Before Leon was born, Alice was already serving the Ryler family. Originally from the southwestern Duchy of Belgu in the Beastkin Kingdom, she had been with them for some time. Not long ago, Albert and his adventurer companions received a special quest from the guild: raid a former SS-rank mercenary’s drug hideout.

  “The guild master wants to meet,” the receptionist at the Adventurers’ Guild said. “Please follow me upstairs.”

  “Guild Master, they’re here,” the receptionist announced.

  “Come in,” the guild master said. “It’s been a while, Albert. I’ve heard of your remarkable achievements.”

  “It wasn’t just me,” Albert replied. “It was teamwork. And let’s not exaggerate.”

  “Very well,” the guild master chuckled. “I’ve called you here because you’re the only group I trust to handle this. A former high-ranking mercenary has turned to a life of crime,” he expined, unfurling a map on his table. “Our scouts have located his group’s hideout in this forest.”

  “What are they hiding?” Penelope asked.

  “Worse than we feared,” the guild master replied grimly. “My informants tell me they’re manufacturing a highly addictive and dangerous drug called Shavoh. It’s already spreading through nearby vilges. Worse, they’re also kidnapping women and girls for… their pleasures and experiments. If we don’t act quickly, the damage they inflict on the kingdom could be catastrophic.”

  “Understood,” Albert said. “Tell us everything you know about their group: size, capabilities, ranks, and leadership.”

  “This ex-mercenary group is composed of former bandits and recruits from the slums. But it’s their elite members you need to be most wary of,” the guild master warned, ying a wanted poster on the table. “First, the Viper. She’s a former A-rank assassin from the Shadow Cult. Then there’s Rain, a former A-rank adventurer with an affinity for water and ice. Seroshi, a fallen warrior of the Heavenly Sword Cult. He’s officially an S-rank warrior, but rumors suggest he recently ascended to SS-rank. Kurshed, also known as the Rapist, is their A-rank tank—the sturdiest of the lot. And finally, their leader, Tharwat, a former SS-rank mercenary infamous by his moniker: Shellshock.”

  “They have a hefty bounty on their heads,” Tiffany the mage observed. “Isn’t this a Mercenary Guild quest?”

  “It was,” the guild master confirmed. “But I’ve secured their permission for you to take it on.”

  “How strong is their tank, Kurshed?” Zivgor asked.

  “Probably about as strong as you,” the guild master replied.

  “I’m a little disturbed by his alias,” Monica the healer admitted.

  The guild master looked at them expectantly. “So, do you think you can handle this?”

  “Give us two days to prepare,” Albert said.

  “Thank you for accepting this commission,” the guild master said. “I wish you success.”

  Inside their apartment.

  “Alright, here’s the pn,” Albert said, spreading the map on the table. “According to the guild master’s intelligence, they operate primarily at night, so that’s when they’ll be most active. Each of their elites has a specific area to guard. Kurshed, the Rapist, commands the guards patrolling the perimeter of their occupied territory. To infiltrate, we have two options: a direct assault or a stealth approach.”

  “I think infiltration is our best bet,” Penelope suggested.

  “I can take Kurshed if things go sideways,” Zivgor said.

  “Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Monica cautioned.

  “If the infiltration is successful, we can enter the hideout without raising an arm. The guild master provided a map of the complex. It shows five entrances leading to different areas. We need to find the one that leads to Tharwat’s location. The closer we get to him, the easier it will be to take him down.”

  “We also have information about their illegal sve trade and child kidnappings,” Monica added. “We should rescue them as well.”

  “That’s a priority, but it comes after we deal with Tharwat,” Albert said. “Remember, we might run into the other elites if we’re discovered.”

  “Should we hire additional muscle?” Tiffany asked.

  “If we bring in a rge force, we’ll force a confrontation,” Albert expined. “And I suspect Tharwat won’t even show his face.”

  “Why not?” Tiffany asked.

  “That ex-mercenary isn’t a fool. There have been several attempts to capture him, and he’s always managed to escape.”

  “How?” Zivgor asked.

  “He’s smart enough not to face an overwhelming force, even with his elite guards. He cuts his losses and resurfaces somewhere else. Our objective is to capture him, dead or alive. That’s why we’re going in with a small, elite team.”

  “So, we need to flush him out and force him to engage,” Monica summarized.

  “Exactly,” Albert confirmed. “It’s a kill-or-be-killed situation.

  After a brief pause, Albert asked, “Any questions or suggestions?”

  “I’m good,” Penelope said.

  “I’m a little worried about the elites,” Tiffany admitted.

  “We have pns for them,” Albert reassured her. “The Viper is a master of dark and shadow magic. Monica will use her divine power to disrupt her movements and shadow manipution. I’ll engage her first to create an opening, then Monica will use Holy Chains. After that, either Penelope or I will finish her off.”

  “Rain is vulnerable to fire,” Albert continued. “Tiffany, you’ll use Fire of Sulfur. Monica will provide healing and buffs. Again, Penelope or I will deliver the final blow.”

  “Seroshi, the fallen samurai, is a tricky opponent,” Albert acknowledged. “But I’ve come prepared.” He tapped a space pocket at his belt. “I have scrolls of Slow and Fatigue. Zivgor, you’ll provoke him and tank his attacks while Monica buffs you. Penelope and I will focus on damage. We’ll wait for his trump card—the Heavenly Sword—and then I’ll use a Demonic Evade scroll, granting me temporary invincibility. During that window, Tiffany will unleash the accumuted power of her ultimate technique: Heavenly Fire of Judgment.”

  “And Kurshed, the Rapist?” Monica asked.

  “Penelope has a pn for him,” Albert said. “She’ll open with a Lucid Dream scroll to disorient him. Then, Monica will weaken him further with The Will of Divine, reducing his combat effectiveness and defense. After that, he should be manageable.”

  “Tharwat, Shellshock, is the biggest threat,” Albert warned. “He’s known for his evasiveness, and he’s not to be underestimated. He has several powerful abilities, including, supposedly, something called Berserker’s Will, which makes him stronger the longer he fights. The Mercenary Guild’s intel suggests it allows him to ignore pain for a time. If that’s true, we’re in for a tough fight. A true berserker is incredibly dangerous, gaining immunities and strength as the battle rages on.”

  “Does that put us at a disadvantage?” Monica asked.

  “It does,” Albert admitted. “But we’re not going in blind. The Guild’s reports from his former teammates say he excels in one-on-one combat, which suggests he’s less effective against a coordinated group. And I have a few more surprises prepared specifically for him.” He gave a slight, confident smile.

  The Scroll of Lucid Dream is an area-of-effect (AOE) mental attack scroll that blinds opponents to obvious dangers, making them vulnerable to even the simplest attacks. It sts for 20 seconds and costs 90 gold bars.

  The Scroll of Demonic Evade allows the user to become invincible for 10 seconds, but they will not be able to use any techniques. It costs 10 gold bars.

  In Albert's bedroom.

  “Do you think we’re ready for this special commission?” Penelope asked, snuggling closer.

  “Yes, we are, babe,” Albert replied.

  “With all this preparation, let’s just hope nothing bad happens,” Tiffany said, snuggling with Albert as well.

  “If it comes to the worst, as the leader of this group, I’ll make sure you all survive,” Albert assured them.

  “Eh, I don’t want to think about gloomy things,” Penelope said.

  “Me neither. Let’s just enjoy this night,” Tiffany added.

  “Ladies, ready for round two?”

  “Indeed we are,” Penelope replied affectionately.

  “Akkk!”

  “Tiffany, what’s wrong?” Albert asked, worried.

  “I’m fine. My head just throbbed.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, love. Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

  Early Morning.

  There was a knock on Albert’s door. It was Zigyor, reminding him of the meeting with the guild master. As Zigyor continued knocking, Albert gently pulled his manhood from Penelope and kissed her neck, making her groan. Tiffany was tched onto his back. Turning to face her, he kissed Tiffany on her rosy lips and gently woke her up, followed by waking Penelope with a kiss as well.

  At the dining table.

  Albert tore a piece of bread in half and began munching on it. “Alright, everyone ready? Got everything we need?”

  “Ready,” Zivgor confirmed. “Monica and I went over everything st night, including those supplies you asked for. I picked up all the scrolls you listed yesterday. Although…” He hesitated. “Monica seems a bit under the weather.”

  “Oh? Is that why she’s not here yet? What happened?” Albert asked, concerned.

  “She’s…disturbed about something,” Zivgor expined. “Nothing I’ve tried seems to help. I’m at a loss.”

  “I’ll go check on her,” Tiffany said, and headed off.

  Penelope looked at Zivgor with concern. “Did you say something to upset her?”

  “Absolutely not,” Zivgor insisted. “I would never. If I thought I’d said anything that might have hurt her, I’d apologize immediately.”

  “Hmm,” Albert mused, rubbing his chin. “I wonder what’s wrong.”

  After a few minutes Tiffany arrive.

  “Oh, here she is,” Albert said, relief evident in his voice. “Tiffany, what happened? Did she talk to you? Is she alright?”

  Tiffany’s gaze seemed distant, unfocused. She blinked, as if startled by Albert’s presence, then offered a forced smile. “Don’t worry. It’s just a…girl thing. She’ll be fine.”

  Albert studied Tiffany, his brow furrowed. “Are you sure? Something seems off.”

  “She’s just not feeling her best,” Tiffany said, a little too quickly. “That’s all.”

  “But…” Albert began, but Tiffany cut him off, sitting on his p and gently cupping his face in her hands. “Everything’s fine, love,” she said, her voice soft and reassuring. “You worry too much.”

  Albert’s concern lessened under Tiffany’s touch and soothing words. “Alright,” he said, though a hint of doubt still lingered in his eyes. “After breakfast, we’ll meet with the guild master. Everyone, be ready. We’re going to have a tough fight.” He looked at Zivgor. “Zivgor, take care of Monica. She needs you. I want everyone at their best.”

  “You don’t have to tell me twice,” Zivgor replied, his voice a mix of concern and determination. “But thanks, Albert. I appreciate you saying it.”

  A few hours ter, as dusk approached, Albert’s group met with the guild master. They prepared themselves for the coming battle. Albert gnced at his teammates, his gaze lingering on Monica. She seemed composed, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was still amiss. He hoped she was truly alright.

  An hour ter, they arrived at the designated rendezvous point, using mounts provided by the Adventurers’ Guild. Dismounting, they cautiously entered the forest. It wasn’t long before they spotted the hideout—a cluster of rough structures nestled amongst the trees. Several rough-looking figures patrolled the perimeter, and among them, they recognized Kurshed, the Rapist. They moved into position, ready to put their pn into action.

  The Initial confrontation unfolded much as Albert had predicted. Kurshed, despite being targeted with Penelope’s scroll of Lucid Dream and Monica’s Will of the Divine, proved surprisingly resilient. He didn’t immediately fall. The battle was short and silent. Zivgor, bolstered by Monica’s buffs, engaged the brute directly, drawing his attention while Albert and Penelope fnked him. It took a concentrated effort, but within minutes, Kurshed and the remaining guards were down, dispatched swiftly and silently.

  Penelope retrieved a small, intricately carved item from Kurshed’s belt. It fit perfectly into a recess in the heavy, wooden door of what appeared to be the main entrance to the hideout. With a click, the door swung open, revealing a stark contrast to the ramshackle exterior. Inside, the hideout transformed into a sprawling byrinth, its rough-hewn stone walls damp and dimly lit. The air hung heavy with a sense of foreboding.

  “According to the map,” Albert said, consulting the parchment, “we go straight and take the first left. Penelope, keep an eye out for traps.”

  “On it,” Penelope replied, closing her eyes briefly to focus. She extended her senses, activating her Discernment Eye. A faint, ethereal glow emanated from her as she scanned the immediate area, pinpointing the locations of hidden traps. Maintaining this heightened awareness required a constant flow of mana, and Penelope had come prepared, carrying a supply of mana potions.

  They moved cautiously through the byrinth, sticking to the shadows and avoiding any unnecessary encounters. Albert had prepared a few scrolls to aid their passage: scrolls of Concealment to mask their scent, and a few scrolls of Invisibility for short stretches. They even used a Shape-Shift scroll once to bypass a checkpoint guarded by several suspicious-looking figures. Each scroll was a precious commodity, and Albert used them sparingly.

  “This should be it,” Albert murmured, consulting the map. “Tharwat’s supposed to be somewhere around here.”

  “Are you sure?” Zivgor whispered, peering around. “Looks like a dead end.”

  Albert smirked. “That’s why I brought this.” He held up a carefully sealed scroll. “The Scroll of the Arts of Revetion.”

  Albert unrolled the scroll. It ignited with a fsh of light and vanished in a puff of smoke, revealing a hidden passage concealed beneath the very floor they stood on.

  “Bingo,” Albert said, a glint in his eye. “Let’s move. This isn’t going to st forever.”

  The hidden passage led to a narrow, winding cave. At the end, a single, imposing door stood before them.

  “He’s got to be behind that,” Penelope whispered, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger.