Seven days after leaving the hospital, Rama stood in Eternal Bond’s rebuilt training hall, watching fourteen Champions execute coordination drills. His ribs still ached—a constant reminder that Champion healing, while faster than normal, wasn’t instantaneous. Two weeks to fully recover, the doctors had said. He had ten days until Herald.
Mathematics didn’t favor him.
"Again," he called out as Dewi’s timing lagged by half a second. "Herald won’t wait for you to catch up. Synchronization has to be perfect."
Dewi reset her position, frustration visible but controlled. The Champions had been training relentlessly since the Dragon’s Gate attack. All of them understood what was coming. March 40th. Ten days away. The prophecy that would vindicate or destroy everything.
Sekar entered the training hall, tablet in hand, expression tense. Rama recognized that look—bad news incoming.
"Break," he told the Champions. "Fifteen minutes. Hydrate. Review the sequence ntally."
They dispersed. Rama approached Sekar, already bracing for whatever crisis had developed now. The past week had been relentless—Association hearings, dia interviews, Dragon’s Gate legal proceedings, public opinion managent. All while trying to prepare for extinction-level threat in ten days.
"What’s wrong?" he asked quietly.
"Intelligence from Yanto. Twenty-plus hunters mobilizing toward our location. Mix of ranks. Ard. Moving with clear hostile intent."
Rama felt cold settle in his chest. "Dragon’s Gate?"
"Unknown affiliation. No guild colors visible in surveillance footage. But timing is suspicious—seven days after their last attack failed, ten days before Herald proves you right. Soone’s desperate."
"Identifications?"
"Network’s working on it. Facial recognition running now. But Rama—they’re not being subtle. Approaching through main streets. Daylight. dia might already be noticing unusual hunter activity in the area."
"That’s intentional. They want witnesses. Want publicity. This isn’t covert operation—it’s statent."
"Statent about what?"
"That we’re vulnerable. That Dragon’s Gate isn’t finished. That attacking us publicly demonstrates strength." Rama checked his System interface. Still Level 50. Still Champion. Still carrying injuries from last fight. "How long until they arrive?"
"Fifteen minutes maximum. Possibly less."
Not enough ti to evacuate. Not enough ti to call police who’d arrive too late anyway. Just enough ti to prepare defense.
"Mobilize Champions," Rama ordered. "Full defensive positions. Sri coordinates from command center. You—"
"I’m fighting," Sekar interrupted firmly. "We’ve had this discussion. Partnership ans shared danger."
"You’re Guild Master. Primary target. Last ti—"
"Last ti we survived because we worked together. Sa approach applies now." Her yandere intensity was visible. "You fight. I fight. Champions support. We handle this as partners or not at all."
He wanted to argue. Wanted to lock her in reinforced office and handle threat alone. But partnership ant trusting her capability even when fear scread otherwise.
"Okay. Together. But if situation deteriorates—"
"If situation deteriorates, we adapt together. Not you sacrificing yourself while I watch helplessly."
Fair enough. He’d earned that boundary through repeated self-destructive heroics.
"Alert everyone. Defensive positions. Unknown hostile force arriving in under fifteen minutes. Rules of engagent—non-lethal if possible, lethal if necessary to protect headquarters and personnel."
Sekar was already moving, issuing orders through her phone. Champions responding imdiately, years of training overriding any fear. Sri’s voice ca through building speakers, calm and professional despite circumstances.
"All personnel, defensive stations. Unknown hostile force approaching. Estimate fourteen minutes to contact. Champions to assigned positions. Non-combat staff to secure wing. This is not drill."
Rama walked to the equipnt room. His body protested—ribs grinding, muscles still recovering from Dragon’s Gate fight and hospital stay. But ten days until Herald ant no ti for full recovery. He’d fight injured or not fight at all.
And not fighting wasn’t option when enemies approached his ho.
He pulled on tactical gear. Reinforced but flexible. Then paused at his locker. Inside, carefully stored, was the Bayangan mask. The identity he’d hidden behind during tournant. The secret that had let him fight Hendra anonymously.
That secret had served its purpose. Tournant was over. Hendra was in custody. Public bet was established. Hiding identity no longer served strategic value.
Maybe it was ti to stop hiding.
He grabbed the mask. Pocketed it. Wasn’t sure yet whether he’d use it. But having option available felt right.
Outside, Champions were positioning. Dewi and Reza on rooftop with ranged capabilities. Adi and Putri at main entrance. Sri in command center coordinating. Others spread throughout headquarters in defensive formation.
Professional. Efficient. Seven days ago they’d been sedated and helpless during Dragon’s Gate assault. Now they moved with confidence born of surviving that attack and erging stronger.
Sekar joined him at the main entrance, ice abilities already manifesting around her hands. Level 67 S-rank Guild Master ready for combat.
"Network confirms twenty-two hunters," she reported. "Mix of C-rank and B-rank. Led by single A-rank. No positive IDs yet but movent patterns suggest military training."
"rcenaries?"
"Possibly. Or Dragon’s Gate loyalists operating independently. Either way, they’re professional."
"Twenty-two versus our fourteen Champions plus guild mbers. Numbers favor us."
"Unless they’re better equipped or more experienced. We don’t know their capabilities yet."
Rama activated [Tactical Overseer], extending his perception beyond headquarters walls. There—approaching from the east. Twenty-two figures moving in coordinated formation. Professional spacing. Tactical awareness. Not random mob. Organized assault force.
And leading them, one figure radiating A-rank aura. Powerful. Level sixty-sothing. Skilled fighter based on movent patterns alone.
"A-rank leader is Level 67," Rama assessed. "Sa level as you. Experienced combatant. The others range from Level 33 to Level 48. All combat-capable. All moving with military precision."
"You can read their levels from here?"
"[Tactical Overseer] at full enhancent. Champion perception is extensive when I push it. Also exhausting but worth it for intelligence advantage."
The assault force reached the headquarters periter. Stopped exactly fifty ters from main gate. Positioned themselves in clear formation—leader at front, others in two organized rows behind.
Definitely military training. Probably rcenaries hired for specific purpose.
The A-rank leader stepped forward. Male, mid-forties, carrying himself with confidence of soone who’d fought thousands of battles. Wore dark tactical gear. No guild insignia visible but Dragon’s Gate colors underneath if you looked closely.
His voice carried clearly despite distance. Amplified sohow. Probably System ability.
"Eternal Bond Guild! Send out Guild Master Aditya! We’re here to deliver ssage from Dragon’s Gate!"
Sekar’s expression hardened. "Dragon’s Gate. So much for ’unknown affiliation.’"
"They’re desperate. Hendra’s in custody. Their guild is collapsing. This is last gasp from loyal elents trying to salvage sothing."
"By attacking us publicly? In broad daylight? With dia probably already filming?"
"Like I said. Desperate."
The leader continued his amplified speech. "Guild Master Hendra Wijaya remains imprisoned on false charges! Release him imdiately or face consequences!"
"False charges," Sekar muttered. "Fifteen operatives confessed. Evidence is overwhelming. They’re delusional."
"Desperate and delusional. Dangerous combination."
Rama made decision. Hiding served no purpose now. Ti to end gas and face threats directly.
He stepped through the gate. Alone. Walking toward twenty-two hostile hunters with calm confidence he didn’t entirely feel but projected perfectly.
"Rama!" Sekar called behind him. "What are you doing?!"
"Handling this. Trust ."
He covered the distance slowly. Deliberately. Giving them ti to assess threat. Giving himself ti to assess them.
Twenty-two hunters tensed as he approached. Hands moving toward weapons. Formation tightening. Leader raised hand to stop them from attacking prematurely.
Rama stopped ten ters from their formation. Close enough to speak normally. Far enough to react if they attacked.
"ssage delivered," he said calmly. "Now leave. Guild Master Hendra faces legitimate criminal charges. Attacking us won’t change that. You’re wasting ti and risking imprisonnt yourselves."
The leader smiled coldly. "We’re not here to negotiate. We’re here to demonstrate that Dragon’s Gate still has power. Still has reach. Still has capability to strike Eternal Bond whenever we choose."
"You tried that seven days ago. Fifteen operatives. All arrested. All confessing. This ends sa way. Except now you’re doing it publicly with dia filming. Jail ti plus public humiliation. Congratulations."
"Seven days ago you fought injured and drugged opponents. Today you face professional rcenaries. Different outco."
"rcenaries confirm you’re not official Dragon’s Gate operation. Hendra didn’t authorize this. You’re rogue elents acting independently. Makes this easier legally—you can’t claim guild authorization as defense."
"Clever. But irrelevant. We’re still twenty-two trained hunters. You’re still one man with broken ribs barely healed. Odds favor us."
Rama reached into his pocket. Pulled out the Bayangan mask. Watched recognition dawn on several faces.
"You know what this is?" he asked quietly.
The leader’s expression shifted. Uncertainty creeping in. "Tournant mask. Bayangan’s identity was never confird—"
"Until now." Rama held up the mask. Let dia caras that had definitely arrived by now capture the mont. "I’m not hiding anymore. No more secrets. No more anonymous victories. You want to know who beat Guild Master Hendra in underground tournant finals? Who destroyed him so thoroughly he resorted to criminal assault to recover credibility?"
He put on the mask briefly. Then removed it. Held it at his side.
"I’m Rama Kusuma. E-rank turned Champion. Regressor who died and returned. And Bayangan—underground tournant champion who beat Level 62 S-rank while being Level 50."
Silence. Complete. The rcenaries staring. dia caras recording. This revelation would be everywhere within minutes.
The leader recovered quickly. "Impressive theater. Doesn’t change numbers. Twenty-two versus one. Plus whatever Eternal Bond sends to support you."
"They’re not sending support. I’m handling this alone."
"Suicide by overconfidence. Fine. We’ll teach you humility through force."
Rama looked at the twenty C-rank and B-rank hunters behind the leader. Level 33 to 48. Competent but not exceptional. Then at the A-rank leader. Level 67. Skilled. Dangerous.
Different approach needed. Not defensive. Not reactive. Aggressive. Dominant. Overwhelming.
He activated [Champion’s Presence] fully. Golden aura manifesting visibly. Pressure radiating outward. All twenty-two hunters feeling the weight of soone who’d died fighting Level 167 void entities and returned stronger.
"You have one chance," Rama said quietly. Voice carrying despite lack of amplification. "Leave now. Walk away. Avoid the consequences of what happens if you stay."
"Consequences? You’re threatening us?"
"Promising. Not threatening. You stay, you fight . You fight , you lose. All twenty-two of you. Then you face arrest, prosecution, imprisonnt. That’s not threat. That’s prediction based on certainty."
The leader laughed. "One man versus twenty-two. Even Champion abilities don’t overco those odds."
"Normally, no. But I’m not normal Champion. I’m Regressor. I’ve fought these exact odds hundreds of tis in different circumstances. Died. Learned. Adapted. Ca back better. You’re not fighting Level 50 Champion. You’re fighting accumulated experience of soone who’s died and returned repeatedly."
"You’re insane."
"Probably. But also right. Leave now or face consequences you’re not prepared for."
The leader signaled his rcenaries. "Spread formation. Surround him. Take him down non-lethally if possible. We want him alive for questioning about Herald prophecy."
Twenty-two hunters began moving. Surrounding. Professional tactics. Good coordination.
Rama stood center of forming circle. Calm. Waiting.
Behind him, at headquarters gate, he could sense Sekar mobilizing Champions. Ready to intervene despite his request to handle this alone. Good. Partnership ant backup available even when he claid independence.
But he wasn’t going to need it.
The circle closed. Twenty-two hunters surrounding one Champion. All ard. All trained. All confident despite [Champion’s Presence] pressure.
The leader raised his hand. Signal to attack imminent.
Rama pulled his phone from pocket casually. Set tir. Eight minutes. Placed it on ground in front of him.
"Eight minutes," he announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. dia caras. rcenaries. Eternal Bond mbers. "I’m giving you eight minutes to regret this decision before I prove why attacking was fatal mistake. Tir starts... now."
He pressed start. Tir began counting down.
The leader stared. "You’re timing our defeat? That’s—"
"Motivation. For and you. I finish this in eight minutes or less. You last longer than eight minutes and I’m disappointed in myself. Ready?"
"ATTACK!"
Twenty-two hunters converged simultaneously.
And Rama moved.
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