The aftermath of the first global boss left the world both awed and terrified. Cities were scarred, thousands had perished, and governments faced an unprecedented dilemma: how to control the chaos while maintaining authority and saving civilians.
In the United Nations emergency assembly, representatives from major nations argued heatedly. Screens displayed live feeds of gates still active worldwide, showing monster activity and hunter operations. Military leaders proposed full martial control of affected zones. Political leaders debated evacuation strategies and media restrictions.
A stern European minister slammed a fist on the table. "We cannot allow these gates to continue unchecked! Civilization itself is at risk!"
A younger delegate from an Asian nation countered sharply. "Full military control will provoke panic. We need hunters in the field, not tanks and missiles. The gates are supernatural threats—force alone will fail."
The room fell silent as Akihiko Fujiwara's image appeared on the main screen. Satellite and drone footage had captured him directing hunters in Tokyo, New York, and Paris. His precision and efficiency were undeniable. Yet, beside him, one figure stood out in the footage: Aiden Vale.
The delegates murmured as the teenage hunter moved through chaos with surgical precision—cutting down monsters, saving civilians, and coordinating small teams of mid-rank hunters. Some recognized his tactical genius, others worried about his recklessness. Regardless, his influence was growing.
Aiden's name spread rapidly across global news networks. Headlines alternated between admiration and fear:
"Teen Hunter Saves Hundreds Across Tokyo"
"Aiden Vale: Miracle or Menace?"
"S-Rank Hunters Oversee Teenage Prodigy in Global Dungeon Event"
While governments debated, the real battlefield continued. Dungeon gates persisted in multiple cities, releasing mid-level monsters and small-scale bosses. S-rank hunters coordinated internationally, but fatigue, injuries, and resource limitations slowed containment efforts.
In Tokyo, Aiden returned to the partially stabilized districts. Fires smoldered, and streets were littered with debris, but survivors were being evacuated. Masaki and Hiroshi followed, both bruised and exhausted, yet learning to operate effectively under Aiden's guidance.
"World politics… it's insane," Hiroshi muttered, shaking his head. "Everyone's arguing instead of acting. We could lose cities if they don't listen to the hunters."
Aiden didn't respond immediately. His eyes scanned the horizon. A new gate pulsed faintly in a distant district. Threat level: High, the System noted.
"Then we act ourselves," he said quietly. "Politics won't save civilians. Only action will."
He activated Surge and Shadow Step, moving toward the gate. Masaki followed, now more confident in tactical positioning. Hiroshi, subdued by previous failures, stayed close, relying on Aiden's judgment.
The city streets were chaotic. Smaller monsters had begun to swarm around the new gate, testing hunter defenses. Aiden moved with brutal efficiency, neutralizing threats and coordinating civilian evacuation. The System pulsed, highlighting weak points, calculating optimal attack sequences, and awarding experience and skill points for every successful action.
From above, drones and news helicopters captured Aiden's movements. The public began to recognize him not just as a hunter, but as a symbol—a young figure capable of turning back the tide against monsters that had decimated cities worldwide.
Back in New York, Akihiko coordinated S-rank hunters in multiple zones. Reports of Aiden's actions in Tokyo had reached him. The teenager's skill was undeniable, yet Akihiko remained cautious. "Skill without foresight can be dangerous," he muttered. "But he adapts quickly… faster than anyone I've seen at his age."
Governments, meanwhile, faced a growing dilemma: how to manage a young hunter whose influence now spanned continents. Some advocated granting him autonomy, recognizing his unmatched ability. Others feared public perception, questioning whether Aiden's actions might provoke monsters, disrupt coordination, or cause political backlash.
In Europe, S-rank hunters observed Aiden's pattern. They noted his precision, strategic instinct, and adaptability. Rumors began to circulate in elite circles: a teenage hunter capable of surviving S-rank threats and leading rescue operations single-handedly. Some saw potential for alliance, others for rivalry.
Aiden's next engagement came quickly. A massive mid-level boss emerged near a partially evacuated Tokyo district. Civilians were trapped, and the initial containment team had been overrun. Without hesitation, Aiden activated Shadow Step and Surge, darting into the fray.
Every movement was calculated. He dodged crushing blows, neutralized minions with precise strikes, and guided civilians to safety. Focus Strike and Piercing Strike tore into the boss's weak points, while Masaki and Hiroshi learned to support effectively. Even amidst chaos, Aiden's System optimized each attack, awarding skill points and experience for rapid decision-making.
Hours passed. The battle raged as Aiden coordinated evacuation, neutralized monsters, and executed flawless combat maneuvers. By nightfall, the district was secure, civilians were safe, and the boss lay defeated.
The System pulsed:
EXP: +28,000
Skill Points: +80
Level Up! Strength +10, Agility +10, Vitality +10, Intelligence +9
A new skill slot opened, humming beneath his awareness—a reminder that even amidst global chaos, he was growing stronger.
Akihiko approached in person after the operation, assessing Aiden silently. "You're no longer just surviving," he said. "You're shaping the battlefield itself. But remember—global attention brings scrutiny. Your choices will have consequences beyond combat. Strategy, ruthlessness, and foresight will define your survival."
Aiden nodded, bloodied but unbroken. His influence had grown. Hunters worldwide began to recognize his skill. Governments debated whether to sanction or restrict him. The world had changed, and Aiden Vale had become a focal point—a young predator navigating global chaos, shaping outcomes, and surviving where others would fall.
The city lay quiet for the moment, but dungeon gates remained, monsters waited, and politics simmered. Aiden's rise had begun, but the challenges ahead—S-rank threats, political intrigue, and global-scale monsters—were only growing in magnitude.
And Aiden Vale would rise to meet them.