Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 509

Chapter 509 115.7 - First Mission

"Today, I continued my work researching the places where I had marked before." She said as she tapped onto her smartwatch. Following that, right on top of the table, the holographic map of the Veilcroft appeared.

The map flickered briefly before stabilizing, showing a complex network of streets and districts, with several locations marked prominently in red.

Lira pointed to a specific location on the holographic map, a cluster of red markers indicating one of the most affected areas in the southern district. The room's attention remained fixed on her as she continued her report.

"This location," she said, zooming in on the map, "has shown the highest frequency of disturbances. Over the past few days, I've been focusing on more than just the physical and environmental factors at play. I've started investigating a possible psychological commonality among the victims."

She tapped her smartwatch again, and the holographic map shifted to display a series of profiles—images and brief descriptions of individuals who had reported encounters with the whispers and other phenomena.

"What I've found is that many of these individuals share certain psychological traits," Lira explained. "Specifically, they have all experienced significant emotional stress in recent months—loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, personal crises. It's as if these disturbances are targeting those who are already vulnerable, amplifying their fears and despair."

She paused, letting the gravity of her findings sink in. The monitors displayed data points and correlations she had uncovered, showing a clear pattern in the psychological profiles of the affected individuals.

"I believe that there is an intelligent design behind these disturbances," Lira continued, her tone resolute. "The way these whispers and phenomena are escalating suggests that someone, or something, is deliberately manipulating the emotions of the people in Veilcroft. This isn't just a random occurrence—it's a planned activity, likely orchestrated by a villain with a specific agenda."

She looked around the room, gauging the reactions of her colleagues. "If this is the case, then we're dealing with an adversary who understands human psychology and is using these disturbances to create fear and chaos. The whispers are likely a tool to sow discord and weaken the populace, making them easier to control or manipulate."

The room was silent for a moment.

However, before anyone could respond, Mikhail leaned forward, his expression thoughtful but firm. "I disagree," he began, his voice calm but carrying an underlying tension. "While I respect Lira's findings, I believe we're looking at this from the wrong angle."

He tapped his own smartwatch, and the holographic map shifted again, this time highlighting several older, less populated areas on the outskirts of the city.

"There's a different pattern here," Mikhail continued. "The locations Lira has pointed out are indeed significant, but I've been studying the history of Veilcroft and cross-referencing it with reports of ancient creatures and forgotten entities. I believe these disturbances are the result of an ancient monster being awakened—something that has been dormant for centuries, perhaps even millennia."

He paused, letting his theory take hold before continuing. "The whispers, the strange phenomena—they're not just psychological attacks. They're the echoes of a being that is gradually regaining its strength. The people who are most affected may not just be psychologically vulnerable—they could be more sensitive to the influence of this creature, drawn to it in ways they don't fully understand."

Mikhail's words introduced a new layer of complexity to the situation. While Lira's theory focused on an intelligent, calculated plot, Mikhail suggested that the disturbances were the result of something far older and far less human—an ancient force of nature that was reawakening after a long slumber.

"This being," Mikhail continued, "could be influencing the city on a subconscious level, drawing power from the fear and despair of its inhabitants. But its ultimate goal might not be to control or manipulate—it could be something much more primal, like survival or feeding. If that's the case, then we're not just dealing with a villain—we're dealing with a force of nature that needs to be contained before it consumes the entire city."

The room was tense, but at the same time, people here looked like they were used to it.

'Hmm…..Has this been happening before as well?'

As I asked myself this, the answer became clear. It was most likely a yes, as the reports belonging to Lira and Mikhail were all focused on their respective perspectives.

Lira didn't let Mikhail's theory stand unchallenged for long. She leaned forward slightly, her expression thoughtful but with a hint of skepticism.

"Mikhail, if such an ancient monster existed and was powerful enough to influence the city on this scale, why would it suddenly decide to wake up now? What triggered its reawakening? Creatures like the one you're describing don't just stir after centuries of slumber without a reason. If this were the case, there should have been signs, gradual increases in disturbances leading up to this point—not a sudden, concentrated escalation."

Her voice was calm but firm, and she continued, "Also, if this entity is truly ancient and primal, it would likely act in predictable, cyclical patterns aligned with natural phenomena or certain historical events. But what we've seen here is a targeted attack on specific individuals, which suggests intention, not just instinct." frёewebnoѵēl.com

Lira's gaze remained steady as Mikhail responded, his voice measured but firm.

"The patterns you're talking about, Lira—how can you be so sure they're intentional?" Mikhail asked, leaning slightly forward. "The whispers and disturbances we've observed aren't specifically targeting individual people but rather affecting broader areas, impacting the entire crowd. There's no clear evidence that the victims were chosen based on their psychological state. The disturbances are widespread and affect anyone within range, regardless of their mental stability."