Investigation on the Mysterious Man

The distant wail of sirens echoed through the streets, a warning sign that Zero's battle had drawn unwanted attention. The elite Hunters' Special Forces, known for dealing with high-level threats, were rapidly closing in. The brutal clash with the robbers had caused too much noise—gunshots, screams, and collapsing debris. The city's citizens, alarmed by the commotion, had wasted no time in reporting it.

Zero's instincts flared. He knew staying any longer would be a death sentence. Without hesitation, he activated his Shadow Hide skill. His body melted into the darkness, blending seamlessly with the night. The moment the elite hunters arrived, he was already gone, leaving behind nothing but carnage and unanswered questions.

The Hunters' Arrival

A dozen high-ranking hunters stormed the building, their eyes immediately scanning the scene. What they found left them in stunned silence.

Fifteen corpses lay sprawled across the bloodstained floor—each of them experienced fighters, now lifeless. Their weapons, shattered. Their armor, torn. The sheer brutality of the massacre sent shivers down the spines of even the most battle-hardened hunters.

"This… This isn't the work of common criminals," one of them muttered, kneeling beside a body.

"These were trained fighters," another added, examining the deep gashes on the victims. "Whoever did this wasn't just strong. They were fast. Precise. Deadly."

One of the senior officers, clad in reinforced battle gear, tapped into his communicator.

"Send a full forensic team. This isn't just some gang dispute. We may be dealing with a rogue high-rank hunter—or worse."

The hunters spread out, searching every floor of the building. They checked every corner, every hallway. But despite their efforts, they found nothing. No footprints. No traces of movement. It was as if the killer had vanished into thin air.

After a fruitless search, the lead investigator let out a frustrated sigh. "Report back to headquarters. Whoever this man is, he's a ghost. But we won't stop until we find him."

A Silent Escape

Meanwhile, Zero was already miles away. He stepped onto a dimly lit bus, slipping into an empty seat near the back. His heartbeat was steady, his breathing controlled. He pulled the hood of his jacket lower, ensuring his face remained hidden.

Through the window, he watched as police vehicles and hunter squads swarmed the district he had just escaped from. The city was in chaos, the news of the massacre spreading fast.

He exhaled softly. He had only acted in self-defense—those men had attacked him first. But in the eyes of the world, he was no longer just a mysterious figure in the shadows.

He was a killer.

The Investigation Unfolds

Back at the crime scene, forensic mages and energy analysts arrived to scan the area for any lingering traces of power. Moments later, one of them gasped.

"We found something."

The lead investigator stepped forward. "What is it?"

"A residual energy signature. Dark element."

A tense silence filled the room. Dark element users were rare, feared, and often misunderstood. But there was only one man in recent history who had been known to wield it so powerfully.

The realization struck them all at once.

"It's him," the investigator murmured. "The one who fought the C-rank monster alone. The man the media called Dark."

Whispers spread like wildfire among the hunters. Some had seen reports of Dark's heroics. Others had dismissed him as a myth. But now, there was undeniable proof—he was real. And he had just killed fifteen people.

A Hero or a Villain?

The news exploded across every major city and country. Social media, television broadcasts, and hunter networks were flooded with discussions.

"Is Dark a hero or a villain?"

Some defended him. "He saved lives before. Maybe those men were criminals."

Others condemned him. "Fifteen bodies? That's not justice. That's slaughter."

The public was divided. But one thing was certain—he had become a wanted man.

The Government's Response

In a heavily guarded facility, high-ranking officials and hunter guild leaders gathered for an emergency meeting. Reports and energy scans were laid out across the table, each one pointing to a single conclusion.

An older man, his uniform adorned with medals, stood up and spoke with authority.

"We can't afford to let this man roam free." He turned to his subordinates. "Issue an official arrest warrant for Dark. Effective immediately."

A younger officer hesitated. "But sir, we still don't know the full story. What if—"

"Fifteen people are dead!" the superior snapped. "Do you need more evidence? Whether he's a hero or not, we cannot ignore this level of destruction."

The room fell silent. The decision was made.

That night, government agencies and hunter guilds across the nation received the order:

Find Dark. Capture him at all costs.

The Hunt Begins

As Zero's bus rumbled toward his city, he could already sense the shift in the atmosphere. His name was everywhere. His face, though still unknown, had become a legend.

A hero to some. A villain to others.

But to the world?

He was now a fugitive.

And the hunt for Dark had officially begun.