A digital notification blinked in the air:

[SYSTEM] Opponent detected.

[ALERT] Attempting to gain control of your body in 30 seconds.

[RECOMMENDATION] Activate countermeasure.

Raito narrowed his eyes. "Let's see how you try it."

The red light from Shota's hand moved slowly, inching toward him—

[SYSTEM] Incoming skill detected. Type: Offensive. Range: Melee. Potential damage: Extreme.

! YOU IDIOT!

Raito's body collapsed which made him bent down but he didn't kneel . His leg buckled, his hands trembling. Shota stumbled back, confused.

"What the hell…?!"

Raito rose slowly, his aura flaring faintly.

[SYSTEM] Absolute Suppression – Activated.

[SYSTEM] All opponent skills disabled.

[SYSTEM] Opponent skill: BLOOD MANIPULATION – NULLIFIED.

Shota's eyes widened. "I… I can't… my skills aren't working! What the hell is going on?!"

Raito stepped forward. "A weakling like you wouldn't understand. You natural S‑rank hunters… blessed from birth. You become S hunters on your first try, jump straight to S‑rank… and you don't know what it takes to gain power."

Shota raised his arm to strike.

Raito then use is thought to control blood manipulation.

The blood in Shota's arm twisted violently, but it exploded outward, nullified before it could reach Raito.

"AAAH! My arm!!" Shota screamed. "WHO ARE YOU?! WHY ARE YOU STRONGER?!"

Raito smiled faintly.

He stepped closer. Shota stumbled, then Raito kicked him in the shoulder, then chest, sending him crashing to the ground.

Raito planted his foot on Shota's chest.

"How dare you," Raito said, voice cold. "A weakling like you doesn't deserve to threaten me. You claimed you could defeat me, but you lost. You deserve to die."

Shota's hands trembled as Raito raised his dagger—

"I-I-I yield!! Please! I surrender! I won't tell anyone!!"

[SYSTEM] Opponent surrendered.

[SYSTEM] Threat neutralized. Monitoring continues.

Raito stopped the blade an inch from his chest.

"You better not," he said. "The moment you reveal anything… I will end you."

"I promise I won't reveal anything to anyone. Please… just let me go. Please… please," Shota said, his voice trembling.

Two agents, who had just stepped out from the building—usually there to assist clients in finding houses—froze as Raito's presence dominated the area. Slowly, they staggered back and collapsed, unconscious, as Raito moved like a shadow.

The agents' bodies hit the ground silently. Raito didn't pause. He picked up his bag and continued toward the entrance of the agency.

A receptionist looked up, startled. "Hey, welcome! What are you looking for? How can I help?"

"I need a house," Raito said, his voice calm but commanding. "I'll be staying here."

The receptionist blinked. "Alright… what's your budget? Do you want to rent or buy?"

Raito smirked faintly. "Budget? Show me the best house you have. Price doesn't matter."

She hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Well… there's one house that's really exceptional. Costs about 70 million yen. Would you like to see it?"

"Yes," Raito said.

A holographic display appeared above the receptionist's desk, showing the image of the house. Sleek design, modern, fortified subtly—low-zero style. It radiated quiet elegance and power.

Raito studied the image. Should I really buy this? Do I even need this? I could just rent somewhere for now… He thought to himself, calculating, always analyzing.

"So, if you're not really sure what you want to buy, or don't want to waste the money, just think of it as an investment," the lady said.

Raito nodded slightly, his eyes sharp, calculating. She's right… he thought. High school didn't teach much, but one thing stuck: money doesn't hold value when it just sits in an account. Inflation, market shifts… it's wasted if it doesn't move. I've already earned enough. My family doesn't need to work another day. I can afford this.

A faint smile crossed his face as he looked at the lady. "I'll take that one," he said, his tone decisive, leaving no room for hesitation.

The lady blinked, slightly taken aback. "Well… sir, thank you. You can come tomorrow anytime to inspect the property. When are you planning to make the payment?"

Raito's gaze remained calm, almost unnervingly composed. "I'll move in immediately. That house—the one in the image you showed me—it's fully furnished, correct?"

"Yes, it is," she replied, her voice soft.

"In cash?" she asked again, a hint of disbelief in her tone.

Raito's lips curved into a faint, almost indifferent smile. "I'll transfer it now. Just provide me with the account details."

The lady nodded, quickly handing him the information. Raito copied the details with precise movements and immediately sent 70 million yen.

"I've transferred it," he said.

The lady's eyes widened slightly as she confirmed the receipt. Tall… confident… and wealthy, she thought, stealing a glance at him. And… handsome too…

Raito noticed the glance, but didn't react. "Did you say something," he muttered lightly, already turning his focus back to the transaction.

The lady lowered her head, flustered, no I didn't say a word," she replied. Raito's presence carried the kind of quiet authority that made ordinary words seem trivial, like he existed entirely on another level.

She stood up, her posture straight, eyes scanning briefly as if confirming something within herself. Then she raised her head slowly.

"It's all confirmed. Thank you. Do you want me to take you to your property? I can drive you there," she said.

Raito's eyes, cold and precise, studied her. "Oh? That would be… helpful. In fact, I don't even know the exact location," he said, his tone calm but edged with faint amusement.

"It's not far," she replied. "Just a minute's drive. I'll take the company car… wait, let me get permission first."

Okay he replied.

Raito tilted his head slightly, observing her. Actually… she's smart. Not joking. Yes… she reminds me of someone… he thought, his mind already calculating, already analyzing the situation.

Still, he allowed himself a small acknowledgment of the mundane: I have to get stronger… I know that, for everything. I've been awake for eight months … but it's not enough. I want more strength. Nothing else.

Raito's gaze shifted forward.

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