Chapter 174: Finally Back Home, Bringing A Lot Of New People...

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Elisa and her family continued watching the television as the image switched to a tired-looking man named Sergeant Silvester Voss. He stood behind a cluster of microphones, still wearing his uniform, his eyes clearly exhausted from the long day.

He stated that at this time they could confirm the individuals appeared to be victims of prolonged captivity. The survivors reported being held inside what they described as a "Living Castle," a mobile Yokai-type monster structure believed to have been operated by elements of the Yokai Guild working together with local Yakuza.

He continued that multiple victims stated they were rescued by an unidentified group led by a cloaked individual who was accompanied by a large shadow-type entity resembling a canine. He explained that no names, ranks, or affiliations had been provided. The rescuers had departed immediately after releasing the captives and had not been located since.

As soon as he finished speaking, a reporter shouted a question from off-screen: "Is this the work of a vigilante Hunter? Should citizens expect more of these independent operations?"

Voss’s jaw tightened. "We do not encourage or condone vigilantism. However... every one of these people is alive tonight because someone intervened. Full statements are being taken. Medical evaluations are ongoing. That is all we can say at this time."

The broadcast cut back to the studio. A second screen displayed a list of names scrolling slowly, missing-person posters that had circulated for months. Some of the faces matched the rescued victims who were now being treated at Central City General Hospital.

"Hunter Association spokesperson Dr. Lena Park joined us earlier with analysis," the anchor said. A recorded segment began playing, showing a sharp-eyed woman in a white lab coat standing in front of a holographic display of complex energy readings.

"The residual signature is unlike any standard Gate or registered Spiritual Realm," Park explained carefully. "It carries a unique shadow-travel imprint mixed with what appears to be high-purity spiritual energy, almost pristine in quality. Whoever opened that portal possessed both exceptional control and considerable power. We are classifying the event as an ’Independent High-Tier Intervention.’ Public speculation about a new S-rank or higher independent Hunter is... understandable, but still premature. We urge the public not to interfere with the ongoing investigations."

Elisa smiled softly, her eyes shining. "It is him. He took down an entire organization today?! And he... he rescued so many people... he’s... my husband’s a real hero..."

Daniela smiled happily beside her. "A-Amazing...!"

Carlos’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the screen with newfound respect. "Riven..."

Back in the studio the anchor’s tone grew more serious. "This incident has already reignited debate over the effectiveness of official channels against organized supernatural crime. Online forums are flooded with posts calling the unknown rescuer ’the Shadow Savior’ and ’Central City’s Ghost.’ Several rescued individuals, speaking under anonymity, described their captors injecting victims with experimental serums and feeding the weakened to an ’abomination’ housed inside the Living Castle. All of them claim the cloaked man and his companions ended the entire operation completely. No survivors among the captors were left behind."

The camera returned to live footage of Detective Mira Chen walking past a line of ambulances, her expression completely unreadable. A reporter tried to stop her for a comment, but she kept moving and offered only a terse "No comment at this time."

Elisa’s eyes stayed locked on the screen as the anchor continued speaking:

"Authorities stress that while the victims are receiving full medical and psychological support, the identity of their rescuers remains unknown. No surveillance cameras captured clear images. No mana traces strong enough for identification were left behind. The Hunter Association and Central City Police Department are treating the matter as both a major breakthrough in the missing-persons cases and a potential security concern regarding unregistered high-level activity within city limits."

Daniela set the ladle down softly on the counter. "Sixty people... all at once. And they just... vanished afterward, huh? Yep, that was definitely him and Noir’s doing!"

Little Carlos, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, smiled quietly. "I guess this is why he’s been so busy lately?"

The news moved on to expert panels debating whether the event signaled a new era of independent Hunters operating outside Association oversight, or simply one powerful individual cleaning house in the underworld. Speculative headlines already scrolled across the bottom of the screen:

SHADOW PORTAL FREES 60 – MYSTERY HERO OR NEW THREAT?

YOKAI GUILD LINKED TO LIVING CASTLE – MASS RESCUE SHOCKS CITY

"HE NEVER SHOWED HIS FACE" – VICTIMS DESCRIBE CLOAKED SAVIOR

As they continued staring at the news spreading rapidly everywhere, covering what was perhaps the biggest operation against organized supernatural crime the city had ever seen, a soft knock sounded at the door. A moment later someone opened it lightly from the outside.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the entrance. Elisa ran there as fast as her recovering body allowed. Riven slowly stepped inside with a weathered and exhausted expression, yet he had not forgotten to bring along souvenirs and gifts for everyone.

"Hello everyone, I’m back—"

"RIVEN!"

Elisa greeted him with a wide, radiant smile and her arms open. Riven smiled tiredly in return, dropped the bags filled with souvenirs and groceries onto the floor, and pulled her into a tight, warm hug.

"I’m back home," he whispered against her hair.

"Welcome back..." Elisa said, kissing his cheek gently. "We saw what you did on the news...! Y-You’re... you’re amazing...! You saved so many people, Riven..."

"Yeah, it’s a long story," Riven answered quietly. "I brought a lot of souvenirs. Shall we have dinner? I heard you cooked something."

"I-I did!" Elisa said with pride. "I suddenly felt like I regained a lot of strength and mobility in my arms, so I tried cooking by myself a little. It actually worked!"

"Nice. Let’s eat then," Riven nodded as he stepped further into the house. Five more people followed right behind him, causing Daniela, Carlos, and Elisa to scream in surprise.

"W-Who are those?!" Daniela shouted.

"Thieves?!" Elisa gasped. She immediately lifted a flowerpot and threw it straight at Kagehisa’s forehead.

CRASH!

"Gaaah!" Kagehisa screamed in pain as the pot shattered against his head.

Riven sighed heavily. "Ah, sorry. I was so tired I completely forgot to introduce them... They’re all new members of my guild."

"...Huh?!"

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