Dawn Breaks Over the Cleanup

At daybreak, only a faint line of light had appeared along the horizon.

The hunters in the valley gradually woke up. Ryan had not slept all night. Leaning against the makeshift tent with his eyes half-closed, he had been replaying the details of yesterday's battle in the valley. After a while, he opened his eyes, rubbed his forehead, and stood up.

At the center of the camp, Kazif was compiling a report with the medical team. He spoke in a low voice while rapidly entering data into his terminal, recording the wounded personnel's conditions and the medications used.

Ryan walked over and asked, "How is everyone's condition?"

Kazif glanced up at him and said quietly, "Yesterday's battle went smoothly. There were only minor injuries and Nen exhaustion. No one was seriously hurt. The medical team has nearly finished treating them."

Ryan nodded and looked at the nest entrance in the distance, which had already been temporarily sealed off. "When will the biological research team arrive?"

"Headquarters replied that they'll arrive around ten this morning." Kazif put away his terminal. "They brought specialized equipment and plan to conduct an in-depth survey and sampling of the nest."

Ryan was silent for a moment. "The footage Eye recorded earlier was sent to headquarters, right?"

"It was. We sent it over last night. Their response came quickly. They told us to preserve the site until they arrived."

Ryan said nothing more. He simply turned and looked toward the southeastern sky. The faint rumble of helicopter rotors drifted from far away. It seemed the reinforcements and researchers from headquarters had already set out.

"I'll go inspect the site one more time. Keep up the perimeter watch." Ryan turned and left the camp, heading into the valley.

He rechecked the warning lines and alarm devices set