The crisis reportedly faced by the hunters association across the world had grown exponentially in just a few days, and till this moment, the leaders and research department had been trying to come up with a reason for the sudden change.

In just a few days, the number of newly discovered danger-zones had beaten the total for the last two months combined.

The danger-zones that appeared were not even low-level ones, which made matters even worse.

Not only that, there was a 70% rise in the appearance of portal-type danger-zones, which used to be the rarest form.

It was chaotic.

The research team had been sent to all the areas with the most sudden popping, and even with their high-tech facility, they could not find anything that explained the rise.

As a result of the increased crisis, more hunters were being deployed every day.

The hunter association had even decreed that all retired hunters resume duties immediately.

Even guardians, who were usually inactive before, had resumed as well.

Alongside the high-ranking hunters, these powerhouses stepped into the high-level danger-zones to get rid of the abnormalities that dwelled within.

They all ventured into danger to rescue humanity from the growing threat.

But they weren't the only ones occupied with the situation.

Sitting inside her office, Crimson rested her aching head on her two hands as she read the reports on her table, her expression slowly crumbling.

"A total of 1,366 deaths in just four days… and yesterday alone added 459?"

She muttered, lifting her gaze to Anabel, who stood composed opposite her.

"Yes, Lady Crimson. Since the last twenty years, yesterday's death toll is the highest ever recorded. Many fear it will climb even higher tomorrow considering more hunters were deployed," Anabel replied, concern clear in her voice.

Such was the state of everyone in the entire Heartland Hunter Association.

Those who knew the current stats became even more troubled, and as the one who oversaw everything in the absence of her brother, she naturally felt the weight the most.

As she tried to think through the matter, her headache surged again, visible in the slight dimness of her eyes.

"You've been working nonstop since the breakthrough trial of Marlon Ashleigh. You should get some rest," Anabel suggested—not as a secretary, but as a friend.

In the short time she had been working under Crimson, both of them had grown close.

"I can't rest now, Anna," Crimson said quietly. "This matter requires utmost attention."

"If that's the case, then let me handle some of them for you," Anabel offered, still concerned for her wellbeing.

"Don't worry." Crimson waved her hand dismissively and managed a small smile. "Just get me a cup of coffee and I'll be fine."

"This will be your fourth cup, and it's only afternoon. Too much of it isn't good for the body. Even if you're a powerful hunter, you can't resist the natural order."

"I'll get enough rest once everything is settled."

Crimson was firm.

Even with Anabel's convincing, she still persisted with her work.

With no other choice, Anabel went to fetch her coffee.

Crimson leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling as she fell into deep thought.

"Is this because of Marlon?"

Everything had been fine before he took and completed the 5-star breakthrough trial.

The following day, the number of new danger-zones rose by over 30%, and since then, it continued to surge—each day higher than the previous.

"Was that why Brother and Axel Storm were so active about everything?" she wondered.

While the entire world was left in the dark about that night, she, as vice president, naturally knew what happened.

She knew her brother was miraculously healed the moment Marlon arrived.

She knew Norian had taken Marlon to meet the Silver couple, the alias for Axel Storm's family.

But she could not understand the real reason why.

On that day, she thought Norian had only taken him to meet Victoria Silver, the soul healer. But with the current situation, she couldn't help but feel something was wrong.

And speaking about her brother… ever since that night, Norian hadn't revealed himself to anyone—not even his own son, Drever.

"I hope he is okay," she murmured.

=====

The third wave came after the said time, more monsters, stronger and faster than the previous wave arrived.

This time newer races appeared, some an evolution of the previous ones.

For example, the giant spiders this time did not only spit poisonous webs but were able to use sonic attacks on their opponents, disorienting them.

And the ogres did not rely on brute strength anymore but could now conjure spells of earth and ice elements.

The group found the fight more threatening than they had imagined.

"I am injured!"

Emma let out as he sprinted away from his opponent.

There was a ghastly wound on his shoulder, the armor he wore now had cracks on it and on his body there were other smaller injuries that bled profusely.

He ran towards Clarissa while two ogres stomped towards him, readying spells to shoot at him.

"Die!"

Fortunately before they could activate their attacks, Dagon arrived and engaged with the two of them.

He quickly decapitated one of them while the other one launched a small barrage of sharp icicles at him.

Luckily, he was nimble on his feet and he had a C rank quick reflex that actively increased his reaction and thus he evaded most of them.

While a few still scratched him, the wounds were not ghastly enough to render him useless.

Before it could ready another barrage, he tossed himself at it and after about two minutes of struggle and evasion, the ogre fell.

But that was not the end. The other monsters charged as if recognizing him as a threat.

"Curses.."

Gritting his teeth, he charged towards them.

But before he could arrive before the small group of ogres, two Marlons or more precisely his clones appeared in front of them, causing him to halt in his steps.

He witnessed everything.

One minute.

It only took less than one minute for the two clones to fell the five ogres.

And judging from their appearance, none of them sustained a single injury.

Monster.

It was the only word that appeared in his mind as he turned his head in the direction that Marlon was seated.

Right there, Marlon flashed him a smile and did a small salute.

He does not seem phased at all.

He swallowed.

It was unusual.

Very unusual, especially for someone who had only debuted as a hunter not up to two weeks ago.

While he would love to continue pondering about the mystery surrounding Marlon, he could not forget the ongoing chaos and without wasting a moment he swung back into action.

He joined the triplets who fought like animals, without any consideration of their own safety, only focused on dealing damage.

He could only wonder how they had managed the fight so far without getting injured.

In their own crazy sense, they were monsters, he concluded.

"Take this, it would help you relax."

Clarissa said in a caring tone as she handed over a small candy to Emma.

Emma took the candy, swallowed it and clenched his teeth to manage the pain as Clarissa began using her healing magic on him.

She had a pretty exhausted expression on her face as her hands glowed with pure white light, healing Emma's wounds.

She had expended so many aether points, especially while casting stamina enhancement spell on Marlon's clone.

"My aether would be expended very soon," she muttered in concern.

"What kind of danger zone is this," she complained out loud.

Gritting his teeth, Davison who was controlling his golems from beside his colleagues responded, sharing his confusion about the bizarre place as well.

"Each doorway seems to possess its own wave of monsters and so far we have only fought three," he let out.

"And they are all stronger than the last one. If this continues, I am sure we would face some C rank mini boss or even a B rank boss soon," he added.

"Dagon is exhausted, even those triplets are slowing down. We usually rely on you in cases like this but the situation is not to your advantage either. We are seriously fucked."

Clarissa did not respond right away, falling into deep thought.

Her gaze traced down to Marlon who was sitting right in the middle of everything, guarded by two of his clones.

He seemed to be interacting with his system as he paid zero attention to the battle around him.

Emma seemed to notice her gaze. He turned to look at Marlon and his expression took a turn as well.

"That guy... There is something the hunter association is hiding from us," he said.

His colleagues seemed to agree with him on that.

Meanwhile, unaware of the comments about him, Marlon stared at a single notification.

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