Sophie set her flattened soda down on the seat between them, her hands trembling slightly, though she told herself it was just the cold evening air."I can't do it," she said finally.Jason tilted his head, waiting."Look at me," she continued, her voice flat and bitter. "I'm a C-rank who can't hold a five man party together for more than two missions. I've got a scar that makes strangers flinch when they see it up close. Nobody wants a hunter like me. Not even the smallest agencies in town want me, and you're telling me Unique does? An agency tied to Aria Reeves?"She let out a short, humorless laugh."I'd be a stray dog wandering into a palace. Everyone would just be waiting for me to mess something up so they could kick me back out onto the street."Jason listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable."That's not how I see it," he said simply."Then you're not seeing clearly." Sophie shook her head, pulling her hood up over her hair, hiding more of her face than before.

Carlo Pietra sat in his quiet office, staring intently at the bright screen. He was a ruthless journalist who loved tearing down famous people for views.He already had a blank document open on his computer, ready to be filled with mean words. He wanted to destroy Aria Bianchi's reputation."This little girl thinks she can become a star just by wearing silly game clothes into a dungeon," Carlo said to himself with a cruel, mocking laugh.He cracked his knuckles, feeling completely confident that his upcoming article would go viral. He wanted to make her look like a total laughingstock.Then, he pressed play on the unedited broadcast footage he had secretly obtained from a contact.The video showed the deep, dark caverns of the dungeon where the filming took place. Aria Bianchi appeared on camera in her incredibly flashy costume.Carlo sneered, moving his fingers over the keyboard to type another nasty insult about her appearance.But right before he could type a single word, the foota

Santo Costa stared at the golden emblem on the television network invitation with wide, unblinking eyes. His hands shook violently as he dropped the thick paper onto the cluttered wooden desk.He could not comprehend how a small, struggling agency like Unico Management could ever participate in a grand show like Super Hunter K. The entire production was a legendary playground reserved exclusively for corporate giants.JM Management and the notorious Big Three agencies always controlled every single spot on the broadcast. For a minor agency to enter was completely unprecedented and felt entirely suicidal to his rational mind.Santo looked up at his partner with a pale face filled with intense anxiety. His chest heaved as he tried to find his voice in the quiet office."Giacomo, this is absolute madness," Santo said with a cracked, trembling voice.Giacomo Ferrari did not even blink as he poured himself a fresh cup of dark coffee. His expression remained perfectly calm, almost detached

Sofia Conti stared at the polished white tiles of the television studio waiting room, her fingers gripping the edge of her seat. The cold air conditioning hummed loudly overhead, forcing her to confront the heavy anxiety building inside her chest.She could still remember the exact day her life had completely shattered during a dangerous D-rank dungeon crisis three years ago. The memory felt like an open wound that refused to heal regardless of how much time passed.The sudden, blinding heat had erupted from her core without any warning, turning her own life force into a weapon against herself. Her skin had bubbled and cracked under the pressure of the volatile mana, leaving her completely helpless on the rocky ground.When she finally woke up in the sterile hospital bed, her body was covered in thick, permanent scars that ruined her youthful appearance. She had expected comfort from her family, but she was met only with cold, analytical stares of pure disappointment.Her father had s

The old wooden chairs creaked loudly as Aria leaned back, her eyes sparkling with genuine amusement while she looked across the chipped kitchen table. She could not believe that a quiet, standard business meeting had suddenly turned into a massive public wager that could destroy his entire career in an instant. The midday sun streamed through the small window, lighting up dust motes dancing in the air between them, adding a strange, serene backdrop to the chaotic news he had just delivered."You really told that television producer you would leave the industry forever if we lose," Aria said with a wide, incredulous grin. Her voice was light and teasing as she twirled a lock of her long, dark hair around her index finger, watching him closely for any sign of regret. She found the entire situation completely absurd, yet deeply thrilling.Giovanni sat up straight and adjusted his stiff collar, looking slightly embarrassed by how quickly the situation had escalated in that high-rise boa