Bluefang Guild Headquarters – Private Office
The room was dimly lit, only the glow of the skyline flooding in through tall windows.
Ulrich sat behind a broad mahogany desk, posture relaxed but presence suffocating. His black coat draped over the chair, the sharp edges of the Bluefang insignia glinting faintly in the dark.
David stood stiff before him, his report crisp but heavy."...It’s true. Nathan has returned."
For a second, silence. Ulrich’s eyes narrowed, sharp like blades cutting through fog."After all this time... he’s alive?"
David gave a curt nod. "Yes. I confirmed it myself."
Ulrich leaned back, fingers steepling beneath his chin. His voice dropped, calm yet dangerous."Good. Then make sure he comes here first. Bluefang Guild will claim him before anyone else even hears a whisper."
David clenched his jaw. "What if the other guilds already catch wind—"
"Then erase the noise." Ulrich’s gaze hardened, carrying the weight of command. "The Association doesn’t need to know. Not yet. Not until Nathan steps foot in our hall."
The silence that followed pressed like iron. David felt the weight of those words settle deep into his chest.
Ulrich finally allowed himself a small smile, though it carried no warmth."Good. Don’t let this slip. Not to Ironclaw. Not to Bloodrose. If they catch scent of him, the balance will crack wide open."
He reached for a glass of amber liquor, swirling it lazily."Bring Nathan here, David. No excuses."
David lowered his head, fists tightening."Yes, Sir."
As he turned to leave, Ulrich’s voice rang one last time, firm and cold."Remember—Nathan isn’t just some missing Hunter. He’s a key. And every key opens doors others will kill for."
The air froze. David exhaled slowly, then exited the office, boots echoing against the marble floor.
Guild Hallway – Night
David’s boots echoed along the marble corridor, each step heavy with Ulrich’s words.Nathan... a key.A kid everyone thought was gone, now being pulled straight into the jaws of guild politics.
He dragged a hand across his face, jaw tight."Damn it... just when things were starting to feel normal."
For months, his life had settled into a rhythm—missions, reports, and then evenings with Fiona. Her laughter, her cooking, the way she leaned against him when she was tired. It was simple. It was peace.
David’s chest tightened. He could already see it: Fiona asking why he was suddenly busy again, why he was replying her text to late, why his thoughts seemed elsewhere. He hated the idea of that flicker of worry in her eyes.
"...Tch." His fist clenched as he strode down the hall. "This kid better not mess with my life."
And yet—he knew it wasn’t Nathan’s fault. It was the world. The guilds. Ulrich’s ambition. The Association’s politics.
Still... the storm was coming, and David was stuck in the middle.
He exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath as the night air hit him outside the guild doors."Fiona... Looks like things are about to get messy again."
His gaze lifted toward the sky, eyes narrowing."And I’ll be damned if I let anyone take you from me."
Inside Nathan’s House
The front door creaked open.
Emily’s voice cracked the moment she saw him. Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes shimmering with tears that threatened to spill over.
Behind him, Validia stepped in—still carrying her cool, unreadable expression. Emily’s gaze snapped to her. For a second, confusion wavered across her face, then she gasped softly.
"...Lilia? You... you came back with him?"
Validia’s sharp eyes flickered. Just for a moment. But then, with a smooth bow of her head, she slipped into the role Lilith once created."Yes. It’s me... Lilia."
Emily’s lips trembled as if her knees were about to give out. "Oh, thank God... thank God..." She pulled them both inside, clutching Nathan’s wrist like she was afraid he’d vanish again.
The living room lights glowed warm. And there—leaning against the wall with her arms crossed—stood Lily.
Her hair had grown longer, her eyes sharper. But her expression was carved in ice. She stared at Nathan, voice flat, almost cold."So... you’re still alive."
Nathan froze. That tone. That glare. Back then, he would’ve thought—she really hates having me as her brother.
But not now. Not after the Tower. He could read the tremble in her voice, the stiffness in her shoulders. Ego. Pride. Fear. He could see it all now.
"...Lily." Nathan stepped closer, a tired smile tugging at his lips. He raised a hand and gently ruffled her hair."Yeah. Your big brother’s not a loser now, hehe... And sure—I’m not dead."
His stupid little laugh hung in the air. Lily’s body went rigid. Her arms shook.
Then—her voice cracked."...Idiot."
She trembled, eyes watering as tears spilled over. In an instant, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms tight around him."Don’t say crap like that! Do you know how long—how long it’s been?! Almost a year without seeing your idiot face!"
Nathan’s chest seized. Almost... a year?
His throat dried. In the Tower, it had only been two weeks. Two weeks of blood, sweat, madness. But here—time had twisted. Almost a year had passed.
He swallowed hard, his arms tightening around his sister. His heart burned, his mind whirling."...Damn. So that’s the difference..."
But for now—he only held her closer, his voice soft."I’m back, Lily. And I’m not leaving again."
Nathan’s Living Room – Dinner Table
Lily finally let go of him. Her cheeks were still damp, but she quickly rubbed them dry with her sleeve, putting her mask back on."Hmph. Don’t get the wrong idea. I was just... caught off guard. It’s not like I care that much."
Nathan only gave her a small smile, his voice light."Yeah. I know."He didn’t argue, didn’t tease. He understood perfectly—her mouth said one thing, her heart another.
They moved toward the dinner table. Emily busied herself setting extra plates, her hands trembling a little though her face glowed with relief.
Nathan sat down, eyes roaming across the room as if seeing it all for the first time. His voice came out low."...Where’s Dad?"
Emily froze for a moment, then lowered her gaze slightly."Your father’s... working. Like always."
Nathan let out a faint smile. "Still the same, huh."No bitterness, no complaint. He’d never hated his father for it. The man wasn’t perfect, but he always worked himself to the bone to make sure the family never starved.
Now, with Ruby’s face haunting his thoughts, Nathan couldn’t help wondering—Was Dad just as lost back then, when he first found out he’d be a father too?
But before he could spiral further, the doorbell rang.
Emily hurried to answer it. From the dining room, Nathan caught the sound of a familiar voice. Warm. Sharp. Impossible to miss.
Nathan’s heart skipped. Sophia...
Emily’s face lit up as she opened the door. "Sophia! Come in."
And there she was. Nathan blinked hard, almost choking on his own breath.
She hadn’t come in her usual casual clothes. Not at all. Her hair was neatly styled, a touch of makeup sharpened her features, and the simple dress she wore hugged her figure with quiet elegance. Even the faint shine of a necklace at her collarbone screamed of preparation.
Nathan stared. She’s dressed like she’s about to meet a prince.
Sophia’s eyes locked onto him immediately. For a brief second, her expression faltered—but she smoothed it over fast, walking in with steady confidence.
"Hope I’m not late," she said, her tone almost too casual.
Nathan could only sigh inwardly. ...She really went this far, huh?
Bluefang Guild – Guildmaster’s Office
Ulrich sat alone, swirling the last drops of liquor in his glass. His gaze was distant, his breath misting faintly against the cold air that leaked from the cracks of the window.
"...Nathan, huh? Just how strong are you, really?"
He flexed his fingers, but his hand was trembling slightly. The cold sank deep into his bones. He clenched his fist, jaw tight.
Back then—he nearly froze to death fighting a beast that shouldn’t even have been there. A white wolf of ice, savage and relentless, lurking on a floor where it didn’t belong. He’d spilled blood, burned through everything he had, and still barely crawled out alive.
The memory clawed at him. Ulrich gritted his teeth."Damn it... I still don’t know where that thing came from."
Somewhere Beyond – Lilith’s Watch
Far above, unseen, Lilith watched through the veil of dimensions. Her crimson eyes lingered on the man below.
"...That unlucky man."
She remembered. Ulrich—the one who stumbled into her little experiment. A stray test-beast she’d loosed on the 40th floor to measure variables. He wasn’t meant to face it. And yet he survived. Read complete version only at novelFirｅ.net
Her lips curved faintly. Better than Adam, the first Hunter she’d met.
Back then, she’d thought Adam could become something. He’d fought the mindless creatures she’d crafted, and she’d even shielded him once—hidden aid, just to see if he could rise. For a brief moment, she believed he might become humanity’s hope.
But Adam... had fallen. Instead of standing tall, instead of carrying the banner of mankind—he’d fallen in love. With her.
Lilith exhaled softly, a sigh that carried both annoyance and a strange weight of memory.
Her gaze drifted, the image of Nathan flickering in her thoughts."Well, My son is better than him."