Shadow Bug

Later that night, Gabriel called Jason, Marlo, Lisa, and Joshua to deliver tragic news: Sanito had been killed by the Kaimi Daja. The cause of death was determined to be brutal—his hands had been severed, his throat slashed, and he had been stabbed in the stomach by plant vines. The investigation revealed that the vines were infused with shadow energy, leading to the conclusion that he had been attacked by a Shadow.

However, the cuts on his body and throat contained Lighter energy. This meant that Sanito had been killed by both a Shadow and a Lighter working together.

Lisa couldn't hold back her tears, and Marlo gently comforted her. Joshua and Jason stood in stunned silence, trying to process what they had heard.

Jason: (with regret) It should have been me. I shouldn't have let him go into enemy territory.

Joshua:Don't say that, Jason!

Jason: The only reason I didn't go was because the Kaimi Daja wouldn't believe that "Jason Enderby, the strongest Level 1 Hunter," wanted to join them. They'd have figured it out immediately. But Sanito… he was a Level 2 Hunter, less known. His technique could've given him an edge if he got into trouble. But… Why did it have to end like this? (voice shaking) Why?!

Gabriel, sitting down, lost in thought, finally spoke.

Gabriel: I'm holding a meeting tomorrow morning. We need to discuss our next move against the Kaimi Daja. This incident shows they're more dangerous than we thought. I wanted you to know before then—and you all should attend the meeting. I'll be calling Haruto and Koichi back from their mission for this.

Jason: Let me join them.

Gabriel: No, you won't.

Jason: (shocked) What? Why not?

Gabriel: You have students to teach, Jason. The Academy is short on teachers, and you're essential to training the new recruits. I understand how you feel, but don't act on emotion. We need you here. (turns to Joshua) Joshua, I'll need you on this mission. You're the only Level 1+ Hunter we have right now. (to Lisa) I'm so sorry, Lisa. Take a leave of absence for as long as you need. (to Marlo) You'll need to cover Joshua's teaching duties for the time being.

Marlo:Understood, sir.

Joshua: I'll do my best, sir.

Jason: (sighing) Yes, sir.

The following day, the HFA was trending across social media. A video had surfaced showing Sanito's lifeless body, followed by Veto, a Kaimi Daja operative, admitting responsibility for both the Shadow Bug incidents and Sanito's death. Veto taunted the world, proclaiming that the Kaimi Daja would achieve their goals and that anyone who stood in their way would meet the same fate as Sanito.

This revelation caused an uproar. The citizens of Haiwa, who funded the HFA with their taxes, began to lose faith in the organization. The public questioned whether their contributions were making any difference at all.

Meanwhile, in a dark hideout somewhere, a normal human finished uploading the video, as instructed by Zero, before quickly deleting the account. Zero watched as the human obeyed, standing alongside Veto.

Veto: Was there any point to all this, Zero? Why make and upload that video?

Zero: To sow chaos in society. We need to prove that the HFA has weaknesses, and now that the world has seen them falter, their confidence will erode.

Veto: So, while they're busy handling the fallout, we can move forward with our plan, right?

Zero: Exactly. Let's go. Everyone's waiting. We can discuss the next steps now that we got rid of the mole.

Zero and Veto entered another room where the rest of their team—Lorra, Gaki, Desmond, Giles, Jokita, and Lokk—were waiting. There was also a ninth figure whose face was obscured in the shadows.

Zero: (grinning) Hey, everyone. Now that we've cleared some obstacles, let's talk about the plan I've devised.

Giles: About damn time. I've been itching for action.

Jokita: (smirking) Patience isn't one of your virtues, is it, Giles?

Giles: Hell no. But this plan better be worth the wait.

Zero: Oh, it will be. But understand, this plan won't go off without consequences. In the worst-case scenario, one—or all—of us could die.

Lokk: (wide-eyed) What kind of plan is this?!

Zero: Let's go over what we've accomplished so far. Thanks to Lorra's technique, we've recreated the Shadow Bugs capable of turning a Shadow Conduit into a full-fledged Shadow. With Jokita and Gaki's help, we've found Kato Hamura. And with the assistance of ■■■■■, our spy within the Shadow Society, we've confirmed that Kato is a descendant of the Hamorabi Clan.

The group nodded as Zero turned his attention to Gaki.

Zero: What's the status of the other God Eye from the Sakamoto Clan?

Gaki: Desmond and I have searched, but tracking him down is difficult. He covers his tracks well, probably because he's the last heir of his clan and doesn't want to be found.

Desmond: (sighs) Why's the sucker have to hide anyways?

Zero: Until we finish the first phase of this plan, we'll let Kato Hamura and the sakamoto heir be for now and we'll go after our first target.

Lorra: So who's our first target.....???

Zero: Our first target is the only Level 1+ Hunter right now who also happens to be one of the Heirs in this current era and he's from the Egoshin clan.

Veto: (cartoonish face) HUH???!!!!!!

Giles: Wait.....so you mean???????

Zero: Yes. Our first target is Joshua Egoshin who is the Heir who possesses the left arm (The God Arm) that we seek.

He dropped an old newspaper article onto the table, with Joshua's face on the front page.

Desmond: I knew this mission would be a pain (sighs)