The City of Ainsberch sprawled beneath them. On bustling corners, musicians wove their melodies into the air, each note a swirling smoke ring dancing on the breeze. Warm, inviting light spilled from open tavern doors, carrying with it the tantalizing scents of sizzling meat and exotic spices. A street magician, his cloak a swirl of midnight velvet, materialized doves from empty air, eliciting a gasp of astonishment from Yako.
The "Ammunition" sign, on one of the buildings peaked his interest. The Umaya's discarded pistol, cold and heavy in his pocket. Inside, the shop hummed with a different kind of energy. Rows of gleaming weapons glittered beneath harsh lights, and the acrid scent of gunpowder hung heavy in the air.
In the shooting range, the roar of gunfire swallowed their conversation. Yako, a novice clutching the pistol with nervous grip, surprised them both by hitting four out of eight targets. Kitsune, fueled by a mix of instinct and frustration, pushed himself, finally achieving seven out of ten across varying distances.
As they stepped back into the city's vibrant embrace, a tense silence hung between them. The city lights reflected in his eyes, a reflection of possibilities and perils in this gaming world. The music, once joyful, now sounded like a siren song, urging him towards a dangerous dance. But it was Yako, her hesitant smile and wide eyes, who anchored him to the present.
She tugged on his sleeve, her voice a whisper against the city's roar. "Let's get some ramen," she suggested, her eyes searching his. "There's this amazing place around the corner."
Just then a new mission popped up on his feed.
[New Mission]
[Extermination of the Umayas]
Kitsune hesitated, the echo of gunfire mingling with the city's symphony. He took a deep breath, the knot in his gut loosening ever so slightly.
"Ramen it is," he smiled, a genuine one this time.
The first rays of dawn shimmered on the greasy pavement, casting long shadows from the looming brick buildings. The ramen shop with its steamy windows and cheerful neon sign, remained tantalizingly out of reach. Between them and solace lay the notorious Dead End Alley, a maze of rusted fire escapes and graffiti-laced walls, its reputation echoing off the damp cobblestones.
Yako's voice, barely a whisper, urged caution. "Maybe another way, eh?" she suggested, her eyes flicking nervously towards the dark mouth of the alley.
Kitsune, fueled by a restless energy he couldn't explain, ignored her. He'd tasted adrenaline in the gun range, a bitter tang on his tongue. Maybe, just maybe, this too was a challenge waiting to be met.
They stepped into the alley, the stench of decay and stale alcohol clinging to the air like a shroud. Three figures materialized from the gloom, ski masks hiding their faces, menacing shadows in the pale dawn light.
One lunged at Kitsune. With a swiftness born of instinct and desperation, Kitsune disarmed him, slamming him against the wall with a sickening thud. The blow echoed through the alley, a grim soundtrack to their encounter.
Before he could react, another figure grabbed Yako, a glint of metal flashing in his gloved hand. But in a lightning-fast move, Yako spun and kicked, disarming the attacker with a precision that stunned Kitsune. The man stumbled back, muttering curses, his bravery deflated.
The last figure, surrendered, and froze, fear paralyzing him. Kitsune met his gaze, the steely glint in his eyes reflecting the cold light of dawn.
"Talk," he growled, his voice rough with adrenaline. "Who sent you?"
The man in the ski mask swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. "Umayas," he said, his voice barely audible. "They… they heard about you."
A cold fire ignited in Kitsune's eyes. The Umayas wouldn't let go easily, their fangs sunk deep into the underbelly of this city.
Yako spoke up, "Let's get him back to Vespo. We need more information, let's get him away from these alleys."
Kitsune nodded, a grim agreement passing between them. They marched the shivering man back to the inn, the first rays of sunshine painting the cobblestones in hues of gold and danger. In the flickering candlelight of Vespo Inn, the man in the ski mask sat opposite them, a captive mouse amidst the weathered furniture.
The customers, bleary-eyed from a long night, stared with silent curiosity as Kitsune and Yako interrogated their prisoner.
As the man in the ski mask peeled back the layers of the Umayas' plans, revealing secrets and vulnerabilities, a different kind of hunger stirred within Kitsune. It was then Kitsune knew he had to attack them first.
[Name: Kitsune Zenko
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
MP: 10/10
Money: $9,490
Mission: Extermination (2 stars)
Objective: Take out the Umayas
Reward: Acquisition of the Umayas
Lives: 1]
The sun climbed higher, bathing the city in a harsh light. Inside Vespo Inn, a new day unfolded, not with smells of coffee, but with whispers of conflict.