Daira raised her head when she heard the brief sound of the electronic beep.

"The support team?" Her voice was low but attentive.

Gregory was already checking the communicator. His cold, analytical gaze fixed on the screen for a second before answering.

"Yes. They're waiting at the rendezvous point. I'll go find them."

He stood up without hesitation, his gestures precise and economical as if he had repeated this ritual countless times. In a fluid movement, he began to equip himself, adjusting each buckle firmly, testing the safety of the holsters and feeling the familiar weight of the blades attached to his belt.

His expression was serious, controlled, filled with a determination that left no room for doubt or hesitation. Around him, tension hung in the air like an invisible specter.

A subtle weight in the atmosphere, an almost imperceptible tightness in the chest. Everyone was tired, exhausted by the day full of surprises and the uncertainty that was growing, but they didn't let it show.

"I'll go with you."

Daira was already standing up, her gaze determined. But Gregory didn't even need to look at her to make his position clear.

"No." His voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument. "You two stay here and continue resting."

Daira frowned, irritated by the curt order, but Gregory didn't give her time for protests.

"The support team will set up camp as soon as we arrive. It's now 8:27 p.m. We don't stand a chance against an Aligodon at night, so we wait until dawn to begin the mission. Understood?"

The annoyance was written on her face at the same time. It made sense, it was a logical order. But the way he imposed it, firm and unquestionable, made something inside her twist in indignation.

The forest was dangerous enough—dark, treacherous, full of unseen threats—but letting him go alone to meet an unknown team, including Hounds whose temperament and loyalty were uncertain, seemed like an even greater risk.

"Okay…"

Gregory didn't waste time with more words. He finished securing the equipment, took one last look at the two of them, and left the tent.

Daira stood there, her instinct screaming at her to stop, to insist, but she held herself back. She took a deep breath, holding the words in her throat, and let out a heavy sigh, forcing herself to accept. Even though she was reluctant, she couldn't create an argument here. Still, her eyes followed his every move, attentive, as if they could record every detail before he disappeared into the darkness of the night.

______________________________________

Some time later, Gregory had already found the support team and led them to the strategic observation point. Their elevated position gave them a privileged view of the clearing ahead, where the lake stretched like a natural lamp of neon-blue light.

The translucent water shone brightly, reflecting a hypnotic spectrum that spread among the distorted shadows of the forest. The glow was strong enough to illuminate the entire clearing, dyeing the tree trunks and surrounding vegetation with a spectral glow.

Each leaf trembled in the anomalous brightness, creating an unsettling play of light. But it was not the moon that illuminated the scene. Something was pulsing at the bottom of the lake. A colossal creature rested in the depths, and from its veins radiated an intense glow, a ghostly glow that crossed the waters and projected itself like a spectral beacon.

The light not only enveloped the lake in sinister tones, but also cast vibrant reflections beyond the shore. It was impossible to ignore the source of that illumination.

The gigantic submerged Aligodon lay quietly in the heart of the lake, seemingly asleep, but the threat its presence posed was evident. The pulses of light that ran through its body traced irregular patterns along its massive scales, as if raw energy were accumulating, growing, overflowing.

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That monster wasn't just there, inert.

It was changing.

And they all noticed it.

The team's expressions grew somber. The tension was thick, almost palpable.

The two Hunters looked at each other, apprehensive. They had recognized the magnitude of the problem before them and, without exchanging a word, began to evaluate ways to free themselves from that responsibility before it was too late.

The Hounds, on the other hand, showed no hesitation, but they also did not rush. They were fighters on a mission, and the prerogative to act did not fall to them at that moment. As always, they awaited orders from their superiors.

And, in this case, the one in charge of the mission was Gregory.

When they realized that there would be no immediate decision, the Hounds simply accepted the wait and began to follow their instructions to set up camp. Silence dominated the environment, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the soft sound of illuminated water.

At the bottom of the lake, the light continued to pulse.

“A level 4 Aligodon… A level 4 Aligodon evolving to level 5… And dozens of offspring comparable to level 1 Mutant Beasts… What a beautiful family, hahaha.”

Drake said the comment in a low voice, a sharp sarcasm coloring his words. His gaze remained fixed on the shining lake, an amused, almost cynical expression playing on his face, but his body was tense, betraying the uneasiness he was trying to mask.

“I agree that the situation is more complicated than advertised.”

“Complicated?” Nathan huffed, his frustration evident. “I wouldn’t call it complicated… I would call it a complete level change. This mission should be at least class 6. And once that monster completes its evolution… We’re dealing with a class 7.” His voice, previously filled with irritation, became deeper at the end of the sentence.

Gregory, who had remained silent until then, tried to intervene. “I was already considering this mission as level 7 since I identified the second Aligodon… That means two levels above what was mentioned in the meeting.” His attempt to justify the situation came out hesitant, as if he were cornered, and the answer came quickly.

“Exactly.” Natan crossed his arms, resolute. “And that’s why I’m out. I didn’t accept a mission of this level, and I refuse to risk my life and that of my partner for a mistake in judgment. Barnes?”

“I completely agree.” Drake shrugged, but his tone of voice lost any trace of amusement. “Continuing here would be pure suicide.”

They both agreed. For them, the mission had become a nightmare from which they wanted to escape before it was too late.

But then…

“What if I told you I have a plan?”

Gregory threw his cards on the table.

“Hmm?” Natan arched an eyebrow.

“A plan, kid?” Drake narrowed his eyes curiously. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“I’m not just throwing words to the wind.” Gregory stood firm. “I’ve studied all the available data on the Aligodons. I know their weaknesses, their limitations… With this information, I was able to draw up an efficient kill plan. And, luckily, we have everything we need to ensure the success of the mission.”

Drake tilted his head slightly, intrigued. “Oh? That’s what I want to hear.” N

athan grumbled impatiently. “Barnes? Are you really considering this? This is crazy.”

“Yes, indeed.” Drake gave a wry smile, but his gaze never left Gregory. “But we’re under contract, remember? If we abandon the mission, the fine we’ll have to pay will be a nightmare… On the other hand, if this plan is merely reasonable, and we manage to complete a level 7 mission…”

He let the sentence trail off, but the meaning was obvious. Instant promotion. Elite Hunters. But Nathan didn’t give in.

“It’s not worth the risk, Barnes. The chances are very low.”

“I guarantee a 60% chance of success.” Gregory spoke immediately.

The silence that followed was heavy.

“Stop talking nonsense.” Natan raised his voice for a moment, but quickly controlled himself. He was not a rookie to let himself be carried away by emotions. “This is a level 7 mission, not an Academy simulation.”

But Drake… Drake was interested.

“What’s the plan, kid?”

“Barnes?” Natan looked at his companion, as if he had just been betrayed. But his look was ignored.

Drake approached, putting an arm around Natan’s shoulders and speaking in an almost casual tone, but his eyes were sharp.

“Speak, kid. You have my attention.”

Gregory took a deep breath and began.

“I’ve read all of your profiles. Although this is not a balanced group between offense and defense, it is a team built for endurance and speed. My partners complement this formation perfectly, covering the lack of offensive power and ensuring everyone’s safety.”

He paused, allowing his words to sink in before continuing.

“If we can lure the weakest Aligodon away, we can eliminate it quickly enough before the second one completes its evolution.”

“Hm… Yes, we all knew that already.” Drake crossed his arms. “Continue.”

Gregory took a slow breath.

“Here’s the plan…”

__________________________________

Whooosssh

It was dawn. The first rays of sunlight pierced the dense canopy of the forest, but they brought neither warmth nor comfort. The light seemed fragmented, distorted, as if reality itself in this place was unstable.

Mist crept across the ground, twisting in patterns that seemed to have a life of their own, whispering inaudible secrets to the wind. The air carried a thick, metallic smell, a silent warning that this forest did not follow the rules of the natural world.

Creeak Crack Crack Crack Grooooan

Until the tranquility was torn apart by the crash of trees being felled and the crack of wood being brutally twisted and broken.