Kael stood motionless, his gaze fixed on the merciless rain spraying against the dark-tinted glass of the IHA headquarters. The glass shielded him from the storm's fury as he silently observed the black lampposts lining the deserted, stone-paved road outside. Behind him, the soft, rhythmic sound of papers flipping filled the quiet room.
A sleek, transparent glass table sat at the center—its surface cluttered with scattered files and reports. Some stacks were neatly arranged, while others lay in disarray. Nestled among the black-cushioned chairs, Max sat, intently combing through the documents.
The sand-colored folders bore bold hunter names across their covers. Inside were profiles, photographs, and mission details. Max's fingers paused, his eyes widening as he skimmed through one particular file—the realization struck him like a lightning bolt.
"Kael-san, why can't I find anything on the hunter Oren Rale? His file is completely empty," Max said.
