At the Predator Faction Headquarters
All members were gathered in the main room of their headquarters — a hidden base unknown to anyone except themselves.
White Wolf sat calmly while stroking his two wolves, then began speaking in a low voice.
"So, whose mission isn't finished yet?"
Snow Sniper raised her hand. "The Arctic Hare refuses to leave his base," she said coldly while shooting a sharp glance toward Cold Orca.
Cold Orca immediately sneered back. "Tch. Weak."
Snow Sniper didn't respond and simply looked away.
Aside from Snow Sniper, everyone else had completed their missions.
Snow Leopard raised his hand. "Hey, look at this." He pulled out a bag of fresh fish stolen from the city of Nivaria.
White Bear instantly drooled and leapt forward, hugging the bag.
"I'M GOING TO EAT THIS RIGHT NOW!"
Snow Leopard lifted his hood and pushed him away from the fish. "Calm down, you greedy bear. Let Snowy Owl turn it into something delicious first."
Snow Leopard handed the bag to Snowy Owl, who immediately went to the back to prepare it.
Snowy Owl looked slightly confused about her own feelings. She kept thinking about someone she had once targeted.
"This is strange… I didn't see his face clearly, but I clearly saw that he looked like a black raven… He's probably from a new faction," she murmured, holding her chest.
"I keep thinking about him… not about how to defeat him, but about why I like him!? Ugh…"
Her cheeks flushed red. She slapped her cheeks lightly to regain focus, then began preparing and grilling the fish.
---
Back in the Main Room
"Snow Sniper, I want you to finish your mission as soon as possible. Break through if necessary, like Snow Leopard did. Those rules don't affect us — you know that," White Wolf said.
"That's because all of you are low caste," Snow Sniper replied coldly.
The room instantly fell silent and tense. Everyone glared at her in irritation.
Orca immediately stepped forward aggressively.
"DAMN IT! DON'T CALL US LOW CASTE! DO YOU THINK YOU'RE HIGH CASTE? YOU'RE NOT! DON'T ACT LIKE YOU ARE!"
His sharp weapon was already pointed at Snow Sniper's neck.
"You're foolish. Why cling to the title of low caste when we've already been acknowledged by the high caste? It's that simple," Snow Sniper answered coldly.
Snow Falcon pulled Orca back. "Calm down, Orca. You won't win against her."
White Bear kicked a chair toward Snow Sniper. "But Orca is right! We're only acknowledged — we're not truly one of them!"
"If you think like that, then continue being low caste. It suits those with weak mentality who refuse to forget the past," Snow Sniper shot back.
White Bear was about to attack, and Snow Sniper was already preparing to grab her sniper rifle—
But suddenly—
White Wolf slammed a glass onto the floor until it shattered. His eyes turned red as he glared at Snow Sniper.
"Have you forgotten our true purpose?"
He crushed another glass in his hand.
Snow Sniper stared back coldly. "Pretending to be acknowledged and betraying your own caste for revenge against the high caste? That's your goal — not mine. Don't equate me with you."
"YOU DAMN WOMAN, GET OVER HERE!" Orca shoved Snow Leopard aside and charged at Snow Sniper.
Snow Sniper dodged and blocked with her sniper rifle. Cold Orca nearly sliced her face, but Snow Falcon stopped him in time.
"THAT'S ENOUGH, ALL OF YOU!!" White Wolf roared.
His two wolves howled, forcing everyone into silence.
"For now, Snow Sniper, leave. I don't want the atmosphere ruined. I need to discuss the mission for all of us," White Wolf said, trying to calm himself.
"Fine. And I won't be joining your mission," Snow Sniper replied before walking away.
After she left, the room gradually calmed down, and no one brought up the argument again.
White Wolf took a deep breath. "Alright. Let's forget that and focus on the mission I'm about to explain."
He pulled out a map and pointed to the highest snow mountain peak.
"You all know this place, right? I've tried many times to climb it and defeat the Golden Eagle… but it's too difficult alone. So I want us to raid him and capture him."
Snow Leopard looked at the map thoughtfully. "Why do we need to defeat that Apex predator?"
Before White Wolf could answer, Snow Falcon explained:
"As far as I know, he's the ultimate symbol of strength within the low caste. But his identity is abnormal and unknown. They say if someone from the low caste can bring back his corpse, they'll be fully acknowledged and immediately granted luxurious access by the high caste."
White Wolf nodded. "That's right. If we succeed in killing him and bringing him to them, we'll be one step closer to our goal."
Cold Orca and White Bear agreed immediately. Snow Leopard and Snow Falcon also agreed — they were deeply loyal to White Wolf.
Soon after, Snowy Owl brought the grilled fish, and they all ate together without Snow Sniper. She was also informed about the mission.
"So, can you give us a solid strategy?" White Wolf asked Snowy Owl.
She smiled. "Of course. I've gathered plenty of information about her, so I know how we can win. By the way… where is Snow Sniper? She's one of the key pieces in this strategy."
The room fell silent.
White Wolf explained that Snow Sniper refused to participate.
"Eh? Then this will be a bit difficult…" Snowy Owl muttered.
White Bear frowned. "Why? Aren't you also a long-range specialist?"
"It's different. My range isn't that far, and if the target moves fast, I could miss. Snow Sniper can shoot from extremely long distances — and she's a camouflage expert."
"Just explain the strategy. I'll adjust it without Snow Sniper. This is important, Snowy Owl. Please think of a plan without her," White Wolf said seriously.
Snowy Owl reluctantly began reconsidering a new strategy.
---
Northern — High Caste Territory
Shen Akira was sitting in his apartment, scrolling through the latest news in Northern — nothing but ordinary updates.
"Mei Tsukino, I heard you can rent something interesting here, right?" Shen Akira asked.
"Do you want to rent a woman?"
"Idiot! Do you think I'm here for pleasure?! I want to rent the Predator Faction! I heard about them from my customer!" Shen Akira snapped.
"But do you have the money? Hiring them is very expensive," Mei Tsukino replied.
"Relax. I still have some leftover medicine stored. I'll meet my customer here and tell them this is the last batch — no more after this. I'll raise the price insanely high!" Shen Akira grinned slyly.
After that, he left, followed by Mei Tsukino.
He went to the largest underground club in the area — a gathering place for elites.
There, he met his customer.
"Hey, buddy. Fancy more medicine?" Shen Akira asked.
The customer looked surprised. "Huh? Why are you here? You usually never leave your place."
"Haha, just healing a bit. Anyway, the medicine is limited — this is the last batch."
The customer shook his head. "I'm not interested right now. And since it's the last one, it must be expensive. I'll pass."
Shen Akira was annoyed. Mei Tsukino whispered, "People in Northern aren't easy to fool, boss."
Shen Akira walked back, trying to think of another way to earn money — but nothing came to mind.
"Damn it… what should I do if that Death Raven chases me all the way here…" he muttered.
Mei Tsukino smiled. "I can rent them for you, boss. But since it's expensive… you'll owe me."
"Oh, that's great! No problem — I'll pay you back later. I'll turn the tables and return your money. Go ahead and rent them!" Shen Akira said happily.
Mei Tsukino immediately went to the black market — a hidden facility owned by Northern elites.
"Excuse me. I'd like to hire the Predator Faction," she said.
"All of them or just one?" the receptionist asked.
"One. I want the strongest according to your data."
The receptionist showed Snow Sniper's profile — her targets were almost always killed.
"Good. I want her to target this person." Mei Tsukino showed a narcissistic photo of Nic (sent by Nic himself).
"And sometimes he wears a raven mask," she added.
The receptionist understood and processed the contract once payment was completed.
Afterward, Mei Tsukino informed Shen Akira that he could relax now.
Relieved, Shen Akira invited her to dinner.
---
Elsewhere
Nic received a message from Mei Tsukino saying that Snow Sniper had been hired to kill him — and that Shen Akira felt safe now.
"Haha… let's see Snow Sniper's reaction when she finds out that the coward on that giant ship she saw is now her target," Nic said while sitting quietly atop a snow-covered tree.
[ Master Nic, you have arrived at the small town of Zhatick. ]
"Yup… I wonder who I'll meet here—"
Before he could finish—
Something slammed into him from behind.
"HAMPP!!"
His neck was bitten.
"Oi oi oi wait!! I'm not food!!" Nic shouted.
But the attacker ignored him and kept biting his neck while hugging him tightly from behind.
To be continued…