Chapter 110: Meeting the Phantom Unit
Seated across from Lazare in the sunlit office where the natural light seemed to catch every suspended dust particle in its path Isaac maintained a neutral posture, no visible tension, but internally, he was analyzing everything. Though the StarSky guild master appeared cordial and approachable, there was an undercurrent of calm authority in him that stifled any attempt at premature familiarity. A serenity born of obvious power. Even when he smiled.
Lazare spoke first, fingers interlaced before him in a gesture that seemed to ritualize the beginning of a serious conversation.
— I’ll be direct, Isaac. The elite team I’ve assembled isn’t made of rookies. You might be tempted to think they’re just average hunters... but that’s exactly what we want the dragons to believe too.
He paused, closely watching his guest’s reaction, then continued:
— This team is made up of trained, selected, and discreet A-rank hunters. I myself will accompany them during the initial incursions. The plan is simple: this afternoon, we’re running through several low-level dungeons the kind others ignore. Why? Because if a dragon wants to eliminate hunters without drawing attention, that’s where it’ll strike.
Isaac raised a single eyebrow the first genuine expression he allowed himself since the beginning of their meeting.
— You’re betting they’ll make the first move? he asked, his voice betraying a professional curiosity.
Lazare’s eyes gleamed with something sharp almost predatory.
— It would be logical, he agreed. If dragons are intelligent, they’ll want to quietly purge weak links from the system. More importantly, they’ll want to verify survivors. You’ve seen what one of them can do to a full squad. Imagine what a single infiltrated dragon could do if it spotted someone who might recognize them.
A cold shiver crawled down Isaac’s spine not out of fear, but from the dawning realization of the true scope of the threat. If dragons were capable of coordinated strategy, the situation was far worse than he had imagined.
Lazare then reached for a small square device embedded in his desk a discreet, yet clearly advanced internal communicator. He pressed a softly glowing button, which emitted a faint chime.