MTLNOVEL Chapter 9: Episode 9
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The stadium was a scene of chaos. Police cars surrounded the building, their sirens wailing as officers escorted civilians out of the arena. The air was thick with tension, the aftermath of the explosion still visible in the shattered walls and scorched ground.
**Neo**, the Vice President of the Hunter Association, stepped into the arena. He was a towering figure, his muscular frame and commanding presence immediately drawing attention. His sharp eyes scanned the destruction before landing on Feng and Cade.
"What happened here?" Neo asked, his voice calm but laced with authority.
Feng stepped forward, his expression grim. "It was The Ten. They've resurfaced. This time, they came for someone—a boy named Draven."
Neo's brow furrowed. "Draven? Who is he?"
Cade shook his head. "We don't know much about him. He's a newcomer to the tournament. But The Ten seemed… unusually interested in him."
Neo crossed his arms, his mind racing. "This is serious. Feng, your new mission is to find out everything you can about Draven. We need to understand why The Ten would target a young fighter like him."
Before Feng could respond, a figure descended from the VIP section, landing gracefully on the arena floor. It was the **un ranked hunter**, his long, accessoried hair swaying as he moved. He yawned, stretching lazily. "Someone disturbed my sleep," he muttered, his voice dripping with annoyance.
Neo turned to him, his tone sharp. "And where were you while all this was happening?"
The un-ranked hunter shrugged, grabbing his coat. "Resting. Call me when something worth my expertise is needed." Without another word, he walked away, his indifference leaving a bitter taste in the air.
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Meanwhile, Sakamoto had made his way to the local store, his mind still buzzing from the events at the stadium. He grabbed a basket and headed straight for the meat section, piling it high with fresh cuts of beef, carrots, cucumbers, and a variety of fish for his grandmother. "Grandma's gonna love this," he muttered, grinning to himself.
At the checkout counter, he counted the money he'd taken from the tournament desk—**30,000 yen**. His grin widened. "I could double this if I hit the slots. Easy money." He paid for the groceries, leaving him with **25,000 yen**. Not bad for a day's work.
Stepping out of the store, Sakamoto noticed how late it had gotten. The streets were quiet, the moon casting long shadows. He checked his phone: **11:15 PM**. "Crap," he muttered. "Grandma's gonna kill me."
With a burst of speed, he blitzed through the streets, the groceries swinging wildly in his hands. He reached his house in record time, but something felt… off. Two police cars were parked outside, their lights flashing ominously. The front door was slightly ajar, a faint glow spilling out into the night.
Sakamoto's heart sank. "Grandma?" he called out, his voice trembling.
He pushed the door open, his eyes widening in horror. The living room was a mess—furniture overturned, blood splattered across the walls. And there, lying on the floor, was his grandmother. Her lifeless eyes stared up at the ceiling, a pool of blood spreading beneath her.
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Sakamoto dropped the groceries, the sound of the bags hitting the floor echoing in the silence. He fell to his knees, his hands shaking as he reached out to touch her. "Grandma… no… no, no, no…"
His voice cracked, tears streaming down his face. "This… this can't be happening. You were supposed to… you were supposed to be okay. I was gonna make things better. I was gonna…"
He clenched his fists, his grief turning to rage. "Who did this?!" he screamed, his voice echoing through the empty house. "WHO DID THIS?!"
The police officers outside rushed in, their faces grim. One of them placed a hand on Sakamoto's shoulder. "We're sorry, son. We'll find who did this. I promise."
But Sakamoto wasn't listening. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions—grief, anger, guilt. He had failed her. He had been too late.
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The chapter ends with Sakamoto kneeling beside his grandmother's body, his world shattered. The once-carefree boy who only cared about money and noodles was gone, replaced by someone filled with pain and a burning desire for answers—and revenge.