The next morning, news spread like wildfire: a dungeon gate had collapsed overnight, its monsters slaughtered to the last. No hunter claimed credit.
Rourke frowned at the report over breakfast. "This isn't normal. Something's hunting *inside* the gates."
Kaen sipped his juice, feigning innocence. "Maybe it's a new SSS-rank?"
Rourke's eyes darkened. "Or something worse."
Meanwhile, Zian trained alone in the academy's combat arena. Her strikes were flawless, her movements echoing an ancient discipline. But her mind churned with questions. *Who—or what—is Kaen?*
A shadow stretched unnaturally across the floor. Kaen materialized atop a training dummy, swinging his legs like a child. "Need a sparring partner?"
Zian didn't flinch. "You're trespassing."
"Technically, so are you." He tapped his temple. "Your aura's leaking. The academy's scanners will notice eventually."
Her grip tightened on her sword. "What do you want?"
Kaen's grin turned feral. "To see if you've still got angelic reflexes." He lunged.
Their clash sent shockwaves through the arena. Zian parried, but Kaen moved like smoke—here, then gone. His shadows lashed out, binding her limbs. "You're holding back," he taunted. "*Show me the light.*"
Zian's golden eyes blazed. A burst of radiant energy shattered the shadows. Kaen staggered back, laughing breathlessly. "*There* it is!"
Alarms blared. Footsteps pounded toward them. Kaen melted into the darkness, his voice lingering: "Next time, don't wait so long."
Zian stared at her glowing hands, trembling. *The power... it's waking up.*