If you want next, I can:
MEMBER PROFILES
[ LOUISE GORN ]
Supernatural Power: Lightning Charge
Ability: Can dash forward at high speed and strike enemies with concentrated lightning
Age: 28
[ RUDOLF FREYN ]
Supernatural Power: Unknown
Ability: Unknown
Age: 26
[ JONES REGGIE ]
Supernatural Power: Unknown
Ability: Unknown
Age: 29