"Xiang Nan, you don't hate me, do you?"

Once Cheadle left, Pariston glanced at Xiang Nan with a smile.

"Nope."

Xiang Nan replied casually.

From his expression, it was clear—he genuinely didn't hold a grudge. It didn't seem like an act.

"Actually… once I figured out how everything connects, I felt pretty guilty, Vice Chairman. That's why I'll do whatever I can to make it up to you," Xiang Nan added.

Pariston kept smiling, but this time he didn't say anything.

Xiang Nan gave a wave to Pariston and the staff nearby, then turned and left.

Pariston watched him walk away, deep in thought.

…

Elsewhere, in a private hotel room

"So? What do you think?"

Cheadle sat across from Mizaistom, arms crossed.

"Those two are definitely hiding something," she said, frustrated. "And they both know we know."

"Yeah… if you ask me, Xiang Nan reporting Pariston was more of an excuse—a setup. Whatever they're really after, it's not the accusation itself," Mizaistom said after a pause.

"Exactly."

Cheadle nodded. "The frustrating part is, we can't figure out what their game is. Maybe we just can't keep up with the way they think."

She hated that.

It felt like two adults were playing a game, and she was the clueless kid being spun in circles.

"I used to think Xiang Nan was just some military bigwig from the Republic of Padokea—impressive resume, sure. But now? The guy's one of their national strategists. His depth, his intelligence—he's easily on the same level as Pariston when it comes to being a pain in the ass."

Mizaistom nodded.

This whole situation had completely changed how both of them viewed Xiang Nan.

"So, how are you planning to report this to the Chairman?"

"Xiang Nan filed the report. By protocol, both he and Pariston are owed a clear explanation. Even if this ends up going nowhere, the start and the process need to be documented," Cheadle said seriously.

"We represent the Association—not personal agendas. Xiang Nan wasn't wrong. Management already knows about the situation. And while I can't stand Pariston, if he's innocent, we have to clear his name. That's the only fair response to Xiang Nan's claim, and it's how we show transparency to everyone else."

She pushed up her glasses, irritated.

"What really ticks me off is that they're clearly scheming without us."

"Forget it for now," Mizaistom said. "Let's have HQ pull all the files on Marco and his team—every record, every mission. Maybe there's something we missed."

"Got it."

…

Meanwhile, at Hunter Association HQ

Chairman Netero had just finished a call with Cheadle, who filled him in on the investigation's progress.

He set the phone down, knelt on his cushion, and took the tea Beans handed him. After a sip, he stared calmly out the window.

"Chairman, you're really not going to step in?"

Beans gave him a look.

"From how you've described Xiang Nan, I don't see Pariston coming out of this in one piece…"

Halfway through his sentence, Beans scratched his chin and shifted gears.

"Then again… Xiang Nan's impressive, sure—but Pariston's no fool either. He's outsmarted plenty of the Zodiacs. Xiang Nan might not be able to outplay him. And if Pariston catches a chance to bite back… Xiang Nan could be the one who gets burned."

"Hohoho…"

Netero chuckled lightly, stroking his beard.

"You're still laughing?"

Beans sighed.

"If Xiang Nan really is still tied to Padokea's military—and his 'retirement' was just a cover—then he's still got serious power. Not the kind of guy you want to cross. And Pariston, at the end of the day, is our Vice Chairman. If he pokes the bear and this escalates, the entire Association could end up clashing with Padokea."

"And Padokea's already locked in with the Kakin Empire. Even the V5 are staying out of it. They're not looking to get involved unless they absolutely have to."

"Pariston's not just stirring trouble," Beans said. "He's trying to drag you into it. Once the conflict goes public, you'll be forced to act. And that's when it gets dangerous."

"You've been paying attention."

Netero smacked his lips casually.

"I'm just going off what you've told me," Beans replied. "Bottom line? The Association is in a weak position when it comes to Padokea's military. We're technically just a civilian organization. V5 won't step in directly. And if things really get out of hand, Xiang Nan might not even need to use force—he could just ban Hunters from entering Padokea. That alone would hit the Association hard… and probably spark a whole chain of consequences."

"That's why I've never understood why you made Pariston Vice Chairman in the first place," Beans continued. "He's clearly trying to bait Xiang Nan just to drag you down. If this all blows up, you'll be the one who has to apologize or back down. And when that happens, your credibility—and your authority—will take a huge hit. Maybe that's what Pariston's after all along."

"But it's not too late. You could still make a move. One word from you, and this whole report could be shut down."

What Beans meant was: stop the bleeding while you still can—before Pariston goes too far.

Even with the V5 behind them, the Association wasn't exactly untouchable. If Padokea decided to come after them—and Kakin followed—it wouldn't matter how much backing they had. In Beans's mind, the V5 would make a quick phone call and force Netero to step down if it meant avoiding a political storm.

"Hohoho… if it really comes down to me resigning, wouldn't that be perfect?"

Netero laughed.

"That would mean the next generation is strong enough to topple me. Whatever their motives, they'd have done an outstanding job. That's the kind of instinct a true Hunter needs—lock onto your target, plan your path, push through, and get the result you want. It's a beautiful thing."

He winked at Beans and sipped his tea with a smile.

"I know you picked the Zodiacs to challenge yourself—basically, to keep things interesting. Most of them are fine, but Pariston…"

Beans trailed off.

"This is the life a Hunter's supposed to live."

"..."

…

Xiang Nan's case hit a pause.

Cheadle shifted gears—using the Association's resources to dig deeper into Marco's background, trying to map out what really happened.

She'd realized something important: arguing with Xiang Nan or Pariston any further was pointless.

While the investigation was underway, both Xiang Nan and Pariston were placed under tight supervision.

Their movements were restricted.

This was the Association's way of staying impartial—preventing either of them from making shady moves while under scrutiny.

It was all about ensuring the results would be accurate and fair.

That's why everyone involved—Xiang Nan included—was ordered to remain in Yorknew City.

Nobody was allowed to leave the hotel.

They'd all have to wait for word from HQ.