"I could command the undead knights here… but I don't need them. Forty monsters… it might be fun." He grinned darkly. "Though I'll probably get injured if I fight them all. I've already wasted too much LP today."

The barrier around them pulsed, shimmering under the assault of beasts slamming against it. Raito frowned. "And maintaining this shield isn't helping either. I've never tried to fight while holding a barrier before."

He took a slow breath. "There's only one thing left to do."

Raito closed his eyes — then opened them, a sharp gleam flickering within. He turned to Kira.

"Like I said before… don't you dare tell anyone what you're about to see."

"W-what?" Kira asked, confused.

"When it's time," Raito said quietly, "you'll understand."

He extended his arm forward, mana swirling violently around him like a storm. The air thickened — space itself trembled.

"Undead dragon," Raito commanded, his voice deep and resonant.

"I release you… from the Hunter's Domain."

A crimson system window flashed before him:

[Warning: -1000 LP deducted]

Raito tapped [Accept].

A massive surge of energy erupted through the chamber — the floor cracked, the walls split apart. A colossal skeletal dragon materialized, its hollow eyes burning with pale blue fire. Its body was so immense it could barely fit inside the underground room. Bones ground against stone as its claws tore into the floor.

The air shook as the dragon roared — a sound that made the world tremble.

Its sheer weight crushed everything in its path. Every monster — chimera, kobold, vampire, bear — was flattened beneath its massive, bony frame.

The entire chamber became a graveyard of mangled beasts.

Kira froze, eyes wide.

"Wh-what… what the hell was that?" she whispered. "That… was a dragon. An undead dragon. But… dragons are just myths. No one ever proved they were real."

Her voice trembled. "How can something that powerful even exist… let alone be under your control?"

Raito turned slightly, his expression unreadable.

"I told you," he said calmly. "Don't ask questions."

The room fell silent except for the faint rattle of the dragon's bones. Every single monster was dead — crushed beyond recognition. Dust and mana filled the air.

Meanwhile, in the control room, Itoshi switched to another camera feed — the first one had gone black after Raito destroyed it. The new screen flickered to life, showing the aftermath.

Itoshi's eyes widened. His leg was bandaged from the wound Raito had given him earlier, but that pain was nothing compared to what he was seeing now.

"What…?" he muttered. "How are all those monsters defeated already? What the hell happened in there?! This isn't right…"

He slammed his fist against the table, rage boiling in his chest.

"Damn it!"

Back in the chamber, Raito turned toward the far end of the room.

"Let's move to the exit," he said quietly.

Kira nodded shakily, still in shock. The ground was slick with monster blood, crushed bones cracking beneath their boots. The air stank of iron and mana decay. Kira's mind reeled — she wasn't even sure if what she saw was real. She pinched herself just to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Why are you walking like that?" Raito said, glancing at her. "Snap out of it. Let's keep moving."

They pressed on through the devastation.

Then — suddenly — something darted across the room, fast enough to blur. A shadow streaked past them with an inhuman speed.

"Keep going," Raito ordered. "There's a staircase ahead. I can sense it."

He pointed toward a stone passage ahead. "Once you reach that door, you'll find stairs leading to the surface. But listen — there's a gate beyond it. Massive. Reinforced. You won't break through without help."

He clenched his dagger. "Hinata is probably is near. I can feel it… he's coming."

"What about you?" Kira asked. "Why don't we just escape together?"

Raito smiled faintly. "He's coming for me, not you. Go."

Kira hesitated — then nodded and ran. The undead knight carrying Neo followed behind her, dragging its heavy armor through the wreckage.

Then, with full speed, Hinata burst into the chamber. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he landed, his eyes locked on Raito like a predator spotting prey.

Without hesitation, both of Hinata's arms shifted—his skin tearing open as blades of hardened energy extended from his forearms, sharper than any forged sword. With a roar, he launched himself at Raito.

Raito raised his dagger in the blink of an eye, sparks flying as the two weapons clashed. The sound rang through the vast room like thunder.

The force of the impact sent both of them skidding back. Dust swirled.

Raito exhaled sharply. "You again…"

Hinata grinned, the faint glow of madness in his eyes. "Who's going to lose this time? Not me. I can regenerate endlessly." Then, his gaze darted toward Kira, who was sprinting toward the far exit. "But I'm not letting her get away."

He dashed forward like lightning—only for Raito to appear before him, blocking his path. Raito's dagger slashed upward, forcing Hinata back with a burst of energy.

"I'm not letting you pass," Raito said coldly, his tone like ice. "If you want to go through me—then defeat me first."

Hinata chuckled darkly. "Very well. I just have to kill you, then." His voice dropped to a growl. "You're one of the strongest hunters I've ever faced. Not even monsters last this long against me. After I kill you, I'll make sure your death isn't meaningless… I'll hang your head as a trophy in my room."

Raito's expression hardened. "No one could ever imagine someone who hides behind lies could be this disgusting."

He vanished in a burst of speed. Their weapons met again with a blinding clash, steel screaming against steel. Sparks filled the chamber as they exchanged blows too fast for the eye to follow.

Then Raito stopped mid-swing—his instincts flared. Something changed.

The air grew heavier, crushing. Hinata's aura was swelling, dense and suffocating. His energy had multiplied several times over.

Raito's eyes narrowed. This pressure… he's not holding back anymore.

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