"My scouts have uncovered something disturbing."
"...."
"...."
Adele was speechless, while Damien raised an eyebrow.
WTF?
Is that how one starts a meeting?
They continued watching in disbelief as Captain Adams rambled on, spraying saliva while pointing at various spots on the 3D map and some papers on the side.
Minutes later, the incredulous expressions on their faces faded, replaced by a solemn demeanor. Both of them focused intently on the various colored areas of the map, especially the red and blue ones.
_______
"So... what's the plan now?" Adele asked Damien.
"I don't know. Unlike our usual missions, this time we're up against a sneaky one," Damien replied.
"Yeah, all the abyssals we've encountered before weren't as discreet as this one," Mary added.
"Um, does anyone know where Captain Adams went?" Lisa, Adele's vice-captain, inquired.
"I forgot to inform you all; he and his team were tasked with visiting bars all over the city," Damien explained.
"When did that happen? Why wasn't I informed?" Adele questioned.
"Last night, while everyone was asleep," Damien replied.
"Initially, the abyssal activities mostly occurred outside the city, which was the focus of our mission. However, between the initial sighting and the two days we spent on the road, the abyssals somehow found a way into the city. The locations where they've been most active are marked on the map."
"Now, if we decide to attack the ones outside, the ones within would be alerted. I'm sure they have a way of knowing. You might assume that the abyssals within the city wouldn't be prepared, but think with me how would abyssals manage to enter the city without alerting anyone."
The girl's eyes widened.
"So, that's why he went to the bar."
"I see, to gather information," Adele remarked.
"Yes."
"So, what's our plan?"
"Adele's group will register as adventurers, while our group will..."
_____________
Scene change..
"Give me another one of the regular," a drunk man shouted while slamming his hands on the table.
"I don't think you can handle any more, sir. All the other customers are complaining about you," the bartender replied.
"I don't care, give me another one?"
While the drama continued between the bartender and the drunkard, the door of the bar swung open, and a hooded figure entered, walking straight to the bartender. The figure sat beside the drunk man and waited in silence until the bartender approached.
"Dear customer, how may I assist you today?" the bartender asked.
"I would like some Winter's Dew," the hooded figure replied in a distorted voice.
"Right away sir," the bartender responded. He walked away, returning a short while later with a glass of whisky and a concealed piece of paper beneath it.
The hooded figure downed the entire glass in one gulp, stood up, and left the bar, leaving a hushed silence in the room, with everyone's eyes following the figure's departure. The figure read the paper and then vanished, reappearing on a rooftop far away.
" I heard you were looking for me" a distorted feminine voice sounded from another hooded figure.
"Yes, I would like some info" he throws something to her " all you need is in there"
" Good. give me a week"
___________
Scene change..
" Beautiful "
Muah! muah!!
Pa! Pa!
Lewd sounds filled the room as a fat, unattractive man went about his daily activities, while the woman he thought he was having seggs with sat on a chair far away, looking disgusted.
Sigh!
"The captain is so dense. How could he send me to a place like this?" the woman complained. "If only I were as close to him as Captain Adele and Vice-Captain Mary, maybe I could have..."
The woman's face flushed red as she thought about it, and her heart-shaped tail began to sway rapidly, revealing her excitement.
Flashback:
"You, you, and you, wear your most expensive clothes. You're coming with me to the casino. For this mission, you guys will be my wives. Mary is the main wife. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Captain!" they replied in unison, trying to conceal their smiles with stoic expressions, but failing miserably.
"Tch, they're so lucky."
"Yeah, why did the captain choose them and not me?"
"Ha! With that ugly face of yours."
"I think I should request a transfer to another team."
"Why?"
"I don't want to die of jealousy. All the girls on this team are infatuated with the captain."
"Captain, what about me?" a voice asked.
Everyone turned to the voice and saw an incredibly beautiful girl, more stunning than Mary but slightly less so than Adele. Her body was such that it would provoke desires in men. In her excitement, the girl failed to conceal her tail, wings, and horns as she looked at Damien with shining eyes.
Damien turned to look at her, and his stoic expression immediately cracked. A smile that melted all the girls' hearts appeared on his face.
"Perfect! You're a succubus. I have the perfect role for you," Damien said. "And please tone down your charm; it's affecting the guys."
End of flashback.
Sigh.
"I shouldn't have gotten so excited."
_________
Scene change..
The vibrant casino buzzed with excitement as colorful lights danced around the room, reflecting off the polished marble floors. The air was filled with the sounds of chattering gamblers, the clinking of chips, and the occasional jingle of a slot machine. Soft music played in the background, creating a lively ambiance.
Damien, Mary, and their fellow team members had dressed in their most extravagant attire for this mission. The women in the group turned heads left and right as they moved through the casino.
Damien had chosen to wear a sharp suit that complemented his commanding presence. The group had been given a list of suspicious people to look out for. They moved through the casino occasionally stopping at different places to play games. No harm in making money while on a mission right.
The casino offered a variety of games, from blackjack to poker, roulette to slot machines. It was a den of temptation and chance, a place where fortunes could be made or lost in the blink of an eye. The team strategically positioned themselves, some mingling with the crowd, while others hovered near gaming tables and watched for any suspicious activity.