[Skill: Shadow Phase Deactivated]

[Visibility restored]

The dark aura peeled off his body like mist fading into the night. His figure became solid again under the dim streetlight.

He exhaled, stretching his neck. "That skill really does come in handy…"

[Skill: Flight Deactivated]

He rubbed the back of his neck with a faint grin. "Flight is actually pretty useful. And fun."

Just then, he heard a familiar voice from ahead.

"Raito!"

Aiko stood by the entrance, hands on her hips, tapping her foot impatiently. The warm light from the apartment spilled out behind her.

"Oh, crap…" Raito muttered under his breath. "I totally forgot the groceries."

Aiko crossed her arms. "You left to buy groceries two hours ago! Look at the time — it's already past seven. And where exactly are the groceries?"

Raito scratched the back of his head, forcing a sheepish laugh. "Uh… yeah, about that. I kinda… lost them."

She narrowed her eyes. "Lost them? Don't give me that. What really happened?"

He hesitated. "Some guys stopped me on the way. They… took them. Things got rough."

Aiko stepped closer, studying him. "Hmm. That's a lie."

"What?"

"I've known you since you were a kid. You always twitch your eye when you lie." She sighed and shook her head. "Whatever. I won't pry. What matters is that you're safe."

Raito smiled faintly. "Yeah. Thanks for worrying about me."

"Just don't make me wait this long next time," she said, turning toward the door. "If you'll be late, call me."

"I promise."

"Good. Now come on. Your food's waiting."

"Oh, perfect. I'm starving," Raito said, following her inside.

But before he could take another step, Aiko turned sharply and grabbed his collar.

"Wait. Where do you think you're going?"

"…To eat?"

"Wrong. Go take a shower first. You smell like you just workout."

He blinked. "You really don't miss a thing, do you?"

"Not when it comes to you," she said with a smirk.

Raito chuckled softly and headed toward the bathroom. But as he opened the door, a faint blue notification flickered before his eyes.

Raito stared at the glowing text in front of him.

[Hidden Quest Progress: Unknown Observer 60%]

He frowned. "Unknown Observer? What's that supposed to mean?"

He hesitated, then sighed. "Should I just ask the system?"

He exhaled, straightened, and spoke clearly. "System voice. Explain this Unknown Observer thing."

For a moment, there was only silence. Then a faint hum echoed in his ears, followed by the calm, familiar tone of the system.

[How may I help you, Raito?]

"What does this mean?" he asked again, eyes narrowing. "Unknown Observer… who or what is that?"

The voice went quiet.

Raito waited. Ten seconds passed. Twenty. Nothing.

He groaned. "Are you seriously ignoring me right now? Man, this system can be so annoying sometimes."

With a wave of his hand, he dismissed the floating blue text.

[System Interface Closed]

"Whatever," he muttered, walking toward the bathroom. "It's not like it ever gives a straight answer anyway."

Steam filled the small bathroom as he turned on the shower. He removed his jacket and trousers, folding them neatly before setting them aside. As he reached into his pocket, something caught his attention the black card Takura had slipped into it earlier.

He stared at it for a long moment.

"Dragon Fang Hunter Guild, huh," he muttered, tracing the engraved emblem with his thumb. "You're really persistent, Takura."

He set the card down on the sink, stepped into the shower, and let the warm water wash over him. The tension from the fight, the conversation, and the lingering question about the Unknown Observer slowly faded with the steam.

Minutes later, he stepped out, drying his hair as he walked to the bedroom. He tossed his damp clothes into the closet and slipped into a clean shirt and loose T-shirt.

Raito sat on the edge of his bed, exhaustion weighing on him.

"So it was actually a long day," he muttered, staring at the faint glow of the city outside his window. "I still can't believe it."

He ran a hand through his hair, replaying everything that had happened. "At first, I was excited to see Takura… but that excitement disappeared fast, especially when Ayane showed up."

A tired laugh escaped him. "I met a former Rank S Hunter… finally. Something I've been dreaming about for years."

He looked down at his hands, trembling slightly. "But ever since my power manifested, life has been different. Even me… I've changed."

His eyes darkened. "The day I fought Jiro… when he consumed me in my Berserk state, it was like I became something else. My body moved faster, my attacks hit harder… instincts sharper than ever. It was terrifying. But it worked."

He exhaled sharply. "If I'd fought him normally, I would've lost. No doubt. But when greed took over, it felt like my power doubled again."

He clenched his fist. "Now the Hunter Association wants me. The dream of every hunter. It should feel like an achievement… but somehow, it doesn't."

A bitter edge crept into his voice. "Ayane reported that I fought a monster. She doesn't even know it was Rank S. She wouldn't know the difference between a Chimera and an Inferno Speedstar Demon anyway."

He stared at his bed, voice dropping to a whisper. "I'll just get stronger. Strong enough to protect people. Strong enough so no woman or mother ever cries because of monsters again."

His hand tightened into a fist, veins pulsing faintly beneath his skin.

Then Aiko appeared in the doorway, holding a plate. "This is your food. I warmed it up."

Raito looked up, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Thanks, Aiko."

She handed him the plate, and he took it, sitting on the edge of the bed as he ate quietly.

After a few minutes, Raito finished eating. He stood, carried his empty plate to the kitchen, and then returned to his room, sitting down again.

"Raito… do you… do you still miss Mom? Do you still think about her?" Aiko asked softly.

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