PASSAGE 11: THE HOWLING FURY
Tension crackled in the air of the Hunter's Embassy conference room. High-ranking officials from across Asia, each representing their respective Hunter's Embassy, had convened to address a growing crisis: a surge in rift activity. This surge followed the now-infamous "Black Rift Incident" at the Baclaran Church in the Philippines.
At the head of the table sat Mr. Diego Rosario, Chairman of the Philippine Hunter's Embassy. His weathered face, etched with years of experience battling the supernatural, betrayed no emotion as he listened intently to the concerns of his counterparts.
A holographic display flickered to life in the center of the table, courtesy of the ever-efficient Korean delegation. It depicted a stark map of Asia, with pulsating red dots marking a shocking 18% increase in rift activity across the continent, with the Philippines at the epicenter.
"Chairman Rosario," declared Ms. Kasumi Yuki, Chairwoman of the Japan Hunter's Embassy, her voice sharp with urgency. Her personal translator efficiently relayed her words in English. "This is a truly alarming escalation in rift openings. And while I hesitate to point fingers, I believe the Black Rift incident cannot be ignored as a potential catalyst."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. Other chairs of the various Embassies nodded in grim understanding. Chairman Rosario remained silent, observing the simmering tension.
Finally, Dr. Vaughn Hugh, a wiry man with a mane of salt-and-pepper hair, leaned forward from his seat beside Chairman Rosario. He had been instrumental in coordinating the investigation into the Black Rift incident, even canceling his planned vacation to remain on the ground.
"Indeed, Chairwoman Yuki raises a valid point," Dr. Hugh said, his voice calm yet firm. "The Black Rift's sudden appearance likely plays a role in this surge. However, assigning blame serves no purpose. The Philippines, just like all of you, are victims of this situation."
A wave of quiet settled over the room as Dr. Hugh's words sank in. The accusatory tone that had permeated the discussion earlier dissipated.
"Chairman Rosario and I have been working tirelessly to uncover the cause of the Black Rift incident," Dr. Hugh continued. "This problem demands our collective expertise and cooperation, not finger-pointing. We need a unified response to safeguard our countries from the escalating threat posed by these rifts."
His words resonated with the assembled officials. The urgency of the situation became clear. The crisis wasn't limited to the Philippines; it threatened the entire continent. The Hunter's Embassies, tasked with maintaining the delicate balance between the human world and the supernatural, could only hope to succeed through collaboration and a shared purpose. As Dr. Hugh finished his speech, a resolute determination settled over the room, replacing the earlier disquiet. The fight against the rising tide of rifts had just begun.
The tension in the conference room bled away as the last official exited. Chairman Rosario and Dr. Hugh, their shoulders noticeably looser, made their way to the rooftop deck of the Embassy. The cool night air and the twinkling cityscape of Manila offered a welcome respite from the heated discussion.
Rosario lit a cigarette, the familiar scent filling his nostrils with a sense of comfort. He offered Dr. Hugh one, who accepted with a grateful nod. Smoke curled from their cigarettes, forming ephemeral wisps that danced in the moonlight.
"Thanks for holding them back there, Vaughn," Rosario said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement. "Almost thought we were gonna have an international incident."
Dr. Hugh chuckled, a dry rasp escaping his lips. "The pleasure was all mine, Diego. Though, let's be honest, if you'd lost your temper, it wouldn't have been a pretty sight for them."
A low rumble of laughter escaped Rosario's throat. "You wound me, Doc. I Won't get the nickname 'The Howling Fury' for nothing, even if it is a bit dramatic."
Dr. Hugh grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Dramatic maybe, but undeniably accurate back then. S-Tier Hunter potential denied? Pfft, those evaluators clearly didn't know what they were missing."
Rosario waved a dismissive hand. "Ancient history, Hugh. Let's just say the blessings of the Gods arrived a tad later in life for some of us." He closed his eyes, taking a deep drag from his cigarette. "Though, I can't deny, I do miss the thrill of the raids sometimes. Those were the glory days, weren't they?"
A nostalgic haze settled over Dr. Hugh's face. "Glory days indeed," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of longing. "Facing down monstrous entities from beyond the rifts, the camaraderie, the adrenaline rush… nothing quite compares."
They stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own memories. The city lights shimmered below, a stark contrast to the fantastical battles they'd witnessed in their youth.
Eight years rewound. The rifts had been a growing menace for two years, and the formal Hunter ranking system hadn't yet been established. Back then, a name echoed alongside the legendary Elias Hawk: Diego "The Filipino Nightmare" Rosario.
Rosario wasn't just any Hunter. He was a veteran of the old guard, a Vanguard-class fighter renowned for his ability to single-handedly decimate waves of rifters. His secret weapon? A rare ability that transformed him upon taking three consecutive hits. In a flash of silver light, Diego would morph into a ten-foot-tall lycan, a monstrous embodiment of raw power and speed.
For three glorious minutes, he'd tear through enemy ranks with primal fury. Yet, this power came at a terrible cost. The transformation blurred the lines between friend and foe in Diego's mind. Caught in a bloodthirsty frenzy, he'd sometimes lash out at his own allies, earning him the moniker "The Filipino Nightmare." The image of a loyal protector succumbing to a feral hunger, a nightmare his own comrades had to endure.
The irony was brutal. When the official Hunter assessment finally arrived, it deemed Diego a mere A-Tier, a rank below the prodigious Elias Hawk's S-Tier. But for Diego, the ranking mattered little. He'd already set his sights on retirement, a dream fueled by his grandson's simple wish.
As he hung up his blades, the legend of the Filipino Nightmare slowly faded. Yet, whispers of his monstrous prowess and the chilling cost of his power lingered in hushed tones, a cautionary tale for aspiring Hunters and a testament to the sacrifices some were willing to make for the greater good.