The Shadowfront team arrived at the Hunter Federation's Annual Exhibition—an elite gathering held in the capital once every three years. Zian, Mira, Leon, and Kyel followed Kaen into the marble-floored atrium, where the world's strongest hunters mingled under floating banners of mana.
Among the murmuring crowd stood a woman barely five feet tall, draped in sleek combat armor trimmed in crimson and silver. Her snow-white hair shimmered beneath the chandeliers, and her piercing red eyes scanned the room with quiet contempt. She was silent, still, and unmistakable.
"Is that…?" Mira whispered.
"Lirien," Zian confirmed, expression unreadable. "The world's shortest SSS-rank hunter."
Kaen's gaze locked onto her instantly. She hadn't noticed him yet, but something ancient stirred in his shadow. For the first time in years, he felt… intrigued.
Lirien turned sharply, her gaze landing on Kaen. She froze, eyes narrowing. The surrounding noise dimmed. Neither said a word.
Then she stepped forward, boots clicking on marble. "Who are you?" she asked, voice cool but edged with challenge.
Kaen smirked. "Just someone who doesn't like standing in line."
Their gazes held. There was no recognition—yet. But something beneath the surface quivered.
Leon and Kyel noticed the tension. "Uh, are we missing something?"
Mira tugged Leon's sleeve. "Let's not get involved."
Zian watched quietly. The atmosphere around Lirien shimmered with raw potential, but Kaen remained calm, almost amused.
"Maybe we'll talk again," she said, turning away.
"I'm counting on it," Kaen replied.
As she vanished into the crowd, a breeze swept through the building—unnatural, laced with the scent of ash and cold stars.
Zian stepped beside Kaen. "What just happened?"
Kaen's crimson eyes followed Lirien's path. "Destiny just cracked open a door."
Thus, the first arc ends—not with a clash, but a meeting that would someday shake the world.