Chapter 63

Teacher Ganth and Gale walked side by side under the soft glow of the city's streetlights, the quiet hum of their footsteps filling the space between them. Ganth's home wasn't far from the academy, and the nights here were calm—a stark contrast to the storms brewing beneath the surface.

To the world, Gale was an orphan. The academy served as both his sanctuary and training ground, but Ganth's home had become a second refuge. Officially, Ganth had adopted Gale, a gesture that shielded the boy from scrutiny and allowed Ganth to step away from dangerous S-rank missions.

But the truth of their relationship was far more complicated.

As they stepped into the modest, dimly lit apartment, Ganth did something that would have shocked any onlooker. He bowed deeply before Gale, his posture one of reverence.

"Always so dramatic, Mister Ganth," Gale chuckled, shaking his head.

"Oh, how can I not be?" Ganth replied, his voice light but tinged with sincerity. "After all, it's the God Slayer standing before me as my master."

Gale's lips curled into a small smile. "Titles mean nothing here. You don't need to do this every time."

"Perhaps," Ganth said, straightening up, "but respect is due where it's deserved."

The two settled into their usual spots, Ganth pouring tea as they delved into the day's events.

---

"So... Aleena," Ganth began, but Gale cut him off before he could continue.

"Yes, she's a goddess," Gale confirmed, his voice steady but laced with intrigue. "I suspected it the moment I met her. My instincts were screaming at me. But I hesitated to believe it. After all, the Demon Lord wiped out the true gods... or so we thought. Watching her fight today removed all doubt."

Ganth raised an eyebrow, swirling his tea with deliberate calm. "And after today, I can confidently say that my master is smitten with her."

Gale nearly choked, coughing as he set down his cup. "D-Don't say such trivial things!"

Ganth grinned. "As you wish, my lord."

Shaking off the embarrassment, Gale leaned back, regaining his composure. "Let's move on. Maria Woods has a new SS+ rank hunter—Zoth. He's... not human. At least, not entirely."

"Not human?" Ganth asked, his expression sharpening.

"No. From what I've observed, he's a lower god with a non-human base form, likely a demon. If I had to guess, he's one of Aleena's subordinates," Gale explained.

"Should we eliminate him?" Ganth's voice was cold, clinical.

"Not yet," Gale replied firmly. "Unless he turns against humanity, we let him be. For now, he's keeping a clean record. It's unsettling, though. A demon aiding humans was the last thing I expected to see after... after what they did."

Ganth's gaze softened. "After what they did to your sister?"

Gale didn't answer immediately, his eyes clouded as memories surfaced. For a moment, he was elsewhere, trapped in the storm of his past.

"I'm sorry," Gale muttered after a pause, shaking his head as if to clear it. "I dazed out."

Ganth gave him a moment before shifting the conversation. "Maria Woods requested a meeting with me today."

Gale raised an eyebrow. "And why is that important?"

"At first, I thought it was nothing. But now I wonder—has she grown suspicious of Zoth?"

"Doubtful," Gale replied, his tone pragmatic. "But if she has, it's fine. If Zoth ever turns rogue, it'll be easier to handle him without the Hunter's Association's protection."

"Good point. I'll accept her request, then," Ganth said, nodding thoughtfully.

---

The air grew heavier as the next topic surfaced.

"The Veil," Ganth began, his tone grim. "They're moving again. And once more, they've kept me out of the loop."

Gale's expression darkened. "Risking innocent lives just to target Alfred and the other SS+ ranks... when will they realize their methods harm humanity more than help it?"

"Do you mean Aleena when you say 'humanity'?" Ganth teased, though his grin quickly faltered as Gale glared at him.

"Stop," Gale said, exasperated. "And no—I didn't mean her. Besides, I can't even use phrases like 'God knows' anymore without thinking of her. What a hassle."

Ganth smirked. "If Aleena becomes a threat, we'll deal with her. But for now, she isn't our concern. The Veil is."

"Agreed," Gale said, standing. "Time to clean up their messes."

---

Minutes later, the two were dressed in sleek, pitch-black outfits that masked their presence. Standing by the large window on the top floor of the apartment, they overlooked the sleeping city below.

"Are you ready?" Gale asked, his voice firm.

Ganth adjusted his gloves, his expression calm yet resolute. "Always, my lord."

Without another word, they leaped through the window, disappearing into the night.

"It's time to clean the city," they said in unison, their voices barely audible as the wind swallowed them whole.