Then the chairman turned to Daichi, and Daichi shook his hand firmly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I didn't expect to actually… meet you in person," Daichi said, bowing slightly.

Haruya also bent his head.

"You're the same… always my role model. Especially… I've heard of your heroic deeds. Why are you still a hunter?" Haruya asked.

Jinta looked at them silently for a moment, his eyes sharp but not unkind. "I understand. You're loyal to him. You want to protect his identity. Very well. I respect that. But hear me out. This dungeon you cleared… it was no ordinary S-rank dungeon. There's a reason I called you here. That person… he's not just strong. He's a once-in-a-generation hunter. He could surpass Masen Nibori. And if he continues at this pace… he might reshape the entire hunter world. I want him in my association. For now, your silence is enough. But you must promise me one thing."

Haruya and Daichi exchanged glances. "What is it?" Daichi asked cautiously.

"Promise me," Jinta said firmly, "that if he ever decides to appear publicly, you'll inform me. That way, I can observe him, and if necessary… I can support him. Because one like him… cannot be left alone in this world."

Haruya hesitated. "We… can't promise that. He values his freedom. And he does things his way. That's why he works solo."

Jinta's face softened. "I expected as much. That's why I came personally. You've seen him. Even through the mask, you sensed it. That power, that presence… it's extraordinary. I won't force him. But if he ever needs guidance… I need someone to bridge the gap. That's why I need your help."

Daichi nodded slowly. "We understand. We'll see what we can do. But for now… he wants to stay hidden. That's his choice."

Jinta leaned back in his chair, letting out a long breath. "Very well. Then for now, I'll leave it at that. You two have done well. Very well. You survived a dungeon that no one else could clear, and you've protected someone stronger than anyone alive. That's no small feat. Consider this a warning and an acknowledgment."

Haruya and Daichi stayed silent, absorbing his words. The weight of what had just happened was enormous. They had witnessed something far beyond normal hunters, and the shadow of Masen Nibori's legend now felt smaller in comparison.

Jinta finally stood, smoothing his suit. "You may leave now. But remember—what you've seen here today… it stays between us. You've protected him, and for that, I respect you. I won't pursue this further… for now."

Haruya and Daichi bowed slightly, feeling both relief and a heavy responsibility. They turned to leave the room, silently exchanging glances.

As they were finally about to leave the rooms, they actually looked at each other, then they turned back. So for now, we can't say anything about this. But… we're going to ask for his permission, and see what he says. If he agrees… if he actually agrees… then we're going to make sure we bring him to the hunter association. Daichi said, yes… we are going to.

Haruya said, well… at least this conversation has reached somewhere. Thank you for agreeing.

And wait… I'll give you my personal card.

The chairman stood up and brought out his card. Take it.

Haruya took it. Please… the moment he agrees, call me. Even if he doesn't want to show his face when he meets me, you can still come. I just want to see him in person… feel his aura… the pressure radiating from him.

The chairman said, yes… no problem. We will take our leave.

Daichi and Haruya turned and walked out of the room, leaving the hospital behind. The moment they stepped outside… cameras swarmed them. People snapping pictures, shouting questions. These were people who had seen the S-rank dungeon emerge… and knew what they had survived.

A reporter shoved a microphone in their faces. "Please speak! Tell us what happened! What happened in that dungeon? Were you with the man who cleared it? I'm sure you're companions!"

Daichi pushed past the crowd. "We have to go… we have to go!"

Haruya followed. They forced their way through the pressing mass of reporters, dodging questions and cameras alike. Every shout, every flash of light from a camera made him tense. The world felt heavy… dangerous… alive.

Finally, they reached a small, empty cafe. Haruya leaned against the wall, exhaling sharply. Daichi sat across, keeping his eyes on the door. Silence fell. For now, they were safe.

"Wow… that was a lot of reporters," Haruya muttered. "I had a dream that Raito could ever be under this kind of spotlight… getting snapped, followed by cameras. And now it's real. Kind of… but the other way around. I'm happy… but a little sad too."

Daichi nodded. "Yeah… you're right. It's not because we did anything. It's because Raito cleared the dungeon. Some of them think we were his companions… that we fought. But we didn't. Not at all. We were out cold the whole time."

"Yeah," Haruya said, shaking his head. "It's… messed up. We fell unconscious after using that much mana. Our skills increased, sure, but then… we just collapsed. And the next thing I knew, I was in a hospital, getting questioned by reporters."

Daichi let out a dry laugh. "Kind of crazy, right?"

Haruya frowned. "Do you think Raito's going to agree? Even with the chairman of the Black Whale Association involved, we'd still have to speak to him first. He might not."

Daichi nodded slowly. "Yeah… we don't really have a choice. The both of us… we're in the same situation. That's why we fought in the first place. That same day we decided to become hunters… it was for our brother."

"Yeah," Haruya said quietly. "We're different, but… the same. I wanted to be a hunter to protect my sibling. You too. My mom died in that burning building, your parents… the accident. We were both orphans, and somehow our stories… they're similar. That's why we joined forces."

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