As usual, I went by the motions to prepare myself for this mission. Concentrating my mentality as usual.
Taking a deep breath, then exhaling it slowly.
My body and mind going into a state of harmony to complete the objectives put forth by Talia.
The first was to make sure no Elf is hurt in the extraction. Second was getting them to the designated extraction point without raising any alarms. These two goals were to be interconnected.
There was no point in this breakout if the already low number of Elves were going to be hurt further.
This would probably lay on one of the middle-grade level missions that had been handled down to me.
George had given me missions worse than this.
There was no way of knowing what I'd see after going through the door, but one thing was obvious.
In a place likely filled with the rich and influential in this city, the security would be one another level.
I could predict from the relation between pride and reality that there would be no cameras to run from.
Those that made the dirty place I was going to likely had no choice but to respect the customer's privacy.
My mindset had to be ready for what I'd see next.
Thus, I made a stimulation from what I could imagine. It wasn't hard to do. Not that hard at all.
The real difficulty was acting upon a plan.
"Hah…" I exhaled into a sigh.
My mind rebounding back to reality where I had to pick and choose what was necessary to take with me.
Less baggage could help in an infiltration mission.
I needed to be fast of my feet, so no armour or heavy bulletproof vests. In fact, no battle armour needed.
If I was caught, then I'd better just die.
Or else Talia would do that for me.
I dressed in a black coloured suit and tie as if going for an event. It had two layers of use for me.
The first was to hide my figure in the darkness, and the other was to blend in at least on surface level.
I had to get this custom made by Talia using her extensive array of cultivated plants and masteries.
One of her many Skills having to do with creation.
Having so many years under her belt meant she had the time needed to grow a varied array of Skills.
Her system window likely beyond what I could read.
By using all her resources together without caring about cost or labour, a weightless suit was made.
Following traditional modern western aesthetics.
A black tie, shirt, pants, shoes, and gloves.
I didn't need a hat since my signature afro was big enough to shield my head like a personal cover.
I stretched out my muscles and made sure my skills weren't rusty. Doing a backflip in place.
Thud.
When my feet made a noise after landing, I did it again just to make sure if I had heard it right.
The second backflip was completed, and I didn't make any noise this time when my feet hit the floor.
Carefully distributing my weight outwards instead of striking the floor with my feet. It was a secret move.
A sort of Skill I'd learnt as a hitman in my world.
My acrobatics seemed to have rusted a little, but I had to hope that it was enough complete the job.
I walked out of the room while making a face that held none of my fears or anxiety. Only grit.
The willingness to discard my mind for the mission.
To see the world in a way convenient to complete it.
When I got to the room that had become the designated spot for where I'd evacuate the elves, I saw Shia there. Standing with a black veil and outfit that made her look suspicious in every angle.
"What is she doing here?" I asked the woman who was in charge. The elf standing next to the door.
"She'll be there to assist." Talia assured.
I hoped that this would be the case, as her old style clothing ripped from an old eastern novel was…
Well, it didn't do her any favours in the field.
My head turned to Shia, asking openly: "Will you trust me and do as I say on this crucial mission?"
I emphasised the importance of the task.
This wasn't a field trip.
But her calm eyes told me that she wouldn't be causing a scene. It was appropriate this mission.
Self-manipulated and fully subdued.
Able to look past my bold attitude and do what must be done. I was in awe in how she'd learnt this.
Much different from her usual innocent act.
Maybe I'd ask her more about it after we're done, so I chose not to bring it up. It wasn't that important.
I faced the door with Shia standing behind me.
An unspoken agreement between us.
Talia didn't say any grandiose statement or farewell for the occasion. Only opening the portal door.
Connecting straight into the heart of enemy lines.
She held the handle firmly. Unlocking it, then opening up to show us the other side of a hallway.
I didn't take any chances. Immediately, my body moved soundlessly to check the area for enemies.
The light was one, but no one was there.
Shia followed behind me, so I directed her like I would any newbie that was in my line of service.
"The first we need to do is to find a hub. A place where all the surveillance is controlled." I spoke.
We needed to get a map of this place first. If we're silent enough, maybe we can extent the time a bit.
But if even one person is knocked out of missing tonight, then we can only give up on that thought.
I made a careful analysis on the current situation.
The door was now closed, but the sign from this side seemed and slippy floor sign spoke where this was.
It seemed we came out of a janitor's closet.
"I've decided our first objective." I looked at Shia and spoke what we'd do first out of our many options.
She didn't seem to like my spoken plan whatsoever.
…..
….
…
..
.
Shia wasn't able to speak against Pal, but she was unsure why their first objective was so vague.
"Find the closest janitor." Pal told her straight.
They'd come here for a rescue mission, and here they were looking for a mere servant that cleaned floors.
It was beneath her.
However, a made promise was a kept promise. The regressor followed behind while keeping an eye out.
It was then they came to their first hurdle.
The corridor twisted and lead to several paths that seemed to look the same. The only path that stood out was the way to what seemed like an active ballroom. Consumers already making attendance.
Since this was a place of business, the security and entertainment were interwoven into a cohesive.
Making sure eyes were everywhere.
Their first hurdle came when they realised that a group was coming from the other side of the path.
It was a T-shaped corridor where one side were enemies and the other path was into a hornet nest.
The only surefire way to keep cover was retreat.
"Go back and guard the door in case the janitor comes back. If you see him, make him talk about the control hub and building layout. As someone cleaning this place, he has a lot of intel on him." Pal's remark made Shia finally understand his thoughts.
It was a brilliantly coolheaded and ruthless decision to make. The death of this janitor was decided.
There was no way they could have him talking.
Since she couldn't help him either way, Shia did the rational thing and chose to retreat without him.
Following his leadership without rebelling.
Pal turned towards the terminal and magically locked door that needed a special kind of access.
Technology in this world mimicked modern day, but was made up of magical devices than machinery.
The terminal next to the door seemed to read the user's 'Mana Frequency' than their fingerprints.
Unlike the latter one, the former was the fingerprint of the soul. 'Mana Frequency' was a guarantee.
In a world where paying enough money could get you Artes Lines, not one person there was without them. If they on the off chance didn't buy it, then those people weren't worth doing business with.
This was the backstory Pal remembered regarding places that had this exact terminal installed.
All of them were rotten places in shady businesses.
Because legit companies and governments security measures far more aggressive than a terminal.
Regardless, this measure was enough to stop a normal person in their tracks. The time was going.
Pal only had a few seconds left until the shadows arrived and his cover was blown. He had to go.
It was now or never…
Rather than avoiding the terminal, Pal put his hand on it and activated his 'Willpower Enchantment'.
'Pure Mana' seeped into the magical device.
A type of mana so rare that Gods themselves would be jealous that Pal had obtained such a feature.
Unlike Mana that had an influence of reality applied to it, 'Pure Mana' didn't leave traces when used.
There was no bloodstains, cracks, nor soil left on the terminal. Moreover, he had overwritten the magical device and added activated it with the 'frequency' already recorded within. A tall task for anyone.
Click.
The door unlocked as expected.
Rather than rushing in, Pal was calmly entering while knowing well how long it'd take for everything.
As long as he entered before they saw him, then there was no need to mindlessly rush himself.
Instead, Pal took the opportunity to investigate.
Heading up the stairs, he found himself on a higher platform with stairs going down on either side.
His eyes widened when he saw the 'ballroom'.
It was a den filled with depravity. Mostly because the gentlemen there pretended they were being formal.
Even though formality was based off respect.
'Nonsense…' Pal thought coldly while seeing how these creepy perverts were talking to elven ladies.
Laughing while groping them in 'that attire'.
With their dignity robbed, those Elves that remained seemed to be used to wearing atrocious fetish wear.
They looked like high-class dresses at an angle, but one proper look would show their chests hung out.
Their modesty taken for granted.
No one seemed to pay any mind that these beautiful women were wearing. The most complete part of their attire was merely whatever cloth was used to hide their precious place. That was the only dignity.
And even that would be ripped off once a 'customer' brought any of these ladies to any unoccupied room.
It was then Pal understood the layout somewhat.
This place was built like a circular hotel with the ballroom at the centre. A place for communication.
Not between elf and customer, but between those who had their fill and those desiring so much more.
It was inspecting meat before the slaughter.
Having the women run around like animals to be bought and used for their wiles. Truly disgusting.
Pal felt sorry for them.
Since they were a long-lived species with an innate sense of dignity, this must have been torture.
No, it was dehumanising in the truest sense.
'I have to take them out tonight.' Pal couldn't stand watching this. Even bad guys should have their limit.
This scene was too much.
And so… he acted.
Pal entered the ballroom while inspecting every gesture and outfit. What did his outfit match?
It seemed like the elven women were used as waiters while any man was considered to be a customer.
There was no identity checks. Only socialising.
This was the true hurdle.
If anyone recognised he was out of place, then he would be besieged by guards from every corner.
Those fatties in their business suits looked at him.
A black-clothed man in an afro was definitely an eye-catching sight. One of them even asking.
"Does anyone know him?" A chill ran through him.
Those who he had seen shadows of in the corridor earlier had gathered in front of the exit mindlessly.
Not trying to block him, but were definitely a hurdle if he wanted to leave without being detected at all.
The eyes in the surroundings grew strange.
He was too suspicious.
Just when one of them considered calling a guard, it was overtaken by a surge of brilliance in Pal's head.
Grabbing a random waitress, he quickly turned her around to face him. The elven girl's eyes fearful.
"My father is the best~" Pal spoke with a deliberately high and playful voice. Mimicking an ignorant child.
Regardless of his age, such an act actually worked.
Because there were more immature old successors to old farts than young and outstanding candidates.
In businesses succeeded by blood, all that mattered was that their successors knew how to 'succeed'.
Meaning to make more generations below them.
As soon as Pal grabbed the waitress and spoke, the attention he garnered had faded and others turned.
Pal inwardly marked them.
'The worst one have appeared…' He inwardly noticed that a few black-suited men were in the mix.
These guys must've been what ran the place.
The cogs in the machine.
Right now, it was too much for him to take on this place without more preparations. It was a problem.
But he made it useful to him.
"Let's do it in the janitorial staff room." Pal tried to hint with these words that he was suspicious, but the elven girl was so passive and subdued that she didn't go anywhere. Letting him take her where he wanted.
When he got there, he saw that Shia had been protecting the portal door and didn't see the janitor.
The elven waitress saw the black veiled woman and started to shiver, but she only closed her eyes more.
Trying to stay strong.
Thinking that only despair would await her.
Pal dismissed this by standing by and letting Shia bring her into the dungeon via the portal door.
"Talia…?" She recognised the woman on the other side. From there, it became a tearful reunion.
One where hope was born.