Tristan let out a heavy sigh, his grip on his suitcase tightening. He closed his eyes and tilted his head upward, facing the sky. When he opened them—
"…"
Silence.
He struggled for words, his mind blank. Another sigh escaped him, heavier than the last, and his shoulders finally loosened.
"Fret not," Varek said as he approached. "You will overcome this challenge—and many more to come."
"Stand strong. If you see no hope, become hope. If the path ahead is dark, become light. Where light exists, darkness ceases. Where hope is realized, worry fades. Even if you meet a wall, a mountain, or a raging wave—continue forward. Not to evolve, but to adapt."
Varek rested a hand on Tristan's shoulder.
"The you of now is enough."
A calm breeze passed through them. The sound of rippling water, rustling leaves, frogs croaking—peaceful, grounding.
"Thank you," Tristan said, a warm smile forming, his cheeks faintly flushed.
He stepped back, dragging his suitcase behind him. His gaze fixed forward, he clenched his fist, resolve radiating from him.
"Tristan!" Varek called out. "You do have my account number, right?"
"…?"
"You know," Varek added with a nervous cough, "for the wall."
"!"
"I've never seen him run that fast before," Varek muttered.
Tristan bent over, hands on his knees, gasping for air as sweat trickled down his face.
"…That was scary," he muttered, straightening and wiping his face. "He sent me crashing through the wall—why do I have to pay?"
He sighed, reaching for his suitcase again.
"…Alright. Let's go—"
"Yoo."
Tristan froze. A jolt ran through his body. That voice.
Slowly—unwillingly—he turned.
"…Lukas," Tristan muttered. The silhouette of a man filled his vision.
"It's been so long, buddy. Miss me?" Lukas said, stepping forward. His light skin glistened under the sun, curly hair swaying in the wind, dark brown eyes reflecting Tristan's figure.
"How've you been?" Lukas asked with a grin, hands in his pockets, arrogance dripping from his posture.
"What are you doing here?" Tristan replied flatly, irritation evident.
"What's this?" Lukas scoffed. "Didn't know you owned Vakil." He laughed. "Last time I saw you, you were crying in front of a gate like a little bitch."
"Is that really all you came to say?" Tristan asked, expression blank.
Lukas' smile twitched, veins bulging. "You still walk around with your head held that high?"
"…Is that it?" Tristan replied, a smirk forming.
"Yeah," Lukas said, leaning close. "Enjoy the fame while you can. Soon enough, everything you painstakingly built will come crashing down. Let's see if you can still stand proud then."
Their eyes locked. Tension hung thick in the air.
"…See you around," Lukas said, walking away.
"…Fucking weirdo," Tristan muttered, tightening his grip on the suitcase.
---
The sky was dark, lit only by the moon and scattered stars.
"Attention passengers," a voice announced over the intercom. "Welcome to Ardemac, the central country of Unika. Please exit calmly and ensure you have all your belongings. Hunters, please secure all weapons to avoid accidents."
Footsteps echoed. Luggage rolled. Food courts buzzed.
Tristan slipped his hands into his pockets and pulled out his phone, dialing.
"Hello?" Kade's muffled voice answered.
"Tell everyone to meet at the Hunter Association tomorrow—9:00 a.m. sharp," Tristan said. "We need to discuss raiding Final Destination."
"…Okay," Kade replied.
---
9:35 a.m. — Hunter Association, reserved meeting room.
The S-rank party Foresight sat gathered.
"Now that everyone's here," Tristan began, "we'll start. First—we'll be raiding Final Destination one week from now. Second—we won't use a fixed formation."
"…Because I'm stronger now."
He clenched his fist.
"I'm sorry about what happened last time. I know you were confused—worried. But this time will be different."
"…No one will die."
"That's cute," Kade said, standing up. His massive frame towered over Tristan. "But we don't need your protection."
Their eyes met.
"We weren't slacking these past five months. We don't know what you saw—but whatever it is…"
"We, Foresight, will overcome it!"
"I've improved my spells too," Mira added calmly.
"As usual, you won't need to worry about me," Jin said with a faint smile.
Tristan exhaled, his trembling legs steadying as a smile spread across his face.
"Then it's settled," he said firmly. "One week from now—the S-rank party Foresight will raid and clear the SS-rank gate Final Destination."
---
In a distant dimension, far beyond human reach—
A massive silhouette stirred.
Draconic eyes glowed in the darkness, unbearable heat radiating outward.
The coming battle loomed.