Kairiki: Before the Nightmare

Level 32: A New Arc, a New Story

[Deep inside a hidden laboratory, the walls were lined with glowing screens, each flickering with strange data and diagnostic readings. The sterile scent of chemicals lingered in the air, a sharp contrast to the heavy tension in the room. The scientist, a middle-aged man in a lab coat, adjusted his glasses nervously as he faced a group of unfamiliar individuals. His eyes flickered toward the tall figure standing at the front of the room, his presence dominating the sterile space.]

[Liam, the Renegade member, stood with an intimidating posture, his cyan-colored Temporal Prism aura pulsing faintly around him. His aura flickered with energy, a deep cyan hue that contrasted sharply with the cold white lights of the lab. He wasn't a Hunter-he was a Renegade, and his power was derived from the Temporal Prism, a mysterious source of energy that defied logic.]

[The scientist shuffled uneasily, glancing from Liam to the other members of the Renegades who stood behind him. Their expressions were unreadable, but there was no mistaking the unspoken tension between them. Liam, however, seemed to be growing impatient, his intense gaze never leaving the scientist.]

LIAM: [gruff] So, you've explained the 'Disaster Class' to me. A blend of the Assassin, Tanker, Combatant, Ranger, Healer, and Summoner Classes, huh? Interesting. But that's not what I'm here for.

[The scientist swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Liam's gaze press down on him. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, avoiding eye contact for a moment before responding.]

SCIENTIST: [nervous] W-well, sir, yes. The Disaster Class is a... hybrid class. Extremely rare, and dangerous in the right hands. It's a class that-

LIAM: [cutting him off] Yeah, yeah. I know the basics. What I want to know is where Hydro Undergrove is.

[The room fell into an eerie silence. The scientist blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in question. He stammered, trying to regain his composure.]

SCIENTIST: [hesitant] H-hydro Undergrove? W-why do you want to know where he is? M-mr. Hydro is currently on vacation-

LIAM: [interrupting, coldly] I don't give a shitake mushroom about his vacation. Tell me where he is, or I'll destroy every single area in this building.

[There was a tense pause, the scientist's breath caught in his throat as Liam's cyan aura flared, a subtle but powerful reminder of the Renegade's capabilities.]

SCIENTIST: [stammering] M-Mr. Liam, he's on the other side of S-Sogonna Island, do not disturb the 10th S-Rank Hunter or-

LIAM: [impatient] Who cares about his rank? Just tell me where he is.

[The scientist hesitated for a moment longer before reluctantly answering, clearly nervous about the consequences of Liam's threat.]

SCIENTIST: [panicked] H-he's on the other side of S-Sogonna Island! Why would you ask this all of the sudden?!

[Liam's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening like steel.]

LIAM: [dismissive] I got a business to do. Come on, guys. We gotta find Undergrove with his pansy attitude. He never changed. He never does.

[Liam turned and began walking toward the exit, his footsteps echoing with finality. But before he could leave the lab, he stopped abruptly and looked back at his companions, a slight frown on his face.]