Shadow Husband:I Have a Hidden SSS-Class System-Chapter 91: DESPERATION STRIKE

Seven days after leaving the hospital, Rama stood in Eternal Bond’s rebuilt training hall, watching fourteen Champions execute coordination drills. His ribs still ached—a constant reminder that Champion healing, while faster than normal, wasn’t instantaneous. Two weeks to fully recover, the doctors had said. He had ten days until Herald.

Mathematics didn’t favor him.

"Again," he called out as Dewi’s timing lagged by half a second. "Herald won’t wait for you to catch up. Synchronization has to be perfect."

Dewi reset her position, frustration visible but controlled. The Champions had been training relentlessly since the Dragon’s Gate attack. All of them understood what was coming. March 40th. Ten days away. The prophecy that would vindicate or destroy everything.

Sekar entered the training hall, tablet in hand, expression tense. Rama recognized that look—bad news incoming.

"Break," he told the Champions. "Fifteen minutes. Hydrate. Review the sequence mentally."

They dispersed. Rama approached Sekar, already bracing for whatever crisis had developed now. The past week had been relentless—Association hearings, media interviews, Dragon’s Gate legal proceedings, public opinion management. All while trying to prepare for extinction-level threat in ten days.

"What’s wrong?" he asked quietly.

"Intelligence from Yanto. Twenty-plus hunters mobilizing toward our location. Mix of ranks. Armed. Moving with clear hostile intent."

Rama felt cold settle in his chest. "Dragon’s Gate?"

"Unknown affiliation. No guild colors visible in surveillance footage. But timing is suspicious—seven days after their last attack failed, ten days before Herald proves you right. Someone’s desperate."

"Identifications?"

"Network’s working on it. Facial recognition running now. But Rama—they’re not being subtle. Approaching through main streets. Daylight. Media might already be noticing unusual hunter activity in the area."

"That’s intentional. They want witnesses. Want publicity. This isn’t covert operation—it’s statement."

"Statement about what?"

"That we’re vulnerable. That Dragon’s Gate isn’t finished. That attacking us publicly demonstrates strength." Rama checked his System interface. Still Level 50. Still Champion. Still carrying injuries from last fight. "How long until they arrive?"

"Fifteen minutes maximum. Possibly less."

Not enough time to evacuate. Not enough time to call police who’d arrive too late anyway. Just enough time to prepare defense.

"Mobilize Champions," Rama ordered. "Full defensive positions. Sri coordinates from command center. You—"

"I’m fighting," Sekar interrupted firmly. "We’ve had this discussion. Partnership means shared danger."

"You’re Guild Master. Primary target. Last time—"

"Last time we survived because we worked together. Same approach applies now." Her yandere intensity was visible. "You fight. I fight. Champions support. We handle this as partners or not at all."

He wanted to argue. Wanted to lock her in reinforced office and handle threat alone. But partnership meant trusting her capability even when fear screamed otherwise.

"Okay. Together. But if situation deteriorates—"

"If situation deteriorates, we adapt together. Not you sacrificing yourself while I watch helplessly."

Fair enough. He’d earned that boundary through repeated self-destructive heroics.

"Alert everyone. Defensive positions. Unknown hostile force arriving in under fifteen minutes. Rules of engagement—non-lethal if possible, lethal if necessary to protect headquarters and personnel."

Sekar was already moving, issuing orders through her phone. Champions responding immediately, years of training overriding any fear. Sri’s voice came through building speakers, calm and professional despite circumstances.

"All personnel, defensive stations. Unknown hostile force approaching. Estimate fourteen minutes to contact. Champions to assigned positions. Non-combat staff to secure wing. This is not drill."

Rama walked to the equipment room. His body protested—ribs grinding, muscles still recovering from Dragon’s Gate fight and hospital stay. But ten days until Herald meant no time for full recovery. He’d fight injured or not fight at all.

And not fighting wasn’t option when enemies approached his home.

He pulled on tactical gear. Reinforced but flexible. Then paused at his locker. Inside, carefully stored, was the Bayangan mask. The identity he’d hidden behind during tournament. The secret that had let him fight Hendra anonymously.

That secret had served its purpose. Tournament was over. Hendra was in custody. Public bet was established. Hiding identity no longer served strategic value.

Maybe it was time to stop hiding.

He grabbed the mask. Pocketed it. Wasn’t sure yet whether he’d use it. But having option available felt right.

Outside, Champions were positioning. Dewi and Reza on rooftop with ranged capabilities. Adi and Putri at main entrance. Sri in command center coordinating. Others spread throughout headquarters in defensive formation.

Professional. Efficient. Seven days ago they’d been sedated and helpless during Dragon’s Gate assault. Now they moved with confidence born of surviving that attack and emerging stronger.

Sekar joined him at the main entrance, ice abilities already manifesting around her hands. Level 67 S-rank Guild Master ready for combat.

"Network confirms twenty-two hunters," she reported. "Mix of C-rank and B-rank. Led by single A-rank. No positive IDs yet but movement patterns suggest military training."

"Mercenaries?"

"Possibly. Or Dragon’s Gate loyalists operating independently. Either way, they’re professional."

"Twenty-two versus our fourteen Champions plus guild members. Numbers favor us."

"Unless they’re better equipped or more experienced. We don’t know their capabilities yet."

Rama activated [Tactical Overseer], extending his perception beyond headquarters walls. There—approaching from the east. Twenty-two figures moving in coordinated formation. Professional spacing. Tactical awareness. Not random mob. Organized assault force.

And leading them, one figure radiating A-rank aura. Powerful. Level sixty-something. Skilled fighter based on movement patterns alone.

"A-rank leader is Level 67," Rama assessed. "Same level as you. Experienced combatant. The others range from Level 33 to Level 48. All combat-capable. All moving with military precision."

"You can read their levels from here?"

"[Tactical Overseer] at full enhancement. Champion perception is extensive when I push it. Also exhausting but worth it for intelligence advantage."

The assault force reached the headquarters perimeter. Stopped exactly fifty meters from main gate. Positioned themselves in clear formation—leader at front, others in two organized rows behind.

Definitely military training. Probably mercenaries hired for specific purpose.

The A-rank leader stepped forward. Male, mid-forties, carrying himself with confidence of someone who’d fought thousands of battles. Wore dark tactical gear. No guild insignia visible but Dragon’s Gate colors underneath if you looked closely.

His voice carried clearly despite distance. Amplified somehow. Probably System ability.

"Eternal Bond Guild! Send out Guild Master Aditya! We’re here to deliver message from Dragon’s Gate!"

Sekar’s expression hardened. "Dragon’s Gate. So much for ’unknown affiliation.’"

"They’re desperate. Hendra’s in custody. Their guild is collapsing. This is last gasp from loyal elements trying to salvage something."

"By attacking us publicly? In broad daylight? With media probably already filming?"

"Like I said. Desperate."

The leader continued his amplified speech. "Guild Master Hendra Wijaya remains imprisoned on false charges! Release him immediately or face consequences!"

"False charges," Sekar muttered. "Fifteen operatives confessed. Evidence is overwhelming. They’re delusional."

"Desperate and delusional. Dangerous combination."

Rama made decision. Hiding served no purpose now. Time to end games and face threats directly.

He stepped through the gate. Alone. Walking toward twenty-two hostile hunters with calm confidence he didn’t entirely feel but projected perfectly.

"Rama!" Sekar called behind him. "What are you doing?!"

"Handling this. Trust me."

He covered the distance slowly. Deliberately. Giving them time to assess threat. Giving himself time to assess them.

Twenty-two hunters tensed as he approached. Hands moving toward weapons. Formation tightening. Leader raised hand to stop them from attacking prematurely.

Rama stopped ten meters from their formation. Close enough to speak normally. Far enough to react if they attacked.

"Message delivered," he said calmly. "Now leave. Guild Master Hendra faces legitimate criminal charges. Attacking us won’t change that. You’re wasting time and risking imprisonment yourselves."

The leader smiled coldly. "We’re not here to negotiate. We’re here to demonstrate that Dragon’s Gate still has power. Still has reach. Still has capability to strike Eternal Bond whenever we choose."

"You tried that seven days ago. Fifteen operatives. All arrested. All confessing. This ends same way. Except now you’re doing it publicly with media filming. Jail time plus public humiliation. Congratulations."

"Seven days ago you fought injured and drugged opponents. Today you face professional mercenaries. Different outcome."

"Mercenaries confirm you’re not official Dragon’s Gate operation. Hendra didn’t authorize this. You’re rogue elements acting independently. Makes this easier legally—you can’t claim guild authorization as defense."

"Clever. But irrelevant. We’re still twenty-two trained hunters. You’re still one man with broken ribs barely healed. Odds favor us."

Rama reached into his pocket. Pulled out the Bayangan mask. Watched recognition dawn on several faces.

"You know what this is?" he asked quietly.

The leader’s expression shifted. Uncertainty creeping in. "Tournament mask. Bayangan’s identity was never confirmed—"

"Until now." Rama held up the mask. Let media cameras that had definitely arrived by now capture the moment. "I’m not hiding anymore. No more secrets. No more anonymous victories. You want to know who beat Guild Master Hendra in underground tournament finals? Who destroyed him so thoroughly he resorted to criminal assault to recover credibility?"

He put on the mask briefly. Then removed it. Held it at his side.

"I’m Rama Kusuma. E-rank turned Champion. Regressor who died and returned. And Bayangan—underground tournament champion who beat Level 62 S-rank while being Level 50."

Silence. Complete. The mercenaries staring. Media cameras recording. This revelation would be everywhere within minutes.

The leader recovered quickly. "Impressive theater. Doesn’t change numbers. Twenty-two versus one. Plus whatever Eternal Bond sends to support you."

"They’re not sending support. I’m handling this alone."

"Suicide by overconfidence. Fine. We’ll teach you humility through force."

Rama looked at the twenty C-rank and B-rank hunters behind the leader. Level 33 to 48. Competent but not exceptional. Then at the A-rank leader. Level 67. Skilled. Dangerous.

Different approach needed. Not defensive. Not reactive. Aggressive. Dominant. Overwhelming.

He activated [Champion’s Presence] fully. Golden aura manifesting visibly. Pressure radiating outward. All twenty-two hunters feeling the weight of someone who’d died fighting Level 167 void entities and returned stronger.

"You have one chance," Rama said quietly. Voice carrying despite lack of amplification. "Leave now. Walk away. Avoid the consequences of what happens if you stay."

"Consequences? You’re threatening us?"

"Promising. Not threatening. You stay, you fight me. You fight me, you lose. All twenty-two of you. Then you face arrest, prosecution, imprisonment. That’s not threat. That’s prediction based on certainty."

The leader laughed. "One man versus twenty-two. Even Champion abilities don’t overcome those odds."

"Normally, no. But I’m not normal Champion. I’m Regressor. I’ve fought these exact odds hundreds of times in different circumstances. Died. Learned. Adapted. Came back better. You’re not fighting Level 50 Champion. You’re fighting accumulated experience of someone who’s died and returned repeatedly."

"You’re insane."

"Probably. But also right. Leave now or face consequences you’re not prepared for."

The leader signaled his mercenaries. "Spread formation. Surround him. Take him down non-lethally if possible. We want him alive for questioning about Herald prophecy."

Twenty-two hunters began moving. Surrounding. Professional tactics. Good coordination.

Rama stood center of forming circle. Calm. Waiting.

Behind him, at headquarters gate, he could sense Sekar mobilizing Champions. Ready to intervene despite his request to handle this alone. Good. Partnership meant backup available even when he claimed independence.

But he wasn’t going to need it.

The circle closed. Twenty-two hunters surrounding one Champion. All armed. All trained. All confident despite [Champion’s Presence] pressure.

The leader raised his hand. Signal to attack imminent.

Rama pulled his phone from pocket casually. Set timer. Eight minutes. Placed it on ground in front of him.

"Eight minutes," he announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. Media cameras. Mercenaries. Eternal Bond members. "I’m giving you eight minutes to regret this decision before I prove why attacking me was fatal mistake. Timer starts... now."

He pressed start. Timer began counting down.

The leader stared. "You’re timing our defeat? That’s—"

"Motivation. For me and you. I finish this in eight minutes or less. You last longer than eight minutes and I’m disappointed in myself. Ready?"

"ATTACK!"

Twenty-two hunters converged simultaneously.

And Rama moved.