Palace Infiltration

The embers in the front hall had already gone out, and a chill filled the darkness. The Hunters rose one after another, neither hurried nor slow, yet every movement was exceptionally steady. After a night of rest, each of them had reined in their aura to the utmost, like drawn bows waiting to be pulled again.

Palm immediately opened her notebook. Last night's hastily scrawled writing had not yet dried when she quickly wrote on a fresh page: "Rest complete. Preparing to penetrate the core." Her handwriting was straight and deeply pressed, as though she were hammering a warning into her own heart.

The outer team stood at the cave entrance. Knuckle rolled his arms, muscles taut and hard as iron. He said quietly, "Leave the entrance to us. Go on without worry." Linas raised her weapon and slammed it heavily into the ground, producing a dull boom—her silent assurance. Shoot adjusted his monocle, his gaze sharp. "We'll hold the retreat route. You just focus on getting in."

Morel exhaled a puff of white mist and replied in a low voice, "If it really comes to that, don't force yourselves. As long as we can hold, we'll have a backup plan."

Chairman Netero stood at the very front, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked into the depths of the darkness. His tone remained calm. "Let's go."

The group slowly entered the main passage. Unlike the front hall, it was far broader, wide enough for hundreds to pass side by side. The rock walls were coated in secretions that gave off a faint glow, casting everything in a sickly white light. The air was damp and hot, and every breath carried a heavy bloody stench, as though the entire cave were the innards of some living creature.

Palm