The air remained tense long after he left.
Raizen stood still, staring at the ground where the fight had ended.
"…He wasn't human."
Kagen didn't deny it.
"No."
A pause.
"He abandoned that long ago."
Raizen looked up.
"…Why would someone do that?"
Silence.
Kagen turned away.
"…To survive."
Unsettling Truth
They began walking again.
The forest felt different now.
Heavier.
Raizen's mind replayed the fight.
The movements.
The control.
The absence of life.
"…He didn't bleed."
Kagen spoke quietly.
"Because there's nothing left to bleed."
Raizen's grip tightened.
"…Then what is he?"
A pause.
"…A failed hunter."
The Past Revealed
Raizen stopped.
"…Failed?"
Kagen continued walking.
"Not all hunters die."
"Some lose something worse."
Raizen followed.
"…Like what?"
Kagen's voice lowered.
"…Their humanity."
Return to Base
By night—
They reached the Hunter Grounds again.
But something was wrong.
Too many people.
Movement everywhere.
Urgency.
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…What happened?"
A hunter rushed past them.
"Emergency assembly."
Kagen's expression changed.
"…This isn't normal."
The Announcement
Inside the hall—
Everyone had gathered.
Silence filled the space.
One of the council members stepped forward.
"…A high-ranking hunter has been killed."
The room froze.
Whispers spread instantly.
"…Killed?"
"…Who?"
"…By what?"
Raizen's focus sharpened.
"…A demon?"
The answer came—
"…No."
Silence.
"…By a hunter."
Shock
The words hit harder than expected.
Raizen's eyes widened.
"…That's not possible."
Kagen didn't react.
Because he understood.
A Name Revealed
The council continued.
"…The one responsible has gone rogue."
A pause.
"…Codename: Hollow."
Raizen froze.
The man from before.
"…It's him."
Danger Level
Another council member spoke.
"Hollow is no longer considered human."
"He has abandoned all rules."
A pause.
"And he is targeting hunters."
Assignment
The room remained silent.
Heavy.
Then—
"Kagen."
All eyes shifted.
"…You will handle this."
A pause.
"…Take the Shadow Rank with you."
Raizen.
Conflict
Raizen stepped forward.
"…You're sending me after him?"
The council didn't hesitate.
"You've already encountered him."
A pause.
"You're involved."
Kagen's Warning
Outside—
Kagen stopped.
"…This isn't a normal mission."
Raizen didn't look away.
"…I know."
"No."
Kagen's voice was firm.
"You don't."
A pause.
"…Hollow doesn't hunt to kill."
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…Then why?"
Kagen answered—
"…To test."
Final Scene
Raizen stood in silence.
His thoughts steady.
"…Then I'll pass his test."
Kagen looked at him.
For a moment—
There was doubt.
Ending Line
Some enemies don't want you dead—
They want to see what you become.