The military helicopter touched down five hundred meters from the vortex.The wind from the rotors felt like razor blades against my hypersensitive skin. Dr. Mai’s potion was still active, making the fabric of my coat feel like steel wool rubbing against a sunburn."We are entering the exclusion zone," Detective Sae shouted over the engine noise. She was strapped into tactical gear, holding a mana-rifle. "Everyone, activate your Mental Shields!"Ayaka Saionji sat across from me, looking impeccable in a designer combat suit. She didn't have a rifle. She had three S-Rank bodyguards and an aura of absolute boredom."Mental Shields are for the weak," Ayaka scoffed. "My desire is absolute. No illusion can sway me."(That’s great for you. I’m just trying not to vomit from the motion sickness.)Runa adjusted the straps on her sword case. She looked at me with concern."Master? You are trembling.""I am... vibrating," I corrected, gritting my teeth as the chopper landed with a thud that sent

The Harpies had retreated, confused by my lack of libido.But the S-Rank Gate wasn't done with us yet.The pink clouds faded, replaced by a dense, humid jungle. The trees here weren't made of wood; they were made of throbbing purple veins. The flowers looked like gaping mouths."Stay close," Sae commanded, wiping sweat from her brow. She was still flushed from the Harpy song, her movements slightly jittery. "The flora in this sector is semi-sentient. It feeds on fluctuations in mana."(So basically, if you use magic, the grass eats you. Great.)I walked in the center of the formation, hands in my pockets to hide the fact that they were trembling from the earlier slap. My palm still stung."Master," Runa whispered, hacking away a vine with her sword. "Your aura is suppressing the jungle. The plants recoil before you.""They know their place," I lied.(Actually, they just don't sense me because I'm empty. I am the stealthiest vegetable in the garden.)Suddenly, the ground shook.It wasn

The obsidian doors slammed shut behind us with a finality that echoed in my bones.We weren't in a cave anymore.We were in a boudoir the size of a football stadium. The walls were lined with pulsing red velvet. The floor was covered in gold coins and skeletal remains.And sitting on a throne made of crystallized lovers was Her.The Siren Queen.She was easily ten meters tall. Her skin was a flawless, luminescent pearl. She wore nothing but a strategically placed sash of black mist.(Okay. She’s giant. She’s naked. And she has teeth the size of my arm. I want to go home.)"Visitors," the Queen purred. Her voice wasn't just sound; it was a physical caress that vibrated the floorboards. "And such... delicious ones."She raised a hand.[Boss Skill: Universal Charm.]A wave of pink energy exploded from her throne. It moved faster than light. It passed through Ayaka, Sae, and Runa instantly.Thud. Thud. Thud.My raid team dropped like puppets with their strings cut."My Queen..." Ayaka moa

The ten-meter-tall monster was gone.In her place was a woman. She was kneeling on the pile of gold, shivering. Her pearl-white skin glowed in the dim light of the dungeon, and her long violet hair spilled over her shoulders, barely covering her modesty.She looked up at me with eyes that were no longer terrifying. They were the eyes of a prey animal looking at a predator."Master..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "The hunger... is it gone?"(It’s not gone. It’s suppressed behind a mental wall made of duct tape and prayers.)"For now," I said, my voice heavy with exhaustion.I looked around. My raid team—Ayaka, Sae, and Runa—were slowly waking up from the charm effects. They blinked, shaking their heads.They looked at the Boss Room.They saw me standing over a naked woman who was kissing my shoe."Renji?" Ayaka was the first to speak. Her voice had a dangerous edge to it.I turned."The threat is neutralized," I announced, gesturing to the shivering Siren.Ayaka stormed over, h

The "meeting" took place ten minutes later in the hospital suite's living area.Ayaka had cleared the room of medical staff. Melody was standing in the corner, holding a tray of tea and looking terrified.Sitting across from me was Mr. Kudo.He was a man who looked like he was made of grease and expensive fabric. He represented the Seven Stars Guild—the undisputed kings of the Hunter world."Mr. Amagiri," Kudo smiled, revealing teeth that were too white. "Let's skip the pleasantries. You are the flavor of the month. The Seven Stars wants to... secure you."He slid a thick document across the mahogany table."A B-Rank Standard Contract," he announced proudly. "Salary of 20 million yen a year. Health benefits. And a dormitory room in our Gamma Wing."I stared at the paper.(20 million? That's it? I just saved Shinjuku.)"B-Rank?" Ayaka scoffed from her position by the window. She didn't turn around. "You insult him, Kudo. My gardeners make more than that.""It is standard procedure for