"Zaki's badly injured! His status is still unknown... I don't think I should leave the car to check. That ghost is way too fast for me... Amzar's fighting him right now, Captain!" The Ghost Hunter hiding inside his vehicle reported frantically. Mikael had already entered the Shah Alam area."Keep an eye on the situation and report any changes. I'm almost there!" Mikael replied.Amzar was dodging Dabbah's relentless attacks, maintaining his distance while glancing at Zaki, who lay unconscious with blood pooling around his wounds.Even after being sliced in half... this ghost is still alive! His head reconnected earlier... My only shot is to destroy his head completely and eliminate his spirit energy at the source!"Distortion Technique: Twist!" Amzar leaped onto the roof of a nearby car, using his technique to spin the vehicle violently and send it crashing into Dabbah from the side.Dabbah, however, quickly steadied himself by transforming his legs into those of an elephant, anchoring his body with sheer weight. His hands shifted into the massive claws of a bear, and he charged at Amzar once again.Amzar aimed his pistol. "Distortion Technique... Distortion Bullet!"The shot fired, and the bullet pierced through Dabbah's chest.Finally! I slowed him down just enough to land a Distortion Bullet.This is the special technique I developed—a bullet infused with high-level magic. Its power is half that of Maximum Distort. I sacrificed half the strength for range, but it's still incredibly effective.Dabbah's eyes widened as his chest and left side began twisting and tearing apart under the force of the attack. Amzar seized the moment, backing away to put more distance between them.This ghost regenerates fast... and as long as his head stays intact...Dabbah's body began to heal again, but much slower this time due to the severe damage. Just like when Zaki split him earlier, Dabbah paused to recover his strength.Amzar leveled his pistol again, this time aiming directly at Dabbah's head.Distortion Bullet uses a huge amount of magic. I need at least 30 to 40 seconds to fire the next shot... But I can force it if I sacrifice my spirit energy, making myself weak for the next three minutes...Zaki will die if I keep stalling like this. I don't have a choice!Amzar's finger hovered over the trigger, frozen in hesitation. But what if I miss? His hand began to tremble.Meanwhile, Dabbah's body had fully regenerated. Snapping out of his daze, Amzar clenched his pistol tightly again."What's wrong with me?" he muttered under his breath, frustrated. Dabbah smirked, sensing Amzar's hesitation."Come on, Ghost Hunter! Use that technique again!" Dabbah taunted, his entire body transforming—his skin toughened into crocodile-like armor, and even his head began to morph.Amzar gritted his teeth and threw his pistol aside.I just have to do it... A close-range attack that guarantees total destruction...Don't think too much... Just finish the mission!Use Maximum Distort!Amzar's right hand surged with powerful magic, energy gathering rapidly. Dabbah grinned wide, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light."Show me... Ghost Hun—"Before he could finish his sentence, a black car suddenly crashed into Dabbah, sending him flying. Amzar froze in shock as Mikael leapt out of the vehicle. Dabbah was still pinned against the car's front."Azrael!" Black liquid poured from Mikael's right hand, rapidly forming into a long, dark scythe."Shadow Cutter!" Mikael slashed through the shadow of the car, but the blade also sliced through the vehicle itself, pushing Dabbah back further. The car erupted in an explosion, flames engulfing the area as Mikael hit the ground, breathing heavily in relief."Captain Mikael!" Amzar called out in surprise. Mikael quickly stood up again, his expression tense."It's not over yet..." Mikael muttered, still sensing Dabbah's spirit energy.Emerging from the blazing wreckage, Dabbah staggered forward, his left arm completely severed and his body scorched by the flames. But even now, his body began to regenerate, and the twisted grin remained plastered on his face."Ah... tonight... is so much fun, Ghost Hunters," Dabbah growled, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.The Ghost Hunter who had been hiding in his car rushed over to Zaki upon seeing Mikael arrive. Amzar and Mikael noticed the movement, exchanging a quick glance. Mikael smiled confidently.With Captain Mikael here... we can win this."The two Ghost Hunters before... they were strong... but you... You're different from them. I'll fight you... with everything I've got," Dabbah declared, his eyes locked on Mikael.Mikael shifted his scythe behind him, poised to strike at any moment."Maximum Curse: Dragon Form."Dabbah activated his Maximum Technique, and his entire body transformed into a dragon-like creature. Two large horns sprouted from the back of his head, his claws sharpened into deadly talons, and wings tore from his back. Spiked protrusions jutted from various points on his body.A ghost... with Maximum Technique? I've never seen a spirit capable of such cursed techniques in person! Amzar thought in disbelief."Keep your distance, Amzar. I'll take care of this," Mikael ordered. He stepped forward, his feet digging into the ground before launching himself toward Dabbah, his scythe slicing through the air with dark, cursed energy.Dabbah tried to block the attack with his hand, but Mikael's scythe was too fast—Dabbah's fingers were severed with ease.Mikael unleashed a flurry of relentless attacks, forcing Dabbah to either dodge or parry each one, struggling to keep up with the speed and precision of Mikael's strikes."Mikael is faster than Dabbah... but even so, Dabbah's managing to hold his ground. He won't go down easily," Amzar thought as he watched the intense battle unfold between Mikael and Dabbah.Both fighters were far stronger, operating on a completely different level. To Amzar, it felt like watching two mighty beasts clash, while he stood as a mere ant, insignificant in comparison.Dabbah retaliated, unleashing a fierce blast of fire from his mouth. Mikael dodged it effortlessly and countered by slicing through Dabbah's shadow. Dabbah's left leg was severed, but he quickly flew upward, avoiding a follow-up strike.Mikael swung his scythe in a sweeping arc, the handle extending until it sliced across Dabbah's stomach."Reaper Technique: Soul Reap!" Mikael activated his special magic. The wound on Dabbah's stomach stopped healing, and the spirit energy from the wound was absorbed into Azrael, Mikael's scythe."So... a magical weapon that consumes spirit energy... I see," Dabbah muttered to himself, realizing the danger. "To win, I can't let him land another hit."Two blue fireballs formed in Dabbah's palms, which he hurled toward Mikael. Mikael deflected both with ease, but Dabbah used the opportunity to lunge at him. However, Mikael was still faster, slashing Dabbah across the shoulder, sending him skidding to the side.Desperate to stop himself from being pushed further away, Dabbah slashed at Mikael, but again, Mikael's speed outmatched him, severing more of Dabbah's fingers in the process. Mikael then landed a solid punch to Dabbah's chest, sending him flying backward.Even with his Maximum Technique, Mikael was clearly the more powerful of the two. Amzar observed, amazed. He rarely got to witness Mikael fight, but watching him now, it was clear—Mikael was on a whole different level, second only to the legendary Ghost Hunter, Ali Ardiman.Dabbah struggled to stand, blood dripping from his wounds and his mouth, his spirit energy noticeably weaker. Mikael readied himself for the final strike."It's time to end this," Mikael said firmly, advancing toward the ghost.But Dabbah only smirked, laughing weakly. "This... this is what I wanted... A fight that actually hurts me... But if I lose and die... I won't ever feel this ecstasy again," Dabbah mused, looking up at the night sky, his eyes lingering on the stars and moon.Turning his gaze back to Mikael, he grinned. "Let's fight again... when I'm stronger than I am now."Suddenly, Dabbah exhaled a thick black smoke, enveloping the area. Mikael and Amzar quickly covered their faces as the smoke spread."I can't sense his spirit energy in this smoke!" Mikael growled in frustration. Amzar, realizing what was happening, immediately dashed into the smoke, determined to find Dabbah.We were so close to taking him down... There's no way I'm letting him escape!Out of nowhere, Dabbah appeared beside Amzar. Before Amzar could react, Dabbah's right hand pierced straight through his chest, blood splattering across Dabbah's face and pouring from Amzar's body.Their eyes locked for a moment—Amzar's wide in shock, Dabbah's filled with a sadistic satisfaction."You... were strong at first, but you're still a disappointment. I can't die now... so distract that strong Ghost Hunter by dying... Trash," Dabbah said coldly. Amzar's eyes widened in shock as he felt Dabbah's hand piercing through his chest, blood spilling from his mouth."Why do you want to be a Ghost Hunter, Amzar?"My family is skilled in magic, but we aren't Ghost Hunters. Many of my relatives were born with spirit energy greater than ordinary humans... so we had to learn magic for self-defense. I'm the only one in my family who became a Ghost Hunter. I have no dreams... no direction. But I thought... I could master the Distortion technique and perhaps use it for something good... becoming a Ghost Hunter to protect the people."Brother!"Emi...You've grown into someone amazing... You have your own dreams... your own hopes..."It's my responsibility... as your brother... to give you hope... to guide you..." Amzar's head swayed slightly, and Dabbah watched his movements with curiosity."Not dead yet?" Dabbah asked, surprised."Emi wants to be a Ghost Hunter!" I know... I don't want her to choose that path, but... I can't stop her. Emilia will grow up... become an adult... make her own choices in life...All I can do is hope... whatever path she chooses...Emi, please... be happy.With renewed determination, Amzar lifted his head and smiled at Dabbah, looking straight into his eyes. He gripped Dabbah's hand, which was still embedded in his chest."I... won't let you go," Amzar declared, a surge of powerful energy enveloping him."Distortion Technique: Maximum Distort!"Amzar activated his Maximum Technique, causing both Dabbah and himself to twist and tear apart in a swirling vortex."Arrrrghhhhhh!""Yurrrrrrrrghhhh!"They both roared in agony as Dabbah struggled to pull his hand free from Amzar's chest, but Amzar held on tightly. The asphalt around them began to crack and crumble under the force of their battle.My spirit energy... isn't enough to unleash the true power of Maximum Distort... but this will have to do. I'll drag this creature down with me!"I... will not die... at the hands of a weak Ghost Hunter like you!" Dabbah screamed. Amzar remained undaunted, but Dabbah forcefully severed Amzar's hand from his grip, causing Amzar's magic to abruptly cease.Dabbah, still severely injured, watched as Amzar collapsed weakly to the asphalt. The black smoke that had filled the air began to dissipate. Mikael finally caught sight of Dabbah but quickly noticed Amzar lying on the ground, his hand severed."Useless... just trash..." Dabbah sneered before his wings flapped powerfully, sending a gust of wind sweeping through the area as he took off into the air."Amzar!" Mikael shouted, rushing toward his fallen comrade.Emi... please... be happy.Mikael gently lifted Amzar's head, but he felt no breath. Clenching his teeth, he whispered, "Amzar..." Tears streamed down his face.Squad 2 Mission Report - Elimination of Level 1 Ghost: Dabbah· Mission Status: Failed (On Hold)· (1) Squad 2 Officer Zaki Sudain is critically injured and currently receiving treatment at the Ghost Hunter Organization headquarters in Klang.· (2) Level 1 Ghost Dabbah has been confirmed to possess Maximum techniques.· (3) The mission to hunt Dabbah has been temporarily suspended for further investigation.· (4) Squad 2 Officer Muhammad Amzar bin Umar has been killed."Don't... blame yourself, Mika," a woman with short purple hair said as she placed a comforting hand on Mikael's shoulder. They stood together in a cemetery, both dressed in black."I was there... but I was careless... I was too slow. I promised them that if I was around, no one would die!" Mikael lamented."Enough... Think about it later. You need to be strong for someone else," the woman urged, both of them looking at the fresh grave that still lacked a headstone. Emilia stood alone beside it."I... don't know how to face her, Kyo..." Mikael closed his eyes, and Kyoko gently rubbed his shoulder before hugging him from behind."Hey, I'm here, dear. Let's face this together," she offered, and Mikael nodded. They both moved toward Emilia."Brother..." Emilia's eyes were swollen from crying, her expression vacant. She wore her deceased brother's small cap and her favorite purple gloves."Emilia..." Mikael called softly, and she turned to him."Uncle... Mikael..." she said, her voice trembling.Mikael was struck silent, staring at Emilia's face."Uncle... you were supposed to be there, right? Why? You said... you would take care of Brother... Why did this happen? Brother! Why did he have to die?" Emilia shouted, her anger boiling over as tears streamed down her cheeks. Mikael's eyes filled with tears, and he turned away from her gaze.Kyoko was taken aback by Emilia's reaction. "Give... my brother back... I want my brother... back..." Emilia cried, her sobs shaking her small frame as she wiped her tear-streaked face."I'm sorry, Emilia..." Mikael whispered, gently embracing Emilia."I... I know... I know I was wrong... Urgh... but my brother..." Emilia buried her face into Mikael's shoulder, while Kyoko bent down slightly, rubbing their backs soothingly.Emilia's cries echoed with deep sorrow.I felt like that was the last time I would ever cry so painfully in my life. To this day, the memory lingers... the day of Brother Amzar's funeral. I can still picture Kyoko and Mikael holding my hands as I stepped out of the cemetery.I was determined... I would kill that ghost. I would avenge Brother Amzar. All I could remember back then was rage... the desire for revenge and the heaviness in my chest.Eight Years Later..."Emilia Kasturi? A flower name, huh... just like mine," a woman with short black hair and a white shirt smiled as she looked at the form in her hands, noticing Emilia's name."Why do you want us to train her alongside you, Mikael?" the woman asked."I have another Ghost Hunter under my training—Ali's kid. I'm worried I won't have enough time to train them both together, so if I get busy, I hope Thorn Agency can help train her as well," Mikael explained.The woman placed Emilia's form on her desk. "Of course, no problem... Anything for my old mentor," she replied, and Mikael nodded in understanding."Just a heads up, she can be a bit stubborn..." Mikael said, poking his head with a bittersweet smile."Relax... I've dealt with all kinds of stubbornness before," she laughed."Thank you, Rose," Mikael replied."Uhm... don't worry," Rose said, giving a thumbs up and sticking her tongue out playfully. But Mikael's smile faded momentarily as he recalled Amzar and Emilia, a soft breath escaping him.Meanwhile, Emilia was adjusting her scarf, gazing at her reflection in the mirror. Dressed in a black Ghost Hunter uniform, she was now officially a trainee Ghost Hunter.Her gaze shifted to the photo of her and Amzar on her vanity. She gently traced her fingers over the image. "I'm heading out now... brother," Emilia murmured before donning the small cap left behind by Amzar. She walked out of her room, the door closing softly behind her.A new beginning for Emilia Kasturi...