Chapter 9: Marie

(May 15, 2026 – 5:04 PM)

Adam walked steadily toward his apartment complex, his eyes scanning the area as he approached. The sun hung lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the streets, but the usual evening calm was broken by the presence of Hunter Association officers and restricted zones.

Bright yellow barricades marked the perimeter, guarded by HA personnel in black tactical uniforms. A few of them stood by, monitoring the situation, while others were engaged in conversation with individuals bearing a guild insignia on their jackets.

They weren't done yet.

Adam's gaze swept over the scene until he spotted two individuals standing slightly apart from the main group.

One was a tall, broad-shouldered man, about 179 cm, with a neatly trimmed beard and a serious expression. His arms were crossed as he spoke in a measured tone, his posture giving off an air of quiet authority.

Opposite him stood a woman, noticeably shorter, but radiating a sharp intensity. She had a confident stance, her hands resting on her hips, and her dark brown eyes carried a glint of amusement, as if she was constantly one step ahead of the conversation. Her braided hair was tied into a high ponytail, and even in her Hunter Association uniform, she managed to look effortlessly self-assured.

Adam approached them at a steady pace, and as he drew closer, both of them turned their attention toward him.

The man was the first to speak. "You must be the guy who reported the gate." His voice was deep and steady, with a professional tone.

Adam gave a small nod. "That's right."

The man extended his hand. "Giovanni. C-Rank Hunter Association Officer."

Adam shook his hand firmly. "Adam Sen."

The woman beside him tilted her head slightly, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "Marie. C-Rank Enforcement Division." Her voice carried a confident ease, but there was an unmistakable sharpness behind it.

Adam's eyes flickered to the guild insignia worn by a group of hunters near the entrance to the restricted area. "What's the situation?"

Marie exhaled, shifting her weight onto one leg as she answered. "The Runner Guild is currently inside, engaging the dungeon. If the calculations are right, they should clear it by tomorrow."

Before Adam could respond, Awà's voice echoed in his mind.

[Based on my tracking, the remaining time until dungeon break is approximately 21 hours and 46 minutes.]

Adam nodded slightly, processing the information. If the guild's estimates were correct, they'd just barely clear it before the break. If they failed or ran into unexpected trouble, the gate would collapse into an outbreak.

His focus shifted back to Marie and Giovanni. "Can I go in to grab my things?"

Giovanni considered for a moment before nodding. "That should be fine, as long as you don't take too long."

Marie clicked her tongue, giving him a sideways glance. "You're trusting him that easily?"

Giovanni shrugged. "He's the one who reported it in the first place."

Marie sighed but motioned toward the entrance. "Fine. Just don't wander off."

Adam nodded in thanks and stepped past the barricades, heading toward his apartment.

(5:08 PM)

Adam stepped into his apartment, the familiar space feeling slightly different now that he knew a dungeon was just beneath it. The air was still, and everything was just as he had left it, but there was an unshakable awareness that his home wouldn't be his for at least a day.

Without wasting time, he moved to his bedroom and grabbed a set of fresh clothes along with his underwear, laying them neatly in his bag. Then, he walked into the bathroom, collecting his toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and other necessities before packing them up as well.

Once he was done, he slung the bag over his shoulder and headed back downstairs.

Marie and Giovanni were waiting for him near the barricades, their postures relaxed but still professional.

Adam gave them a simple nod, signaling that he was ready to leave. Just as he was about to turn away, Marie called out.

"Hey, you got a place to stay?"

Adam blinked, pausing mid-step before answering. "I'll just book a hotel."

Marie shook her head. "Forget that. If you want, you can stay at the Hunter Association branch in Alessandria."

Adam raised an eyebrow. He hadn't considered that, but the offer made sense. The HA branch would be filled with hunters, and Awà's ability to scan people's genetic makeup meant he'd get free data on potential awakenings and abilities just by being around them.

'Awà?'

[Confirmed, Host. The Hunter Association branch would provide more opportunities to scan awakened individuals.]

Adam exhaled lightly and gave Marie a small nod. "Alright. That works."

Marie smirked slightly before turning to Giovanni. "I'll take him there."

Giovanni gave a simple nod before turning back to the other HA officers, already preparing to give further instructions.

Marie then motioned for Adam to follow her, leading him to the parking lot.

What waited for him was a massive, black fuoristrada (off-road SUV). The kind that looked like it was built to plow through concrete walls.

Adam glanced at Marie, then at the disproportionately large vehicle.

'…This doesn't match her at all.'

He didn't say it aloud, but Marie caught his expression immediately. She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"What?" she asked, unlocking the car with a beep.

Adam said nothing as he opened the passenger door and slid in. His eyes flicked over to the driver's seat, where Marie had to sit on a slightly raised seat support to properly see the road.

She caught his gaze again.

Her frown deepened. "Don't say anything."

Adam fastened his seatbelt. "I didn't say anything."

"You thought it."

Adam adjusted his bag. "It's your imagination."

Marie clicked her tongue, gripping the steering wheel as she started the engine. "For your information, my height is completely average."

Adam glanced at her with a good side eye. "If you say so."

Marie grumbled something under her breath before shifting the car into drive and pulling out of the lot.

(5:21 PM)

The SUV moved smoothly through the city streets, the sound of the engine humming beneath them.

Marie eventually spoke again, her tone more casual. "So, what made you decide to report the portal? Most people would've just called their landlord and left it at that."

Adam leaned back slightly. "I don't like taking unnecessary risks. The situation could've been worse."

Marie gave a small nod. "Smart." She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. "You into hunter stuff?"

Adam thought about it for a moment. "I read about it."

Marie smirked slightly. "You say that like some nerd who 'reads about fighting' but never throws a punch."

Adam glanced at her, but his expression remained calm. "Maybe."

Marie huffed a short laugh. "Well, considering you're calm enough to joke around right after reporting a dungeon, you might've made a good hunter."

Adam didn't respond, simply gazing out the window.

'You have no idea..'

The conversation flowed easily after that, with Marie throwing out casual remarks while Adam answered in his usual calm but sincere manner.

As they drove toward the HA branch, he couldn't help but think that this was going to be an interesting stay.

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I love Marie, it's fun writing about her.