The dungeon was strangely quiet. Unlike the dungeons Lucifer had visited before, this one had no burning forests, ruined villages, or endless halls filled with the remains of dead Hunters. Instead, it looked like a vast underground world with a high stone ceiling that stretched far beyond what the eye could see. Pale blue crystals grew from the walls, giving off enough light to reveal the winding paths ahead, while thin streams of water flowed between patches of dark grass and clusters of strange plants. The air was cool and damp, carrying the smell of wet soil and moss. Large stone pillars rose from the ground like the remains of an ancient city, and the walls were covered with marks that looked as though something had scratched them over many years. Farther away, narrow openings led into darker parts of the dungeon, where the faint sounds of water drops echoed through the empty tunnels. There were signs of life, but not much of it. A few small creatures moved between the rocks, a

They continued forward until the passage opened into a large chamber. The ceiling was high, and pale blue crystals covered the walls, filling the room with a soft light. Several broken shells lay across the floor, some large enough to hold a person, while others were no bigger than a bucket. At the centre of the chamber stood a huge nest made from branches, bones, and dark grass. The remains of several eggs lay scattered around it, and a few smaller creatures moved between the broken shells. Lucifer stared at the nest. "So this is where they came from." John nodded. The two of them moved carefully around the edge of the chamber, searching for any remaining threats. Most of the eggs had already hatched, but a few still remained intact. Their thick shells were marked with dark lines, and faint movements could be seen beneath their surfaces. Lucifer stepped closer to one of them, studying it with interest. He had never seen a monster hatch before, and part of him wanted to stay and

The Festival of Heroes had finally arrived, and the entire world seemed to be celebrating. Across the different continents, cities had been decorated with banners, lights, and large screens showing the faces of famous Hunters. Some places held grand parades, while others organized public battles, music shows, and plays that told the stories of heroes who had died protecting humanity. Even small towns that could barely afford such events found ways to join the celebration, whether through simple street shows or gatherings where people shared stories about the Awakened who had changed their lives. In some cities, guilds opened their training grounds to the public, allowing children to watch Hunters demonstrate their skills. In others, families gathered around their televisions to watch the main events held in the largest Hunter academies. People wore clothes bearing the marks of their favorite guilds, while vendors filled the streets with food, drinks, and small items made to honor fam

Vivian had been right about one thing. Lucifer had been acting differently over the past few days, and it was not because John had filled his head with strange beliefs. He had been gathering information, studying old records, and connecting clues that most people would never think to put together. His search had taken him through the history of the Rosenthal and Woolworth families, their rise to power, their past conflicts, and the events that had shaped their standing in CB5. He had also looked into other powerful families, including the Dracaeys, along with the major guilds and the people who controlled them. Some of the information was public, while other details had taken more effort to find. He had learned about old family disputes, strange deaths, failed dungeon raids, and deals that had never been fully explained. Some reports contradicted others, and several important records were missing, but he had gathered enough pieces to form a rough picture of the situation. He did not

The festival continued to fill the academy with noise and excitement. After the main play ended, the stage was cleared for other shows, including music, dance, and short plays prepared by students from different classes. Some Hunters gave talks about their experiences in dungeons, while others showed off their abilities in friendly battles that drew loud cheers from the crowd. The school grounds were filled with people moving between the different activities. Food stalls had been set up near the training grounds, and students could be seen buying snacks while talking about the day's events. The large screens around the academy showed the performances taking place on the main stage, allowing those who could not get close enough to watch from where they stood. The invited guests also spent their time meeting one another. Guild leaders spoke with members of the great families, while some of the older Hunters discussed business away from the crowd. Although the festival was meant to cele