In a grand chamber deep beneath the Russian Public Safety Department's central command, high-ranking government officials and elite PSD commanders gathered. The atmosphere was heavy, every breath laced with tension. A 3D projection of the sky above Moscow flickered in the center—where the 7-star gate loomed like a crack in reality.
An officer stood. His uniform crisp, his voice grave.
"When the Founding Gate first appeared, it was so enormous and powerful that humanity couldn't even approach it. That day, the world changed. Dozens of smaller gates erupted across Earth like an infection. It took us years to adapt, to study, and finally, we developed the star ranking system based on the energy fluctuations we detected from within the gates."
He gestured at the screen.
"That was also the day the world saw its first 7-star gate. A tragedy. We lost 32 of our finest—32 7-star hunters. Now… only 18 remain."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
The officer continued, "Russia has five 7-star hunters. America has seven. Italy, two. The UK, three. Japan, one. That's it. And now—" his voice dropped an octave, "—we have another 7-star gate. Right here in Moscow. And this time, we don't have the luxury of assembling the world."
Silence.
"Then what are our options?" asked a sharp voice from the Intelligence Bureau.
"Delay," answered the PSD Chief. "We send in our five. We stall the gate until reinforcements arrive."
"You're asking our best to walk into death."
"They've done it before. They're the best for a reason."
---
An hour later, the mobilization order was issued.
Within minutes, PSD satellites connected to all Russian guilds. Every rank 3–7 hunter across the country received an encrypted message:
EMERGENCY MOBILIZATION.
CLASS: SEVEN STAR.
MANDATORY RESPONSE.
Helicopters lifted off from airstrips. Tactical transport trucks rolled through major streets, picking up assigned hunters. The skies buzzed with drones transmitting real-time data of the portal's pulses. PSD engineers constructed defensive barriers around the city, while emergency crews evacuated civilians from danger zones.
---
Inside PSD's top floor, five figures walked calmly into the strategy chamber.
The first was Dmitri Antonov—a towering man with silver hair pulled back in a brutal knot. Known as the "Iron Blood of Russia," he was the nation's top hunter, and second strongest in the world. Silent and unreadable.
Next came Alisa Volkova, known as the Ice Princess. Beautiful and distant, her white combat suit gleamed like frost. She nodded only once, eyes like daggers.
Behind her was Lena Ivanova—petite, cheerful, her golden braid bouncing as she walked, a faint hum on her lips.
Then Niko Smirnov entered, waving and giving finger guns to startled agents. "Relax, everyone. I brought gum. Want some?"
The fourth, Alek Popov, walked in like a tank on legs. "No need for introductions," he said. "Let's get the job done."
And finally—Maks Orlov. Calm. Observant. Quietly sipping a coffee he brought from the convenience store downstairs.
---
A holographic map lit up the command room. The same officer from before addressed the five.
"The plan is simple but dangerous. You five will enter first. Your goal: contain whatever is inside. Don't fight to finish—stall and survive until reinforcements come."
He looked to the screen.
"All Russian 6-star hunters will follow and serve as support teams. Every 4-star and 5-star unit will remain stationed outside the gate, guarding our perimeter."
"And the rest?" Alek asked.
"The 3 to 1-star hunters will handle evacuation, medic roles, surveillance and rescue operations for civilians. Your job is to buy us time."
Alisa folded her arms. "Tch. Cowards."
Lena smiled sweetly. "Don't mind her. She's always like that."
---
Inside a separate office, Sunny was pacing. Sweat clung to his forehead.
"Come on, pick up. Pick up..."
Then—a click.
"Yo." Max's voice came through, static behind it.
"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Sunny exploded. "Do you know what's happening here?! We've got a 7-star gate in Moscow! Everyone's being deployed! Even the president is in hiding!"
Max was calm. "I'll be back. Just finishing up something."
Sunny's jaw dropped. "What could possibly be more important than THIS?!"
Max didn't answer. Then he added, "Hold them off. I'm coming."
The line cut.
Sunny stared at his phone, hands shaking.
"Damn it, Max..."
He looked to the skies where lightning cracked around the gate. Time was running out.