---
The heavy silence inside the dungeon was broken by the sudden appearance of a Sealer—a C-rank dispatched to investigate the unusually long delay of the raid team. His eyes swept the dark corridors with sharp precision, tension radiating from his every movement.
Rin, still in his slim form, pressed himself against the cold stone wall, trying to remain unseen. The Sealer's gaze landed on him, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
"Who are you?" the Sealer demanded, his voice steady but sharp.
Rin's mind scrambled for an answer. He stayed quiet, unsure what to say.
The Sealer's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You don't belong here… Are you one of the monsters disguised as a human?"
Without warning, the Sealer lunged at Rin.
Reacting swiftly, Rin dodged and countered with ease, sending the C-rank reeling against the wall. Despite the attack, Rin's heart ached—he did not want to kill.
Pinning the Sealer down, Rin breathed heavily. "I'm not your enemy."
The Sealer's eyes flickered with confusion and pain but he made no further move to resist.
Rin stepped back and melted into the shadows, adrenaline still pounding. Escaping the dungeon, he felt a surge of strength and relief course through him.
Returning home, Rin was greeted by the warm smile of his sister, the one thing he loved more than food. For a brief moment, he felt safe.
---
Deep within the dungeon, the Sealer groaned as he regained consciousness. Two figures approached him—Vlad and Lydia, the detectives investigating the raid's mysterious delay.
Vlad's voice was calm but probing. "What happened down there?"
The Sealer struggled to recall. "There was someone… different. Not like any Sealer I've seen."
Lydia frowned. "Could it be a new kind of monster?"
The Sealer shook his head. "No, human… but stronger, somehow."
---
Back at home, Rin sat quietly, thoughts swirling.
That strange man who appeared earlier… What does he want?
The questions burned within him as the night closed in.
---
[To Be Continued]
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