The lounge of the Stellaron Hunters' starship felt cavernously empty.

A high-pitched stream of digital curses erupted from the sofa as Silver Wolf slammed her game console down, the screen flashing a mocking "GAME OVER."

"Argh! This is impossible!" she yelled at the empty room, yanking her headphones off. Her silver-gray hair was messier than usual. "This stupid boss is bugged! Its hitbox is completely broken! If Orion were here, he'd at least... he'd..."

She trailed off, her anger deflating instantly into frustration. She slumped back, crossing her arms. "Ugh. It's just not fun playing alone."

From across the room, by the large viewport, Firefly sighed. She was polishing the green visor of her SAM helmet, a task she had already completed three times. "It's been weeks, Silver Wolf..." she said softly, her gaze fixed on the passing river of stars. "Do you think... he's really okay?"

"How should I know?" Silver Wolf grumbled, picking her console back up only to toss it aside again. "He clearly said he'd train with you every day, and he promised to co-op 'Star-Thief Warriors' with me! And then? Poof! Gone!"

"He's on a 'long vacation,' Kafka said," Firefly murmured, more to herself than to Silver Wolf. "It just... doesn't feel right. He disappeared so suddenly."

"Exactly!" Silver Wolf said indignantly, jumping to her feet. "He's not having fun! He's not replying to my messages! I'm the universe's greatest hacker, and he's ignoring me!" She started pacing, her tail lashing. "That's it. I'm not waiting for Kafka or Elio's stupid script. We're going to find him!"

Firefly's head snapped up, her eyes wide. "Find him? But... where? We don't even know where he went!"

"Minor issue!" Silver Wolf waved her hand with absolute confidence, her fingers already dancing over a holographic interface that materialized in the air. "With my skills, finding his signal is a piece of cake! I'll hack the IPC network, cross-reference his last known—"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

The familiar, magnetic voice cut through their planning. Kafka had appeared at the lounge entrance as silently as a phantom, holding a steaming cup of tea.

"Kafka!" Silver Wolf yelped, instinctively hiding her holographic screens. "When did you get here?! Don't you know how to knock?"

"I heard you two discussing a trip to the Xianzhou Luofu." Kafka took a delicate sip, her wine-red eyes assessing them with mild amusement. "That's not allowed."

"Why not?" Firefly stood up, her worry overriding her usual timidity. "He's our teammate! What if he's in trouble? What if those Xianzhou people caught him?"

"Because Elio doesn't allow it," Kafka stated simply. Her smile faded, replaced by an expression that was uncharacteristically serious. "That is Orion's own mission. His own script. It is a path he must walk alone, and no one... no one... can interfere."

"Mission?" The two girls were stunned into silence. He wasn't missing... he was on a solo mission? A mission he hadn't told them about?

Kafka looked at their dejected, worried expressions. She sighed, a small, almost imperceptible sound. How could she not miss him, too? His presence had been an interesting, chaotic variable on their ship. But this was his choice. His path. All she could do was wait.

"He'll be back," she said softly, not knowing if she was comforting them, or herself.

At the same time, on the Xianzhou Luofu, within the hallowed, mist-filled halls of the Divination Commission.

The vast chamber was silent save for the faint, musical hum of the Matrix of Prescience and the soft, rhythmic click of jade abacus beads. In the spacious, star-chart-lined central office, Fu Xuan, the Master Diviner, was leaning back lazily in her ornate, high-backed chair. Her usual stern expression, which could make generals tremble, had softened into one of relaxed, almost purring comfort. Her eyes were gently closed.

Behind her, a pair of strong, steady hands were gently, skillfully pressing into the tense muscles of her shoulders and neck.

It was a young man with distinct Foxian features. Long, pure-white fox ears twitched slightly with concentration, and his handsome, pale face was a mask of utter professionalism. It was you, having successfully infiltrated the Divination Commission under the alias "Jiang Xuan."

"Mmm..." Fu Xuan let out a low, comfortable hum, a sound no other diviner in the commission would ever believe she could make. "Right there... Yes, a little more pressure..."

Your technique was flawless. You had used [Perfect Replication] on a master masseuse back in Belobog, and the skill was now permanently in your muscle memory. You could feel the knots of stress in her shoulders—stress from managing the fate of an entire Xianzhou, stress from the recent, terrifying reappearance of the Ambrosial Arbor.

She had to admit, this new diviner, transferred from the Yaoqing, was a curious case. His divination abilities were passable, nothing special. But in other aspects... he was proving to be truly, exceptionally satisfying.

"Grand Diviner, you have expended a great deal of mental energy today, dealing with the fallout from the Ambrosial Arbor," a charming, low voice rang in her ear, close and respectful. "How does it feel? Is this comfortable?"

Fu Xuan's pink-hued eyes opened slightly, glancing at you from the corner of her vision. This young man certainly knew how to talk. His flattery was as skilled as his hands.

"Mmm... very good," she conceded, allowing herself to sink deeper into the chair, the tension from her migraine finally beginning to recede. "Continue..."

"Oh, right," she suddenly remembered something, her voice still lazy from the relaxation. "What was your name again? The transfer list from the Yaoqing was long and tedious."

"Your subordinate is Jiang Xuan, Your Excellency," you replied smoothly, your fingers never faltering. You had crafted this identity meticulously. 'Jiang Xuan' was a distant, forgotten relative of your (simulated) Foxian family from the Fanghu. A survivor who had been picked up by the Yaoqing, he had worked diligently, always dreaming of serving under the true master of divination.

"Jiang Xuan... You were transferred from the Yaoqing?"

"Yes, Your Excellency." Your voice was a perfect blend of sincerity and deep, unwavering admiration. "I have admired you for a long time, Grand Diviner. In my heart, and in the hearts of many on the Yaoqing, the Luofu's Divination Commission is the true sacred land of divination. I have always dreamed of studying under your direct guidance, so I applied for the transfer."

"Really?" Fu Xuan looked up at you, her sharp, omniscient eyes assessing your earnest expression.

"Absolutely," you replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. Your [Eloquent Speech] entry was at full work, weaving a narrative of a dedicated, ambitious, and utterly harmless subordinate.

"Mmm..." Fu Xuan nodded, a rare, genuine smile of satisfaction on her face. She was, after all, still proud. "Since that's the case, work hard. This Seat will not mistreat capable individuals. Your diligence in your duties these past few weeks has been... noted."

She settled back into her chair, closing her eyes once more, completely at ease. You continued the massage, your mind a cold, calculating machine behind the warm, diligent mask. This was the first, and most crucial, step. You had successfully gotten close to one of the Luofu's most powerful and heavily guarded figures.

After a few more minutes, Fu Xuan's voice cut through the silence again, this time more brisk, all business. "Jiang Xuan."

"Your Excellency?"

"That's enough. Go and make this Seat a cup of tea."

"Of course," you replied, stepping back. You paused at the door, as if struck by a thought. "With three cubes of sugar and a splash of cloud-goat milk, correct?"

Fu Xuan's eyes snapped open. She paused, then the small, genuine smile returned, this time with a hint of true approval. This new attendant... he's done his homework very, very thoroughly.

As you reached the doorway of the inner office, you nearly collided with a brown-haired girl who was shuffling in, yawning widely, her uniform in disarray.

"Huh?" Qingque looked up, her sleepy eyes widening slightly as she saw you. "New face. Are you new here?"

"Yes, Senior," you greeted politely, bowing just enough.

Qingque sized you up, her gaze lingering. "Quite handsome... Ahem, welcome, welcome." She sidled closer, cupping her hand to her mouth and lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "A word of advice, junior. Be careful of the Master Diviner."

"Qingque!" Fu Xuan's sharp voice snapped from inside the office.

"She's very difficult to please," Qingque continued, ignoring her boss. "She's been incredibly tense ever since that Ambrosial Arbor business started up again. And she hates slackers, so whatever you do, don't get caught playing Celestial Jade."

"QINGQUE!" Fu Xuan's voice was now dangerously close. "Are you speaking ill of this Seat again! And you're late! By an hour!"

"Ah! Coming, Master Diviner! I was just welcoming the new colleague!" Qingque stuck her tongue out at you, gave a quick 'good luck' gesture, and then quickly shuffled away into the office, her jade tiles clacking softly in her sleeve.

You chuckled softly to yourself and continued on your way to prepare the tea. You passed by the Matrix of Prescience, the massive, intricate orrery that formed the commission's core. It hummed with a low, divine power, countless jade discs and star-globes spinning as it calculated the infinite possibilities of the future.

[Inorin's Note: The Matrix of Prescience is the Divination Commission's supercomputer, a powerful device that allows the Master Diviner (Fu Xuan) to predict future events.]

You stopped for a moment, observing the complex, beautiful array. It was a magnificent tool, foretelling destiny. A tool that blindly served The Hunt.

But soon... all of this will change, you thought, your eyes turning cold. The end of The Hunt is not far off. And this machine... it will be the first to fall.