The silence of the hallway was a stark contrast to the growing tension in the air as Iván Calderón led them to the deeper levels of the association's headquarters. They passed through two security checks, both biometric, and finally reached a set of tall double doors made of reinforced glass and metal.
As they swung open, the conference suite revealed itself—spacious, minimalist, and quiet. The lights were soft, casting no harsh shadows, and the long black conference table gleamed under their glow.
Seated at the far end was a man who seemed utterly out of place in the polished environment.
He looked like someone's kindly grandfather, dressed in a dark brown blazer with elbow patches, a striped tie loosely tied around his neck. His white hair was neatly combed back, and his warm eyes observed the group with mild curiosity.
But the pressure he exuded was immediate.
Even Alejandro, who had faced horrors and entities from other worlds inside the dungeons, felt his muscles tense instinctively. The air warped subtly around the man from his sheer presence. For a brief second, Alejandro was reminded of his encounter with the Italian Chairman, also an overwhelming force in his own right, but not in the same scale as the man before him.
Iván bowed slightly. "Presenting Señor Rodrigo Echevarría, President of the Spanish Hunter Association—and the only current S-Rank recognized by the European Coalition."
Rodrigo raised his hand gently. "That's enough formality, Iván. Let's not bore our guests."
He gestured toward the chairs across the table. "Please. Sit."
Alejandro, Lucía, and Alba took their seats. Despite his calm tone and frail appearance, no one dared to underestimate the man sitting before them.
Rodrigo's fingers tapped the polished table once before he spoke.
"Spain, as a hunter nation," he began, "has long been seen as a middle-tier country in the international ranking. Stronger than some. Weaker than others. But not feared. Not truly."
He looked at Alejandro directly, as if weighing his soul.
"Tell me… as one of our own who's seen more than most, what is your view of Spain's image?"
Alejandro leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.
"It's neither a haven for the weak," he said, voice steady, "nor a land for the strong. It's… in between. Capable of more. Lacking only the will—or maybe the guidance—to grow."
There was a beat of silence.
Rodrigo neither flinched nor smiled. His expression remained unchanged. Then slowly, he nodded.
"An honest answer. And not entirely wrong."
He paused, the atmosphere tightening once more.
"So," Rodrigo continued, "with that in mind—will you three join us? Join the association officially and help shape Spain into something worthy of more than whispers?"
There was no aggression in his tone. No threat. Just a question.
Alejandro didn't hesitate.
"No."
Lucía and Alba exchanged a brief glance before following his lead, negating with their heads.
Rodrigo exhaled slowly through his nose and sat back. The silence stretched—but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Eventually, he spoke again. "I see. That, too, is an honest answer. And I respect it."
He stood slowly, but without effort. The pressure in the room seemed to lift just a little, like a storm cloud pulling back.
"But make no mistake," he added, now looking at Alejandro, "Spain will not remain in the middle forever. Whether you walk with us or not, it will change. Let's just hope it's for the better."
With that, he gave a small nod and began to walk toward the inner chamber, leaving the three of them alone with Iván once more.
Iván gave a tight smile. "Well, that went better than most would think. Congratulations."
Alejandro raised a brow. "Is that sarcasm?"
"A little," Iván replied, already leading them out.
-------------------------------------------
Far from there, the morning sun bathed Kuoh Town in a warm golden hue, its rays bouncing off rooftops and glistening windows. But the quiet suburban beauty belied the tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst.
In a secluded section of the forest behind the academy—concealed by multiple magical barriers and cloaking spells—stood a lone blue portal. Ethereal and unnaturally silent, it pulsed slowly, like a heartbeat. The dungeon had not changed in days, yet everyone who looked upon it felt the same thing:
Power. Mystery. Danger.
And this time, it would not go unanswered.
A gentle gust swept through the clearing as two devils stood before the rift, each surrounded by their peerage.
Rias Gremory, the crimson-haired heiress of the Gremory Clan, adjusted her uniform calmly as her peerage members prepared their gear.
Akeno, serene but crackling with anticipation, Kiba, sharp as his very swords, Koneko, quiet as always.
To her left stood her childhood friend and rival, Sona Sitri, better known as Serafall Leviathan's little sister—though today, that title meant little.
This was a mission of their own.
Sona's peerage stood neatly behind her, their expressions sharp and composed. Her queen, Tsubaki, was already double-checking the communication enchantments linked directly to the Underworld.
"This is a recon and combat mission," Sona reminded them, her tone as crisp as ever. "Rias will enter with her team. You're to gather as much information as possible and clear the inside if necessary. My team will secure the perimeter, detect any anomalies, and ensure no one, human or otherwise interferes."
Rias gave a nod. "Let's not pretend this isn't personal. Those Fallen entered and came out beaten half to death. We're not just cleaning up their mess—we're proving the strength of the Gremory name."
Akeno smiled softly. "And maybe having a little fun in the process."
Sona didn't rise to the bait. "We've secured approval from the higher-ups thanks to my sister. But tread carefully"
Her gaze briefly flicked to the portal—calm and glowing. Deceptively gentle.
No one dared say it aloud, but they were all thinking the same thing.
This wasn't the work of the Biblical factions. Nor the dragons. Nor the Shinto gods.
This was the work of someone else.
Rias took one last look at her team. "Ready?"
They nodded as one.
With confidence born from heritage and strength, Rias stepped forward, her hand glowing with a crimson magic circle. She reached toward the portal—and this time, it let them pass.
A pulse echoed through the clearing as the Gremory peerage vanished into the rift.
Sona watched the portal hum back into silence, her expression unreadable.
"Tsubaki. Deploy the perimeter wards. I want a full report every five minutes."
"Yes, Kaichou."
As the operation began, the forest around them stayed eerily still, as if the world itself held its breath.
For Kuoh Town, today would not be ordinary.
And beyond the veil of magic and space, the dungeon stirred once more—waiting.