The First Men Chronicles

Chapter: The Gathering Storm

President Bartoni sat in his office, the weight of the coming storm pressing heavily on his shoulders. With a deep breath, he reached for his phone and dialed a secured line. The call would summon the leaders of all hunter houses—this was a matter that could no longer be delayed. As he ended the call, he turned to Neo and the chief of police, his voice grim.

"They need to know everything," Bartoni said, standing from his chair.

—

Lannister House

Mujin sat cross-legged on an elegant cushion, a cup of warm tea in his grasp, the steam curling upwards in the cool air of the Lannister estate. Across from him sat Sakamoto, his axe resting against the wall beside him. The two remained silent for a moment before Mujin spoke.

"How are you holding up with your new techniques?"

Sakamoto took a sip of his own tea before responding in his usual nonchalant tone, "Pretty good."

Mujin smirked. "That's all you have to say?"

Sakamoto shrugged, and Mujin let out a light chuckle. "I have to attend an emergency meeting with the president. Soji, you're coming with me," Mujin said as he stood.

Soji, standing in the corner with his arms crossed, gave a curt nod before stepping forward. The two prepared to leave, and as Mujin turned, he gave Sakamoto a glance. "Keep training. You'll need it."

As Mujin and Soji vanished, Madagascar turned to Sakamoto. "So… the Russia news is all over. You heard about it?"

Sakamoto, leaning back against the wall, yawned. "Of course. Not like they tried hiding it."

Madagascar hesitated for a moment before asking, "What was he like when you fought him? Draven?"

Sakamoto's eyes flickered with something unreadable before he lazily stretched. "Just a boy with emptiness in his eyes. Nothing more."

Madagascar exhaled. "And if you meet him again?"

Sakamoto waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, please. He's got whatever he's going for. Ain't my business."

Madagascar said nothing, but his expression remained serious.

—

Hunter Association Headquarters: The Emergency Meeting

The long hall was filled with a tense atmosphere. A massive, polished table stretched between the leaders of the hunter houses, each seated across from the other. Mujin of Lannister House. Daisuke of Dragon House. Thomas of Light House. Frozen of Shadow House. And at the head of the table, President Bartoni, with Neo and the chief of police at his side.

Bartoni wasted no time. "How are your new recruits progressing?"

Each leader gave a slight nod, acknowledging steady progress.

"Good," Bartoni said, folding his hands on the table. "First, I must apologize for keeping this information from you until now, but there's no more time for secrecy."

A hush fell over the room. The weight of his words made everyone tense.

"I had earlier sent a team to retrieve Draven. That mission has failed. Feng is dead."

Mujin's sharp gaze flickered with slight interest, but he remained silent.

"The cause of his death was Draven himself."

Murmurs erupted between the leaders. Frozen narrowed his eyes. Thomas exhaled sharply. Daisuke frowned. Mujin sipped his tea, unbothered.

Bartoni continued, "The Ten is gathering all the hybrid beasts, and they've succeeded in acquiring nearly all of them. The only one left… is here in Korea."

A weighted silence settled over the room as realization dawned on them.

"And where exactly in Korea?" Mujin asked, placing his cup gently on the table.

Bartoni looked him directly in the eye. "Within your house. The hybrid beast is housed inside Sakamoto."

Mujin let out a small chuckle. "Well, isn't that interesting?"

"Not just interesting," Bartoni corrected. "It means The Ten will be coming here. And soon."

The air in the room grew heavier.

"We must protect him at all costs," Bartoni stated firmly. "If my suspicions are correct, they're not only coming for the hybrid beast but also…" he hesitated before finishing, "Arcade's body parts."

Frozen, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "Why would they need something like that?"

Bartoni exhaled. "I don't know yet. But it's linked to Draven. That much I'm certain of."

A long pause stretched between them before Bartoni finally stood.

"Be on alert. They could strike anytime now."

With that, the meeting was adjourned.