Episode 11: Gathering for the Red Gate Raid
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Tokyo – Hunter Association Headquarters
The piercing sound of sirens echoed through the city, signaling an emergency unlike any other. All over Japan, screens flickered with a single message:
RED GATE DETECTED. ALL AVAILABLE SS-RANK HUNTERS TO MOBILIZE.
At the heart of it all, in the grand Hunter Association Headquarters, the highest-ranked Hunters had gathered for a briefing. The air was thick with tension, a suffocating weight pressing down on everyone present.
A holographic projection of the newly appeared Red Gate floated above the conference table, its pulsing crimson glow sending eerie flickers of light across the room.
The readings were unprecedented—unstable, immeasurable, and far beyond any S-rank Gate previously recorded.
Seated around the table were the twelve SS-ranked Guild Masters, each an unparalleled powerhouse in their own right.
At the head of the room stood Sakuragi Raizen, Guild Master of Ryujin Guild, the strongest Hunter in Japan. His long silver hair shimmered under the dim lights, his arms crossed over his broad chest. Sparks of electricity crackled faintly around him—his Void Shadow, "Storm Sovereign," responding to his unease.
Beside him was Hoshino Ren, the calculating Master of Kirin Guild, her golden eyes flickering across the Gate's energy readings. She was one of only two female SS-ranked Hunters, her Void Shadow, "Celestial Arcana," a rare celestial-type.
Seated further down was Takeda Jin, Master of Basilisk Guild, a hulking man whose muscular arms were layered with stone-like scales. His Void Shadow, "Titan Fang," granted him impenetrable defense and monstrous strength.
Across from him was Fujimoto Akari, the second female SS-ranked Hunter and Master of Phoenix Claw Guild, her flame-wreathed aura almost suffocating. Her Void Shadow, "Infernal Plumage," burned like an endless wildfire, capable of incinerating everything in its path.
Beside her, Hayato Kazuya, Master of Leviathan Guild, sat quietly, his icy blue eyes scanning the data. His Void Shadow, "Abyssal Tide," controlled water and pressure, drowning enemies in an instant.
The other Guild Masters—all legendary Hunters—remained equally focused, their expressions grim.
Even for them, a Red Gate was no laughing matter.
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The Briefing Begins
Ren took the lead. "This isn't just any Red Gate."
She flicked her wrist, causing the holographic projection to expand, displaying a detailed mana analysis.
The readings… were beyond anything they had ever seen.
Raizen narrowed his eyes. "Explain."
Ren exhaled. "Normally, Red Gates register an energy output equivalent to an S+ ranked Gate."
She pointed to the readings.
"But this one is off the scale. We're looking at something close to an SS-rank anomaly."
Silence.
SS-ranked Gates were not supposed to exist.
The air grew heavier as the realization settled in.
Takeda scoffed. "So what? We're the strongest. We clear it, like we always do."
Akari smirked, flicking her scarlet hair behind her ear. "Agreed. If it's dangerous, that just makes it more fun."
Kazuya remained silent, his fingers tapping against the table.
Ren, however, wasn't convinced.
"There's something else," she continued, eyes darkening.
She changed the projection, pulling up old records from previous Red Gates.
"In all recorded Red Gates, there has never been a single survivor."
That was the terrifying truth.
No one had ever returned from a Red Gate.
Which meant no one knew what was inside.
A deep silence fell over the room.
Raizen finally spoke. "I won't force anyone to go. If you're afraid, step down now."
But not a single Hunter moved.
They were SS-rankers—the peak of humanity.
Running wasn't an option.
Raizen smirked. "Good. Then we'll raid the Gate at sunrise."
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Shiro's Arrival
The massive conference doors slid open, and Shirogane Tetsuya stepped in.
Immediately, every SS-ranked Hunter's gaze turned to him.
He could feel the weight of their stares—like being watched by predators evaluating their prey.
Takeda frowned. "Who let the newbie in?"
Shiro ignored him, his Void Shadow twitching in response to the overwhelming presence of SS-rankers.
Ren spoke up. "He's with me."
Takeda scoffed. "You expect an E-ranker to survive a Red Gate?"
Shiro said nothing.
But his Void Shadow pulsed.
Before anyone could say more, Raizen spoke.
"Enough."
Silence fell immediately.
Raizen's piercing silver eyes studied Shiro for a long moment.
Then, with a smirk, he said—
"If he's here, he fights. If he dies, that's his problem."
Shiro clenched his fists.
Fine.
If they thought he was weak, he'd prove them all wrong.
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Preparing for the Raid
With the decision made, preparations began.
The Hunter Association deployed elite squads to secure the entrance of the Red Gate, ensuring no civilians got near.
Meanwhile, the twelve SS-rankers and their elite raid members gathered at the launch site.
Each Guild Master had selected their best Hunters to accompany them.
Only S-rank and SS-rank Hunters were allowed in this mission.
As the night stretched on, Shiro found himself standing at the edge of the preparations, watching from a distance.
Then, a voice echoed in his head.
"You feel it, don't you?"
Shiro stiffened.
It was the Demon King.
"That Red Gate is no ordinary dungeon. Something ancient stirs beyond it."
Shiro's eyes narrowed. "You know what's inside, don't you?"
The Demon King hesitated.
Then, in a low whisper, he said—
"I hoped I was wrong… but if that Gate is what I think it is… then we're walking into a Forsaken Lord's domain."
Shiro's blood ran cold.
The Forsaken Lords.
The ancient rulers of the Abyss.
He had just started learning about them, and now—
Now one of them was waiting for him inside the Red Gate.
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The Morning of the Raid
As the sun began to rise, the raid team assembled before the towering Red Gate.
The air was thick with mana, the Gate pulsing like a beating heart.
Raizen stepped forward, turning to his fellow SS-rankers.
"Once we enter, there's no escape. No turning back."
His sharp gaze swept over the Hunters.
"If anyone wants to leave, do it now."
Not a single person moved.
Takeda cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this over with."
Akari smirked. "We're wasting time."
Ren glanced at Shiro. "Ready?"
Shiro exhaled, stepping forward. "Yeah."
The Demon King's voice whispered one final warning—
"Boy… no matter what happens in there… don't let your guard down."
Shiro's fists clenched.
Then—
They stepped into the Red Gate.