The next day, Derrick and Ying approached the abandoned manufacturing plant in Area Five, a relatively lax area within The Hole. The duo made sure to wear face masks and cloaks before meeting the client to avoid the risk of having their identities revealed. Associating with a major gang like Testament, whether positively or negatively, was never a good decision.
They entered the abandoned manufacturing plant and were immediately met with an intimidating aura. Hundreds of Testament members gathered within the massive complex, each of various races and backgrounds. Some members appeared to be around forty, while other members seemed no older than Derrick.
At the center of the factory, a young Beastman dressed in tattered clothing let out a whimsical smile as he sat on a broken machine. He seemed mostly humanoid as he didn't have the snout or legs of a Beastman. His face was slender and he had long braided hair. He had brown skin and spoke with a thick accent. something about him seemed familiar. It was like he had seen this boy before, but the memories were blurry and unclear.
At first glance, it was difficult to determine whether he was a Beastman or not. However, his sharp fangs, claws, and canine ears revealed his true identity.
"Ah! You must be the last set of friends I've hired!" His demeanor was cordial and friendly, almost too friendly.
"Ah...but before we start..." The young Beastman instantly disappeared with speed that surpassed the perception of both Derrick and Ying. Their hoods and face coverings were stolen with nothing but a swift movement of the Beastman's arm. This person was dangerous!
The atmosphere became tense and heavy, as though Derrick and Ying were pitiful toys in the hand of the Beastman.
"You should look people in the eye when they talk to you. I dislike rude people."
A deep shiver sent Derrick's body into a nervous panic. Sweat dripped down his face and his hands wouldn't stop shaking. This was the power of the Underworld, a power that completely outclasses his own.
The duo slowly turned their head around and saw the young Beastman holding their cloaks and face coverings with a wicked smile.
"Thank you for coming out like this and accepting my invitation! You've probably already heard of me from your middleman, but I'll introduce myself. I'm Callus, an executive member of Testament. I'll give you the rundown of the situation."
"Some traitors have unfortunately gotten their hands on some very important info. Of course, we already know their location, but we can't intervene since they've sought refuge with the eastern gang, [Naraka]. Entering Naraka territory would be seriously bad news for The Hole. That's why we'll give all of you the exact location and layout of their hideout and let you go to work."
A bodyguard approached the duo and handed them the map of the perpetrator's hideout. The base seemed to reside in area one, the largest of areas in The Hole. It contained roughly two million people.
Derrick controlled his spirituality, causing his racing heart rate to return to its normal range. "Thank you, we will see it done."
Callus' sharp, ravenous eyes stared daggers at Derrick. They invoked both childish intrigue and intense danger. "Oh? You're a polite one. I like you! What is your name?"
"Derrick, Derrick Foster."
"Hm...I'll make sure to remember that name. You're dismissed, now get to work you two~ Especially you, old man."
"..." Ying maintained his silence.
____
Upon leaving the abandoned factory, Derrick's knees collapsed as the intense atmosphere subsided. The terror he felt while looking at Callus wasn't anything compared to what he felt during his first day as a transmigrator.
When he first transmigrated, he was overwhelmed by the confusing setting and sudden paradigm shift. However, Callus radiated a terror that could be described as purely evil, like a child given the powers of a God.
"Come on Derrick, get up. We have no time to waste. Displeasing Callus will surely kill us."
"Gi...is someone like him normal in The Hole? Just how many monsters exist here?"
"You'll find plenty of people like him. That's just how The Hole is. Now come on, I can't have my money waiting for too long now." Ying's eyes lit up as he thought of the new furniture he could buy with the money, perhaps he could lease a whole new apartment!
It seems that money truly does run this world… Derrick thought with a sarcastic tone.
"Perhaps I can pay for more information about Outworlders with the money."
__
"Hey! Did you get the thing yet Reida?" Callus said over his communication talisman.
"Yes, we've finished up the cleaning over in area two. Now hurry up with the cleaning, the boss doesn't like it when you take your time. The only reason you haven't been disposed of is because of your strength."
Callus' face contorted into a cruel and twisted smile upon hearing her words. "Oh come on Reida, aren't you a little too worried about the boss? The old bag can barely handle himself, let alone Testament. I'm doing my job just fine." Despite his calm expression, his anger was as clear as day from his inflection.
"What is your plan, Callus? Someone as sly as you couldn't possibly be aiming for the expansion of the Testament, so what is it?"
"Hehe! Sorry, but that's a secret~ Even if I told you, you wouldn't even understand the value of the information. Let's just say that it's all a tragic joke! That's right, that would be the right way to describe it."
"...You never get any easier to understand."
"And I intend to keep it that way!"
"Very well, joker." Reida hung up the phone.
Telling her the truth won't do me any good right now. Testament hasn't gained enough influence to be useful just yet, and I still don't have all of the clues I need. Derrick, on the other hand, has got quite the secret. However, he's still too weak. I'll keep an eye on him until I can nurture him properly. Just like a little lamb; I have to care for it and fatten it up before you tear it into its flesh.