Jazz sounds filled the club and colored lights flickered overhead as Nadia danced with her friend Kayla, hips swaying to the rhythm, laughing as the alcohol loosened her movements. A few glasses of beer in, she felt light, careless, alive “Whooo!” Nadia shouted, throwing her head back as she laughed, jumping to the beat. From the edge of the crowd, a blonde guy had been watching her for a while, a lazy smile resting on his face as his eyes followed every move she made. Eventually, he stepped forward and reached for her hand. “Excuse me.” Nadia stopped dancing, blinking up at him with unfocused, drowsy eyes. “Huh?” “You look like you’re enjoying yourself,” he said smoothly, fingers tightening just a little around her hand, “and I have something even more fun in mind, for both of us.” Nadia’s eyes sparkled, the word lighting something in her head. “Fun?” she repeated with a grin, “I like fun!” Without thinking much further, she let him lead her away Kayla watched

“Eric? What wind blew you here?”One of his college mates, Steven, walked over, lightly hitting Eric on the chest like they used to. His hand stopped halfway, surprise flickering across his face.“Is this really you?” Steven said, eyes scanning him. “You’ve… changed.”Kevin came closer too, eyebrows lifting. “Yeah. Last time we saw you, you were all lean and skinny. Since when did you get this… muscular?”Eric shrugged casually. “Been busy.”Kevin laughed, the sound a little forced. “Training, huh?” He tilted his head, glancing toward the arm-wrestling table where Calvin stood surrounded by people. “Guess losing Sara to Calvin really lit a fire under you.”The words weren’t outright cruel, but they weren’t kind either.Steven smirked. “Can’t blame him. If my girlfriend left me for an A-rank Hunter, I’d probably live in the gym too.”Before Eric could respond, a familiar laugh cut through the noise.“Oh? Is that what you think?”Calvin turned from the table, eyes landing on Eric. His s

The heat of countless stares pressed down on Calvin from every direction.For the first time since he’d stepped into the establishment, his hands trembled.“…Although none of us expected this outcome,” a man spoke up from the crowd, “most of us here lost to you. But a promise is a promise, Mr. Kenton. You need to pay.”Murmurs rippled through the room.“Yes.”“He won fair and square.”“You said you’d pay.”“Except you were never planning to pay in the first place!”Kevin and Steven stood off to the side, exchanging glances before letting out quiet sighs, their expressions clearly displeased.Calvin slowly turned, realizing just how completely the mood had shifted against him. Every eye in the establishment was on him now.He clenched his jaw and shot a glare at Eric.Eric was leaned back in his chair, relaxed, one arm draped over the side, a smug smirk playing on his lips like he was watching a bad hand finally get called.The thought alone made Calvin’s stomach twist.‘I lost… to hi

Cars collided violently, slamming into each other as brakes failed against the sudden appearance of the gate. Some drivers were thrown off course entirely, causing several fatal accidents.Pedestrians scrambled in panic.People came out of their cars, stepping cautiously around the wreckage, eyes wide.“What… what is this?” one man shouted, pointing at the swirling portal. “A gate… in the middle of the road?!”Car horns blared, sirens wailing in the distance, the once orderly street now chaos. Ordinary pedestrians froze, unsure whether to flee or just stare in shock.“Where are the Hunters?!” someone yelled, panic edging his voice.“They have to respond immediately! This is insane!” another shouted, shaking his head.Eric leaned against the broken window frame, arms crossed, watching the commotion unfold. Calvin and the others were beside him, all silent for a moment, taking in the scene.“Calvin, you’re an A-rank. What are you still doing here?” Eric asked casually, one eyebrow raise

Above them, dozens of insects skittered along stone before dropping straight down toward the team.Calvin stepped forward instinctively, shoulders rolling as aura gathered around him. “I’ll handle the first wave.”“Don’t bother,” Earl said flatly, not even looking back at him.Calvin froze, irritation flashing across his face. “And why not? I’m A-rank. I’m clearly stronger than you. Let me...”“Relax,” Nolan snapped, already spinning a dagger between his fingers. “You don’t need to.”“Seriously,” Calvin scoffed, stepping closer. “These things are nothing to me.”“Trust us,” Landon said, voice calm but commanding. “We’ve got it covered. Stand back.”Calvin’s jaw tightened, but the team ignored him, moving into formation.He glanced at Eric and shrugged. “Either they’re stupid or they’re stupidly confident.”Eric ignored him, the clicking and chittering of the insects growing louder as they closed in.“They’re dropping!” Nolan shouted.He spun and threw his daggers upward. The blades fl