Kira's heart pounded. Who exactly… is this guy?

Jiro walked forward, watching Kira with a small, satisfied smile. "Told you he'd win," he said.

Kira blinked, still breathing hard. Her chest heaved. "How…?" she whispered. "He was faster than me. Stronger than me. I built my whole rep on speed—only S-rank counters can match me. And you tell me he's rank C? I don't buy it."

"Believe it or don't," Jiro answered, casual. He glanced at Raito. "But you did well."

Raito only smiled. Then his face tightened. He stepped closer to Jiro and, quietly: "Hey, Mr. Jiro please don't tell her anything about me."

Jiro's smile deepened. "Don't worry. She signed the contract. Your secret's safe."

Kira stared at Raito, confusion and begrudging respect warring on her features. "What do you call someone like you?" she asked, voice low.

"A shadow hunter," Raito said. "Someone who doesn't want their face in the news. Someone who fights monsters and sells cores without the world watching. You cover your face, you keep your name hidden—you move in the shadows."

Kira's eyes narrowed. "Maybe that's what I am. But I don't have time for labels. Jiro—get to the point. Tell us about the mission."

Jiro inclined his head. "Right. Listen up. The Black Gem Casino underground operation. They're not just gambling money. They're gambling lives. There's a VIP elevator that takes people down to a basement level. Civilians don't go there. Only those with a special card."

He produced a card from his pocket and flipped it once. "This gets you past the elevator. We have reports—hunters have gone missing. Mostly C-rank. Kidnapped. Rumor is A- and B-rank hunters are hired by the casino to do the dirty work. They cage people, pit them against monsters… and bet."

Raito's jaw tightened. "You want us to go in and stop it?"

"Yes," Jiro said. "Find out what's happening down there. Get proof. If you can avoid a fight and gather intel, do that. But if you must fight—fight. Be careful. You'll meet hunters working for the casino. They're dangerous."

Kira's hand tightened on the hilt of her sword. "And the missing hunters? You really think they were taken?"

Jiro's face hardened. "I do. This has been going on for a while, but it's getting worse. The missing are not random—many were skilled C-rank hunters, some well-known in their districts. Someone is buying hunters, or worse."

Kira studied Raito, measuring. "So why pick him? He's rank C."

Jiro shrugged. "Because appearances lie. Because I need someone who can move without drawing attention. Because you two together are a problem they won't expect."

Kira snorted. "If we have to fight, we'll lose."

"If we have to fight, we'll create a way to win," Raito said, voice flat. He met Kira's eyes. "I don't intend to lose."

Kira's expression flickered—shock, then something like curiosity. She remembered the way Raito had moved, how she'd been unable to see him until his dagger was already at her back. He'd held back, too. That part made her blood boil. He defeated me while holding back. It was infuriating. It was—impossible.

Jiro folded his arms. "You'll both get a card. VIP access. Enter the casino as guests, find the elevator, and get to the basement. Gather evidence. Bring any rescued hunters back out."

Kira looked between Jiro and Raito, then nodded once. "Understood."

Raito's smile stayed, but his eyes were already sharp—thinking, calculating. The game had changed. The Black Gem Casino hid a darkness that didn't belong in daylight. He'd seen worse. He'd died—almost—inside that drill assessment. He'd come back stronger. Now the stakes were real people. Real hunters.

When Kira stood, she gave a curt bow. "Let's move. I don't like clubs that gamble on lives."

Raito slid his dagger back into its sheath. "Good. Then let's go break their game."

"Please. Change your clothes," Jiro said as he pushed open a door. "You can't walk into the Black Gem dressed like that. Billionaires don't were this to go gamble."

Raito blinked. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Everything," Jiro answered simply. "Follow me."

They went in. Jiro led them to separate rooms and shut the doors. "Raito, your suit is on the bed. Kira, your outfit is here as well. Ten minutes. Be ready."

Raito closed the door and stared at the suit. It was absurdly expensive—tailored fabric, a cut that made the shoulders look like armor, a diamond watch resting on the pillow. He felt a strange, small laugh want to escape, then swallowed it. He slid into the jacket. The fabric settled around him like a second skin. He tugged the sleeves, checked the fit, and felt the way the suit changed how people would look at him.

Across the hall Kira came out wearing a blue dress and heels. For a second they both stopped and looked at each other. Raito's face betrayed nothing but a steady calm. Kira's expression flickered—annoyance, then respect.

Jiro was waiting in the living room. He rose and handed Raito the card. "This gets you through the VIP elevator," he said.

Raito slipped the card into his pocket without a word.

"You two will enter as a couple," Jiro added. "Kira will be the gambler. She'll draw attention. You keep your head down, gather whatever you can."

Raito straightened. "I do not gamble."

"You will not need to," Jiro said. "We are giving you two things. First, a camera. It is embedded in your suit. It will start recording on my signal. Evidence is everything."

Jiro tapped the lapel. A tiny lens glinted. A notification flickered in Raito's vision for a fraction of a second.

[CAMERA INSTALLED]

[Recording Standby]

"Second," Jiro continued, turning to Kira, "there is a mechanism in your purse. Press the button and the blade extends. Keep it for emergencies."

Kira's hand went reflexively to the purse. Her eyes narrowed. "Okay."

"You will need it," Jiro said. "If things go wrong, you are not defenseless."

Outside the mansion a black exotic car idled, engine low and patient.

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