Despite such a revetion, one would think that sleep was out of the question, that my mind would be too consumed by those thoughts. However, surprisingly enough, I managed to find some rest, even if it was only for a short while. All thanks to Bke's loud arm, which got us up very early in the morning.

  And after removing everything from the entrance we resumed our journey to Vale since the Grimm were totally gone, not a single trace of them which is still unsettling, that they gave up chasing and went somewhere, either deeper into the tunnel or they returned to the surface.

  For many hours, we walked through the same dimly lit tunnel, our steps echoing in the silence. We even passed another checkpoint without needing to stock up or take a break, as nothing bad occurred. Which is a good thing, don't get me wrong, but I cannot help myself and still have that lingering feeling that everything is just preparing for another big clusterfuck.

  That's how things have been going tely. A long calm before the fucking storm.

  Bke had also noticed the unsettling pattern, prompting us to take precautionary measures by pcing makeshift bombs throughout the tunnel structure. We gathered whatever raw crystal dust we could spare and carefully packed them together. Bke, being meticulous as ever, took great care in strategically pcing the bombs. We had to ensure they were positioned in a way that wouldn't risk causing the tunnel to colpse on top of us. After all, no amount of aura could save us from being buried alive or crushed under the weight.

  As I finished pcing the final bomb into a crack, I took a step back and gnced at Bke, who had also completed her task. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

  I check the two sides of the tunnel, now filled with raw dust, already picturing the incoming explosion.

  Bke lets out a weary sigh. "This is the optimal set up Ma'iq don't worry if it will colpse on us because I… learned how to do it properly." I couldn't help but notice the hesitation in her response. "And it's necessary to buy us time if the Grimm come back."

  I can't argue with that logic.

  "Let's just… get out of here." I say, still feeling worried about blowing it up. We leave the rigged area, and as we move away, Bke drops a pair of tightly packed fire dust on the floor.

  We walk in silence for a considerable distance until Bke suddenly stops and turns around, taking deep breaths. Without warning, she draws her bde and swiftly executes a downward ssh. Before I can even question her actions, a powerful surge of energy erupts from her attack, moving at a fast speed towards the stacked dust.

  The effects are instantaneous, and the entire area erupts into a bzing inferno. I instinctively take cover and shield myself as debris colpses and the ground shakes. A massive cloud of dust and dirt rises.

  When the chaos finally subsides, I cautiously look again and see that the tunnel is now completely blocked off from the other side. And didn't kill us.

  Bke lets out a sigh. "Let's go."

  With curiosity getting the better of me, I ask. "What was that?"

  She pauses, turning back to face me. "That was Aura projection. Didn't you... Ah, sorry."

  I roll my eyes, crossing my arms in mild annoyance. "So, you missed out on that lesson, huh?" I remark sarcastically. "Well, it seems pretty useful. I could definitely use a ranged attack."

  "It's a very limiting attack, predictable, and it requires a lot of concentration to manipute your aura. If it misses, you've wasted your aura in vain. I only use it against stationary targets." She expins.

  And her expnations make sense. It is a risky move, but there's still potential despite the drawbacks. It takes me a moment to think about the implications before nodding in agreement. "I understand, but I still would like you to teach me how to do it, for my situation every bit helps a lot."

  Bke's lips curl into a small smile. "I promise, I'll teach you once this is all over."

  I nod and resume our long trek to Vale.

  As we continue our silent walk, I find myself growing accustomed to the quiet. However, this time, I remain vigint, constantly scanning my surroundings in the hopes of spotting any ndmarks or, if I'm lucky, another shard. I've noticed that animals tend to gather around those shards for some reason.

  Suddenly, our progress comes to a sudden stop as everything around us begins to tremble. I look up and notice small pebbles falling from the ceiling, causing me to furrow my brow in concern.

  Not again.

  "Let's move." Bke says in a serious tone.

  Without a moment's hesitation, she starts running, and I follow suit, matching her pace to keep up. Both of us remain hyper-aware, our senses on high alert, scanning for anything out of the ordinary. Our eyes are focused primarily on the ceiling, as that's the most likely source of Grimm tide.

  Yet, this time, the shaking feels different. I struggle to find the right words to describe it, but there's something that sets it apart from the previous times.

  And the mini earthquake just stops. There was no warning, no gradual decrease. It just stopped completely.

  Exchanging a concerned look, we instinctively lower our pace, becoming more cautious as we advance. It's possible that the Grimm are orchestrating something, attempting to catch us off guard. But honestly? After everything, we just went through. We cannot predict them.

  Feeling on edge, I summon my cws just to feel safe. I just want the damn monsters to attack already. I hate how this worry gnaws at me and the more time it passes, the more it creeps me.

  Gncing at my mentor, it's evident that she shares my sentiment, as she already has her weapon ready.

  Suddenly, the ceiling gives way with a series of thunderous explosions. Debris and dirt come crashing down in front of us, causing us to jump back. The thick cloud of dust engulfs us, obscuring our vision.

  Amidst the chaos, I shout out, my voice strained between coughs, "Are… you alright?!"

  "I'm... yes!" Bke manages to reply, her voice strained with coughs.

  As we catch our breath, I don't fail to notice a significant change in the tunnel. It's now flooded with more light than it should be, and a warm sensation envelops us. Looking up, I see a rge hole in the roof, exposing us to the open sky. I can even glimpse the passing clouds above.

  Time seems to freeze as anticipation and adrenaline courses through my veins. I brace myself, ready for an onsught of Grimm pouring in. My feet subtly shift, positioning themselves to give me an advantage for a mad dash towards safety when the moment calls for it.

  "ERROR! ERROR!"

  A deep, monotonous voice interrupts my focus on the newly formed entrance, and just in time, a strong gust of wind blows away the cloud.

  As the dust settles, it becomes clear that Bke and I are no longer alone in the tunnel. However, the figure before us is not the familiar shadowy form of a Grimm.

  "ERROR! EXTENSIVE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE!"

  "A warhound?!" Bke excims in confusion, swiftly pointing her weapon at the enigmatic robot that has crash-nded in front of us.

  The mention of the name jolts me, and I fixate my gaze on the machine. The term "warhound" now seems fitting, as the robot bears a striking resembnce to a wolf, at least in its head. The rest of its body is a mangled mess, emitting sparks and dispying signs of severe damage.

  But still.

  This is the infamous Warhound, I admit I expected them to be bigger. In comparison, it's a bit smaller than a Beowolf.

  But how come it crashed here?

  "SHUTDOWN IMMINENT!" The machine's voice utters its final warning before the light within it abruptly fades, leaving behind a massive heap of smoking scrap lying useless on the ground.

  "Why… why is a warhound here, of all pces?!" Bke points accusingly at the wreckage, her confusion evident. Her question resonates within me, furrowing my brow in deep thought.

  The presence of an Ats war machine in this location suggests that Ats forces should be nearby. It's unusual for them to be so far from their usual jurisdiction. But then it clicks in my mind.

  "Ats sent their personnel to Vale some time ago, and there are two warships patrolling the outskirts." I recall recounting the information from my meeting with Junior. The pieces start to come together, painting a clearer picture of our situation.

  If those were warships conducting aerial bombardment, it would expin the absence of Grimm this morning or the rge concentration of Grimm from yesterday. Ats must have drawn their attention, but successfully eliminated them, which is a good thing.

  However, the presence of this downed warhound raises even more questions. It wasn't the intended target of the bombardment, so what were they firing at?

  "That's… worrisome." Bke mutters anxiously, her nails now between her teeth. She cautiously approaches the downed machine, giving it a couple of testing kicks. Suddenly, her ears perk up and she freezes in pce, her gaze fixated on something above.

  Her sudden reaction catches me off guard, and an inexplicable shiver runs down my spine, causing my tail to stand erect. The air feels charged with tension, and a tight knots forms in my throat.I gulp down and slowly force myself to look up.

  But as my eyes meet the scene above, my heart plummets, and an icy chill runs through my veins. Multiple pairs of red eyes stare back at me, unblinking and full of killing intent.

  This grimm, no, this THING… How can it even exist?!

  Oh, gods… we are going to die, we are going to diewe'regoingtodiewe-

  What the fuck just happened?

  I quickly turn my gaze towards Bke, only to find her frozen in pce, her expression contorted with terror. The familiar spark and determination in her eyes are repced with an overwhelming fear, rendering her unrecognizable in this moment. It's as if life has been drained from her, leaving behind a mere shell of her former self.

  The sound of my own heartbeat thunders in my ears, each beat reverberating through my chest.

  And that thing just tilts its head to the left, as if it is curious.

  It's a grimm that all I know for sure. Its massive, hulking frame kills the sun, with sinewy muscles rippling beneath its patchy, matted bck fur. The long maw, lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth, drips with a viscous, putrid saliva that falls on top of the broken warhound. The stench alone is enough to make me want to retch.

  Just how can this nightmare even exist?!

  Abruptly, the piercing sound of gunfire echoes through the air, followed by a series of explosions engulfing the monstrous beast. The force of the bsts drives the creature away from the hole, causing it to let out a furious roar directed at the sky.

  Seizing the golden opportunity, I swiftly grab hold of Bke's hand and pull her along with me. "RUN LIKE HELL!"

  Her terror evident, she stumbles, almost dragging me down with her. Reacting quickly, I position my arms behind me to cushion our fall. Bke nds face-first, but she immediately springs into action, scrambling to her feet and running as fast as she can. I follow closely behind, matching her pace.

  It was a well-timed action, as the spot where we were standing moments ago colpses, the roof caving in. I can't help but gnce back and instantly regret it as I witness the colossal beast tumbling down and quickly getting up. It lets out a primal roar before galloping towards us.

  To fucking chase us.

  And that thing is fast.

  Way faster than Myrmidons and Beowolves.

  The second time I dared to look over my shoulder, I was met with a horrifying sight. The open maw, lined with rows of sharp teeth, sent a surge of terror coursing through me. The revolting stench emanating from that gaping mouth assaulted my nostrils, a stark reminder that it will eat us alive.

  But what?!

  Can I even do anything besides just run faster?!

  The warm breath of the Grimm on our backs only fueled my instincts to survive, urging me to push my legs even harder.

  Suddenly, a loud impact sound reverberates through the tunnel, followed by a pained yelp. Instinctively, I gnce over my shoulder while maintaining our speed, and catch a glimpse of the beast smming its long snout against one of the tunnel support arcs. Teeth are scattered in every direction. Its momentum stopped.

  I don't waste a second and continue running, determined to put as much distance as possible between us and the deformed beast. Soon, it fades from sight, providing a temporary relief. However, our brief respite is shattered by a deafening, enraged roar that echoes through the tunnel. Bke falters on her feet, but I manage to grab her and help her to keep running.

  No fucking way in hell I will ever fight that thing.

  The safe-house is our best bet, but how long till we reach it?

  The real question is, will we be fast enough to reach it before that bastard catches us?

  The sound of the Grimm's thunderous footsteps draws nearer, but I dare not gnce back.

  "BLAKE! YOUR SEMBLANCE! SECRET SOMETHING ANYTHING!" I desperately shout.

  In a desperate attempt to buy us some time, Bke activates her sembnce, leaving behind a trail of fiery clones in our wake. We continue our mad dash towards the safe-house, our eyes occasionally darting behind us in hope that this diversion might somehow throw off our pursuer.

  Our hearts sink as we witness the Grim's relentless advance, shrugging off the explosions as if they were nothing.

  Within moments, the Grimm is right on our heels, closing the distance with each passing second. Its maw opens and closes, driven by a ravenous hunger, aiming to sink its teeth into us. Instinctively, I move my tail out of its reach, narrowly avoiding a bite.

  "MAIQ" I snap my attention to the urgent call from my left. "DUST. CRATES. EVERYTHING!"

  The chaos of the situation becomes clear in an instant. Understanding her pn, I summon a crate of dust and throw it directly at the open maw of our pursuer. I watch as it smashes into the creature's mouth, lodging the raw dust between its rows of teeth. I continue throwing crate after crate, each one adding to the growing obstructions.

  Just as I prepare to throw the sixth crate, Bke immediately draws her guns and unleashes a relentless barrage of bullets. Time seems to slow as I watch a single bullet striking a fire dust crystal lodged between the teeth. The crystal ignites into a massive explosion, triggering a chain reaction that sets off the remaining dust inside it.

  Instinct takes over as I jump into the air, narrowly riding the shockwave that propels me like a helpless rag-doll. Time seems to stretch as I lose touch with the ground, my body tumbling and rolling uncontrolbly through the air. Seconds feel like an eternity until I finally crash onto the ground, the impact momentarily jarring my senses.

  Coughing persistently, I struggle to clear the dirt that has invaded my mouth. A pained groan escapes me as I manage to roll onto my back, despite the exhaustion coursing through my body. With great effort, I lift my upper chest off the ground, taking in the sight of the smoking cloud not far from where I crashed.

  Because sure as hell that thing couldn't have survived that explosion, and I would have died if it wasn't for my aura cushioning the brunt of the impact. Reason I can see my aura flickering.

  However, my relief is short-lived as my heart freezes in my chest. Amidst the dissipating smoke, I hear a whimper. It's a distorted, beastly sound that sends a chill down my spine.

  The fucking bastard somehow survived.

  But unlike Bke's sembnce, the explosion really fucked it up.

  The monster's jaw is completely gone, leaving a gaping void where it should be. Half of its upper mouth is missing, and its exposed ribcage dispys broken and shattered bones. One of its arms hangs limply in the air, mangled beyond recognition and half eyes are gone.

  With a surprise show of survival instinct, the wounded Grimm turns around and begins to limp away, fleeing as fast as its damaged body allows.

  Overwhelmed by a mixture of exhaustion and relief, I feel the st vestiges of strength leaving my body. Unable to contain it any longer, I release a ughter that echoes through the tunnel, a blend of adrenaline, disbelief, and perhaps even a touch of madness.

  "I f-fucking win! "

  I won.

  I fucking won against this fucking world.

  I don't care about anything else and I remain on the ground, taking the time to catch my breath and collect my thoughts. The moments stretch into what feels like an eternity as I continue to stare at the ceiling, finding soce in its familiarity.

  I lose track of time; the minutes blending into each other as I allow myself this moment of peace. It's a much-needed pause to gather my strength and regain my composure after all the bullshit I had to deal with.

  Eventually, but slowly, I push myself up, mustering the strength to stand on unsteady legs. I take a moment to assess my body, paying particur attention to my tail, fearing that it took the worst.

  Yet, to my surprise, it appears unscathed, not a single strand of hair burnt or damaged.

  But quickly discover that my upper clothes are ruined. Curiosity piqued, I reached around to touch my back, only to feel skin instead of fabric.

  I hastily remove my damaged upper clothes and hold them out in front of me, examining the burnt holes that mar both my shirt and sleeveless vest, making me sigh. This is the kind of damage I can't patch up.The thought of adding new clothes to my expenses brings a tinge of annoyance, but it's a minor concern compared to recent events.

  After discarding my clothes, I take a moment to look around, growing increasingly worried as I realize that Bke is nowhere in sight. A deep frown creases my forehead as concern fills my voice."Bke?!" I call out, my voice echoing through the tunnel. "Where are you?!"

  "Over here!"

  Relief washes over me as I hear Bke's voice from behind and I hasten my pace towards her. Soon enough, I spot her huddled against a wall, her upper body exposed and her arms tightly wrapped around herself.

  As I draw nearer, she shifts her position, turning away from me, seemingly trying to shield her modesty. I come to a stop, a bemused expression crossing my face. I can't help but roll my eyes at her reaction. Given the circumstances, we've just faced, being semi-nude should be the least of our concerns.

  Still, I will help her out. I bring out a pair of shirts and toss one to her. My time with Neo and her mischievous pranks has taught me the importance of carrying spares, so I'm never left semi-nude or with damp clothes.Bke's eyes light up as she catches the shirt and quickly slips it on. It becomes evident that my spare is much rger for her, hanging loosely on her frame, and I can't help but chuckle at the sight. I put on my own bck shirt, contrasting with the gray one she now wears.

  It may not be a perfect fit, but it's enough to cover us.

  Sitting down next to Bke, I can't help but reflect on our seemingly perpetual string of misfortune. "We really are a pair of unlucky bastards, aren't we?" I remark, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

  Bke responds with a sigh of her own. "Thank you for your shirt, I will…"

  "Don't bother, it's a spare. I can always buy more." I interject, those shirts are cheap after all.

  A heavy silence falls between us, the weight of recent events still fresh in our minds. I shift my gaze towards the tunnel from which the Grimm had emerged, contempting its nature. The question lingers on my tongue, and I can't help but voice it. "Do you have any idea about that… Grimm?"

  Bke's hands clench with unease, her distress evident as she shakes her head. "No, I've never seen that Grimm ever not even read or heard about that species."

  I grimace, my hand instinctively rubbing the back of my neck in unease. "I never expected the Grimm to be that terrifying," I admit, but pause to think my next words. "Sure, the Goobbue was scary, but that… was on a whole different level."

  A shiver runs down my spine as the memory of the bastard chasing us resurfaces.

  "And that thing destroyed the warhound," Bke adds, her voice trailing off.

  Her words catch my attention, and I turn to face her, my curiosity piqued. "You've mentioned the warhound before. What makes that machine so special?"

  Her expression turns serious, and she meets my gaze with a slight frown. "The warhound is a highly advanced combat android, designed to rival a full-fledged hunter. It's equipped with powerful weaponry and advanced capabilities. And that grimm destroyed it."

  "Oh..." I turn my gaze back towards the seemingly endless tunnel, a sinking feeling settling in my chest. "So that Grimm...," I mutter, my ears drooping low as the full weight of the realization hits me.

  The image of that monster tearing us apart fshes through my mind, sending a chill down my spine. And it was inches away from accomplishing it.

  "It's better if we don't think about it." My mentor suggests, trying to change the subject.

  An attempt, which I accept with a sigh. "How far are we?"

  Bke scans the surroundings before finally pointing towards a specific direction. "We're... not very far," she replies, her voice cking enthusiasm. She rises to her feet and begins walking towards where she pointed, pushing aside a chunk of debris to reveal another ndmark.

  I intentionally lean my head back against the wall, letting out a tired chuckle. "Just what I needed, some good news."

  "Yeah…"

  Despite my ck of full rest, I summon enough energy to push myself forward and rise to my feet. My focus is solely on catching up with Bke, disregarding the dirt clinging to my body. With each step, I can feel a slight ache in my legs, but I refuse to let it slow me down. I use a hand to support myself against the wall, helping to steady my walk as we continue our journey towards the final safe-house.

  After just a few more minutes of walking, we finally… but finally reach at the sight of a metallic door of a safe-house.

  The beautiful and glorious metallic door.

  Bke doesn't rush ahead or make a mad dash. Instead, she stays by my side as we approach the door together. Side by side, we grip the handle and pull the door open, revealing the long-awaited entrance to the final safe-house.

  The room is dark like the rest, but that doesn't matter, like at all anymore.

  The only thing that matters is to find a bed.

  Which this safe house has plenty of.

  That's all what matter to me.

  Driven by exhaustion, I move swiftly with quick steps towards the nearest bed. Without a care for comfort or the quality of the pillow, I throw my body onto the mattress, feeling the weariness settle into every fiber of my being. All that matters at this moment is succumbing to the blissful embrace of sleep.

  In the distance, I hear Bke drop onto another bed with a loud groan.

  "Ma'iq?" she calls out to me.

  "Yeah?" I respond, my voice muffled by the bed as I make no effort to turn towards her.

  "Thank you."

  "Don't mention it," I reply with a tired but genuine tone

  I earned this.

  -Hours ter-

  "So we're actually under the slums?" I ask, gesturing my surroundings.

  Bke gives a solemn nod and jerks her thumb backward. "Yes, the tracks leading to the main station have been sealed up tight with concrete and steel.."

  "Well, that's a real dick move, if you ask me." I say with a frown.

  I mean, if something ever happens, then those poor bastards will take the worst.

  "Of course it is, but as you know, the slums are walled off too, so if something ever gets to occur then it would be contained and directed to a chokepoint and to deal with." She expins with a frown on her own.

  Lost in thought, I scratch my chin and look upwards, weighing the situation. After a short while, I let out a sigh in defeat. "I get the reasoning behind it, I guess. But it doesn't change the fact that it's a downright asshole move. They could've just sealed off the whole damn pce instead."

  "They should have." She retorts, her frustration evident. We come to a halt in front of a door, or rather, a gate in this case. "This is it."

  Bke turns the lever, swinging open the rge doors, revealing a surprisingly spacious wooden ptform inside.

  "This is the drop point?" I ask, pointing towards the ptform and receiving a confirming nod in response.

  As I step inside the ptform, I quickly survey the surroundings. It's a simple setup, filled with gears and cables, responsible for the heavy lifting operations. Overthinking isn't my job, so I focus on the task at hand. Summoning the remaining crates, I begin stacking them on top of each other, organizing them accordingly.

  In my pn, the dust will be pced in the left corner, the food in the right corner, and the weapons we recovered from the safe-house, as per Bke's request, will be positioned at the front.

  "I will be keeping six crates," I announce, sending the excess crates back to my inventory. It may seem redundant to take them out, only to bring them back, but I want to ensure that there are no suspicions or doubts about my intentions.

  "I know." She responds with a sigh.

  Stepping out of the lift, I cp my hands together. "Job's done," I decre. I turn towards Bke and gesture towards the elevator with my thumb. "So, do I use the lift or...?" I trail off.

  She clears her throat and points to another metallic door to the right of the gates. "There are stairs next door. It will lead you to a different building on the surface. If by any chance you find a locked door, you can kick it down."

  "Fine by me," I reply with a smirk. While I can use this opportunity to practice my lock-picking skills, kicking it down is faster. I'll decide what to do after I find a locked door.

  Lost in my thoughts, I fail to notice Bke moving closer to me until she takes hold of my hand. "Ma'iq, thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

  My ears perk up at her words. "Don't mention it. Menagerie needs all the help it can get. Besides, today you, tomorrow me, right?" I reply, offering her a smile.

  However, instead of returning the smile, a flicker of a strange expression passes across Bke's face. In an unexpected move, she pulls me closer into a tight embrace. I remain still, allowing her to hold me until she finally releases me, not before pnting a tender kiss on my cheek.

  [Affection with Bke Beldonna increased by 3, 13/100]?"Take care," Bke's words linger in the air as she rushes towards the elevator, closing the gates behind her. I hear the gears and engine come to life, signaling her departure.

  I take a moment to collect myself before pulling out my scroll to check the time. It reads 6:17 pm, giving me plenty of time before my meeting with Junior and some time for myself to reflect on the events of the day. I realize just how much has transpired in such a short span of time. Some food for thought, and the amount of near-death experiences. But for now, I should head back home and take a much-needed shower.

  Before I do that, though, I make a mental note to drop off the dust in Roman's warehouse.

  -Bke Beldonna-As the elevator began its ascent, a surge of frustration overwhelmed Bke, causing her to sh out. She threw a punch at a nearby crate before slumping atop it, her head hanging low in defeat.

  Despite her aura shielding her and mitigating most of the damage, she still felt the pain. However, that pain paled in comparison to the anguish gripping her heart.

  Because she is an awful person.

  An awful person and a terrible friend.

  She lied to Ma'iq right to his face and took advantage of him.

  She had every intention of following through with what she had promised him, but upon discovering that most of the stored dust was gone, it became impossible to do so. And with the incoming operation, she needed every bit of dust at her disposal, and the ever dwindling supplies.

  Yet, she reminded herself many times that it was a noble cause she fought for. Unlike those who embraced senseless violence, her mission held true virtue.

  Weeks of tireless preparation led her to this pivotal moment, and she couldn't afford to succumb to doubt. With a deep breath, she recomposed herself while rising from her seat. The timing couldn't have been better as the elevator reached its destination, revealing the entrance to their base.

  Just as she was about to push open the doors, they swung open by themselves, revealing her squad and her second-in-command standing on the other side, holding the door for her.

  Gathering her resolve and casting aside any lingering doubts, she locked her gaze with her team. "Start the distribution," she commanded. "Contact our dealers. We're leaving in two days."

  Her words hung in the air, leaving them stunned as they turned to face her, their expressions a mix of surprise behind their masks.

  "Are you sure?" Ilia asked, her voice tinged with worry. "We've received reports of Ats' presence in Vale."

  And she already saw their pride being reduced to scrap by a single Grimm.

  "Yes," she answered curtly, expressing her determination to everyone present. "The mining outpost recently dispatched a convoy, depleting most of their forces. We can't afford to let this opportunity slip away. It's time to strike and liberate our people."A momentary silence enveloped the group, followed by unanimous nods of agreement as they moved swiftly to retrieve the crates.

  As she stepped out of the elevator, her friend approached and handed her the dreaded Grimm mask. Her gaze fixated on the ominous artifact, the same voice as before urging her to throw it away and flee. But she steeled herself, pushing aside any doubt, and firmly pced the mask on.

  Everything has been going wrong for her, but this mission would succeed. She would make sure of it.

  -Ma'iq Rak'han-Cinder was visibly shocked to see me back, and the reason might remain a mystery to me. However, Neo, on the other hand, was wearing a smug expression, clearly reveling in my successful return. While Roman mirrored Neo's smugness, subtly mocking our bitchy boss whenever he had the chance.

  Even if I hate that prick, indirectly getting back at Cinder and her gang is always a good thing.

  Although, I made it abundantly clear that this was a one-time thing, so no more wacky deadly adventures.

  And so, here I am, making my way towards Junior's club in the middle of the night. The exact time wasn't specified, after all.

  Despite my initial doubts, I knew this was a necessary step to secure a legitimate job and avoid being evicted from my home. Compared to the near-death experiences I had faced yesterday and earlier this day, this seemed trivial.

  However, my steps come to an abrupt halt as I catch sight of something in the distance. A sizable crowd has gathered in front of a building, but it's not the usual orderly queue of people patiently waiting. Instead, it's an unruly mob, trying to reach the front. I pick up my pace as my curiosity is fully trapped.

  As I draw closer, the bring sound of sirens fills the air, mixing with the fshing lights of parked police cars. The scene becomes an orderly chaos, with ambunces stationed at a distance and w enforcement officers attempting to disperse the crowd and prevent them from getting any closer.

  What the fuck happened to Junior's club?

  I finally manage to position myself between the crowd, and most of them are engrossed in gossiping and capturing the chaotic scene on their scrolls. Their focus is fully focused on the wrecked club. The windows are shattered; the doors have been blown open and it looks as if a wall looks like it is about to fall. Medics rush back and forth, transporting injured men on carts and swiftly ushering them into waiting ambunces.A deep frown forms on my face before I decide to distance myself from the chattering crowd to take a moment to check my surroundings again.

  Not far away, I spot another ambunce, but this time, it has a small group sitting at the edge of its back door. Among them is a burly man and two young women in red and white tattered dresses. There are no w enforcement officers or paramedics in sight, leaving them seemingly abandoned.

  The answer to who they might be is fairly obvious.

  And there, indeed, stands Junior with a bag of ice pressed against his face, his expression a mix of pain and frustration. The twins, by his side, clutch their own packages of ice, mirroring his bottled up anger.

  "What the hell happened?" I ask as I approach the group.

  Junior lifts his gaze, growling.

  "A fucking goldilocks."

  "A bitch/a bimbo" Both sisters reply in unison.

  That only tells me a blonde girl wrecked the pce and everyone inside.

  "I guess this is a bad moment, isn't it?" I state the obvious, looking around.

  "What do you think?" Junior responds, his annoyance evident as he removes the ice from his face, revealing a nasty bruise on his right cheek and an infmed eye, causing me to wince in sympathy.

  The twins follow suit, uncovering their own bruised faces, though not as severe as their boss.

  I contempte speaking up about the possibility of sustaining such severe injuries despite having aura, but I quickly decide against it. It's common knowledge that when one's aura breaks, injuries are bound to occur until the aura recovers and begins healing the damage, albeit at a slower pace.

  No wonder they are doing ice therapy.

  "Okay then, I guess I'll go," I say, turning around to head back home. I understand it's best to leave them alone and not bring them further problems.

  "Stop."

  I stop my tracks and gnce over my shoulder, curious about the sudden change.

  Junior gestures to the twins with his free hand, signaling them to leave. Understanding his hint, I turn back and walk closer to him and stand directly in front of him.

  "The club will be closed until all repairs are done. In the meantime, I'll add you to the auxiliary workers' list and eventually, as a bartender, once everything is complete. However, I need a favor from you," he states with a dark undertone.

  "Oh?" I lean closer in interest.

  "That kid is dead wrong if she thinks I won't do anything about this btant disrespect." Junior growls, his fist clenching tightly. But the underlying tone makes me frown.

  "I won't be killing anyone," I firmly decre, crossing my arms.

  "I never say you would."

  "I don't think I can win against someone who beat the shit out of all of you." I admit. Despite this massive level boost, I still don't think myself capable of fighting whoever was able to wreck his club and his entire force. Maybe at level 15, with some additional jobs under my belt, I might consider it.

  The bearded man only grunts in annoyance. "There are other ways to seek revenge, not just through violence. Just wait for my call." He says cryptically.

  "I see," I remark, rubbing my chin thoughtfully. "As long as you can provide me with a legitimate job and a work certificate, I don't mind assisting you with whatever pn you've concocted. In fact, I was half-expecting it. Oh, and please send a copy of the certificate to my scroll."

  "Consider it done."

  A mischievous smirk slowly spreads across my face. "And I expect a separate reward after helping you with your little revenge. Nothing extravagant, don't worry."

  Junior furrows his brow, but winces slightly from the pain in his eye. "Isn't giving you a legal job enough?"

  I shrug nonchantly. "Like I said, circumstances have changed. But we both desire something dearly, don't we?" I conclude, extending my open hand towards him.

  Junior gres at me for a moment, but ultimately relents, gripping my hand firmly and shaking it.

  "You got yourself a deal."