The Parliament was in chaos.

Dozens of women in sharp suits were shouting at each other, their voices overlapping in a deafening storm of words and accusations. Papers flew through the air like white birds in a hurricane, while some of the more aggressive ministers hurled pens, folders, and even water bottles across the chamber.

"Shut your mouth, you snake!" one minister yelled, pointing across the room.

"Maybe if you managed your internal ministry properly, our Prime Minister wouldn't be dead!" another shot back, slamming her palm on the table.

Guards rushed in, trying to hold back the shouting crowd. The Parliament of Norbata—the pride of the nation and the law—was on the verge of collapse.

At the center of the chaos, a group of security officers formed a shield around a woman being escorted out. Her once white jacket was now smudged with dirt and blood. That woman was Prime Minister Claire Alensworth, formerly the Minister of Sports, now thrust into power after the assassination of the sitting Prime Minister, who is also the mother of Claire.

"Let me go! I can still talk to them!" Claire shouted as the guards practically lifted her off the ground.

"Ma'am, please—your safety comes first!" one guard barked as they carried her down the Parliament steps.

Inside, the shouting continued. The microphones crackled with feedback. Accusations flew of bribery, of conspiracy, of hidden forces pulling strings.

Outside, the storm was quieter—but not calmer.

Dozens of armored vehicles surrounded the Parliament courtyard. Drones hovered above, their cameras blinking red. Reporters screamed questions while security forces pushed them back.

Standing near the official convoy was High Commissioner Olivia Vale, tall and composed despite the turmoil. Her hair fluttered in the wind as she watched the guards carry out the new Prime Minister. Beside her stood Amanda, her trusted aide and chief of NDA divison, hands clasped behind her back.

"Well," Olivia murmured, eyes fixed on the chaos inside, "it seems the central bone of the country has finally cracked."

Amanda nodded slightly. "It's not just cracked, comissioner. It's collapsing."

"The next election is going to be a bloodbath," Olivia said quietly. "If this keeps up, we'll be lucky if there's even a country left to hold one."

Amanda's gaze hardened. "It's obvious now, isn't it? There are parties pulling strings behind the scenes."

Olivia's voice dropped to a whisper. "And one of those parties… are definitely those traitors."

At the mention of traitors, Amanda's expression darkened. She looked down, taking her usual cigarette to her fingers.

"I have a lot of questions for them," she muttered. "Questions I'm going to make them answer, one way or another."

Olivia studied her for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "Let's hope you don't fall into a bigger trap while chasing them. With the election coming, everything's a battlefield."

A loud roar erupted behind them as Claire's armored vehicle started up. The guards pushed through the crowd, clearing a path. The new Prime Minister was leaving for a secure location.

Amanda turned slightly. "When's the next election scheduled?"

"In six months," Olivia replied, her tone flat. "Assuming the government lasts that long."

"And who's going to win it?" Amanda asked, glancing at her.

Olivia let out a small giggle, shaking her head. "That's not even a question. Everyone knows Sahira Varana, the business tycoon leading the opposition, will sweep it. The people already see her as the real leader despite how obviously corrupted she is."

Amanda frowned. "What about the new Prime Minister? Doesn't she have any chance?"

Olivia gave her a look of pity. "Claire? She was just a Sports Minister. She never dealt with the military, foreign affairs, or even the economy. The people don't see her as strong. They see her as a daughter of a great leader—nothing more."

Amanda sighed, watching the vehicle disappear into the distance.

There was a pause. The sound of distant helicopters filled the silence. Olivia crossed her arms and looked toward the horizon.

"How's the situation with the dungeons?" she asked finally. "With Lan Xinyue out of the picture, I assume it's worse."

Amanda's expression tightened. "Worse doesn't even begin to cover it. It's dangerous. Very dangerous."

Olivia's brow furrowed. "Meaning?"

"Lan Xinyue isn't the only one missing," Amanda said grimly. "The leader of Valkyria Fang, Nina Raj, vanished too. Two of the strongest dungeon leaders gone without a trace and Asashi family backed Black Moondrop had stop responding to us and they are doing what they awnt. The powerhouses who could keep the gates under control are gone—and what remains of their forces are barely holding the monsters back."

Olivia exhaled slowly. "So the frontlines are falling."

Amanda nodded. "Piece by piece."

Olivia rubbed her temple. "I heard rumors that the entire first floor of the Central Dungeon was wiped out during the last monster rise. Is that true?"

Amanda hesitated. "It was. Or at least… that's what we thought."

Olivia raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

Amanda looked straight at her, eyes cold and serious. "You wouldn't believe it. Everything on the first floor is back to normal now."

"What?"

"The monsters, the terrain, everything," Amanda said. "As if nothing happened. The corpses are gone, the collapsed tunnels rebuilt, and the monsters are behaving like before the rise. Like the whole disaster was just… erased."

Olivia's lips parted slightly, then pressed into a thin line. "That's not possible."

"I know," Amanda said. "But the scouts confirmed it. The dungeon's resetting itself. Like it's alive and the thing is...monsters in the first floor is evolving"

Olivia turned to face the Parliament again, where shouting still echoed faintly through the shattered windows. "A dying government, a coming election, and now self-repairing dungeons with evolving monsters," she muttered. "This country really is sitting on a volcano."

Amanda's voice lowered. "Do you think the traitors want this country to fall?"

Olivia didn't answer immediately. Her gaze was distant, thoughtful. "If they are," she said at last, "then they're not just traitors—they're something far worse."

Amanda's fists clenched at her sides. "They are worse than anything...Yes, they are,"

"Looks like you got somehting personal with them," Olivia said softly. "But remember this—don't loose yourself chasing things/"

Amanda's eyes flickered. "I'll take that risk."

The wind blew harder now, carrying the sound of sirens and the faint crackle of burning debris from the Parliament's outer wing. The sky above Norbatas capital turned gray, heavy with smoke and tension.

High Commissioner Olivia watched as the convoy disappeared through the gates, leaving a trail of flashing lights behind. She turned to Amanda one last time.

"Let's hope this country can survive six more months," Olivia said quietly.

Amanda looked toward the horizon, her voice a whisper. "If it doesn't… then we'll make it survive."

***

Selene limped slowly down the cracked pavement, her crutches clicking against the ground with each step. The wind was cold that morning, brushing past her face as she looked up at the tall, grey building ahead—the once-mighty Valkyria Fang Guild headquarters.

The sign above the door felt like a bitter reminder. The symbol of the fanged wings, once glowing bright with pride, felt dull and somewhat grim.

Selene pushed the glass door open. The faint scent of dust filled the air.

The lobby that used to buzz with laughter, chatter, and the sound of metal clanking was now silent. Only a few women sat scattered across the room—secretaries, medics, and administrative workers who had not joined the raid that day. Their eyes were hollow, their faces tired.

No one even looked up when she entered.

Selene stood still for a moment, gripping her crutches tightly. Her throat tightened as she scanned the empty hall. The guild's banners hung lifeless, and the once-shiny floor was covered in scratches and stains.

She wanted to scream.

She wanted to throw something, anything, just to feel alive again. But her voice refused to come out.

She dragged herself toward one of the couches and sat down, her injured leg trembling slightly.

Her voice came out in a broken whisper. "Is this it? Is Valkyria Fang… finished?"

The words echoed faintly in the empty space.

She leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "Leader's gone. Ninety-five percent of the hunters are dead. The only ones left are the workers—and even they're planning to leave. No pay. No purpose."

A bitter smile formed on her lips.

"We're done," she muttered. "Completely done."

Her laugh came out shaky. "Why was I even left alive? What's my purpose now?" She looked at her hands, trembling slightly. "It's cruel… isn't it? The first two to see it all… ends up being the only people to survive it. Isn't it Kyouka?"

She covered her face with one hand, her body trembling. The silence around her felt like a tomb.

After a while, she forced herself to stand. "Guess that's it," she muttered, taking a deep breath and turning toward the exit.

But before she could take another step, she felt it—

A light touch.

A hand on her back.

Her whole body froze.

Her breath hitched as she slowly turned her head.

She hadn't heard anyone approach. No footsteps. No sound.

And then—her eyes widened.

Standing there, just a few feet away, was a tall woman with long dark hair, wearing a black combat coat. Her sharp eyes glowed faintly under the light.

Selene's crutches nearly slipped from her hands. "N–Nina…?"

The woman gave a tired smile. "This building's gotten rather quiet, hasn't it?"

Selene's lips trembled. "It… it can't be. You… you were—"

"Dead?" Nina finished, her voice calm, though her eyes carried pain. "That's what they told everyone, right?"

Selene couldn't speak. Tears welled in her eyes as she finally found her voice. "Yes, it is, Leader."

Nina looked around the empty lobby, her expression soft but heavy. "I see. The fangs have fallen quiet."

Selene gripped her crutches, still trembling. "You… you're really here…"

Nina's faint smile didn't fade. "I am. Though maybe I shouldn't be." She glanced toward the broken banners. "We are not going to be monster hunters anymore."

Selene was confused by her words. "What are you saying, Leader?"

Nina's expression suddenly turned serious. "From now on, Valkyria Fang will be something that holds this country together… not just a guild of hunters. You'll understand soon enough. For now, gather everyone who's still loyal to the guild, those who aren't just here for money and meet me at this place."

Selene stared in confusion as Nina handed her a small piece of paper before turning to leave. Selene looked down at it, her mind spinning. What in the world is going on?

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